Training with Hibs will bring me up to speed
Raith teen Dylan can’t wait to link up with Premiership side ahead of switch
DYLAN TAIT picked the perfect time to bag his first goal of the season for Raith Rovers after revealing he is set to start training with Hibs from today.
The midfielder signed for the Easter Road side on transfer deadline day in August but was loaned straight back to the Kirkcaldy club until January.
The 19-year-old got Rovers on their way to a quarter-final clash with Inverness Caley Thistle with the opener in Saturday’s local derby with East Fife.
And he has vowed to build on his goal when kickstarting his Hibs career as he prepares to train two days a week with Jack Ross’ hopefuls ahead of his New Year switch.
Tait said: “Obviously Hibs have top-class midfielders who do chip in with goals, so I’m going to need to work really hard and chip in with goals to get in the team.
“From this week, I’m going in Monday and Tuesday with Hibs and then training here Thursday and Friday.
“Training with Premiership players at Hibs, who are third in the league and maybe play at a faster speed and are more physical, and also then coming back here, should really help me on the park.
“I spoke to the gaffer at Hibs and he just wants me to go in and do my thing, work hard and impress them so that when I go in January I can fight to get in the Hibs team.
“I’m feeling that from Monday onwards that will be me more of an actual Hibs player, rather than just on loan, because I have not really been there much.
“I’m really looking forward to getting in. But Raith Rovers is still my main focus just now.
“We’re doing really well in the league and we have a big game coming up against Arbroath.”
Tait stumbled on Liam Dick’s low cross but recovered to slide in a composed finish for the opener in the 35th minute.
Scott Mercer drilled in the equaliser just two minutes later following a poor clearance from Kyle Benedictus.
However, only two minutes after that, Aidan Connolly curled in a sensational free-kick to restore Rovers’ lead.
Matej Poplatnik then nodded in a 62nd-minute third from a corner straight off the training ground just four minutes after coming on.
Tait added: “I want to score as many goals as possible. Last year I scored two and I’m one away from that already!
“Hopefully I can just keep on doing what I’m doing on the pitch.
“I will get chances – I get a chance pretty much every game – so hopefully I will keep on getting into the right positions.”
East Fife defended manfully but Raith always looked comfortable and the Methil men have now suffered five straight defeats.
Manager Darren Young said: “We got the fight and desire, it was just that wee bit of quality that was missing.”
ALAN MARSHALL AT STARK’S PARK