GARY Locke believes his Raith Rovers side are fully prepared for their trip to Cappielow today — but acknowledges they are in for a challenging afternoon.

Locke is proud that his players have started the season in decent form, currently occupying fourth place in the Championship table.

But while Ton are nearer the bottom end of the competition, the ex-Killie man knows how tough a visit to Cappielow can be.
He told the Tele: “It will be a difficult game. Morton are unbeaten at home so we’re well aware of how difficult it’s going to be. 

“We’ve hit an indifferent spell in our last couple of league games but we got back to winning ways last week and got back to playing as well as how we have been playing.

“It’s a tough fixture and I don’t think there’s a great deal between the two teams so it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“I think we started the season well and did well in the League Cup but came up short. 

“And it was the same with the Irn-Bru Cup but in terms of the league we’ve been reasonably pleased because so far we’ve been consistently decent. We just need to get another couple of points on the board but we know we’re in for another tough game today, that’s for sure.”

Today’s clash is set to see the return of former Morton striker Declan McManus to Cappielow and the 41-year-old gaffer hopes his forward will be given a warm reception by the Ton supporters. 

But Locke is well aware of the unique circumstances surrounding McManus’s decision to join Raith over Morton in the summer and he accepts his new talent may be in for a torrid time.

He said: “I’m hopeful that Declan will get a good reception because he did so well for Morton. In the summer it was between ourselves and Morton as to who was going to sign him and I knew how good a player he was.

“I tried to convince him as much as I possibly could and I know Jim Duffy did the same. We were delighted to get him, but that’s the problem we seem to have in Scottish football.

"People go back to their old club and get ridiculed. Some fans have short memories and forget how well he did for them so I hope he gets a good reception.

“In Scotland he probably won’t, but as long as he turns it on for us, that’s all that concerns me. Everything moves on in football and some football fans have to do the same.”