BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
Raith Rovers boss Gary Locke has lavished praise on Darren Jackson after appointing the former Dundee United first-team coach as his assistant manager at Stark’s Park.
The 49-year-old has been out of the game since September 2015 when he was dismissed by the Tannadice outfit along with manager Jackie McNamara and Simon Donnelly as the club toiled at the foot of the Premiership.
However, Locke expects his former Hearts teammate Jackson to make a massive impact in Fife after praising his role in developing a swathe of talented attackers during his stint at United.
The likes of Nadir Ciftci, Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong were sold on – all to Celtic – for a massive profit during Jackson’s time in Tayside, while young attackers such as Ryan Gauld and Ryan Dow were given an opportunity.
Locke, who is understood to be in talks with signing targets this week, told Capital City Press: “I’m delighted to get him in and I’m looking forward to working with Darren. I know he’ll do a fantastic job.
“I know exactly what Darren brings to the table. You look at the number of players he has developed, particularly the strikers, and it’s clearly a great track record.
“He is terrific on the training ground with strikers and attackers – he makes them better players – and, the same as myself, you look back on those players you coached and helped to develop with immense pride. Hopefully he has that same affect at Raith.
“He’s got the pedigree, the experience and the quality on the training ground. We have a lot in common, but one thing is for sure: he won’t shy away from giving me his honest opinion – and you need that from an assistant.”
