Raith Rovers lift KDM Evolution Trophy after big win over Inverness Caley Thistle

Dougie Imrie hailed his Raith Rovers heroes for putting on a dominant second-half display against Inverness Caley Thistle as the Kirkcaldy club lifted the KDM Evolution Trophy in style.

The Stark’s Park side chalked up a 4-1 win over the Scottish League One title-hopefuls at Firhill on Sunday evening with Innes Cameron and Dylan Easton grabbing doubles. Rovers are now the joint-record holders of the SPFL’s Challenge Cup competition alongside Falkirk and have something to show for a poor season in the main on the park - with the team sitting fifth in the second tier.

In-form forward Cameron opened the scoring on the half hour mark, finishing past Ross Munro after poor play at the back by the Highlanders. Alfie Stewart’s excellent free-kick then levelled things up before the break but another fine effort from Cameron and two trademark finishes from playmaker Easton secured a big win.

Dougie Imrie so proud after Raith Rovers’ cup success

Speaking after securing the trophy - and a £150,000 prize pot - for Rovers, proud boss Imrie told BBC ALBA: “I’m so proud of every single player, the starters and those who came on and added to the performance. It is a fantastic achievement to lift the trophy. In the past few weeks, we’ve started to build up a real bit of confidence and you could see that today. I thought the boys stuck to the game plan.

“The press in the second half was outstanding. In the first half, after Inverness scored their goal, they got into some good areas and caused us some problems. But we sorted that at half time and we scored three great goals after the break. I said to them before the match not to play the occasion. When you start to think about it being a cup final then you start to lose that concentration. We are disappointed with the goal we conceded because I don’t think it is a free kick leading up to the foul. But it was a great free kick although I reckon our wall could have moved over a little. Credit to Inverness, it was never going to be an easy game but I thought we went to town with them.”

Imrie, who joined Rovers from Greenock Morton in November, was tearful as he paid tribute to his baby daughter, Remi, who died after being born premature on Wednesday, July 30. She died almost three weeks later after being cared for in the neonatal unit at University Hospital Wishaw.

Imrie added: “Personally, it has been a tough year for me. To get this has put a little smile on my face.”