Irish midfielder freed early from Raith contract

rovers: Coustrain leaves after making one starting appearance

Raith Rovers have accepted a request from Joel Coustrain to release the Republic of Ireland under-19 cap from his contract.

The former Sheffield United youth player joined the Stark’s Park club on a one-year deal last summer but failed to win a regular place in the Rovers lineup.

The 21-year-old featured as a substitute in new manager John Hughes’ first game in charge – the 1-1 draw with Hibs last month – but has played just once since.

In total, the Limerick-born player, who is understood to have struggled with homesickness during his time in Fife, made just one start in his nine appearances before being freed early at his own request on Saturday to return home to Ireland.

Meanwhile, Hughes has urged Chris Johnston to find ways of coping with the kind of close attention he received from Queen of the South in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

The Kilmarnock attacker’s performance in the previous week’s 2-1 win over Dundee United earned him a place in the SPFL team of the day.

However, the 22-year-old was replaced just 13 minutes into the second-half at the weekend after a disappointing display.

Hughes said: “They put a marker round about him and all that stuff.

“But if that’s what’s happening then he needs to find a way to get on the ball. We can’t put the icing on it for him.

“He needs to find a way to get on the ball and take his marker into areas he doesn’t want to go so that other people can go.”