BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
SCOTT Robertson reckons Ray McKinnon has brought the midas touch to Raith Rovers this season – but fears that makes him the ideal candidate for old club Dundee United.
Robertson won the Scottish Cup with United in 2010 and has been saddened by his former side’s relegation from the Premiership.
With Mixu Paatelainen having since been relieved of his dugout duties, McKinnon has been installed as the firm favourite to take over at Tannadice, where he enjoyed five seasons as a player over two separate spells.
Robertson, who was recruited by McKinnon for Raith back in October, has relished working under the Rovers boss and admits the 45-year-old has what is desperately needed to revive United.
However, with Raith seeking to go one step closer to a shot at promotion to the Premiership in this afternoon’s play-off clash with Hibernian, the Stark’s Park midfielder is desperate for his gaffer to stay.
Asked if the speculation was the talk of the dressing-room, Robertson, who left Hibs last summer, said: “No. We’re all trying to be as professional as we can. If the season was coming to an end in less exciting fashion, we could quite easily talk about it light-heartedly.
“But the fact we’re in the position we’re in, with so much to play for, we are all just trying to concentrate on what we have to do.
“Whenever the season does come to an end, we will all have a little bit of a laugh about it and hopefully keep the manager.”
Everything
Without wanting to talk up his manager’s chances of leaving Raith, Robertson has been hugely impressed with McKinnon since the pair hooked up earlier this season.
He added: “I’m not surprised he’s being linked with the Dundee United job. He’s just won his second manager of the month award in a row and has managed to bring really good players to a club like Raith Rovers.
“He’s got us into the position we’re in and we’re proving we’re more than capable of playing against the top teams.
“He’s got a little bit of everything. He knows when to speak calmly to players and when to lose the rag, and he’s tactically astute.
“He’s a good man-manager and he’ll keep improving.
“I hope he stays with Raith Rovers but there’s big speculation surrounding his future and I’m sure that will decided after the play-offs.
“He’s proved he’s more than capable of getting results in the Championship, which is where Dundee United will be next season.
“If you’re looking for anyone who knows this league and can win games in this league then I’m assuming he’s top of that list.”
