BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Raith Rovers chief executive Eric Drysdale has revealed the Fife club have received no approach from Dundee United for manager Ray McKinnon – and would not welcome one.
McKinnon was immediately installed as the 3/1 favourite for the Tannadice vacancy yesterday, with Mixu Paatelainen on the cusp of leaving the Tayside club.
The big Finn is expected to be relieved of his duties this week after United were condemned to relegation by a 2-1 defeat at the home of their bitter rivals Dundee.
And McKinnon, a former United favourite, is thought to be firmly in the sights of the Terrors chairman Stephen Thompson after guiding unfancied Rovers to a top four finish in the Championship on a shoestring budget.
However, Drysdale is adamant the Stark’s Park club will reject United’s advances and insists he is solely focused on this evening’s playoff quarter-final against Hibernian.
He told Capital City Press: “We are totally focused on the playoffs. Ray McKinnon is our manager and he is under contract – full stop.
“There has been no approach from Dundee United and we certainly would not welcome any approach from Dundee United.”
Drysdale, however, believes the fact McKinnon’s name is in the frame is testament to the fine job he has done since arriving at the club from Brechin City last summer.
The Rovers chief added: “Ray has clearly done very well for us this season and continues to do extremely well for us. Hopefully, with his guidance and skills, the club can continue to progress.”
