I like being written off... even by SPFL
Mikey: Lichties are gone in eyes of many... but not mine
MICHAEL McKENNA hopes to get the last laugh as even the SPFL think Arbroath are League One bound.
The governing body put up a tweet this week saying ‘play-off scramble’ that didn’t include the Red Lichties.
But the playmaker admits he’s happy to be written off as he believes they’ve enough to turn an eight-point gap at the foot of the table around and survive.
Arbroath have a mountain to climb but the midfielder targets six wins from nine in the business end of the season.
McKenna said: “I like to be written off – I don’t like praise, I’d rather somebody was saying the opposite as it gives you an extra 10 per cent to go and prove people wrong.
“We’re gone in the eyes of many, the SPFL had a tweet up the other day saying who was going to survive the drop and we weren’t even in the picture – fifth to ninth place. I don’t think we’re away yet, we’ve a game in hand on Dunfermline and Inverness and if we win on Saturday it could get interesting.
“We’ve some good home games coming up – Dunfermline, Morton, Partick Thistle, Airdrie and Queen’s Park.
“We’re targeting five wins and a couple of draws or six wins. We’re going to have something to play for in every game.”
Craig Watson insists losing their No.1 won’t slam the brakes on Airdrie’s season – or the style in which they seek to see it out.
Josh Rae was released from hospital earlier this week, after a head knock in Inverness, and former Motherwell, Stoke and Rotherham keeper Robbie Hemfrey’s been signed as cover.
Rhys McCabe’s boys are out to make it five unbeaten and potentially finish the day in the top four should Morton slip up.
Defender Watson said: “It’s a massive blow. First and foremost, football aside, you wish the best for Josh and hope he’s back to full health as soon as possible.
“We’ve been in many different situations the past two seasons, squad-wise or situations on the park, and the gaffer doesn’t change his style of play. We’re confident but it will be a really hard game – they are fighting for survival.”