The view from Gorgie - Raith Rovers

For the Raith Rovers v Hearts match programme 30 April 2021

The danger of quoting figures, as I did in the programme for 26 January when Hearts edged a 0-4 win against 10-man Rovers, is that they soon go out of date.

The 60 players I said played for both Hearts and Rovers have since been enhanced by Rovers’ shrewd acquisition of Dario Zanatta, currently playing for the ‘Honest Men’ (and ‘bonnie lassies’ to be accurate to the Burns origin of the Ayr nickname). Not to mention Christophe Berra which, unfortunately, I have.

Hearts recall of Canadian Zanatta during his loan spell at the San Starko in 2017/2018 was controversial with some saying it affected Rovers’ promotion battle with Ayr United – well, with current league placings, what goes around…

A view from Gorgie, at Starks Park

For the Raith Rovers v Hearts match programme 26 January 2021

According to the wonderful London Hearts Supporters’ website, 60 players have played for both Raith Rovers and Hearts (at different times of course) since 1913.

And it goes beyond players to managers too. For almost 17 years from 1951, Hearts knew only one manager, Tommy Walker. He presided over two league titles and four runner-up spots along with four League Cups and a Scottish Cup final win that wouldn’t be repeated for 42 years.