Peterhead manager Jim McInally last night saluted his players’ efforts after the club’s outstanding form was recognised by the SPFL.
McInally was named SPFL League 1 manager of the month for January, with his honour making it a double success for the Blue Toon after attacker Shane Sutherland’s player-of-the-month award which was announced on Tuesday.
Peterhead have been the form team in Scotland’s third tier in 2016 with their unbeaten run in January continuing into February.
The Blue Toon moved into second place in League 1 courtesy of their victory at promotion rivals Ayr United on Saturday and, while delighted to receive the award, McInally insists it is his players who deserve the credit.
He said: “It has been a fantastic effort recently from everyone and to win football matches you need your whole team playing well which is what has been happening at this club recently.
“It is easy to single out one player or a manager but an award like this is recognition of the team’s effort as a whole and I am sure Shane would agree.
“He scored some great goals and is in great form but his team-mates were a big part of his success.
“Earlier in the season Shane wasn’t the player we thought he was going to be but we gave him time as we knew what he is capable of and in the last month he has been fantastic.”
McInally believes Sutherland’s award has finally silenced those who claim the Blue Toon are reliant on one man in Rory McAllister.
Former Caley Thistle and Brechin City forward McAllister is again leading the scoring charts in League 1 this term but McInally has plenty choice when it comes to goalscorers in his squad.
He said: “We are a club where a lot of people point the finger at us by saying we are a one-man team because of Rory McAllister but we have four players in the goalscoring charts.
“We’ve got Rory, Shane, Jordon Brown and Leighton McIntosh which makes us hard to stop.
“When I brought Shane here I hoped we could give him the platform to go back to full-time football and I hope it happens sometime but for now we are reaping the benefits and it is fantastic.
“I could say the same about a few players here. We’ve got a strong squad and we are playing well; that is why we are getting results.”
While McInally and his players will bid to continue their fine run of form this weekend against Forfar at Balmoor, the club has announced tickets for the Petrofac Training Cup final against Rangers will go on sale from the club from a.
The Blue Toon have been given an initial allocation of 3,600 for the match at Hampden and will be seated in the South Stand.