Raith Rovers new boy Jai Rowe has been branded a ‘manager’s dream’ by the man who is gutted he no longer has him in his team.
One-time Livingston and Plymouth Argyle defender Graham Coughlan worked with Rowe last season as boss of Boston United.
The 50-year-old took over the National League side in November and steered them away from relegation trouble to finish 19th in the 24-team division.
Rowe is credited with playing a huge part in Boston’s survival and Coughlan has nothing but praise for the wing-back, who has penned a two-year deal with Raith.
“All around, Jai is a really, really good, top player,” Coughlan told Courier Sport. “Raith Rovers have got a real player there.
“But they’ve not only got a player on their hands, they’ve got a real good character, a real good sort, a real good type, someone right up my street.
“I was really, really sad to see him go, really annoyed to see him go, all the emotions. I’d love to be in Raith Rovers’ shoes this coming season, having Jai Rowe in the team.
“What I would say to people is, ‘you will be pleasantly, pleasantly surprised with him’.
Rowe ‘one of my favourites’
“He’s a lovely young man as well, well-mannered on and off the pitch, very respectful, honest, hard-working. He digs deep and wants the best for himself and for his club and for his teammates.
“They’re all the things I’ve found with him. If you ask me, could I say anything negative about him? No. Did I have any cross words with him? No. He was actually a manager’s dream.
“He was just an ideal type of player, an ideal type of person, an ideal type of character. He’s probably one of my favourites that I’ve worked with over a number of years.”
Rowe was an ever-present for Boston last season, turning in 55 appearances and grabbing nine goals to finish second-top scorer at the club.
But what was just as eye-catching for Coughlan was the way the 23-year-old took responsibility in a team that was second-bottom and seven points from safety when the Irishman took the reins.
With attributes both on and off the pitch, the Boston boss is in no doubt Rowe can look upwards in his career.
“Straight away you tend to look for your leadership,” added Coughlan. “You tend to look for the lads that you can rely upon, with that little bit of consistency; those that can carry your messages.
“And Jai was one of those I identified straight away. I think he even wore the armband on occasions for me as well. Straight away I knew he was reliable, he was consistent.
Coughlan: A ‘big void’ to be filled
“Jai was a real leader for me, on and off the pitch.
He continued: “There’s a big hole to be filled. There’s a big void to be filled here at Boston and we just hope we can fill it.
“Fair play to him. I hope he does well. I hope he pushes on and he helps Raith Rovers achieve.
“Raith have definitely got themselves the real package. If Jai can knuckle down over the next 12, 18 months, there’s no reason why he can’t go on and maybe play in the Scottish Premiership in the future.”
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