Stephen Robinson believes this season’s Paisley Daily Express young player of the year award winner has all the attributes to go right to the top of the game.
Richard Taylor joined the Buddies back in January from League of Ireland First Division side Waterford.
Despite the jump up in level, the 22-year-old has impressed in the Premiership – making 12 appearances that included strong performances against the league’s top-four teams Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hearts.
Robinson has been delighted with how well defender Taylor has adapted to the frantic pace of Scottish football.
And he feels Taylor could emulate Cedric Kipre, who earned Motherwell a seven-figure fee when he moved to Wigan Athletic.
Speaking exclusively to the Paisley Daily Express, Robinson said: “He wasn’t playing in the top division in Ireland when we got him.
“My chief scout Martin Foyle got him in to train with us and straight away he reminded me of Cedric Kipre when we brought him into Motherwell.
“He went on to make us a million pounds – so hopefully that will be the same with Richard! He’s played in a lot of big games. He’s played against both sides of the Old Firm, against Hearts at Tynecastle and he’s done so well.
“He’s a very good footballer, very good on the ball. He’s improving all the time and he’s got all the attributes to go right to the very top level of the game.
“His performance against Rangers was very good, which shows how much he’s improved all round. We feel he has a real future in the game.”
Robinson is shaping his squad for next term and believes Taylor can stake his claim for a first-team spot when the players return later this month for pre-season training.
The gaffer added: “He didn’t have a proper pre-season. He hasn’t had heaps of game time to learn from mistakes either. Pre-season is big for him and he’s certainly a big part of our plans. He’s got the ability to go right to the top level.
“He gives us something we haven’t had as much of either ,which is a little bit more quality coming out from the back.
“He gives you that option while also having that pace that is such a brilliant asset in a centre-back.”
Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
