Jamie Gullan thanks Raith Rovers for putting him back on track with Hibs

The 20-year-old was sent on loan to the League One side for a second time after reporting back for pre-season training overweight.

Gullan enjoyed a successful spell at Stark’s Park, scoring nine times in 18 appearances to help the club finish top of the table by a point from Falkirk, which resulted in the Kirkcaldy side being declared champions following the SPFL vote to end the season.

He then returned to Hibs and broke into Jack Ross’ first team, scoring his first goal in the Scottish Cup win over Inverness before making his first start against Aberdeen in the final match before the shutdown.

Recalling his difficult start to the season, Gullan said: “It was my own fault.

“I came back from pre-season not fit and not in a good condition. That put me behind everyone else and I was playing catch-up right from the start.

“I thought it would be hard to try and break into the Hibs first team at that point.

“Then Raith came along for a second time, and that got me back playing football every week, and back really fit.

“That helped me to get the confidence back and it’s lucky that it’s all worked out.”

Gullan’s initial spell at Raith the previous season saw him hit the net just once, against Forfar in the first leg of the promotion play-off semi-final, but he hit the ground running second time around with a goal in his first game back, netting off the bench in a 3-0 win over Montrose before going on to average a goal every two games.

“It was a bit of relief after waiting 12 or 13 games in the first spell to get the first goal,” he said.

“The gaffer (John McGlynn) and Smudger (Paul Smith) knew it was getting to me in the first spell. It was great to come back and get that goal straight away.

“It set the tone for the next six months. It was important and got me into a good run of form.”

Gullan believes his two loan spells working under McGlynn were crucial in him making the breakthrough at Easter Road, as well as earning his first Scotland U21 call-up.

“It was a massive help,” he said.

“I have to thank Raith for taking me back and giving me games.

“When I was playing for Raith I went to play for the development team on a Tuesday, and I was getting fitter and more confident.

“I was proving to the coaches back at Hibs that I could do it so I was going from strength to strength playing Tuesday-Saturday and it was a massive help.”

The youngster’s significant contribution to Rovers’ campaign will also earn him a League One winners’ medal after the vote to end the season saw the Fifers declared champions.

“I was buzzing when I got the news,” he said.

“I’m still in the group chat and the boys were going mental.

“It was a great feeling - and obviously knowing I was a part of it as well, if only for three or four months - I was delighted with it.

“The boys and the club deserve it because we were excellent this season.”