Paul McMullan on Raith Rovers' title dream: We must still be up there at New Year
Although he says Raith Rovers players and management aren’t yet getting carried away about making a William Hill Championship title challenge this season, midfielder Paul McMullan reckons this mindset is likely to change if the Kirkcaldy side remain in contention near the top of the table after the busy festive period.
The 30-year-old former Derry City player told the Fife Free Press: “When you get to the halfway point you’ll know more.
"After Christmas time, you'll see who's up there and see what it's looking like.
"Hopefully, we're in amongst that and whoever's up there we’ll be ready to take on.”
When asked if the current Raith squad is stronger than last season’s, McMullan said: “Probably. We've brought in guys with a lot of know-how in the league and a lot of quality.
"So far, it looks like that. We've strengthened it from last year and hopefully can continue that way.
"I think we've actually had quite a lot of injuries. It's been a lot of guys in and out or whatever. We've only had a couple of weeks where we've had near enough full strength.
“It doesn't help that it's been all forward players we’ve had injured this season so it leaves you short in one department.
"We've got the three defenders sitting on the bench. It's odd to have that many forwards injured at the one time but hopefully we can get them back sooner rather than later and the squad will start to feel a bit healthier.
"Once you get more guys back, it gives the manager more options to change the game. It's only going to help us. Everybody wants to be in a winning team. That makes it easier coming into training.
"It makes it more enjoyable, especially if you're winning on a Saturday.”
Rovers’ fine early season form certainly has some sections within the Stark’s Park support believing they could be in line to reach Scotland’s top flight for the first time since 1997, as evidenced by the large away support they had for the 1-1 draw at Stenhousemuir.
McMullan said: “That was the best crowd I'd seen since I've been here and it really gave us a lift.
"We were going towards them in the second half. Hopefully, we can get more and more of that as it makes the players feel better.”