Fifers show battling instincts

14 Oct 1996

Raith Rovers ............... 1 Hearts ...............1

RAITH Rovers remain rooted at the foot of the premier division, but at Stark's Park on Saturday, new manager Iain Munro saw signs which must give him great encouragement for the long, hard season which lies ahead.

History proves that in the fight for survival it is the real battlers who come through, and the Fife side showed that quality in abundance against Hearts.

They lost a dreadful goal after just two minutes and, for most of the afternoon, were outplayed by a Hearts side who must have travelled back to Edinburgh somewhat bemused by the fact that they had only one point to show for their efforts.

Rovers refused to be swamped and grabbed a share of the points with a spectacular strike from Scott Thomson 19 minutes from time.

Raith also look to have unearthed a real bargain in 28-year-old English defender Graham Mitchell.

Given a free transfer by Bradford, Mitchell was snapped up by Munro last week and was hugely impressive in his debut.

Said Munro: "He was tremendous.

He has played more than 400 matches in England for Huddersfield and Bradford and his experience shone through." Mitchell himself admitted his move to Scotland had come out of the blue.

"I was very surprised when Bradford gave me a free transfer," he said.

"And when I got a call from Iain Munro I didn't know a thing about this club.

I must admit that I looked at the map and tried to find Raith.

Obviously, it wasn't there.

"I really enjoyed my first taste of Scottish football.

It is quicker and more lively than what I have been used to and now I'm looking forward to matches against Rangers and Celtic." Another new boy who impressed on Saturday was Hearts striker Stephane Paille.

Although very short of match fitness the Frenchman showed a lot of good touches and may win himself a contract at Tynecastle.

He will play in the Hearts reserve side tonight and said: "After that I hope to talk to manager Jim Jefferies about a contract.

Another Scottish club is interested in me, but I want to sign for Hearts." Paille believes he can form a strong partnership with veteran John Robertson, who on Saturday showed his sharpness with the opening goal, dragging the ball across the edge of the penalty area and sending a low drive inside the right-hand post.

That goal looked like being enough to give Hearts victory until the seventy-first minute when slackness in the midfield cost them dearly.

Scott Thomson was all on his own when he gathered a clearance and hammered a glorious drive from 25 yards high into the net.

Next league matches: Raith Rovers - Kilmarnock (a).

Hearts - Celtic (h).

Taken from the Herald