BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
RAITH Rovers defender Craig Barr grew up a Rangers supporter – but the last thing he wants to see is his boyhood heroes having a party today.
The former Livingston and Queen of the South stopper will stand between Rangers and a possible league title triumph this afternoon as the Ibrox outfit seek the victory that will see them crowned champions if Hibernian fail to win at St Mirren.
And the 29-year-old is determined the Fifers will not have to watch Mark Warburton’s men celebrating on Rovers’ home turf at the full-time whistle.
Barr only overcame a second lengthy spell out injured when he made his first appearance of the season in February but is relishing the prospect of today’s mouthwatering occasion.
He said: “It is obviously one you enjoy playing in.
“They can be difficult but when you are going through the darker times, they are the ones you look forward to playing and the ones that give you that little extra push and determination.
“It is always nice to play against big teams.
Party
“But you don’t want someone coming and winning the league on your own ground.
“You want to be hard to beat and you do not want anyone coming to Stark’s and having a party – definitely not.”
Raith manager Ray McKinnon has urged his side to use Rangers’ possible title triumph as an incentive to raise their own game as they seek the points that could clinch fourth spot and a play-off place.
A shot a promotion would add another highlight to an already-busy summer for Barr, who is getting married to partner Carolyn during the close-season.
With a stag do in New York and Las Vegas, the wedding and then a honeymoon in Florida, the ex-Gretna player is glad he had the foresight to factor in a possible play-off with Rovers.
Barr, who admits it is ‘unlikely’ he will get a new deal with Raith this summer, added: “I have been in football a long time so, when the wedding and my stag were being planned, I knew the dates I had to plan it around.
“Even six or seven months ago, it was all being planned around the possibility of the play-offs.
“So if we do get into the play-offs, which is obviously our aim, I will still be all right.”
