It's a timely return to favour for the centre back who played against Ross County in August and was then out in the cold until sub appearances in the last two league games at Stenhousemuir and at home to Inverness.

Introduced at half-time with Pars one down to the Highlanders, Tod was part of a remarkable performance with Athletic thumping in five goals and adding another four at Bonnyrigg.

The 19-year-old netted twice on Tuesday and is in contention to face Raith tomorrow (Friday): "I've been in and out of squads recently.

“I've just kept my head down, really. Just working in training, doing extras in the gym, on the pitch. Just trying to get my chance.

“I came on against Stenny for only five minutes. I didn't expect to get a half against Inverness but I came on and thought I had done really well."

Tod added: "Here tonight, two goals. I'm trying to just keep knocking on the door and trying to get in the mix for Friday.”

But he did admit that being named in the SPFL team of the week, after his performance against Inverness, had come as a surprise.

He said: “I just saw that pre-match. I was buzzing.

“I’m not too sure how many people get in the team of the week with 45 minutes!”

Tod has been called up for the Scotland under-21s for the first time.

He'll team up with brother Andy for two friendly matches in Alicante in Spain, against Ukraine on Thursday November 12 and the USA on Sunday November 15.

Another first was his double against Rose, although he was disappointed not to complete a hat-trick.

He smiled: “I was in at half-time, I was like, ‘I'm going for that hatty,’ but I didn't manage to get it.

“I had a few headers that were blocked. I was gutted by that.

“Everybody loves to score. You don't get much as a defender but I'll take them both.

“I don't know which one was better though. My shoulder or my mazy. One of the two.”

Tod hopes there will be more to come, joking: “I've only scored one before. That one was alright as well.

“I'll try and make a habit of scoring more goals. It'll be three next time, I hope.”

Attention now turns to Stark’s Park and a Fife derby.

Tod said: "We know it'll be a tough game. Raith are on a decent bit of form.

“Obviously, we beat them early on in the season but it's always a tough place to go, Stark’s Park, we know that.

“But we're on a good run and the boys are playing really well.

"We're going in with confidence, but not overconfident. We know the challenge that's ahead.”

And Tod believes the competition throughout Lennon’s squad is helping to drive everyone on.

“It's mental, the players we've got on the bench,” he added.

“All of them could easily be playing and there's nobody that deserves to be dropped.

“We've just got a great squad, a big squad. Everybody's willing to push everybody else and it's a good place to be in.”