Ethan Ross said he was under orders from Rangers pal Connor Barron not to leave Parkhead with a Celtic star’s jersey. But he admits a battle with Alfie Agyeman for a Falkirk one will only fuel him as he seeks to take a strip off his old Raith pals.
Ross got the last 15 minutes of the Bairns’ Premier Sports Cup defeat at Parkhead after Agyeman got the nod to start. Boss John McGlynn admitted he’s attempting a balancing act, with both showing their potential to compensate for sidelined Callumn Morrison.
With Ross MacIver ruled out at Stark’s Park, both could have a big part to play as Falkirk seek to make it six wins from six. Asked if he at least left Parkhead with a shirt he could auction off years down the line, Ross, 23, laughed and said: “No, no, no, absolutely not. One of my good pals, Connor Barron, has just moved to Rangers so he told me I wasn’t allowed to get a Celtic jersey!
“He is doing brilliant right now. Making that move wasn’t an easy choice for him but everyone close to him supports him and you can tell it’s paying off for him.
“It’s competition for places here. I wasn’t happy with how many games I played last season but you take a step back, look at it and see how well Calvin Miller did and Callumn were doing. This season is a bit different with Callumn not being available through illness, so I try to take my chance when I get it.
“I thought I did well in the games I played. The gaffer has given Alfie the nod the past two games but I am ready to come on and impress. I want to play games. This will be the first time I’ve played Raith. I’m looking forward to it and seeing some familiar faces. But it’s game mode on and I’ll be ready to walk off the pitch with three points.”
A goal or assist would do wonders, especially as brother Seb has scored twice for Peterhead to Ethan’s once this term. He added: “He’s started well, I told him it’s a marathon not a sprint so he’s got to keep that up!
“We try to push each other. Every season we say whoever gets the most does whatever at the end of the season. He’s trying to say ‘Pays for a holiday’ at the end of this year so it’s a big competition between us! After my games when I get a chance to go on my phone in the changing room, the first score I’m checking is his.”
Meanwhile, Fankaty Dabo hopes he can fall in love with the game again in Kirkcaldy following a difficult period on and off the pitch. The right-back could make his Raith debut today after joining Neill Collins’ side on a deal until January earlier this week.
He is desperate to make the most of the move after being subjected to racial abuse when he missed a crucial shootout penalty for Coventry in the in the Championship play-off final defeat to Luton last year. And at Forest Green Rovers last season, Dabo was also singled out for an ‘awful’ performance by then boss Troy Deeney. But the 28-year-old is hoping he can create some happy memories in Fife.
He said: “I know the club as I have a few Scottish friends but the manager called me and sold me a project and I was like, ‘yeah’. I want to get back to enjoying my football and enjoying the people I’m playing with. I almost lost my love for football, but I’m perked back up here and it’s good.
“I’ve learned there is always another day and another game. You still have team-mates and managers who rely on you and you have food to put on the table.”
Raith are looking to kick-start their season and, despite only just joining them, Dabo is confident Collins’ side can start climbing the table. He added: “We have to produce a performance and make sure we start the climb and get back to where we need to be. Hopefully I can put in some big performances.”