The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Blue Toon players winners even if they lose out in race
Peterhead: Manager praises his men as they chase victory to keep alive dream
Peterhead manager Jim McInally believes the efforts of his players cannot be faulted – even if they fall short of winning the League 2 title on ‘Helicopter Saturday’.
The Blue Toon are three points behind leaders Montrose going into the final weekend of the season with McInally’s players knowing nothing less than a victory against Edinburgh City at Balmoor will give them a chance of claiming the title.
Montrose, who have a vastly inferior goal difference to Peterhead, need only a point from their end-of-season meeting with Elgin City at Links Park.
With the title destination undecided, the SPFL has chartered a helicopter to take the League 2 trophy to the winning destination, with the Blue Toon hoping it is flying towards Balmoor come full time tomorrow.
It could be a memorable day at Balmoor but McInally will be proud of his players – even if they miss out on the title.
“If we were to win on Saturday we would equal our best points tally,” he said.
“It would be the same amount as when we won the league four years ago.
“I would have found it hard to believe if you had told me at the start of the season that we would reach 76 points and not win the league.
“The players have done well but we will look back on certain games when we gave away stupid points.
“Montrose will feel the same. We have won 23 league games this season – Celtic have only won 22.
“The players have been fantastic. I think they have won 31 games out of 45 this season and that is good going.”
The Blue Toon are
“If we win we would equal our best points tally”
without striker Russell McLean for this weekend’s match due to suspension, while left-back Aidan McIlduff is a doubt with an Achilles tendon injury.
McInally says it is essential his players try to block out events elsewhere and put their full focus on defeating an Edinburgh City side without a victory in nine matches.
He added: “First and foremost, we are giving Edinburgh City full respect.
“We know we have got a job to do. We have got to beat them and we don’t see that as being an easy thing to do.”