BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Ray McKinnon is desperate for Raith Rovers to produce a victory over Livingston tomorrow to match the off-field tributes that will be paid to media officer and hall of fame organiser Ally Gourlay, who passed away earlier this month.
The 53-year-old finally lost his brave and inspiring battle with cancer on February 6 after defying the prognosis he received from doctors almost two years ago predicting he had only months to live.
Gourlay, who was also chairman of the Former Players’ Association, astounded and inspired many with the positivity he displayed in facing the crippling disease head on.
Even after being given a final 48 hours to live, which he again defied, he was able to visit Stark’s Park for one last time on the Wednesday before his passing to say his ‘goodbyes’.
The funeral for the hugely popular figure, who was inducted into the hall of fame himself in 2014, will take place on Monday and there will be a minute’s applause before tomorrow’s game in honour of the club stalwart.
Rovers will also play some of Gourlay’s favourite music in the build-up to kick-off.
McKinnon said: “I’m hoping Ally will be helping us put the ball in that net on Saturday.
“It will be a sad day, but it’s maybe a day to remember all the good things about him.
“He’ll certainly be in our thoughts before the game and then hopefully we can get a result for him. That’s the biggest thing for us this week.”
