Manager on Thursday

26/04/18: AJ - “People are hitting form at the right time so we are definitely going in the right direction.”

Manager Allan Johnston is mindful that his team needs to get to the play offs first and if you are there then you have a great opportunity to get into the Premier League.

“We scored two really good goals last week, that is what you want from your strikers, hitting form and scoring goals. That always gives you a chance especially when we don’t lose a lot of goals.

“It sets up for this weekend. I think that there is a lot of pressure on all the teams to get a result but we have got ourselves in a really good position and we have to make sure that we get in the top four.”

Pointed out to him that a Dunfermline win coupled with a Dundee United slip up at home to Livingston would clinch third place and home advantage in the second leg of the play off.

“It is a good opportunity to finish third, even if Dundee United get a draw our goal difference would still get us third. That would be a good achievement but first and foremost we have to get there.

“We have to beat Dumbarton, they are a hard team to play against. They will come here and obviously be hard to beat. We have a lot to play for so hopefully that shows in the way we play.”

Dumbarton have play offs of their own coming up on Wednesday 2nd May the manager dismissed any suggestion that his opponents might use some squad rotation on Saturday to rest key players.

“We just have to concentrate on ourselves because we know that in this league anybody can beat anybody else. We have to be fully focused, make sure that we get there with the result we need and then hopefully have a lot to look forward to.”

Recent form and recent results have created the opportunity to secure a play off place and the manager admitted that at the start of the season he would probably have accepted a win at home to Dumbarton in the final game to qualify for the play offs. In reality a draw will do, AJ continued:-

“That is where we wanted to be, that was the target this season. They have not achieved it yet, so it just shows you how tight this but there is still an opportunity to finish third. We have a lot to play for. We want to keep the momentum going and finish with another win. I’m sure that the boys will be fired up for it.”

Fortune favours the Fifers who know that their fate in making a play off place is in their own hands. The manager is relieved that there needs to be no reliance on what other teams’ results are.

“At Inverness’ game against Livingston in midweek, Livingston rested a few players, Inverness got the win and so if you are relying on other teams to do you a favour then it is not the answer.

“It is great that we have got ourselves in a good position and we just have to get over the finishing line.”

The team has been on a good run since Christmas but especially with their unbeaten sequence in the last nine matches, the manager highlighted the ten clean sheets in 2018 and added:-

“We have started scoring goals and creating chances again. People are hitting form at the right time so we are definitely going in the right direction.”

The 95th equaliser on Saturday was celebrated like a winner and its significance was reflected in the somber looks on the faces of the home fans. Even the Caley Thistle chairman in his address on the pitch to the home fans, more or less conceded than their play off place hopes had gone. Allan contrasted the emotions:-

“It was a brilliant feeling. It is always a wee bit special when you get an injury time goal but I think it has been coming. If you look at this season, we have lost a few - especially against Morton - so it has to even out at some point of the season. It is great to get that wee bit of luck at the right time.”

AJ says that if they make the play offs the somewhat unexpected days and kick off times just have to be coped with. The first play off would be on Tuesday 1st May followed up by a second leg on Friday 4th May. To go all the way a third or fourth place finisher faces six matches in 20 days.

“That’s the days that they have put forward. You just have to deal with it, it is the same for both teams. We have to make sure that we get there first and then we will take it from there.

“ It is television who are dictating when the fixtures are going to be. I don’t think there is much consultation with clubs, so it is difficult especially with bookings rolling over. I think that is a bit harsh, surely they should carry over into the following season.

“At the end of the day, you are there. We need to get there first and if you are there then you have a great opportunity to get into the Premier League. If you get to the play offs, you are winning and when you are winning you don’t feel as tired, you feel good. Hopefully that is the case.”

Aaron Splaine trained today, a big step for him and a big step in his comeback. Sean Murdoch has been to see a specialist in Bradford and his manager feels that his goalie is on the road back as well.

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