Raith Rovers player boss Grant Murray believes Simon Mensing will be a valuable addition to his squad at Stark’s Park.
The former St Johnstone and Hamilton man was a surprise inclusion in the team against Airdrie United on Saturday and the Raith manager insists Mensing who only completed his move late on Friday night will play an influential part for the Kirkcaldy club throughout this season.
”Simon is a very experienced player he’s played in the SPL, he’s played in the First Division, he’s got numerous appearances at different clubs under his belt and we’re delighted to have him at the club,” Murray said.
”In this league, with the squad size we have, we do need players that are going to adapt to different areas of the park and we’ve definitely got that not just in Simon but we’ve got a lot of guys out there who could fill in at various positions and I thought he fitted in tremendously.
”I thought his debut was excellent he read the game superbly, won everything that came into his area and he’s a great asset for us to get.”
Mensing provided a more vocal presence at the back for Raith on Saturday and Murray admits that is something he felt may have been lacking.
”That’s one thing you need in your team. You need talkers in your team, whether it is at the back, the middle or up front, and the guys are realising that,” he noted.
Rovers ran out comfortable enough 2-0 winners at the weekend and Murray was delighted with the composure his side showed under pressure in the second half.
”I’ve always said that in this league one goal is a very precarious lead to have,” he added. ”We came in 1-0 up and always knew Airdrie were going to come out in the second half and have a go at us.
”They had a go at us right from the start of the second half and credit to them, Jimmy Boyle came here, had a go and went with the 4-3-3.
”We’ve done it in this league and it’s gone for us but 1-0 up at half-time I said to the players Airdrie are going to come out, they are going to have a go at us and you need to be organised.
”But I felt in the end the chances we created we were worthy of the win.”