The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

Easton has more to come after stunning first goal for Raith

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Dylan Easton revealed his delight after capping off a fine display with a trademark goal from distance.

The flashy playmaker volleyed a dipping effort from range beyond the Dunbar United goalkeeper in Saturday’s testimonia­l for Grant Thomson at New Countess Park.

That was just one of seven goals from the away side on the day, but it was the pick of their strikes.

Easton followed manager Ian Murray from Airdrie after a rollercoas­ter campaign which saw them narrowly miss out on promotion before losing out in the play-offs.

He is fully aware of the demands the former Rangers and Hibernian defender puts on his squad.

He said: “I’m loving it. I’m loving every minute of it. I know what the gaffer expects from the boys.

“So it was just a case of getting in and getting used to new faces.

“We showed our quality (on Saturday) – there’s a lot more to come.

“It was all about getting minutes and building up that sharpness in games. We’ve got another two next week.”

Easton already has a stunning array of strikes to his name and the latest one will have heightened the excitement of the Rovers support, eager as he is to get the new season under way.

Before that new signings are required, specifical­ly in defence, where Christophe Berra lined up alongside Liam Dick, usually a left-back, at centre-half.

17-year-old Greig Young started at left-back and was replaced at halftime by trialist Brody Paterson.

The defence was rarely tested, however, while at the other end the attacking players were given the opportunit­y to get a feel for matches once more.

Easton didn’t disappoint, setting up Aidan Connolly for the fourth goal of the day shortly after his own.

“I seemed to pick up a lot of (those types of goals) last season – the six-yard ones and the easy ones, the open goals, I seem to miss.

“Looking over last season I scored a lot of good ones.

“As long as they find the back of the net, I can help the team and that’s the most important thing.”

The 28-year-old made Rovers his 10th club this summer, but not until after much deliberati­on now that he has a young family to consider.

“I did have a lot of offers,” said Easton.

“I took my time deciding with my family, that’s the most important thing. I sat down with my partner because she’s studying at university.

“We made the decision together, but as soon as the manager got the job, I knew what it was like to play under him – and Raith Rovers is a massive club.

“Being a local lad I know how much it means to the fans.

“Once I spoke to (the manager) it was pretty much done in days.”

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 ?? ?? Dylan Easton, top, and Ian Murray.
Dylan Easton, top, and Ian Murray.

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