Scott Brown urges Raith Rovers to win promotion from Championship as champions

Captain Scott Brown has challenged Raith Rovers to win the Championship title next season as they head into the summer looking to come to terms with the disappointment of losing the cinch Premiership play-off final.

The Kirkcaldy side fell at the last hurdle in the bid to reach the top flight on Sunday when a 4-0 defeat by Ross County in Dingwall saw them lose the play-off 6-1 on aggregate.

Brown, who has another year left on his contract at Starks Park, believes Rovers will be “absolutely” ready for another tilt at promotion next season and is looking to make it up as champions.

The 29-year-old former St Johnstone and Peterhead midfielder said: “It’s disappointing right now and that will last throughout the summer.

“But when the dust settles I think we will look back on this season with pride and it will be a case of coming back in after the summer and getting ready to go again.

“We have shown how good we can be in the Championship.

“But, listen, we need to make sure we’re not in the play-offs next season. Hopefully we can win the league.

“I am still under contract. I have loved my time here and will continue to try my best for however long I’m here.

“If it’s next season then it’s next season. I will get ready over the summer, come back and give my all again.”

Brown does not believe the scoreline in Dingwall reflected the game.

The home side had led 2-1 from the first leg at Starks Park on Thursday night and a Simon Murray double and goals from Jordan White and substitute Brandon Khela saw the home side ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.

However, Brown said: “I actually thought we showed our true selves and played a lot better than we did last Thursday.

“It wasn’t a 4-0 game. We had a lot of the ball first half, played a lot more on the ground than the first leg.

“If you look at the season as a whole, there’s pride but also there’s disappointment that we have fallen at the final hurdle.

“They were more clinical. Having watched a few games in the top flight, I don’t think they are the second worst team in the Premiership.

“But they were in that position and, fair play, they showed their class and deserved to win over the two legs.”