Hibs legends were once ABUSED by this lifelong Jambo - but now he's proud to call them team-mates

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Hanlon and Stevenson proving worth despite Raith results

After all those years of hurling abuse at two bona fide Hibs legends, lifelong Jambo Ross Matthews finally understands why Lewis Stevenson and Paul Hanlon were – ARE – so beloved by Easter Road regulars. And, yes, the Raith Rovers star definitely sees the irony in becoming a fully paid-up member of the pair’s unofficial fan club.

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Having been a season ticket holder at Tynecastle since he was a babe in arms, Matthews is obviously looking forward to facing Hearts in his testimonial at Stark’s Park tomorrow night. Rewarded for his long service to the Kirkcaldy club, the former Raith Academy kid – a Corstorphine boy, born and bred – was determined to have HIS team provide the opposition on the big night.

But this unshakeable club loyalty, a regular talking point on his shared journeys to and from training with diehard Hibee Lewis Vaughan, doesn’t extend to dismissing the impact made on Raith by a pair of Hibs greats. Regardless of whatever struggles the club, on their second manager of the season, may be dealing with at the moment.

“Both Lewis and Paul have become immediately massive for the team,” said Matthews. “And they’ve been so important not just for the younger players, but more experienced guys like myself.

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“It is funny, of course, because I grew up probably abusing them from the sidelines. And they both know that!

“They both know I’m a huge Hearts. But, as well as being great footballers, there also two of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet – so they don’t hold it against me!

“I think everyone at Raith is learning from them, to be honest. Looking at how they prepare for games, the way they train, the approach they take to every aspect of football.

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“Not only that, but they’re both very, very good players. You don’t play as many games as they did for a club like Hibs, all rivalry aside, without being a top player.”

Stevenson, holder of the all-time appearance record for Hibs and still the only player ever to win both the Scottish Cup and League Cup with the club, has already caught the eye with a wonder goal for Raith. His curling shot with the outside of the left boot in last month’s 3-3 home draw with Hamilton – just another day in the Scottish Championship, as regulars will attest – was instantly hailed as a Goal of the Season contender.

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Matthews, pictured competing with Falkirk's Brad Spencer in a Raith win at home last month, has been hugely impressed by his new team-mates.Matthews, pictured competing with Falkirk's Brad Spencer in a Raith win at home last month, has been hugely impressed by his new team-mates.
Matthews, pictured competing with Falkirk's Brad Spencer in a Raith win at home last month, has been hugely impressed by his new team-mates. | SNS Group

Matthews said: “Oh, that was a ridiculous strike. And he’s so modest, as well, that he just shrugs it off. But I know it wasn’t a fluke – because he scored one just like it for Hibs at Stark’s last season, in Lewis Vaughan’s testimonial.”

Hanlon hasn’t done anything so eye catching to date. But his performances in central defence have been impressive, regardless of results.

“You can tell he’s played at a higher level,” said Matthews. “He brings a lot of experience to games. He’s always worth listening to.

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“He’s been brilliant for us so far, despite a couple of disappointing results. He’s good on the ball, dominant in the air, everything you would want from a centre-half.”

Matthews is excited about tomorrow night, obviously. First taken to Tynecastle as season ticket holder by dad Phil when he was just two years old, baby Ross happily falling asleep on his old man’s knee while bedlam went on around him, he’ll have well over 100 family and friends – including mum Karen, of course – in Fife for the big night.

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And should the travelling Hearts fans, including a lot of his own pals, decide to give Stevenson and Hanlon a wee reminder that old allegiances haven’t been forgotten? Matthews will NOT join in the booing. Probably.

TICKETS for tomorrow night’s Ross Matthews Testimonial Match between Raith Rovers and Hearts, priced at just £15 for adults and a five for under-16s, can be purchased by visiting http://bit.ly/RM-Testimonial