Celtic v Raith Rovers: “Go and try and fight and scrap and win,” Barry Robson

The Celtic Star

·8 Februari 2025

Celtic v Raith Rovers: “Go and try and fight and scrap and win,” Barry Robson

Barry Robson insists his Raith Rovers side ‘must get every single detail right’ this evening as the Fifers attempt to pull off a famous Scottish Cup shock at Celtic Park…

Barry Robson scores the winning goal from the penalty spot during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on April 27, 2008. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Barry Robson, who made 55 appearances for Celtic between 2008 and 2010 under the stewardship of Gordon Strachan, will return to Glasgow’s east end in the dugout for the Scottish Championship side.

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Robson has won two and lost three as Raith Rovers manager

The ex-Hoops midfielder was appointed Raith Rovers boss in December 2024 following the sudden departure of Neil Collins. Managing five games thus far, Robson has won two and lost three. Robson’s first victory for the Stark’s Park club was a surprising 2-1 victory over Falkirk in the previous round of the competition which set up a money-spinning tie with the current Scottish Cup holders.

Barry Robson. Image Premier Sports

Speaking in the Fife Free Press ahead of tonight’s encounter, Robson said: “Celtic have got super players. They’re really quick, fast, aggressive, they’ve got a top manager. We need to make sure that we get every single detail right in the game and make sure that we’re organised. We need a bit of luck. That’s probably where we’ll be at.”

‘Try and find a way to hurt them if we can’

“And we need to make sure we make no mistakes and try and find a way to hurt them if we can which is always going to be difficult at Celtic Park. Especially the way Celtic are right now.”

The 46 year-old added: “They’re flying, they’re a machine, top players, great players, boys that are doing well. It is a tough game for us. I don’t want the players just to go there and be in awe.”

Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson arrives prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park on February 18, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I want them to go and try and fight and scrap and win. And do well, work for your club and put a good performance on. That’s what I want to see. I think we need to go and, as I said, we need to defend really well first and foremost. And we need to make sure we make no mistakes and try and find a way to hurt them if we can which is always going to be difficult at Celtic Park.”

Kick off for this evening’s tie between Celtic and Raith Rovers is 5:30pm and will be shown live on Premier Sports 2. Today’s game will also be shown live on Celtic TV for subscribers based outside of Britain and Ireland.

The quarter-final draw will commence on Monday night following the conclusion of St Mirren against Hearts in Paisley. Fingers crossed Celtic’s name is in the hat.

Conor Spence

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