Kevin McHattie admits it was a frightening moment when he injured his knee during Raith Rovers’ friendly with Forfar on Tuesday night.
The full-back had only recently joined the team he supported as a boy, determined to get his career back on track after leaving Premiership side Kilmarnock.
McHattie, who had knee problems in the past when he was at Hearts, left Station Park on crutches but thankfully the injury proved to be not as serious as first thought and the 22-year-old hopes to be back training next week.
He said: “My leg is all right. It was just the tendon at the top of the knee where it meets the thigh.
“It is basically a dead leg and I was on crutches but I am off them today.
“I have done my left leg before but this time I wasn’t too worried as it was the outside of my right knee.
“If it was going to be a ligament problem, it would have opened up on the other side.
“It was still a bit frightening and playing on astro as well didn’t really help.
“So I am relieved it wasn’t too serious and hopefully I will get back playing on Tuesday.”
This is the third time McHattie has worked with Raith boss Gary Locke with the pair having been at Hearts and Killie together.
And the player admitted it was good to be working with a manager again who had shown such belief in him over a number of years.
He said: “I went on holiday on the Wednesday and the gaffer phoned me on the Monday saying he would like to get me in at Raith.
“I had another year on my deal with Kilmarnock but the manager there (Lee Clark) had told me I wouldn’t be playing so I could go and find another club. It was good of him to be up front with me.
“I still had a few things to sort out with Kilmarnock which took longer than I’d hoped but I was just glad to get started with Rovers.
“It was a relief as the two weeks leading up to signing for Raith, I was on the phone to my agent all the time and trying to get things sorted with Kilmarnock.
“So I am glad it has got done and I am delighted to be here.
“The gaffer gives me belief and confidence.
“He obviously trusts me as well which is what a player needs.
“I am happy to come here and do a job for him.”
McHattie added: “I am from Pitteuchar so I am a local boy. All my family support Rovers so they are proud that I have signed.
“I wasn’t into football when I was really young but when I was eight, my grandad started taking me to games.
“I went to just about every home game watching players like a young Stevie Crawford and Nacho Novo.
“Now though all I am concentrating on is helping Raith have a season more successful than the last one.”
