Raith Rovers have rejected suggestions they showed a ‘lack of ambition’ by selling Dylan Tait to Hibernian.

The midfielder completed his move to Easter Road earlier this month after joining the capital club in the summer transfer window before being loaned straight back to Rovers.

Tait’s transfer came 12 months after top talent Kieron Bowie was sold to Fulham in a lucrative move for both the Stark’s Park side and the player.

Raith’s bid for promotion back to the Premiership has faltered in recent weeks, with Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to league leaders Arbroath leaving them six points off the pace after a fifth game without a win.

But vice-chairman David Sinton is adamant that selling on the club’s homegrown talent is crucial for clubs like Raith, who since Tait’s sale have signed Ethan Ross, Sam Stanton and Ben Williamson.

He said: “I am aware that selling players like Dylan Tait and Kieron Bowie is sometimes seen as representing a lack of ambition on the part of the club.

“My own view is that player development and sales are vital parts of financing modern-day football at our level, especially if the proceeds are used to reinvest in new players.

“In addition, with young developing players, it is almost impossible to stand in the way when they get an offer from a top-flight club in Scotland or elsewhere.

“He [the player] sees it as fulfilling a lifelong ambition and it is virtually impossible to stand in his way.”