Raith’s Bolt from the blue
3212031 SSFF raith rovers Jason Thomson - Raith Rovers individual head shots - at Starks Park, Kirkcaldy
JASON Thomson has revealed that his Usain Bolt impression at Stark’s Park on Saturday was born out of frustration.
The Raith right-back set off like the Olympic champion to create his team’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies.
After winning the ball on the edge of this own box, Thomson blazed a trail down the right wing, fighting his way past a defender to reach the Accies box.
He then kept his cool to pick out team-mate Brian Graham for the tap-in that sealed the win.
With 86 minutes on the clock it was a remarkable display of fitness from the former Hearts defender, who was simply letting off steam.
“I was getting a bit frustrated because I wasn’t involved in the game much,” he told the Press.
Forward
“I like to get forward but I hadn’t had many runs and crosses, so when I got the ball I just thought ‘I’m not going to stop here’.
“I just kept running and fortunately I got past the big defender and managed to cut it back for Brian.
“I think it’s come off his heel and sneaked in. It was good to set up the goal.”
While satisfied to win on the opening day of the league season, Thomson admitted Raith’s performances will need to improve.
“We got the win but we will need to up the performances because we won’t get away with that too many weeks,” he said.
“Not playing well and winning is a good sign, but you’re not going to carry that on every game because teams will punish you.
“It shows we’ve got fighting spirit and at the end of day you want to win – and that’s what we done.”
Thomson signed for Raith in the summer following a successful loan spell at the end of last season.
“I left Hearts to come here for the last nine games and really enjoyed it,” he said.
“John McGlynn was manager here at the time, and he phoned me up and made me an offer.
“A couple of other teams also showed a bit of interest but I’d been at Raith, I knew the boys and I knew what I was getting into, so I was glad to get things signed.
“I got married in the summer so I wasn’t wanting to go on honeymoon worrying if I had a team - I’m trying to make a living after all.
“Grant Murray’s taken over as manager now, and he’s the same as he was as a player – he’s a winner and that’s what we need.”
With this season’s First Division title race tipped to be the most open for years, Thomson hopes Raith can mount a surprise challenge.
“I’ve seen all the papers and I don’t think anyone has mentioned Raith for the league,” he said.
“I’m not saying we’re going to win it, but it’s going to be a really tight league, and if you can nick wins you can be right up there.
“I don’t think there’s a team like Ross County that’s going to run away with it.
“Dundee’s promotion gives the likes of Morton, Livingston and Partick a good chance, and I think we’ll be right up there with them.”
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
