LEVEIN BIDS TO MAKE IT SPARKS PARK

CRAIG LEVEIN admits he didn't know where to start when he accepted the challenge of trying to put Raith Rovers back on the football map.

But just two weeks into the job he believes a coat of paint, a good clean up and a change of attitude has already put the Fife club on the right road.

The former Hearts boss ended a seven-month sabbatical from the game after leaving Leicester to take over from Gordon Dalziel at Stark's Park. Levein, whose side host Alloa today, said: "It's been hectic as there are so many things needing attention. We need to tidy the place up and give a better feel to it as there are many areas where money hasn't been spent.

"The whole place needed a facelift. When we ask people to come here to work they need a more positive attitude as a lot of things have happened at the club over the years which have been negative. We need to change that.

"The most important thing any football club is winning matches so that is the priority.

"Improving the attitude and quality of the players is an issue I'm trying to address. One thing alone won't make a difference but if we tighten up discipline that will be a positive start.

"The biggest problem was the timing of my arrival after the transfer window closed as there was a bit of money to bring players in but I missed the boat.

"I'm fairly happy with the quality in the majority of areas but we have very little cover. I have 15 outfield first-team players and two goalkeepers which is a few away from a healthy squad of around 20.

"There were a lot of factors which allowed me to make the decision to come here but I'm thoroughly enjoying it and it's a problem-solving role which is a manager's job.

"I've been looking at our opponents' team-lines over the past couple of weeks and I recognise some of the names from my time as manager of Cowdenbeath but a lot of them are new to me. I have always gone to watch as many games as I can and I'll be doing a lot of that now as I need to catch up as quickly as possible.

"I have to try to get results as quickly as possible and I've been fairly pleased with the performances in the two games since I've been here - four points isn't bad."

Levein has been tipped for a short stay at Raith and quick return to the big time. But he said: "The only way I can approach it is having the mindset that I'm not going to be leaving in the near future.

"I'm not going to be out of the door tomorrow and whether I'm here for a months or years we need to take the club forward by making it more professional."

Taken from the Daily Record