McHattie will benefit from his experience

Kevin McHattie is adamant enduring the agony of relegation with Hearts will stand him in good stead as he aims to avoid the same fate with Raith Rovers.

The 23-year-old was thrust into an unenviable position during the 2013/14 campaign with the Jam Tarts, as the club sought to overturn a 15-point deduction and survive in the top flight – all with a squad decimated by administration.

Still a teenager, McHattie suddenly found himself a first-team regular, quickly adapting to the pressure and uncertainty of attempting to avoid the drop, with the very existence of the Edinburgh institution also in the balance.

Little wonder, then, that McHattie is refusing to be cowed by Rovers’ perilous position, just two points above the relegation play-off position ahead of today’s Fife derby at Dunfermline.

He said: “The one with Hearts was a really tough season but I definitely believe it was one I learned from.

“I will be able to take things from that campaign into this situation at Raith.

“You learn a lot about pressure and the demands of a relegation battle.

“It was tough that season and, although if we hadn’t had that 15-point deduction I think we would have stayed up, it was a hard situation.

“Like anything in football, the main thing is you can look back on it and say you’ve come out stronger.”

While no one at Raith is in any doubt about the importance of the trip to East End Park, in terms of league position and local pride, it will be a particularly poignant outing for McHattie.

The former Scotland under-21 internationalist hails from Glenrothes and grew up supporting Rovers, attending games with his late grandfather.

McHattie continued: “I’m a local boy, my grandad supported Raith – and I was even at Dunfermline when I was younger, so no one can say I don’t know what the derby is about. My grandad used to go to all the Raith games, so I’ll do it for him on Saturday.”

Going down with Hearts will stand Kevin McHattie in good stead.