It may be five months away but Grant Murray believes Raith Rovers' progress to the Ramsdens Cup final against Rangers is keeping his players on their toes and helping to win him awards in the process.
Murray was named SPFL Championship manager of the month award for the second month in a row after going through October undefeated. The Kirkcaldy side picked up league wins over Dumbarton, Morton and Livingston, and drew with Hamilton last month, but the biggest cause for excitement was the Ramsdens Cup semi-final triumph over Annan Athletic.
The final against Rangers at Easter Road may not be until April, but Murray reckons his players have used the momentum built up from reaching it to their advantage.
The Fifers have reaped the rewards in the league and while they suffered defeat at Dundee last weekend, they finished the match with 10 men in what was only their second reverse of the season.
Speaking ahead of this afternoon's trip to Alloa, he said: "It's fantastic, from my point of view, winning it two months in a row but, for me, it just shows the consistency the whole squad have given me. They've been great and hopefully they continue to give me that. Getting into the Ramsdens Cup final gave everybody a lift. The final keeps everyone on their toes because they'll all want to play come April."
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