Surprising admission from Raith Rovers' George Oakley after firing super hat-trick at Arbroath
After firing in a hat-trick in last Saturday’s 4-0 William Hill Championship victory at Arbroath, Raith Rovers striker George Oakley revealed that it is only recently that he has started to feel at his optimum sharpest in front of goal.
The 30-year-old English forward, who joined Raith on a two-year deal in the summer after leaving rivals Ayr United, now has six goals in nine league games for the Stark’s Park outfit this season.
“I enjoyed it out there,” Oakley – who Raith fans hailed by singing ABBA hit Dancing Queen to adjusted lyrics – told Raith TV post match at Gayfield. "If I’m being honest with everyone it’s just recently that I’ve started to feel really sharp again, really good and long may it continue. It’s my fourth professional hat-trick and as you’re getting on a bit they’re going to get less.
"I’m happy to score goals on a personal note but the main thing is we’ve come here to a difficult venue and got a win and a clean sheet, it’s unbelievable.
"Having such a good group breeds confidence and togetherness.
"There’s a lot of experience in that dressing room and when you’re high you’ve got to keep it steady and when you’re low you’ve got to bounce straight back.
"We all know how hard it’s been with all the injuries but to show the bounceback we’ve had today is a credit to everyone in there. I’m loving it at Raith, just to get back and enjoy football.
"The fans were amazing today and I want to thank them for travelling here and I’m grateful we put on a good performance for them.
"Every week we keep going. We are getting players back now and we just need to keep our foot on the pedal.”