Raith’s Kyle Benedictus is determined to repay his manager’s faith in him by helping the Kirkcaldy side consolidate their position in the Championship promotion play-off spots, starting this afternoon against Dumbarton at home.
The 24-year-old defender admits it was a “no-brainer” when he agreed to sign a one-year contract extension with Rovers at the start of this month.
That was because he has never enjoyed his football more under boss Ray McKinnon and is finally feeling wanted after what was a stop-start career at former club Dundee.
Benedictus spent all of last season out on loan at Alloa after being frozen out at Dens but has now established himself at Raith and has even been leading the side recently in the absence of injured skipper Jason Thomson.
He said: “I was obviously delighted to sign a new deal.
“I had been speaking to the manager for a while and I was just glad to get it sorted.
“I probably have not enjoyed my football as much as I am now, playing every week and the manager seems to like me.
“Danny Lennon was good to me at Alloa, taking me in and talking to me, telling me how important I was to the team.
“The manager here also said I was an important player for him and it gives you that confidence and makes you feel wanted.
“The whole time I was at Dundee, I was always in and out of the team.
“The first time they were back in the SPL because of what happened to Rangers, Barry (boss Smith) had a lot of faith in me and that was the most I played, 29 games.
“But I have played 23 times already for Raith and it is only halfway through the season.
“That shows the manager has faith in me and hopefully I can repay him by helping the boys get in the top four and consolidating.
“I signed for a year in the summer and most boys in the Championship usually only get 12-month deals so it was a bit of security for my young family.
“It was a no-brainer for me.
“Last year was the first time I had not had a contract going into the next season so it was a bit of a problem getting something sorted.
“The manager showed faith in me so I was glad to give a bit back.
“It was also a nice feeling to be made vice-captain. Jason is coming back now so I will happily hand him the armband again.
“All the boys talk on the park anyway but it was nice to get it.”
Benedictus and the rest of the Raith players made a wasted journey to St Mirren last week with the game against the Buddies being called off at the last minute because of snow.
Now, they are determined to take out their frustration on Dumbarton, especially as the last time the two sides met, Rovers threw away a three-goal lead in the last 10 minutes of the game to only take a point.
Benedictus said: “That had never happened to me before, being 3-0 up and drawing 3-3.
“It is a new fixture now and we want a positive result especially after the disappointing defeat against Alloa.
“The boys were saying as soon as we came off in that game it was a missed chance to establish a wee gap.
“It has been really tight the last few weeks and that was a great opportunity.
“But you move on and hope it was just a blip.
“The most important thing is three points.
“It doesn’t matter how we do it just give everything we’ve got and secure a win.
“We definitely need it just now as teams like Morton and Queen of the South are close to us.
“Our next two games at home are massive so hopefully we can get maximum points and establish a wee gap.”