Raith Rovers manager Dougie Imrie has shared his thoughts on footballing greatness, weighing in on the Lionel Messi debate and naming the best opponents and teammates from his playing days. The 43-year-old boss gave his assessment this week in an interview reported by Fife Today Football, as his side sits third in the Scottish Championship.
Imrie's team has taken seven points from their opening four league games, with a record of two wins, one draw and one loss. Their recent form reads LWWD, and they have scored five goals while conceding just three. The Stark's Park side currently trails leaders Stenhousemuir by three points in the early title race.
What did Dougie Imrie say about Lionel Messi?
With the legendary Argentine forward having recently retired from international football, Imrie was asked for his view on whether Messi is the greatest of all time. The Raith boss acknowledged the forward's phenomenal career, which included 672 goals for Barcelona and 125 for Argentina across more than 1,150 appearances. Messi is an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and claimed 46 team trophies before his final Argentina match, a 1-0 World Cup final loss to Spain in the USA this past July.
Dougie Imrie said: "He's certainly up there. I think him and Cristiano Ronaldo are the two at the top of the tree in the last 10 to 15 years." He added that Messi would have wanted to win the last two World Cups consecutively for his country but was unable to, noting that Spain were excellent in the final. You can see how Raith's own attacking stats compare this season on our stats page.
Who were the best players Dougie Imrie played against?
Drawing from his own professional career, Imrie identified a dominant defensive force as his toughest opponent. "The best player I ever played against is probably Virgil van Dijk, a top, top player," stated the manager. He elaborated that the Dutch defender possessed an unbelievable physique, exceptional pace, and a profound understanding of the game that made him a formidable challenge for any forward.
This perspective comes from a manager currently steering a defensively solid Raith Rovers side, which has a +2 goal difference so far this campaign. Keeping goals out will be vital as they look to close the gap at the top of the standings.
Which teammate impressed Dougie Imrie the most?
When asked about the finest player he shared a pitch with, Imrie pointed to creative midfielder Ali Crawford, his former teammate at Hamilton Accies. He described Crawford as a wonderful football player with a unique vision for the game. The midfielder could see passes that others couldn't and was notably accurate from set-piece situations, skills that Imrie clearly valued highly.
Imrie will be hoping to build that kind of creativity within his own Raith squad as they prepare for their next Championship fixture. The team returns to action at Stark's Park on January 2nd, 2027, against fourth-placed Arbroath.
