We were beaten by Adam's 'magic wand' says Raith boss McGlynn

Raith Rovers manger John McGlynn said Charlie Adam’s “magic wand of a left foot” was the difference between his side and Dundee on Wednesday night.
Jamie Gullan tussles with Dundee's Christie Elliott (Pic: Dave Johnston)Jamie Gullan tussles with Dundee's Christie Elliott (Pic: Dave Johnston)
Jamie Gullan tussles with Dundee's Christie Elliott (Pic: Dave Johnston)

The Stark’s Park side were beaten 3-0 at home in the first leg of the Premiership play-off semi-final with the former Scotland midfielder playing a pivotal role with a couple of exquisite passes to set up the Blues first two goals.

“I didn't think there was much in the first half,” McGlynn said, “I thought it was very close but there was one piece of magic from Charlie Adam and a great finish from Jordan McGhee.

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“Charlie was the difference overall. The balls he was playing were magnificent.”

With the game at 1-0 to the visitors, Rovers’ right back Reghan Tumilty scored a goal which was chopped off for offside.

Replays showed that he was clearly on which McGlynn said was hugely frustrating.

“It was a perfectly good goal, Reghan is not offside so to come in at 1-1 rather than one down is a far better situation.

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“We knew about it at half time and it's very frustrating because the goal makes a big difference but I'm the last manager to blame officials. I'm not that type.

“It was on the BBC, everyone can see it, so it's a talking point.

“After that I thought we started the second half quite well. Dundee set up with two tight lines so they were hard to break down.

“Unfortunately we tried an eye of the needle pass, it was intercepted and again Charlie Adam splits our defence with another amazing ball and McGhee makes a good run from the midfield and we're 2-0 down.

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“We put Gozie Ugwu on to help us play further up the pitch. We got a couple of wee sniffs but nothing clear cut.

“Then we lose the ball on the edge of the box, they break on us and create a two v one which they score from.

“It's a sore one, we just have to take it on the the chin.”

The result leaves Rovers with a mountain to climb in the televised second leg on Saturday night, but McGlynn says his team are determined to fight back.

“He said: “Teams have come back from 3-0 down during games, we've got 90 minutes to do it.

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“It's going to be a tough ask but if we don't have a go at it then we're beaten and we're out.

“It's going to be difficult. They don't need to chase the game so they'll set up tight and hit us on the counter attack, but we might as well have a go.”