Ray McKinnon named Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Month
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Raith Rovers boss Ray McKinnon has won the Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Month award for March.
The accolade is just rewards for what has been a sensational month for the Kirkcaldy club, who have taken 16 points from seven games in a period packed with tough fixtures.
McKinnon’s men have now almost guaranteed their spot in the play-offs, following wins over St. Mirren (twice), Hibernian, Morton and Queen of the South.
The manner of Rovers’ performances has also been impressive, with the side putting four past St. Mirren at Stark’s Park and battling from behind to beat Hibs. And McKinnon is keen to direct the praise towards his players.
“The award is for everybody at the club”, he told Ladbrokes News. “The players deserve it more than me, as they obviously go out and get those results.”
The fact Rovers played Tuesday and Saturday fixtures on three different weeks meant March could have been a draining period, and McKinnon admits that “it was a tough month”.
However, it was a task he kept his side motivated for, and they duly delivered. “We beat some big, big sides, which is a credit to all our players and the hard work we have done”, the amiable boss noted.
If the Fife side do guarantee their play-off place with a draw at Queen of the South this weekend, McKinnon is looking to give some of his hardworking stars a bit of time to rest their legs before those crucial clashes.
“I hate tempting fate, but we would want to give the senior players a rest and give some of the younger guys a game” Mckinnon admits.
And despite having shown again that they can mix it with the league’s best during Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Rangers, Mckinnon feels that there is “no expectation” on his side. “We don’t have a massive budget” he explains, “where we are and what we’re doing is incredible – that’s all down to the players and their attitude.”
Raith Rovers are 9/5 to win away at Queen of the South this weekend, with a repeat of Rovers’ 1-0 win in their last meeting at 8/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
