Raith Rovers skipper Scott Brown on being back in team after 'rubbish' injury absence
Having made his return to action for Raith Rovers as a 67th-minute substitute for Charlie Telfer in the 2-1 league win at Queen’s Park in their last league game on August 8 after a spell out with a recurring calf injury, midfield dynamo Scott Brown admitted he found it “rubbish” being unable to help the stretched Raith squad as they attempted to cope with the rigours of competitive football in early season with only around 14 fit players.
Former Peterhead star Brown, 31, sustained his latest injury during Raith’s 4-0 home pre-season friendly victory over Edinburgh City on June 30.
And the popular skipper has now been explaining just how tough it was for him missing Rovers’ entire Premier Sports Cup group campaign in July – they agonisingly failed to qualify despite not losing any of their four matches in 90 minutes – and the opening William Hill Championship 1-1 home draw against Stenhousemuir on August 1.
"Obviously the start of the season's been a bit rubbish for me, picking up an injury," Brown told club media.
"But I feel like I'm on a better track now.
"When you're injured - especially as captain - you really miss it. You miss being out every day.
"Obviously it's a tough time but like I said I'm hopefully back on the right track now.
"We've been playing with 13, 14 players in the Premier Sports Cup and it is tough at times, especially at the start of the season to play so many games in a short space of time with so little players.
"I came back (against Queen’s Park) which was a big positive for me. I got a wee bit longer than what I thought.
"It was just good to get back out there and get minutes with the boys."
Assessing Raith’s start to the 2026-2027 William Hill Championship campaign, Brown referenced the fact that the Kirkcaldy outfit already have an away league win under their belts having only won three times away from Stark’s Park during the entirety of last season.
He added: "To come away with four points from the first two games is really good.
"We also got an away win as well which is important after last season.
"I've been impressed with the boys so far and it's a case of being patient, being ready to get back on the pitch and help the boys out when I can.
"It's my fifth season as a Raith player now.
"And I'm still enjoying every minute of it, like it was my first season to be fair.
"We've got a really important game against Ayr (Raith’s next league fixture which is being played in a 3pm kick-off at Stark’s Park next Saturday, August 22).
“It's important we utilise this week off and - for myself - get my fitness back up and to rest a few of the boys because it's been tough on them.”
Rovers are fourth in the table, below Partick Thistle, Ayr and Stenhousemuir.