David McGurn: Raith Rovers are not out yet

Monday, 15 February 2010 18:38

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McGurn ready to be Rovers' hero

By Gary McDaniel

Raith Rovers' goalkeeper, David McGurn, believes the Kirkcaldy side can get over the disappointment of being seconds away from booking a place in the Active Nation Scottish Cup Quarter Finals by creating a shock at Pittodrie on Tuesday.

The Fifers were on the verge of knocking the SPL side out until Gary MacDonald scored a stoppage time equalizer to send the tie to a replay.  They also suffered a heavy home defeat at the hands of Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

McGurn said, "After the game last Saturday it felt like a defeat, the boys were gutted to say the least.  We are also disappointed with this weekend's result against Caley, which we lost 4-nil."

The 29 year-old still believes there is hope for Rovers even though history suggests you only get one chance of knocking out the big guns in the cup. The Rovers stopper also took no notice to the comments from Don's manager Mark McGhee after the game in which he felt that the Fife side didn't deserve to win the match.

"His comments did not bother us at all; managers, players and supporters always tend to interpret a match in their own way, depending on who you support.

"We will go up there and try and play as well as we can and if so hopefully we get a result. The pressure is all on Aberdeen as they are the SPL side," McGurn said.

Rovers' best hope is maybe to take the Dons to penalties which could result in the former Morton keeper becoming a hero for the First Division side.

McGurn confirmed, "We do intend to practice penalty kicks in training but as always it really depends on the night who handles the pressure better."

McGurn began his career at Greenock Morton before joining the Kirkcaldy side back in 2008. He currently works part time as a lecturer at Cardonald College in Glasgow as well as being between the sticks for the Stark's Park side.

"I've been at Cardonald for three years and really enjoy it.  I teach a wide variety of classes which cover a range of sporting activities.  I had a great grounding at Morton and won two player of the year awards from the supporters but knew after five years at the club it was time for a change," he added.

The Celtic mad goalie would have also been disappointed at the outcome of his boyhood heroes' match at Pittodrie on Saturday but the Glasgow born keeper has fond Scottish Cup memories to reflect on.

"My whole family are Celtic mad. My first ever Scottish Cup memory was when Celtic won the 1988 cup final against Dundee United in their centenary year.  Growing up I was a big fan of Paddy Bonner's but also the likes of Peter Schmichael and Andy Goram, even though he played for Rangers, they all inspired me," he added.

Now it is McGurn's chance to create some Scottish Cup history of his own on Tuesday night and admits it is the biggest game of his career so far.

"I have been involved in a few big games in the league, involving winning championships or avoiding relegation, but this is the best opposition I've faced in a competitive match. There is a quarter final spot awaiting the winners so without doubt it is a massive match in terms of my career so far," McGurn said.