John Hughes appointed new boss at Raith Rovers
Last updated 10th Feb 2017
John Hughes is back in football as Raith Rovers manager.
The former Falkirk, Hibernian, Livingston, Hartlepool and Inverness boss has been appointed until the end of the season just days after the club sacked Gary Locke.
Locke lost his post immediately after Tuesday's Ladbrokes Championship home defeat to Morton left Rovers without a win in 14 matches.
Hughes told the Kirkcaldy club's official website: This role appealed to me straight away not just because of my knowledge of the club itself but also because of a very enthusiastic approach from Rovers to my agent, Raymond Sparkes.
I feel this is a good fit for me at this stage of my career and though the task ahead will be a challenging one in a very competitive league, I'm confident I can make a telling, positive impact at the football club before the end of this season.''
Hughes left Inverness in the summer - 12 months after leading them to Scottish Cup glory - after a disagreement with Caley Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron over the playing squad.
And Raith chief executive Eric Drysdale feels they have pulled off something of a coup in getting Scotland's 2015 manager of the year.
Drysdale said: Although this agreement extends only until the end of this season, we're confident John's particular brand of management will bring a freshness to Stark's Park and excite our fans.
Most importantly, the team has been a bit lacking in confidence of late, and if there is any manager in Scottish football better equipped than Yogi (Hughes) to do something about that, then I've no idea who that person is.''
Hughes' first game in charge will be against Hibs on February 18 and Dundee United will be aiming to make sure the Leith club are only three points ahead by the time they visit Stark's Park.
United travel to Falkirk in this weekend's only Championship fixture but they will be without the suspended defender, William Edjenguele.
Tannadice midfielder Tony Andreu said: We just have to win every game if we can. If we can put pressure on Hibs we will be delighted. But we don't really think about Hibs. We just have to focus on ourselves and after we will see.''