Raith Rovers winger Dan Armstrong chasing second successive league and cup double

The winger’s second spell at Stark’s Park has been hindered by a thigh problem that he initially played through before leading to six weeks on the sidelines.

He has been unable to force his way back into John McGlynn’s starting line-up since returning at the start of February, but the 22-year-old is sure to be in the manager’s thoughts for the trip to Dumbarton after an impressive half hour as a substitute against the Bully Wee, which included setting up Steven MacLean for the vital winner.

“I’m just buzzing to get the win with the boys,” Armstrong told the Press.

“I just need to do my best every time I get a chance, so to come on and set up the winner was a nice feeling.

“I’d been struggling quite a bit with a tear in my tendon, which was niggling away, so I needed to come out for a bit, and it’s been a long way back.

“I’m now feeling fitter and sharper every day in training, more back to myself, and hopefully I can now remind everyone what I’m capable of.

“From a personal point of view, obviously you want to be playing, but the boys ahead of me having been winning games and doing well, so you just need to wait patiently for the opportunity and do whatever you can when you come in.

“I know what I can do, so hopefully I’m out there showing it.”

Rovers fans are already aware of the impact a fully-fit Dan Armstrong can have from his short-lived first spell at the club last season when five goals and as many assists in nine appearances led to a move to Ross County.

“I’d loved to have stayed here, but it was nothing to do with anything other than wanting to test myself at a higher level,” he said.

“Things didn’t work out up there at the start of this season, so it was a no-brainer to come back here, because I’ve never enjoyed football so much in my life playing here under the manager, and most of the boys are still here.

“I love playing in front of the fans here as well, and at the stadium, so it’s a good feeling being back.”

Armstrong is now aiming to complete a league and cup double for the second season running after being part of the County side that won the Challenge Cup, defeating Connah’s Quay Nomads in the final, before going on to clinch the Championship title.

“I’m only 22 so to get a couple of medals already is a great feeling,” he said.

“You want to win trophies in your career, and have something to look back on.

“It’s a great feeling and hopefully these boys can do the same thing, and I’ll be involved in it, which would be a personal highlight for me.

“The club belongs in the Championship but when you look at the standard of our squad, there’s a lot of boys here who deserve to play at a higher level too.

“I’m sure if we keep playing the way we can, and working as hard as we are, that’s where we’ll end up.”