Returning Raith Rovers talisman Lewis Vaughan is ‘built different’ according to teammate Liam Dick.
The 26-year-old forward continued his recovery from a fourth cruciate ligament injury against Hamilton on Saturday.
Vaughan was given 15 minutes in the 3-1 win at the weekend – and he provided an assist for defender Dick who completed the scoring.
Vaughan did well out wide before whipping a ball into the box, putting it on a plate for his teammate to tap in.
Vaughan ‘built different’
The left-back turned centre half believes that is just the sort of quality Raith’s returning hero can bring to the team.
And he’s been left stunned by the quality of Vaughan’s performance in training and reckons it won’t be long until he’s showing that on the pitch.
Dick said: “For my goal, Lewis Vaughan comes on and the place goes mental, as expected, and you can just see he fires the ball across that channel.
3-1 Raith. Liam Dick, created by Lewis Vaughan. 🙌 game over. pic.twitter.com/WFjVpV8nhx
— Scott Lorimer (@scottlorimer89) November 5, 2022
“With Lewis’ quality you just know he’s going to play it in for you and I was just lucky to be there at the right time.
“You see he takes a shot earlier on and he hits it so well. He was so unlucky for it not to go in.
“In training the other day, he had one where he’s in a wide area and he’s smashed the ball.
“No one else shoots from there but he’s hit the joining of the post and bar. He’s built different.
“He’s incredible. Hopefully everything keeps going well.
“It’s credit to him as well. Throughout his rehab he’s done everything meticulously. He doesn’t cut any corners.
“If there is anybody who deserves a break, it’s him. It’s not just his teammates who think that, it’s the whole footballing community.
“It’s great to see him back, everyone’s delighted and it’s great for the squad.”
New central position for Liam Dick
Saturday’s goal was Dick’s second of the season.
Not for want of trying, he’s found chances harder to come by lately.
The 27-year-old arrived from Alloa in the summer of 2021 and initially slotted in at left back.
More recently, Ian Murray has used him centrally, alongside Connor O’Riordan.
Dick says he’s happy to play anywhere and gave praise to his defensive teammates.
“Playing at centre-half I can’t get forward as much as at left back,” he explained, “but when we get opportunities from long throws you are hoping you can be there and try to pick it up.
“I played there at Alloa as a back three. I don’t mind playing there, it makes it a lot easier at the minute when you’re winning games.
“I do enjoy it just now, but you’d maybe get a different answer if we were getting beat.
“At the same time, the whole back four looks settled.
“Credit to Kieran Ngwenya, I think he’s doing excellent for such a young lad. So too has Ross Millen for the last six weeks, his delivery into the box is pinpoint.
“Connor O’Riordan, will be disappointed being turned for their goal, but he showed character in the second half.
“For such a young lad, he could have easily gone under but showed courage and it’s great to see that.”
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