MORTON boss Dougie Imrie has fired his players a warning shot ahead of today's trip to Dunfermline as one forgotten man edges closer to a competitive return.
The Cappielow supremo insists his side won't be getting carried away off the back of a run that's seen them win three of their last four games - particularly with a tough run looming of three away games in their next four.
The Ton boss made it clear that his players need to carry on matching the standards that they've set themselves in recent weeks - because if they don't, it won't be long before it comes back to bite them in a league as tough as the Championship.
"We won't get carried away heading into this run of games," He told the Tele. "We know how quickly football can turn.
"We'll always take things a game at a time, which for us, comes in the form of today's trip to Dunfermline.
"We're aware that we've got a tough run of games coming up; they're away from home and none of them will be easy.
"We then also get the toughest draw of the round in the SPFL Trust Trophy quarter final. However, if you want to go and win things then you need to go and beat what's in front of you.
"The boys are fit, they're in a good place, so we want the games to come thick and fast, and that's why we're looking forward to today so much.
"The biggest thing for me now is that the boys stick to their standards. They can't drop from them now because inevitably you'll begin to put in bad performances and lose games.
"Training has been good this week and the boys are looking really sharp. We're in a good place, but the Championship can quickly come back to bite you.
"That's why we need to remain focused and competitive, and play with the same desire that we have done in recent weeks.
"If we continue to bring that to the fore, then we can win games of football. We need to keep those standards up, and if we can keep on putting the ball in the back of the net then we'll be okay."
Imrie revealed that he's looking to welcome at least one of two crocked stars back into the fold in the next couple of weeks.
And he says that players will need to begin to look over their shoulders as the competition for places becomes fiercer with the likes of Nathan Shaw coming ever closer to returning to the fold.
He added: "The thing in football is that you need players to keep on pushing each other.
"At the moment the squad is in a good place. Nathan Shaw's back in bit part training, he's now not too far away.
"Dylan Corr's the same, but nowhere near the level that Nathan has.
"It's good to see them back in amongst the group. They both need to get back up to speed but Nathan shouldn't be too far away.
"We'll keep upping his workload in the next week or two, so that by the start of next month he'll be back in and around the squad. It'll be like a new signing.
"Once everyone's available, the squad will be really strong - and with the nature of football, folk will need to start missing out."
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