Maroon memories: Europe dreams get kiss of Fife

The drive and enthusiasm of Jock Wallace, Hearts' assistant manager/trainer, was beginning to pay off with a string of league wins which put the Tynecastle side on the verge of Fairs Cup qualification.

Wallace's tough training methods were making Hearts fitter and sharper, as evident in a somewhat flattering victory at Kirkcaldy, a result which kept Raith Rovers hovering dangerously close to relegation.

The new Hearts, admittedly fortunate to face opponents who could not finish off some bright leading up work, showed a lot of welcome originality as well as running and shooting power. Raith's defence was at fault when Tommy Traynor and Donald Ford struck late in the second half but, to Hearts' credit, the goals came after a touch of the unexpected. Alan MacDonald made the first with a huge throw in to the six-yard box and Ford's followed a snap cross from Roald Jensen.

The only thing to mar an encouraging display was the mid-air collision in 85 minutes between Alan Anderson and Davie Holt. Anderson had four stitches in a head wound and Holt went to hospital with suspected concussion.

Rovers, one down to a Jim Irvine rocket before the interval, should have been level after attacking non-stop for 30 minutes in the second half.

Raith manager Jimmy Millar, who said his side were "terrible", was not too concerned about being third bottom of the table. He said: "We'll beat relegation but there will have to be alterations." They eventually finished one place above the drop zone.

While Celtic were winning their seventh League Cup, Rangers were slipping out of the league race by losing 2-1 to Dundee United at Tannadice.

Celtic, five points ahead, were almost certainly assured of their fourth championship win in a row. Rangers, missing the influence of Colin Stein, could not turn pressure into goals.

Arbroath's hopes of preventing relegation practically vanished when they lost 2-1 to Partick Thistle at Firhill.