JON ROUTLEDGE reckons Alex Neil's will to win has rubbed off on the high-flying Hamilton squad this season.

The Accies gaffer yesterday picked up the SPFL Premiership Manager of the Month award for October after guiding his side to a remarkable run of results and to top spot in the table.

As he continued his recovery from injury, Routledge had to watch on from the stands as Motherwell, Celtic and Aberdeen were put to the sword.

And the midfielder is delighted Neil's efforts on and off the park have been rewarded.

Routledge said: "The manager has been great for the lads since he took over.

"He's been great for me personally. He drives you on and is very demanding. Sometimes he has a go but I like that.

"It helps us reach the levels we have done so far. There's a bit of a difference in him as a manager from being a player.

"He'll admit that himself. He was really pumped up as a player, he is still like that as a manager, but he is a bit more calm.

"I played alongside him for a few seasons before he became boss and he was always shouting and bawling.

"He just wants to win so much. But I think he made a conscious decision to try to relax a bit, but he still has the fire in his belly.

"He's helped me when I have been out injured. He's been there himself and is just supportive and tells you to keep going."

Accies make the trip to Inverness today aiming to get back to winning ways after struggling against Dundee and the Dons.

And Routledge is determined to avoid another league loss as they bid for Caley revenge.

The Scouse star said: "We've only had two defeats and that is quality for a team that's come up, but we don't want to get used to losing games.

"Hamilton is a little club and maybe people didn't expect it from us. But we have confidence in ourselves and the manager.

"Inverness are a good team and a tough test. It will be interesting to see how we get on - especially after what happened in the first game of the season.

"We didn't do ourselves justice, but hopefully we can go up there and put on a better show.

"The team has done great so I know it's not going to be easy to get back in. I just need to work hard and do my best when I get the chance."