Raith Rovers manager Dougie Imrie has pinpointed eliminating self-inflicted errors as the key to beating Arbroath this Saturday and potentially going top of the Scottish Championship. The 43-year-old boss, whose side sit third with 10 points from five matches, believes his team's own mishaps were decisive in two league defeats to the Lichties last season.
What happened against Inverness?
Raith secured a 2-0 home win over Inverness in their most recent outing, a result Imrie felt they fully deserved. The opening 40 minutes were excellent, capped by a fantastic team goal. Charlie Telfer's superb pass found Jai Rowe, who made a great run and flick to score. They had chances to extend that lead with sharper decision-making. But a bad pass after 40 minutes sparked a dip, and they stopped moving the ball effectively by the break. The second half started poorly for at least 15-20 minutes before Rovers regained a foothold and created further good opportunities. A major talking point was a first-half incident where Inverness's Danny Devine pulled back Scott Tiffoney when the Raith man was through one-on-one and onside, a foul many felt warranted a red card.
Why have Arbroath been a problem?
Imrie's analysis of last season's double defeat to Arbroath is blunt. "In the two games we've lost to Arbroath we've caused our own problems, I wouldn't say they cut us open," he told Fife Today. "They took advantage of our mishaps." He noted a similar pattern against Inverness, where the visitors' opportunities stemmed from Raith mistakes. Arbroath, who finished in the top four last term, have a distinct style. They play on the front foot, don't take many risks defensively, and often clear the ball when it bounces. They deploy willing runners to press high, win possession in advanced areas, and then look to play. "They have their own way of playing, which I consider very good," Imrie admitted.
What's at stake this Saturday?
The stakes at Stark's Park are clear. A victory by three goals or more would propel Raith Rovers above current leaders Stenhousemuir and second-placed Partick Thistle into first place. Stenhousemuir do not host Thistle until Tuesday, leaving the door open. Imrie is keeping focus on the performance rather than the table. "Every game is a good incentive. We just want to win," he said. "We've had a decent start to the season. You just need to look at results, no game is easy." Arbroath will arrive with their own ambitions, currently sitting third in the final 2025 standings with 52 points from 36 games (13 wins, 13 draws, 10 losses). Their recent form shows resilience, with four draws and a loss in their last five outings, including a 1-1 draw with Dunfermline on September 5th. You can view the full league standings for more context.
How are Arbroath shaping up?
Dick Campbell's Arbroath side have been a tough opponent in recent years. Their campaign last season saw them score 43 goals but concede 41, finishing with a +2 goal difference. They ended the 2025 season 25 points behind champions St Johnstone. Their next assignment after the trip to Kirkcaldy is a home match against Queen's Park, who are sixth, on September 25th. Fans can track the Lichties' upcoming fixtures on our site. For Raith, the challenge is to impose their game and avoid the generosity they showed Arbroath last year. Imrie will demand a complete 90-minute display like the first 40 against Inverness, not the fragmented performance that followed. The team's stats from that match underline the need for consistency in both creation and concentration.
The Scottish Championship clash kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at Stark's Park.
