Raith boss McGlynn wants chance to ‘right the wrongs’ after Goodwillie signing

Raith Rovers manager John McGlynn asked for the chance to “right the wrongs” of the signing of David Goodwillie as he apologised to fans and admitted the club had “completely underestimated” the reaction.

The cinch Championship side last week sparked major criticism for their decision to sign Goodwillie from Clyde given he was ruled by a judge in a civil court case in 2017 to have raped a woman.

Rovers initially doubled down on the decision before performing a U-turn four days later.

Former Scotland striker Goodwillie is not training with the club and will not play, and the board is negotiating his contractual situation having handed him a two-and-a-half-year deal.

McGlynn is the first figure from the Rovers hierarchy – other than skipper Kyle Benedictus – to face the media about the signing. He answered a number of questions after the club had initially stated he would make a statement and then focus on discussing Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park.

McGlynn said: “It’s been extremely difficult for everyone involved and we apologise enormously for the distress that we have brought to our fans, our sponsors, anyone hurt in any way at all. It was never our intention to do that.”

The reaction included two directors and a large number of employees and volunteers quitting, shirt sponsor Val McDermid withdrawing her backing, the women’s team ending ties with the club, and criticism from Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and former Prime Minister and Raith fan Gordon Brown.

McGlynn admitted football ambition had got too far ahead of other considerations.

“We just completely underestimated the feeling and the depth of feeling that has come from that signing,” he added. “We did not anticipate that at all.

“If we could