Raith Rovers' Dougie Imrie on unpredictable Scottish Championship and facing Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Raith Rovers manager Dougie Imrie has claimed he isn’t taken aback by the current order of the top teams in the William Hill Championship, with the Stark’s Park gaffer saying he’s still well aware of the potential threats of pre-season title favourites Partick Thistle and Livingston, despite both rivals having had ‘below par’ starts to the season.
When asked if he was surprised that Thistle (who have risen to second place recently) and mid-table Livi had been outshone by newly promoted and early pacesetters Stenhousemuir at the opening quarter of the 2026-2027 campaign, Imrie told the Fife Free Press: “No, because there's... I call it a couple of jokers. Partick are back in and around it where you'd expect them to be, Dunfermline have had games in hand and Livingston three games from being at the top of the table.
"There's not a lot in it. Some of these teams haven’t hit top form.
"Livingston will be disappointed. Certainly, Davy (Martindale, Livingston interim manager) will be disappointed with the two recent home games (2-1 losses to Ayr United and Partick Thistle), getting no points.
"Neil Lennon will be disappointed with Dunfermline’s form. Top end, middle to front they’ve been doing really well. At the moment they aren’t finding that golden touch to put the ball in the net because they're certainly making enough chances.
“To go to Ayr United and have 28 shots on goal, same against Livingston, a lot of chances and they hit the post two or three times in the game.
"For ourselves, we just need to make sure that we keep picking up points, and keep that gap between ourselves and the teams below us.”
With Raith still challenging near the top of the table despite suffering several injuries, Imrie was asked if he is clearly a good manager to have in a ‘crisis’ situation.
He added: “I don't know, that's maybe for other people to judge. I just enjoy my job. I galvanise the players.
"You've got to get them on the pitch, knowing that there's one way that we're going to win a game of football.
"You have to try and come up with plans that are going to hurt the opposition.
"I want to win every single game. I've said it previously, I've been in worse positions at my previous clubs so it doesn't phase me.”
Raith go into their latest league match at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle tomorrow (Saturday) third on 21 points from 11 matches, one place and five points ahead of their opponents.
Imrie said: “If they win they cut the gap to two points. Always at home we want to win, so we need to do enough to win the game.
"Inverness want to come and play, keep the ball and have possession. But so do we.
"We've done well against them the last time at their place. Probably, for me, our most complete performance in 90 minutes outwith 10 minutes of the second half.
"I thought we were excellent on the day. The press, the possession, the opportunities we created. We took a very good goal.
"We have to be to that level again to get anything out of the game Inverness are a really good team squad who Scott (manager Kellacher) and Billy (assistant boss McKay have got well drilled. We need to be wary of that.
"We just need to concentrate on ourselves like we always do. We play our way and we'll see what happens on Saturday.”