Raith Rovers boss Dougie Imrie reveals squad selection headache for final league game v Ross County

Whilst not naming the players who will miss out, Imrie’s comment today that “some are injured and some are saying they’re injured” hints that some had shown reluctance to play for Raith ahead of their potential departure for a new club this summer.

The Stark’s Park gaffer – who has 14 players going out of contract including loanees – sensationally helped Raith see off the Staggies 6-0 on their last league visit to Kirkcaldy in December but this time takes on the bottom-placed team who know that only a win will give them a chance of sneaking above Airdrieonians and into the relegation play-off place. Third bottom Greenock Morton – Imrie’s former club – could also be overhauled by Stuart Kettlewell’s Staggies if the Ton lose to Airdrieonians and County beat Raith with a five-goal swing.

Imrie told the Fife Free Press: “Certainly there will not be any complacency from us, but I'm 100% sure Ross County will be using that 6-0 defeat to us as ammunition.

"We've got it in the palm of our hands. We've got three teams fighting for their lives and we've probably got a say in it all.

"Who can finish bottom, who can potentially finish eighth, ninth. Obviously, Morton are in the driving seat at the moment, sitting eighth, but if they don't win the game and other things happen here, then it could be any one of three that get relegated and any one of three that could finish in the play-offs and any one of three that could stay in the league.

"It's going to be a tense evening, but I can only concentrate on the group that are going to be available. I think I've only got 15 players available, so that's where we're at.

"Again, it'll be the same next season. I only want players that want to be here and play for the club.

"There is people injured and there is people saying they're injured.

"I don't know if they don't want to be here, but certainly I only want people that want to play for the football club and want to put their body in the line and want to play through the pain barrier. That's where we're at. I can't make people play."

When asked if it was a blow to only have 15 players to pick from, Imrie added: “No, it's not a blow. You can only pick 11 anyway, so it doesn't make any difference.

"I have been in worse positions where I had one substitute and 11 starters. That's what it is.

"That's expected this time of year when there's nothing to play for, people are out of contract, people maybe know where they're going. Unfortunately, I feel sorry for the board to pay wages.”

Raith go into the County game fifth in the table on 42 points. A Rovers win will guarantee they finish fifth above Queen’s Park and Ayr United in mid-table.