Rice said: “I think Ross has found a place where he is comfortable and in a position where we can get the best out of him.

“I’ve liked Ross for a long time. He’s a midfielder who gets into the box and wants to score goals. He always gets chances in matches.

“We’ve got to remember that a year ago he had a broken ankle and he was out for a long time.

“But it says a lot about his character that he worked really hard during lockdown and got himself into really good shape.

“He’s come here and I’ve been absolutely delighted with him.

“He had Covid and came back from that just a few days before the Motherwell game. He was also one of the players who went through track and trace earlier in the season as well so he’s missed a wee bit of time because of the Covid situation.

“But you would never know the way he trains. He trains the way he plays, which is what I like. His character gets him through. He appreciates everything he’s got being a football player.”