Raith boss Ray McKinnon has paid tribute to Dundee’s Craig Wighton after the player’s loan spell at Stark’s Park came to an end at the weekend.
The 18-year-old featured 21 times for Rovers, with his last appearance coming as a substitute against Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday.
Wighton only netted once for the Kirkcaldy side but McKinnon is in no doubt that the teenager has what it takes to be a top-class striker once he fully develops.
He said: “Craig is back with Dundee and we have to thank them for letting him come to Raith.
“He did really well for us and he has a massive future ahead of him.
“His attitude was absolutely spot on and he is a fantastic young man.
“Craig is maturing all the time but it is worth remembering that he is only 18 and still has to develop fully.
“He needs to make his way in the game and be given time to do so.
“However, I firmly believe he has all the attributes to be a top-class striker.”
Not for the first time this season, McKinnon was left bemoaning his side’s lack of luck against Hibs who won thanks to a Jason Cummings penalty with Raith hit with another blow near the end when Grant Anderson was dismissed after picking up two bookings.
McKinnon added: “Mark Stewart and Iain Davidson called off on the morning of the game.
“Davo had been struggling with illness all week but Mark was hit with a sickness bug on Friday night.
“So in all we had eight players missing but the lads really put in a shift against Hibs.
“I felt we were really unlucky. I have seen a photo and Cummings is offside in the lead up to the penalty but we will just have to take it on the chin.
“I still can’t believe Grant Anderson picked up that second booking even the Hibs players were shaking their heads in disbelief but it means he will miss the league game against Alloa.”