WE HAVE THE CODE TO SAFE
Ball now in Honest Men’s court says Lee as they try to stave off drop
AYR boss Lee Bullen admits it is “ours to lose” ahead of the last-day showdown with Partick Thistle as they look to secure safety.
The Honest Men sit eighth, just a point ahead of Dunfermline – who welcome already relegated Queen of the South – knowing a win will keep them in the second tier next term.
And Bullen is glad the ball is in their court as former Ayr boss Ian McCall brings his Jags side to town.
The Somerset Park gaffer also revealed his players have been given an extra day’s rest to keep them as fresh as possible for the crunch clash.
Bullen said: “The aim last week at Queen of the South was to go into this game with it all still in our hands. We knew then it was ours to lose and that is the position we find ourselves in.
“Getting the late goal put us in a better position than we were before and we got a break with results elsewhere but the aim is to beat Partick, and it is a big game.”
“The character and belief shown amongst the young group we have has been second to none. We’ve had to show that a lot recently and now we just need one last push to get us over the line.
“We can only focus on ourselves but the ball is in our court.”
Thistle are three points clear of Raith – who face champions Kilmarnock – in the final play-off place on top of boasting a goal difference eight better than Rovers.
Asked how difficult it has been to keep the players motivated, given what seems an unassailable cushion, Jags assistant manager Alan Archibald said: “It’s been fine.
“Look, the bigger picture is we just want to get it done and then concentrate hopefully on Tuesday (the first play-off game), that’s the big thing.
“We’ll be as professional as we can. We know it’s an eightgoal swing, it’d need a disaster for us not to be in the play-offs.
“It’s down to us, it’s in our hands and we know obviously Ayr and Dunfermline have got a lot to play for as well at the bottom end of the table.”
Archibald admits Thistle will “possibly” have one eye on Tuesday’s play-off quarterfinal in terms of squad selection at Somerset.
But he’s adamant the club will “treat it the same as any other game” and added: “We want to get the points.
“There are two teams fighting at the bottom of the table as well for that play-off spot. So it’s very important we do our bit as well and put out a strong team.”
Thistle have already announced pre-contracts with Cove left-back Harry Milne, 25, and Falkirk frontman Anton Dowds, 25, in the last fortnight.
The pair “stood out” during the Jags’ season in League One, reckons Archibald, with no hesitation in making early swoops – because both are capable of stepping up not just one league but two if promotion becomes a reality.
“Without a doubt,” added Archibald on early moves being a vote of confidence in both players. “They’re a good age, you can develop them further, that’s what the manager sees in them.
“That was one benefit of playing in League One last year – you get to see there’s talent in the lower leagues, we know that.
“We signed a few and then the other two lads played in League One comfortably. “The manager has kept it under wraps with Cove, which is fair to them, they were going to clinch the league title. “It’s just great to get it out there and they’re our players. “We look forward to building a squad for next year, regardless of what league we’re in.”