Ross Graham warns Raith Rovers that Dundee United owe them one as Championship titles pressure shifts
Graham feels the Tangerines haven't deserved to lose against the Fifers in their last two clashes ahead of crunch top of the table clash.
Ross Graham reckons Dundee United are due title rivals Raith Rovers one.
The top two in the Championship go head-to-head at Tannadice this afternoon, with United holding a one point advantage but the Fifers have a game-in-hand. United have failed to beat Rovers this season and Graham knows today would be as good a time as any to set that record straight, especially after their late loss at Kirkcaldy last time out.
Graham said: “This is a big game but all the games are for every team in the league through to the end of the season now. You speak to a lot of people around the city and everyone knows how much is riding on it. We want to get the three points so there’s a buzz around the place and among the fans. We haven’t had the best of records against Raith this season, I don’t think we deserved to lose the last time so we’re due them one.
“Hopefully we can put it right this weekend, although we know how tough a side they are and how difficult they are to break down. It helps that the game is at home and we’ll have the crowd right behind us.”
Raith have made claims of United being rattled but Graham knows the spotlight is now on Rovers. “You could look at it and say the pressure hasn’t been on Raith this season,” he stated.
“The pressure has been on us as the biggest team in the league, everyone ups their game against us every week and we’ve had to handle that. We will have to handle that again this weekend.”
The 23-year-old is one of a number of United players who are out of contract in the summer. All talks have been put on hold until they know what division they will be in. Graham accepts getting Dundee United back into the Premiership needs to be the priority.
He admitted: “My contract is up at the end of the season but nothing is happening until we know what league we’re in.
“There is uncertainty but everyone is focused on getting the club back to the Premiership. It’s not difficult to put it to one side because we’re focused on the games we have coming up.
“There’s a lot riding on the games we have in the next few weeks so that’s all everyone is thinking about. We all want to be Premiership players with Dundee United, we don’t want to be in this league and we know how important it is for the club to get back to the top league."
Graham has been in and out of the team and was unfortunate to drop out when Declan Gallagher returned from injury. Kevin Holt’s knee issue has re-opened the first-team door and he is likely going to need to be a key figure in the run-in.
“Whenever you get the call up you have to be ready for it and I think I am,” the big defender claimed. It was disappointing to come out of the team before but with Declan Gallagher coming back, it’s his natural position on the right-hand side and it’s not really mine.
“But I knew when I came in last time I did myself plenty of favours so I knew I’d be ready to go again when the chance came around. I have just been working hard in training waiting for the shout to come.
“I am just looking forward to playing whenever I can, we have a good squad and everyone needs to be ready when they’re called upon.”