Raith Rovers' Scott Brown: Current buzz is reminiscent of when we finished runners-up in 2024

The difference for Brown, 31, is that rather than being a regular starter like three seasons ago – when he featured 41 times in league and cups – this term he has missed Raith’s entire Premier Sports Cup campaign with a calf injury and only returned as a substitute in the past five league matches including the 4-0 home win over Arbroath last Saturday which temporarily put Rovers top on 13 points from six matches.

Brown, hoping to force his way into consideration to start in this Saturday’s league game at fellow high flyers Partick Thistle, told the Fife Free Press: “I would say this group now is up there with the squad that we managed to finish second with. Hopefully, we could at least match that this year.

"We know it's been a good start, but it’s nothing more than that. We're just trying to keep our heads down and just take every game as it comes.

"We've got a massive game on Saturday that we need to concentrate on.

"I think once the first quarter is out of the way, we'll sit back there and see where we're at.

"I think once everyone's played everyone, you'll get a better gauge of where you're at.”

A highlight of Rovers’ 2023-2024 campaign was Brown’s stunning late volley which sealed a 2-1 home league win over eventual champions Dundee United that February.

Raith subsequently ended the league season on 69 points – just six behind United – before beating Partick Thistle on penalties in the promotion play-off semi-finals then crashing 6-1 on aggregate to Ross County in the subsequent final to dash their hopes of top flight football.

When asked if he reckons the current ‘buzz’ around Stark’s Park is similar to what he felt three seasons ago, Brown added: “Yes, of course. I think when you start by winning a few games, it's always nice. It's important to start on the front foot. We've seen that with the seasons that we've had recently.

"Those seasons have not started as well as we would have liked (Raith have then ended fifth in the past two campaigns).

"So, as I said, it's nothing more than a good start. We've played six games and we've got a really tough game on Saturday that is going to show where we're at with regards to another team that will be up there challenging probably.

"I think it’s a given that our minimum target is the play-offs. We let ourselves down at the start of the last couple of years with regards to that.

"We know that throughout the season, it's going to be a rollercoaster. There's going to be ups and downs and we need to be ready to react once the games start turning, because we know we're not going to go through the season unbeaten.”

Brown said he was frustrated at being a substitute recently and stressed his determination to force his way back in by “showing what I’ve got” every time he enters the field.

On his individual campaign so far, Brown added: “On a personal level, it's been difficult, obviously, getting injured at the start of pre-season.

"It was a tough one to take with my calf.

"Being back now and not being able to get myself back in the team yet is frustrating from a personal point of view, but I would caveat that by saying that I think Calum Adamson's been excellent since he's come in, really good. Kai Montagu as well.

"And obviously, Charlie Telfer was playing well before he got injured as well.

"It's tough when you're not playing, but it's a case of being patient and being ready to take the chance when you get it.”