Raith Rovers” on-loan striker Johnny Russell cracked open the bubbly to celebrate scoring the first senior hat-trick of his career against Ross County.
As well as the match ball, the young forward was presented after the game with six bottles of champagne to share with the rest of his side at the supporters’ player of the year bash on Saturday night.
The hat-trick was a fitting finale to Russell’s time at Raith, and now he intends to return to Tannadice determined to follow in the footsteps of another striker who has not looked back since his own loan spell at Stark’s Park.
“That was my first senior hat-trick and it is a brilliant feeling,” said Russell.
“The win was the most important thing but, for me personally, it was great to hit three goals and hopefully, there are more to come.
“I have had a really enjoyable time at Raith. All the boys, the backroom staff and the fans have been brilliant with me and made me feel at home.”
Russell now hopes he can help Dundee United’s players as they prepare to face Ross County in the final.
“I went along to the cup semi-final but I had to go in the United end. It was a bit of an unusual situation to say the least,” he smiled.Russell certainly knows the way to the back of the County net but any United fans looking at the scoreline from Saturday thinking that the cup is definitely in the bag, should be aware that the Staggies were without eight first-team regulars.
That should take nothing away from a polished Raith performance in what was their sixth match in just 12 days.
It was another on-loan player who opened the scoring for the home side, when Hearts defender Stephen Armstrong rose highest at a corner in the fourth minute to bullet in a header.
Just before the half-hour mark, Russell netted the first of his treble when he rifled home the rebound from a blocked Jamie Mole shot.
Six minutes later, he netted again from an almost identical spot, with Iain Williamson providing the assist.
Seconds after the restart, the home side conceded when a Scott Morrison free-kick from 25 yards took a deflection off the wall past Raith keeper Gary O’Connor, who was made captain for the day in his last game for the club.
However, any hopes of a County comeback were finally dashed in the 70th minute when Russell headed home a cross from the tireless Allan Walker.
At the final whistle, the home fans stayed to give their side a well-deserved standing ovation.
Raith boss John McGlynn said, “It was a great way to finish the season and I am absolutely delighted. Next season, I hope there is no fixture pile-up, less injuries and maybe one or two new players.
“It is a difficult league, without a doubt, but I think we now have nothing to fear.”
County boss Derek Adams said, “We were without eight of our regular guys as I thought I would give some of the lads who have been on the fringes a run-out in the last game of the season.
“Obviously, we have a massive cup final in two weeks time. We fly to Spain on Wednesday and then we will return to prepare for the cup.”