McCann's form down to maturity says Cotterill

Manager Steve Cotterill says Charlie McCann's maturity is behind his stellar form for Cheltenham Town so far this season.

McCann has scored seven goals in nine games for the Robins, leading the League Two goalscoring standings, and was awarded League Two Player of the Month for September earlier this week.

Cotterill worked with the now 24-year-old when he was manager of Forest Green Rovers two years ago, before bringing him to Cheltenham this summer.

"His footballing ability hasn't changed too much from what I know, but he's a lot more grown up now and I like that about Charlie," Cotterill told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"It was one of the big things when I had him before that I would always be on him about - he needed to act more responsible because of his ability.

"Not that he was doing anything bad but he wasn't giving the best representation of himself that he can do."

McCann had spells in Manchester United's youth setup and Rangers' academy before he moved to Forest Green in 2023, scoring 15 goals in 90 games during a two-and-a-half-year spell.

He moved to Barrow last season after being released by Forest Green, going on to play 38 games as they were relegated from League Two before Cheltenham paid a "nominal fee" to bring him to the club this summer.

Cotterill says he can see a difference in McCann's approach already, particularly away from what he does on the pitch.

"I watched Charlie closely, not when he's playing - I watch him in and around the plays, I listen to him when he does his interviews - he's just great now," Cotterill said.

"I don't know who else would have lectured him, I know I did a few times, but he knows now that's all for the good, but at the time he probably didn't."

And while not an out-and-out striker, Cotterill believes McCann "has got an eye for goal" and winning the league's monthly award will only help his confidence.

"I did say once we lost Isaac Hutchinson from the team last year that we needed to replace him with some goals, and Charlie was the only one I was looking for to fill that void," he added.

"He's doing it very well so far."

McCann is unavailable for Saturday's visit of league leaders Salford City following his sending off for two yellow cards against Accrington.