Craig Wighton is ‘becoming a man’, says Paul Hartley

Dundee striker Craig Wighton is now benefitting from patience shown with his development over the last two years, according to manager Paul Hartley.

The 18-year-old is a regular in the first team squad and a recent Premiership goalscorer.

And manager Hartley believes the Scotland youth international is reaping the rewards of being farmed out to the lower leagues, first with Brechin and then Raith Rovers.

“He is becoming a man now,” said Hartley.

“In terms of his physique and a number of other aspects of his game, also.

“The spells on loan have done him the world of good.

“We were never going to throw him in when he couldn’t handle the Premiership.

“Being at Raith was a different experience for him, good or bad.

“He looks a different player now.

“We always knew he had the quality but it was the physical side of the game he needed to improve on.

“People have been wanting him in the team for three years now but we have had to handle him correctly.

“The style of play we have suits him.”