Tonight’s Opponents

TONIGHT'S OPPONENTS OPPONENTS

Hearts continue their Betfred Cup campaign against Raith Rovers, who were awarded the League One title following the curtailment of season 2019/20.

Join us as we put the spotlight on the Kirkcaldy side and examine the links between the Jambos and Rovers.

The Manager

John McGlynn is a well kent face around Gorgie. Musselburgh born, his affi liation with Hearts began back in 1996 when as a youth coach. In 2000 he led the wee Jambos, a team that included Craig Gordon, to a 5-3 Scottish Youth Cup Final success over Rangers. The ascension continued, with John working his way up to fi rst team coach. Twice he would take on the caretaker manager’s role after John Robertson and then George Burley both exited the club in 2005. Cup semi-fi nal in 2010 and despite a 2010/11 First Division title challenge falling short, won the PFA Scotland Manager of the Year.

He was tempted back to Gorgie in June2012. Despite working to a signifi cantly reduced budget, he almost pulled off a famous European victory over Liverpool and guided the Jambos to the League Cup semi-fi nal. However, after a poor run of league results, he left the club by mutual consent in February 2013.

The Squad

Rising star Keiron Bowie departed for Fulham prior to football shutting down earlier in the year, with experienced striker John Baird also moving on to pastures new in the shape of Australia. With Lewis Allan and Michael Miller heading to Berwick Rangers and Ayr United respectively, McGlynn moved to reinforce his squad. Reghan Tumility signed from Greenock Morton, Manny Duku and Gozie Ugwu made the move North from Hayes & Yeading and Ebbsfl eet United., while Ethan Ross joined on loan from Aberdeen.

The loss of Lewis Vaughan is a big blow but with the likes of experienced players Kyle Benedictus, Iain Davidson and Grant Kyle Benedictus, Iain Davidson and Grant Anderson in the squad, Rovers will be hoping Anderson in the squad, Rovers will be hoping to make an impression this season. to make an impression this season.

The Connections

A familiar face to Jambos is new goalkeeper A familiar face to Jambos is new goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, who turned down the offer a new deal at Jamie MacDonald, who turned down the offer a new deal at Kilmarnock in search of fi rst team football, and McGylnn Kilmarnock in search of fi rst team football, and McGylnn snapped up the Scottish Cup-winning keeper. snapped up the Scottish Cup-winning keeper. Jamie is a product of the Hearts youth system and made Jamie is a product of the Hearts youth system and made his Hearts debut in 2008 against Rangers at Ibrox, his Hearts debut in 2008 against Rangers at Ibrox, following a very productive loan spell at Queen of following a very productive loan spell at Queen of the South. He made the No.1 jersey his own during the South. He made the No.1 jersey his own during the second half of the 2011/12 campaign and the second half of the 2011/12 campaign and enjoyed one of the quietest Scottish Cup Finals enjoyed one of the quietest Scottish Cup Finals in history as Hearts ran riot against Hibs, in history as Hearts ran riot against Hibs, winning 5-1 in May 2012. He would continue as the club’s number He would continue as the club’s number one until the end of the 2013/14 season, one until the end of the 2013/14 season, when he left following Hearts’ plunge into when he left following Hearts’ plunge into administration.

Jamie Walker is another who has worn both shirts. Jamie Walker is another who has worn both shirts. He spent six months on loan at Stark’s Park in He spent six months on loan at Stark’s Park in the 2011/12 season in order get some fi rst team the 2011/12 season in order get some fi rst team experience. It was a productive spell, with three goals experience. It was a productive spell, with three goals in 24 appearances.

Past Players

Colin Cameron will forever be a hero on both sides of the water. The Kirkcaldy lad turned out for his hometown club between 1990 and 1996, making over 150 league appearances. He was part of the famous League Cup winning Raith Rovers side of 94/95, and turned out for Rovers in their UEFA Cup matches against Bayern Munich the following season. In 1996 Jim Jefferies brought him to Hearts and he became a fi rm fans favaourite with his dynamic box-to-box displays. After suffering cup fi nal heartache on two occasions he scored the opening goal of the 1998 Scottish Cup Final against Rangers, when Hearts triumphed 2-1 to end 42 years of hurt. A Scotland regular, he moved to A Scotland regular, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £1.75 million Wolverhampton Wanderers for £1.75 million in August 2001. in August 2001. Rudi Skacel is a Hearts legend after lifting Rudi Skacel is a Hearts legend after lifting two Scottish Cups in maroon, however he two Scottish Cups in maroon, however he also spent a season at Stark’s Park in 2016/17. The two also spent a season at Stark’s Park in 2016/17. The two sides would meet in that year’s Scottish Cup and of sides would meet in that year’s Scottish Cup and of course, it was Rudi who cancelled out Walker’s course, it was Rudi who cancelled out Walker’s opener in Kirkcaldy to take the game to a replay opener in Kirkcaldy to take the game to a replay at Tynecastle, where the Jambos triumphed after at Tynecastle, where the Jambos triumphed after extra time. extra time.

Head to Head Head to Head

In 123 competitive meetings, Hearts have In 123 competitive meetings, Hearts have triumphed 76 times, drawing 24 and losing 23. triumphed 76 times, drawing 24 and losing 23. The Jambos Tynecastle record is a good one The Jambos Tynecastle record is a good one having 45 from 59, drawing 9 and losing only having 45 from 59, drawing 9 and losing only 5 times. 5 times.

There have been 16 League Cup meetings and again Hearts There have been 16 League Cup meetings and again Hearts have the upper hand with a record of P16 W11 D2 L3. have the upper hand with a record of P16 W11 D2 L3.

The two sides last faced off in July 2018, in this very The two sides last faced off in July 2018, in this very competition. Kevin Nisbet gave Raith the lead at Bayview competition. Kevin Nisbet gave Raith the lead at Bayview

Stadium before Michael Smith equalised with a wonder Stadium before Michael Smith equalised with a wonder striker, before the men in maroon won the bonus point striker, before the men in maroon won the bonus point penalty shootout. penalty shootout.