Paul Hartley believes his Cove Rangers side will need to win ugly to keep their impressive run of form going.
Cove average more than three goals a game in League 2 and have never failed to score more than twice in a league game.
They are the leading scorers in the SPFL with 26 goals from eight games, four more than reigning treble holders Celtic.
But ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Stenhousemuir, Hartley is aware performances will not always be as fluid and pretty as they have been so far.
He said: “Everything seems to be clicking just now but we know it won’t always be like that.
“Sometimes you need to win ugly and scrappy, making sure the players are fired up for it.
“Games will get more difficult and the pressure will intensify. Everyone is getting to know each other in the first quarter and we’ve set ourselves a good points tally, which is important.
“It has possibly changed how teams play against us, especially at home. We’ve seen most teams set up on the counter attack and it’s up to us to break them down. It’s testament to the way we’re playing and we’ve got to keep it going.”
Hartley was pleased with the impact of new signing Fraser Aird, who scored on his debut against Annan Athletic last weekend. Former Rangers midfielder Aird – a Canadian international – was released by Dundee United in the summer and joins his ex-Tannadice team-mates Declan Glass, Fraser Fyvie and Matty Smith at the Balmoral Stadium.
He added: “He got off to a good start and was looking sharp, which is a good thing. He’s young enough (to go back full-time), we’re just giving him an opportunity. We want all of our players to be ambitious.”
Ryan Strachan (groin) and Alan Redford (illness) remain out for Cove for the game at Ochilview.