Benedictus happy to help out until Raith Rovers gaffer returned

Assistant boss Paul Smith took over as the boss recovered from a gallbladder removal and Benedictus says that he and other experienced players did all they could to assist until McGlynn finally made his return recently.

"It was disappointing to lose the gaffer, especially having just been promoted," he said, "but obviously his health comes first.

I thought Smudger [Smith] did brilliantly when he took over on his own. And of course, myself, Iain Davidson, Blair Doughty, our sports scientist, the physio, Stewart Duff, and any of the other experienced boys like Jamie MacDonald would help out with anything he needed.

“We were there to help if need be, and Smudger did a great job, but we're all delighted that the gaffer is back.

“He's come back and he's as well as ever.”

In McGlynn’s absence Rovers have made a more impressive start to the season than many predicted, having only lost two of their nine league games so far.

“If you include the game against Hearts in the Betfred Cup we've played everybody in the league now and it's been a good start to the season,” ‘Bene’ says.

“Queen of the South in the last game was our worst of the season. It goes to show that if you're not on your game on any given day, that's what can happen.

“Maybe it was a wee wake up call that we needed. We've just been promoted, we're the new team on the block and we're not going to be perfect in every single game, but I think if we can continue with the consistency that we showed in the first eight games we'll do fine.

“Obviously we're disappointed that the derby against Dunfermline didn't go ahead, that could have been a good game to bounce back in, but we're looking forward to this Saturday now in the Scottish Cup.”

Rovers will travel on Saturday to play Kevin Rutkiewicz’s League Two side Stirling Albion and Benedictus says Raith are well aware that they face a potential banana skin.

“I'm sure Stirling will give it their all. Sometimes it's difficult when you play a lower team on their pitch because they know it so well, but we just need to concentrate on ourselves.”