Raith boss Ray McKinnon insists Hibs might be vulnerable in the second leg of the Premiership play-off at Easter Road on Saturday after his side piled on the pressure by winning at Stark’s Park last night.
The Edinburgh side dominated large spells of the game but Rovers scored what proved to be the winner thanks to second-half sub Harry Panayiotou.
Now, McKinnon, who batted back questions about being linked with the Dundee United manager’s job, is looking forward to seeing how Hibs cope with the expectation levels at home against his underdogs.
He said: “It was a really hard-fought game, as usual. We expected a really tough game and Hibs gave us that.
“But a lot of credit to my lads, they’re in good form, they’re a very strong bunch – and they wouldn’t lie down tonight. They ground out a result.
“Of course, you want to take a result and get something to take into the second leg. We’ve got that.
“Even a draw would have been a good result for us. There is no question about that.
“Hibs will have to open up and come at us on Saturday, which may leave them a bit more vulnerable.
“It’s only half-time, we won’t get carried away.
He added: “I think pressure is a funny thing. Some people deal with it, some people don’t. We’ll find out how Hibs deal with it on Saturday.
“That will be a nervy place, Easter Road, because I’m pretty sure they don’t want to spend another year in this division.
“They’re a big club, a good manager, good players. They will be desperate.
“They might get a wee bit edgy if they don’t get it all their own way on Saturday.”
When asked if it had been difficult to focus on last night’s game because of being made favourite to take over from the departed Mixu Paatelainen at Tannadice, McKinnon said: “It hasn’t been difficult at all. I’m totally focused on this job, I’ve said that.
“You can ask questions, I’ll just bat them away.
“My focus is on Raith Rovers – and trying to get into this Premiership.”
