FIND US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK
RAITH ROVERS have scooped a League One double – and boss Barry Smith believes not talking about last season’s failure has been behind their early success.
Smith has been named the division’s manager of the month for August, whilst 13-goal forward Lewis Vaughan has lifted the player accolade.
It is recognition for an impressive run of five wins and a draw last month and reward for the way Smith has inspired the Stark’s Park squad to instantly shake off the bitter disappointment of last term’s calamitous relegation from the Championship.
Double celebration for #Raith as manager Barry Smith & 13-goal attacker Lewis Vaughan win @Ladbrokes August awards for League 1. #RRFC #SPFL pic.twitter.com/FZR1KUypDB
— Capital City Press (@CCP_sport) September 4, 2017
And the former Dundee, Alloa Athletic and Aldershot Town head coach is determined to ensure the emphasis remains firmly on future goals and not past mistakes.
He said: “Did I do anything special in the summer? Yes, never spoke about last season.
“For me, it’s gone, and you move on. Football moves quickly and we had to focus on what we wanted to do this year.
“That’s where the focus has been for the players and everything has been positive and on what we’re wanting to do.
“That’s why we’ve got a team that’s playing with confidence at the moment, because they’re enjoying their football and we’re getting results.
EARLY
“But it’s the early part of the season and we must continue to focus on what we want to do.”
Vaughan has been in stunning form, netting for nine consecutive games to take his season’s tally to 13 goals in just 10 matches this term.
Smith saw Hearts succeed in signing skipper Ross Callachan ahead of last week’s transfer deadline and rumours circulated that there was also interest in Vaughan.
But Smith is thrilled he can still call on the services of the prolific 21-year-old.
He added: “There was a lot of talk but when it comes down to it he’s a Raith Rovers player and that’s all I’m concerned about.”
