Jambos raise three cheers to Keatings.
Hearts wasted no time in exorcising the ghost of their midweek hammering at Livingston as they underlined their title ambitions by storming to the top of the table.
Their thrashing of the Kirkcaldy side was built on the foundation of a majestic hat-trick from James Keatings, the former Hamilton Accies frontman who was making his first League start for the Tynecastle side.
“I’m obviously delighted,” said Keatings afterwards. “Mainly for the win, but particularly as its the first time I’ve scored a hat-trick in my senior career.
“With Osman Sow being suspended I was given my chance and while I would like to make the jersey my own, its the manager who picks the team. I’ll just have to train hard and take whatever opportunities come my way.”
Jambos coach Robbie Neilson echoed his strikers sentiments as he reflected on the game.
“That’s why I brought James here” he said. “He’s a goalscorer and we need players like that. He gives me options up front and having options like that helps me to pick the right team for any particular type of game.
“This was his type of game. I thought we started the game well and dominated for long periods. Raith Rovers are a strong team with a lot of experience, and while games against the likes of Hibs and Rangers will take care of themselves, we have to come to places like this and win.
“Coming away with three points in games like this builds confidence and we now have to keep working hard. We passed the ball well today and if we keep doing that we will go on topunish other teams.
Hearts looked the hungrier team from the start, taking the lead after just 13 minutes when Keatings fired home from close range after former Rovers captain Jason Thomson had blocked Sam Nicholson’s flick on the goal line
Inspired by the intelligent promptings of Margaro Gomis and Prince together with the strong running of Billy King and Jason Holt, the visitors took control and Keatings made it 2-0 just before the half hour drilling his shot past Kevin Cuthbert after the Raith keeper had parried Buaben’s effort.
The Hearts striker completed a deserved hat-trick with a well-struck 20-yard free-kick early in the second half.
Substitute Gary Oliver made it 4-0 in the final minute.
“It was a sore one to take” said Raith manager Grant Murray. “Especially as we were at home. We felt we could hurt Hearts, but we also knew that they would punish any mistakes we made and that’s what happened today.”
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