Kirkcaldy victory would give Rangers lift

And I think that psychologically it will be important for them to edge ahead, albeit briefly, of current league leaders Hearts.

It will remind the Tynecastle club that the Gers are hard on their heels - and will give all of their players a huge lift.

At the same time, if they lose the game they will fall further behind Hearts and that will give their rivals a lift. So victory is vital in what is a huge match.

I do not see this match as being a chance to exact revenge for losing the Ramsdens Cup Final last season. That was a stand-alone game.

If anything, that match just underlined to Rangers that they are going to have to play well to beat Raith away from home.

Having gone a couple of weeks without a competitive fixture due to the international break, Rangers may have lost momentum.

But both Fraser Aird and Jon Daly have made progress in their comebacks from the injuries which had sidelined them. I certainly think Fraser will be involved.

I would also expect that Kris Boyd, Nicky Clark and Kenny Miller will all be involved. It will be interesting to see who starts up front.

I don't expect Raith to sit back and defend. There will be a full house at the game and their supporters will want the home team to go and attack. That could work to the visitors' advantage.

But Rangers are playing against better opposition now and they will need six or seven of their players to be on their games to triumph.

Ally McCoist's players have been involved in several games in the second tier now and they know if they come up short of the required standard what will happen to them.

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