Former Rangers player Kevin Thomson suffered his first league defeat in charge of League Two side Kelty Hearts as they were trounced 5-1 by Annan Athletic in the Boxing Day clash.
Kelty took the lead before Annan equalised just before halftime to send the teams in level at the interval.
Jordon Foster of Kelty was sent off during the halftime break and this shifted the momentum in favour of Annan, who ran riot in the second half.
A Tony Wallace hattrick in the second half was enough to see the home side victorious and end Kelty Hearts’ fantastic 16 match unbeaten start to the league season in dramatic fashion.
Thomson played for Hibs, Rangers, and Middlesbrough during a career that promised so much if it weren’t for a series of injuries that derailed the midfielder’s progress. He did play a key part in the incredible run to the UEFA Cup final in 2008 and won two league titles, a Scottish Cup and two League Cups during his spell at the Ibrox side.
His transition from a player into manager has been seamless so far. Following a stint as an academy coach at Rangers, he was announced as the Kelty Hearts manager during the summer, taking over from former teammate Barry Ferguson.
Many expected Kelty to do well in League Two this season and the 37-year-old has delivered so far, managing the side to top spot in the league and on course for a well-deserved promotion.
The former Rangers midfielder has a growing reputation and if he continues in the same manner as he has done since the start of the season, it won’t be long before he is poached away from the Fife side.
In other news, Rangers have been tipped to return for former academy star after a good run of form.
