Nope...I use the retention hole and hook .... since day one.
Strange thing is... the mat clearance problem only started a short time ago and I've had the car three years. Weird, huh?
It might be your rubber clutch stopper are missing or wore out. This will allow the pedal to travel deeper. Clutch wear would cause the engagement point to get higher but its normally unnoticeable on hydraulic clutch type.