Raith Rovers boss Ray McKinnon has praised his players’ work ethic for helping the club hit the heady heights of second place in the Championship table.
The Kirkcaldy side’s latest win at home to Morton on Saturday saw them leapfrog Falkirk to sit behind runaway league leaders Rangers.
Considering the respective budgets of other sides such as the Bairns, Hibs, St Mirren and Queen of the South, it could be argued that Rovers are punching well above their weight.
However, McKinnon who received another boost on Saturday with the addition of former Scotland international Scott Robertson to his squad thanks to care home owners Colin and Margaret Smart agreeing to pay the player’s wages insists they are there on merit.
The manager said: “I am absolutely delighted to get Scott in and I must thank Colin and Margaret for helping make it happen.
“I met Colin and he asked if there was anything he could do to help me bring in players.
“He was more than happy to help out and it was an unbelievable gesture.
“Scott has been brilliant in training and has a fantastic attitude,
“He has bags of experience and is a great addition to the squad.
“We should also have Ross Callachan back from injury after the international break which means we will have a lot of competition for places in midfield which is really pleasing.
“The break will also gives others a chance to recover from little knocks and niggles.
“Lewis Toshney, for instance, could barely walk on Friday before the Morton game while Kyle Benedictus was struggling with a sore neck.
“All the lads deserve a wee break to recharge the batteries as they have worked incredibly hard to get us into the position we are in.
“They are a really good bunch and are there on merit.”