“Some people have been having a go at Ian recently but he showed at York what he brings to us,” said Raynor in todays Star.
“He’s never been the most cultured player but he is a straighforward central defender and a good, honest leader and he was a leader out there at York."
The comments also come after fans showed displeasure at the departure of last seasons MillersMAD Player of the Year Johnny Mullins, who joined Oxford for three months on Friday.
Mullins, who has moved back to the West Midlands for family reasons, is available on a 24 hour recall after the first month of his loan expires.
Mark Bradley provides the only centre back cover for this weekends game with Southend with Kari Arnason on International duty.
Jason Taylor and David Noble will compete for the vacant central midfield role that Arnason leaves behind.