Derby rivalry has been brought back to Fife

JIM MCINTYRE insists familiarity won't breed contempt as the Scottish Cup throws up a third Fife derby of the season tomorrow night.

- GORDON PARKS

The former Dunfermline boss believes the resurgence of his old club and a Raith revival has returned the fixture to one of the biggest on the SPFL calendar.

A third-round clash at East End Park is expected to attract a bumper crowd.

And McIntyre admits it could be one of many instalments between the clubs in this campaign with a possible playoff collision on the cards as both teams eye top-flight promotion.

He said: "That familiarity for playing so regularly against one another is a factor as you don't want to be playing one another six or seven times a season... but you do when it's a derby.

"The derby is the best game to play in, you always want to do well in the derby.

"Both games have been really close affairs and I don't expect Friday to be any different.