Lewis Gibson is eager to make an impact following his return to Raith Rovers, where he will work under manager Dougie Imrie. The winger was recalled last week from his season-long loan at Montrose, a decision that aligns with Imrie’s vision since he took over from Barry Robson in November 2023.
Gibson, who signed a three-year contract with Raith Rovers from Queen of the South in June 2024, initially faced challenges under Robson, leading to his loan move at the start of the season. Now, he sees this return as an opportunity to showcase his abilities, especially with Imrie expressing a strong interest in bringing him back to Kirkcaldy.
“I spoke to the manager in the first couple of days he was in, and he always said he was keen to get me back in,” Gibson shared. His commitment to training has paid off, culminating in his recall. Imrie’s message to him has been clear: keep it simple when necessary and focus on expressing creativity on the pitch.
The 20-year-old is keen to contribute with goals and assists. “I’ve been given a chance now to get a few minutes in and hopefully just produce, and then hopefully that leads to more minutes,” he stated. Gibson had a modest debut, playing the last half-hour in a recent match, following a brief ten-minute appearance against Airdrie.
Despite being on loan, Gibson trained with Raith Rovers several times a week, which helped him adjust to the team’s dynamics. He acknowledges that transitioning from Robson’s style to Imrie’s will require time but remains determined to adapt quickly. “I enjoyed the loan at Montrose. It gave me more experience, and I felt I started there really well,” he explained, noting his contributions of several goals and assists during his time there.
The young winger believes that his experiences have bolstered his confidence, and he aims to impress Imrie as he reintegrates into the squad. “I knew what the script was here from training some of the week, and it’s just about getting used to it and implementing it in my game now,” he added.
Gibson is aware that adjusting to different managerial styles has posed challenges. He previously worked under Robson and then Stewart Petrie at Montrose, each with distinct tactical approaches. “It was a different style, and then I went to Montrose, and it was another different style. Coming back here I’ve had to change it again,” he said.
Looking ahead, Gibson is optimistic about finding his rhythm and contributing more significantly to Raith Rovers. As he settles into Imrie’s system, he remains focused on improving his performance and helping the team succeed in upcoming matches.
