Former Nottingham Forest striker Glenn Murray believes that it is "only a matter of time" before his former club are in the Premier League thanks to the "incredible" work done by manager Steve Cooper.
The Reds are just two points outside the play-off places ahead of Wednesday night's massive clash with second-placed Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, an unimaginable position they find themselves in given the wretched start to the season under former boss Chris Hughton.
Forest are also embarking on a surprise run in the FA Cup after consecutive wins over top flight opposition, beating Arsenal and Leicester City in the third and fourth rounds respectively.
Murray says that Cooper has given fans "something to believe in" and predicts that he will guide the East Midlands outfit back to the Premier League in the near future.
"He's taken them from the foot of the Championship to almost touching the play-offs," he told the BBC Football Daily podcast.
"They've knocked Arsenal out, now they've knocked out Leicester, the holders of the competition. I mean, it's just an incredible job he's done.
"He's breathed life into Nottingham Forest, an area that's desperate for success and the fans just want something to believe in and they certainly believe in Steve Cooper and what he's building there.
"Listen, it's only a matter of time before they are possibly a Premier League club, things are going so well for them. And when I look at the group of players they've got there, they've got a young, energetic squad."
The former Brighton and Crystal Palace forward was then asked what it was like at the club and if he thought the job Cooper is doing is made even more impressive due to the "chaotic" running of the club by Forest owner and Greek media mogul Evangelos Marinakis.
"I went there in lockdown, it was probably the worst time to go," Murray admitted. "I never played in front of a full City Ground.
"You say chaotic? Yes, I suppose it slightly is. It's run by the Olympiakos owner, he owns both clubs. There's a lot of comings and goings, there's a lot of expectation when you own a club like Olympiakos in Greece.
"And when they win almost everything every year, it will confuse and frustrate him why he can't make Nottingham Forest a success and why he hasn't made them a success quicker. I think that shows in the turnaround of managers over his period in charge of the club.
"But listen, they seem to have somebody in Steve Cooper who knows what it is to be a Nottingham Forest manager, understands the size of the club and he's re-awakening that belief around the city.
"For me, Steve was a real clever appointment because when I looked at that Swansea City side that he took to the play-offs twice, I think he overachieved with them. I don't think they were that great of a squad. When you looked at their squad before the season started you wouldn't have said they're nailed-on promotion hopefuls.
"So I think to get him in the door and for him to start weaving his magic, so to speak, and to have such a young, energetic squad and what he's done before in youth football, it speaks volumes.
"Like I say, it could be turning into a special time for Nottingham Forest."
