Dylan Easton using Rangers influence from Ferguson and Murray to inspire Raith Scottish Cup upset

Dylan Easton believed his own hype as a youngster and dreamed of playing at Ibrox and Celtic Park

But after stop-offs at Dumbarton, Elgin, Forfar and Kelty, he realised what it takes to do it for real. The 28-year-old will be a key man for Raith Rovers against Rangers today in their Scottish Cup quarter-final tie.

A decade ago, he was one of the most prodigious talents in the country. A move to top-flight side St Johnstone should have been the springboard for a career in the Premiership. But Easton admits he was a big-time Charlie and didn’t put in the graft to match his undoubted ability. A few years ago, he’d resigned himself to playing part-time football. But working under Ibrox legend Barry Ferguson changed his attitude. And hooking up with another former Rangers player in Ian Murray at Airdrie took his game to another level.

Easton was League One’s Player of the Year last season and followed his gaffer to Raith in the summer. The forward says that failure to fulfil his potential is an everyday regret.

But he still hasn’t given up hope of reaching Scotland’s top league before he hangs up his boots. He said: “When I was younger I thought I’d be playing at Ibrox all the time. But that attitude is probably what stopped me from doing it.

“There was a lot of hype about me when I was young in terms of how good I was. I was tipped for big things. But that got to my head and I came across as big time. I wouldn’t go into training at St Johnstone and came up with daft excuses. I thought I was destined for big things so taking a day off here and there wouldn’t matter.

“Tommy Wright sat me down loads of times and gave me chances. But I was a big-time boy away from the club. I thought they’d never release me – but I was wrong.

“I