Peter Houston has held up John Rankin as a footballer youngsters at his club should try to emulate.
The Manchester United youth academy product has turned in a succession of consistently high-level performances since Houston signed him for Dundee United in the summer from Hibs the latest against his old club at Easter Road on Saturday.
Houston recruited Rankin to bring experience to his youthful team on the park, but pointed out that the 28-year-old is also a role model for his youngsters off it.
He said: ”I have been delighted with John Rankin. He is a great example to our young players with his work-rate and commitment.
”He also looks after himself really well. He missed pre-season because he was on honeymoon but he was on the phone every day asking what we did in training that day so he could do it himself.
”I spoke to people in the game about him before I signed him and every word I got back was positive.
”I hope the young lads at the club are looking at him and taking note because his professionalism is second to none. I don’t think he’s had a bad game for us yet.”
Rankin was frozen out of the first-team picture by Hibs boss Colin Calderwood for the second half of last season, but his new manager says the former Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle man had nothing to prove.
He added: ”I wouldn’t say John came here with a point to prove because in my opinion there was no doubt he’s an SPL player. Sometimes you just find that a manager doesn’t fancy you.
”It happens at every club, and it’s happened here during my time at Dundee United. You either fit in or you don’t and John wasn’t the kind of player Colin Calderwood was looking for.
”It happens and in John’s case it opened up another avenue for him to come to Dundee United. We were thrilled to get him and I’m sure he will keep his good form going.”