Raith Rovers see potential in Jack Smith as youngster is awarded contract extension

The 20-year-old has started one match and featured as a substitute 11 times since joining the Kirkcaldy club at the start of the 2017-18 season.

He scored his first senior goal in a 5-2 win over Clyde in August, but a number of injuries have prevented Smith making more first team appearances.

McGlynn, however, sees enough potential in the youngster to tie him to the club until the summer of 2021.

"We watch him every day and he's got ability," he said. "He does really well in our training.

"Jack might be a bit of a late developer, I think could still play a big part at Raith Rovers.

"Not right now, unfortunately, because he's not actually played enough games.

"He's had injuries but you don't end up being injured all your life, he just needs a little bit of a run."

McGlynn now plans to put Smith out on loan in order for him to gain first time experience, most likely at Lowland League level.

"I'm fairly certain at that level he would score goals, and I don't actually want to lose Jack," he added.

"In the January window we were trying to look for strikers all over the place, and they are very difficult to come by.

"I know he'll go out, score goals and attract interest, and we could've lost him if we didn't get him signed up."

McGlynn rates Smith alongside fellow youngsters Kieron Bowie and Dylan Tait, who have both featured heavily in the first team this season with Bowie earning a move to Fulham.

"Jack's just not quite managed to get on the pitch and make that breakthrough," McGlynn added.

"But when I look at him alongside Kieron and Dylan, he has the same kind of influence in the training as they do.

"He's a different type of player but I think he's got a chance.

"We'll look for him to go out on loan, get games, score goals, get a bit of confidence, come back here, get an opportunity in preseason, then it's up to him to kick on."