Stewart Petrie has been voted Scottish League 1 Manager of the Month, presented by Glen’s Vodka, for December - his fifth such award in his four years at Links Park.
Three wins and a draw saw Petrie‘s side end the year only one place behind league leaders Falkirk, helped greatly by the goals of in-form striker Russell McLean.
The month began with McLean scoring a 20-yard screamer as the Gable Endies came from behind to inflict Cove’s first league defeat at Balmoral Stadium since joining the SPFL.
McLean was at it again a week later, scoring the only goal of the game at Airdrieonians, to secure back-to-back away wins.
Returning to Links Park a week before Christmas, Petrie’s men produced a festive cracker, brushing Dumbarton aside with an impressive 4-0 display, and yes, McLean was on the scoresheet once more!
This third win on the bounce also propelled the Links Park outfit to second top of the table, behind full-timers Falkirk, a position they held on to with a gritty 1-1 draw away at Peterhead just before Santa did his rounds.
Petrie celebrated his fourth anniversary in charge at the start of the December and has lost only 39 of his 132 league games since walking through the door at Links Park.
The first-time manager is getting used to receiving Christmas presents from the league, having also won the December award both last year, and in 2018.
Added to these December awards, Petrie has also received monthly awards for November 2017, October 2019 and has a Manager of the Year Award for 2017/18.
