New deal set to keep club captain at Stark’s Park

RAITH ROVERS: McKinnon says team in ‘great shape’ for next season

Raith Rovers boss Ray McKinnon has revealed club captain Jason Thomson is set to sign a new deal to keep him at Stark’s Park for another two years.

The Kirkcaldy side may still have plenty to play for this season, with a crunch game tomorrow against Morton, but the manager is working hard to ensure that firm foundations are in place for the next campaign.

McKinnon has already tied up Kyle Benedictus, Lewis Toshney, Mark Stewart and David Bates, and has been trying to persuade others to commit – such as Thomson, who has only just returned to the team after suffering a serious back injury.

He said: “I am delighted that Jason has agreed to sign a new two-year deal with the club.

“We said when he was injured that we would sort something out when he was fit again, so he has come back to me and said, so what about that contract?”

McKinnon added: “Iain Davidson has also kicked in a new deal after playing 25 games. That is great news as Davo has been brilliant. So it is great to have Davo, Benny, Tosher, Mark Stewart and Batesy all tied up.

“Rory McKeown has been made an offer as well, and we have another wide left player signing a pre-contract soon.

“I will also be trying to tie up Aidan Connolly and, if I do, I will have the basis of my team for next season.

“I also have Lewis Vaughan to sign and I will probably need to have a look for a midfield player.

“Cat (goalie Kevin Cuthbert) is out of contract as well but he will be made an offer as he has been outstanding.

“So we are in great shape for next season.”

Raith had a morale-boosting win over Livingston last weekend but that result was eclipsed on Wednesday night by Morton, who stunned Hibs 3-0 at Easter Road.

While McKinnon acknowledged just how difficult a game his side now face, he is determined they will take all three points to keep alive their play-off dream.

He said: “We have beaten Morton twice this year but we are fully aware of how good they are. “So we are expecting a tough game. “I think though the most important thing on Saturday is not to get beaten.

“This weekend, Rangers play St Mirren, Falkirk have Queen of the South and we have Morton.”

Toshney returns from suspension for the Morton game but Benedictus is still banned – and McKinnon revealed that another central defender is set for a spell on the sidelines.

He added: “Unfortunately, there is bad news on Batesy. He had a scan on his calf on Wednesday and it looks like he will be out for six weeks with a haematoma. So that is disappointing.”

There has been plenty of speculation this week over Rovers youngster Sean Mackie, with the 17-year-old full-back the subject of interest from Hearts and Hibs and McKinnon confirming the player looks likely to head to the latter.

Raith will be due compensation, but considerably below the £75,000 figure mentioned in some quarters.

McKinnon said: “It is looking like he will sign for Hibs.

“He lives a pitching wedge away from their training ground and doesn’t drive.

“He was in at Hearts with Jon Daly but I think he is edging towards Hibs.

“Sean has just turned 17 but he has all the athleticism and attributes to be one of these modern-day left-backs.

“He has done well for us so I can understand why other teams are looking at him.”

Picture: SNS. Jason Thomson: boss Ray McKinnon said he is delighted that the captain has agreed to sign a new two-year deal with the club.