RAMPANT RAITH
Returning Rovers stun Hearts to earn a salute from the boss
RAITH ROVERS manager John McGlynn hailed his players after they emerged from self-isolation to win at Tynecastle for the first time in 28 years.
Gozie Ugwu, Manny Duku and Reghan Tumility had the visitors coasting before league-leaders Hearts rallied in the second half with a Liam Boyce brace.
Robbie Neilson’s side might even have nicked a point but were denied by some superb saves from former Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald.
Raith, who had not played since December 29, had only one training session on Friday to prepare for the game after a Covid-19 outbreak, which forced the postponement of last week’s visit of Inverness.
‘I’m very proud of the boys for that performance,’ said a beaming McGlynn, whose team host Hearts again on Tuesday.
‘More so because of what we’ve been through, but to come here under any circumstances and win, and score three goals is just fantastic.
‘It was an amazing effort from every one of the players.’
Hearts started like the team who had been idle for over three weeks as enterprising Raith drew first blood after only five minutes.
Dan Armstrong’s short corner led to panic inside the Hearts penalty box and Ugwu picked up the loose ball with his back to goal before slotting a shot into the far corner of the net from close range.
The hosts continued to look subdued and Raith had a great chance to double their advantage in the 24th minute when referee John Beaton pointed to the spot after Stephen Kingsley hauled down Armstrong at the byeline.
However, Regan Hendry’s spot-kick was brilliantly pushed on to the post by the outstretched Craig Gordon.
Hearts finished the half on the front foot but failed to find an equaliser despite a neat bit of skill from Gary Mackay-Steven culminating in the winger hitting a half-volley straight at MacDonald.
But Rovers came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second period and scored two goals inside seven minutes.
This time, substitute Duku scored from the penalty spot in the 47th minute after Michael Smith was adjudged to have fouled the impressive Kai Kennedy.
Five minutes later, on-loan Rangers forward Kennedy then did brilliantly to provide the assist for Tumilty to make it three as Hearts looked to have capitulated.
The little forward skinned Craig Halkett before squeezing a pass through Gordon at the front post, leaving the right-back to slot the ball home.
Hearts pulled one back in the 58th minute when Boyce’s glancing header from Josh Ginnelly’s cross beat MacDonald.
The Raith keeper then produced heroics to deny Mackay-Steven, Smith and Steven Naismith.
Boyce managed to pull another goal back deep into injury time, heading in Andy Irving’s corner but Raith held on.
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson was shown a second yellow card at full-time after confronting referee Beaton on the pitch.
‘To be honest, we were not at the races for about the first 50, 60 minutes,’ said Neilson.
‘We lose a penalty which, in my opinion, is not a penalty and then their third goal is a handball on the line that you hope the linesman will see, but it wasn’t to be.’