McKinnon thrilled with Daly deal
Raith Rovers manager Ray McKinnon has revealed new boy Jon Daly had turned down a more lucrative offer from a Ladbrokes Championship rival to sign on at Kirkcaldy.
The former Rangers and Dundee United striker goes straight into the Rovers squad for their Scottish League Cup second-round clash with Hamilton at Stark's Park on Tuesday night after signing until January.
McKinnon beat competition from abroad, England and closer to home to bring in the 32-year-old.
Daly was released by Rangers in the summer after scoring only four goals last season but he netted 21 the previous campaign.
McKinnon told Raith TV: "I'm absolutely thrilled to have him on board.
"He's going to give us something we didn't have - a big presence, the ability to hold the ball up, great experience - and he will take a bit of pressure off Mark Stewart and Craig Wighton, especially with Lewis Vaughan out for the season.
"We knew he was training well at Dundee United and trying to move abroad and had some offers, and I made contact with him.
"I have known him for a few years because I took him through his (coaching) badges and we had a right good chat and were in constant dialogue over the past week.
"I tried to sell the club to him and thankfully he has taken on board what we are trying to do here.
"There was a last-minute call from a big club in our league trying to steal him away but he came to us and that says a lot about him.
"He was offered a lot, lot more money to go there but we shook hands on a deal on Sunday night and, true to his word, he came in and signed for us, and that shows his character."
Kyle Benedictus is available for Rovers after a ban but the injured Craig Barr (groin) remains out.
McKinnon believes his side are facing a Hamilton team very much on form. He said: "Hamilton are coming here after defeating Dundee United 4-0 and then travelling to Inverness Caledonian Thistle and winning 2-0.
"That is impressive form and tells me that we have to play at our very best to have any chance of winning through."
Hamilton player-manager Martin Canning (calf) and midfielder Danny Redmond (knee) are moving closer to comebacks.
Midfielder Darren Lyon (illness) is expected to remain on the sidelines alongside Chris Turner (knee) and Michael Devlin (ankle).
Meanwhile young defender Aldin El Zubaidi and Jack Harrison have both been released by the club.
Source: PAR
