Football Season Guide

Championship

Scotland

Championship

2021/2022

Raith Rovers

In

Christophe Berra (def) Hearts; James Keatings (att) Inverness Caledonian Thistle; Dario Zanatta (att) Ayr United; Liam Dick (def) Alloa Athletic; Aidan Connolly (mid) Falkirk; Tom Lang (def) Clyde; Matej Poplatnik (att) Livingston – loan;

Out

Kieran MacDonald (r)(def) Hamilton Academical; Manny Duku (r)(att) Inverness Caledonian Thistle); Dan Armstrong (r)(mid) Kilmarnock; Gozie Ugwu (sp)(att) Greenock Morton; Iain Davidson (def) retired; David McGurn (gk) retired; Jack Smith (att) Dundonald Bluebell; Fernandy Mendy (r)(def); Timmy Abraham (sp)(att) Fulham – loan ended; Kai Kennedy (r)(mid) Rangers – loan ended; Adam King (sp)(mid) Dundee Utd – loan ended; Jamie Gullan (r)(att) Hearts – loan ended; Nathan Cooney (def) Dundee United – loan ended; Regan Hendry (r)(mid) Forest Green Rovers;

Unfancied Raith Rovers were a surprise package last season as they finished in third place but were blown away by Dundee in the play-offs. Coming into the Championship as League One winners they quickly established themselves as among the top teams in the division last season with a neat and flowing style. Rovers have lost their regular left-back Kieran MacDonald to Hamilton and stalwart centre-back Iain Davidson has moved to Brechin City. Winger Dan Armstrong has joined Championship rivals Kilmarnock. Striker Manny Duku is now at rivals Inverness. They will miss the talent of on-loan winger Kai Kennedy who has returned to Rangers. Midfield talent, Regan Hendry has gone to Forest Green Rovers. Highly experienced centre-back Christophe Berra has signed from Hearts. At 36 with a series of injuries behind him his durability over the season is in doubt. Tom Lang (Clyde) and Liam Dick (Alloa) add further options in defence. James Keatings (Inverness) could be the natural finisher they need, but he is injury-prone. Dario Zanatta and Aidan Connolly add further attacking options. Striker Matej Poplatnik has joined on loan from Livingston but failed to score in 19 appearances last season. Rovers will be hoping to maintain and improve on the standards they achieved last season. They have a balanced squad with cover in most areas. With Lewis Vaughan hopefully returned to full fitness, they have one of the best attackers in the Championship, but they need a goalscorer.

Target

After last season, and without an obviously ‘big’ team in the Championship such as Hearts or Dundee, Raith Rovers will be aiming at a serious title challenge.