The highs have far outnumbered the lows at the Balmoral Stadium this season.
But Cove Rangers manager Paul Hartley maintains it has been a stress-free job keeping his players’ feet on the ground.
The Aberdeen side hold a six-point lead at the top of League 2, on the back of a huge win over their nearest title-rivals Edinburgh City.
Along with that came the extension of their 100 per cent record at home, which now stands at 12 league wins on the bounce.
Queen’s Park, rejuvenated in the winter with a flurry of high-profile signings, are the next side to try their luck in the Granite City today.
Ross MacLean, Craig Slater, Cammy Bell and Peter Grant have turned their backs on full-time football for a stint with the ambitious Spiders. The decision to turn professional at the end of last year, putting paid to their long-established history as Scotland’s top amateur club, has seen them emerge as a new figure in the promotion picture.
But in their way stand Cove, a club whose ambition has already seen them move from the Highland League to the SPFL and may well produce back-to-back promotions.
Hartley said: “The players have always trained well and had the same attitude. After a bad result, they never get too down. After a good result, they never get too high. They train as normal.
“We have been in the job since July and can see the same things the players have produced. They have been magnificent. If they train hard and play well, then great.
“Queen’s Park have shown a bit of ambition to climb the leagues. They are having a bit of a go of it and you see that with the additions they have made. But we don’t underestimate anyone.”
Hartley will assess the status of skipper Mitch Megginson and defender Ryan Strachan ahead of today’s game, given their recent injury worries.
Megginson has missed the last two games with a calf problem, while Strachan came off in the win over Edinburgh with a muscle spasm.
In their absence, Daniel Higgins and Rory McAllister stepped up to the plate and delivered the goals that engineered another crucial three points.
Hartley added: “It was a difficult day for us but you have to give credit to the players.
“It’s up to the players to come in and do well, step up to the mantle a little bit. Mitch is the top scorer and captain but it was a good result for us last week. You can see we have a good squad – everyone can come in and help us.”
The Cove boss remains on the lookout for loan options to strengthen his squad further, with February 29 the deadline for him to utilise his final two loans of the season.
He has been pleased with the performances of January addition Broque Watson, who swapped one League 2 side for another when he left Annan Athletic last month.
Hartley said: “He can get better as the season goes on. He’s one that can run with and without the ball.
“He gives us a different option. He can play either side or up front. We’ve got good options in the attacking third but we’ve got two loans we can use before the end of February and we don’t want to be left short, if someone gets injured or suspended.”
