Raith Rovers boss Grant Murray reckons teenager Lewis Vaughan has a bright future ahead of him after impressing of late.
The 19-year-old is in a rich vein of form after netting four goals in his last five league matches and Courier Sport understands that several clubs from south of the border have already sent scouts to monitor the forward’s progress.
That does not surprise Murray in the slightest, and the Raith boss has tipped Vaughan to go on to bigger and better things in the coming years.
“He’s got to have a bit of belief that he can go and play at a higher level,” Murray explained yesterday.
“I think every football player has got to do that, no matter what club they are at.
“I think he’s young enough, playing in the right area of the pitch and doing the right things at this moment in time that teams will start to show an interest.
“It’s inevitable.
“You look at a lot of players who have gone down south in recent years, and teams coming up taking some of the younger Scottish lads.
“The easiest one to pick is Derby, who got Johnny Russell, Craig Forsyth, Craig Bryson and took them at relatively young ages.
“There are lots of examples and it’s not just from the top clubs in Scotland.
“There are a lot of players who have gone from Championship teams, League One teams.
“Look at Graham Dorrans and Robert Snodgrass.
“These are two massive ones who are playing at the highest level in England but they’ve had to work at it, get noticed and get a wee bit of attention.”
Vaughan has done well to break back into the Rovers first team after a mid-season absence and Murray is delighted to see a product of the Raith youth set-up coming through the ranks.
“He’s always had that ability about him and he’s getting better and more experienced with every game he plays,” he continued.
“Earlier in the season he was doing well and unfortunately he found himself out the team.
“With the players we’ve got it’s difficult when you are out the team, but obviously he’s got himself back in it and it’s given him a massive lift.
“He’s a player that’s come through the system, along with the likes of Ross Callachan as well, and it’s credit to them that they are in the team.
“Ross has had a right good run in the team and he’s got stronger, and the more games you play at that age the more belief you get and the more experience you get.
“For someone like Lewis, the ability is there.
“It’s just getting to show it in games.
“And in the games you don’t get to show too much of your ability it’s about how hard you work and he’s certainly shown that in recent games.”
Rovers kept their slim play-off hopes alive with a comprehensive 3-0 win over promotion rivals Queen of the South on Tuesday night, with former Dundee striker Mark Stewart grabbing a brace en route to victory.
And even though Christian Nade will be back from suspension for tomorrow’s game against Hibs, there is a strong likelihood that the new strike partnership of Stewart and Vaughan will be deployed once more.
“The two lads have certainly done well and they’ve scored goals which, when you are playing in that area of the pitch, is what you want to do and is what a lot of the time you are judged on,” Murray added.
“But outwith the goals I think their workrate has been fantastic.
“I said to them the other night to go and start the game from the front and really put Queen of the South under a bit of pressure, and they did that.
“Against Hibs I think we’ve got to expect to try and have a go and try to win the game.
“We’ve got to be wary of them because they are a great side and have got stronger as the season has wore on.
“Obviously they are coming on the back of a defeat against Rangers and they’ll be disappointed after that, so it’s an important game for them as well.
“There’s a lot at stake for finishing second rather than third and third rather than fourth, so Hibs will coming to Stark’s Park to go for it and get back to winning ways.”