John Rankin says Hamilton Accies have to put on war paint and go into battle against Arbroath on Friday, but told his players to RELAX at Gayfield Park.
Rankin says the players have livelihoods and professional pride at stake as only a win at Arbroath gives them a chance to clinch the relegation play-off slot and rescue their Championship status – though that also relies on Morton beating rivals Cove Rangers.
Sitting a point behind Cove at the bottom of the table, Rankin says everybody knows their jobs, but being uptight isn't going to help.
“We know exactly what we need to do,” he said. “I’ve said for a while it’s not where we want to be, but it’s quite clear what we need to do. We need to go to Arbroath and get three points.
“The players are aware of that, we’re aware of that, everybody around the club is aware of that, so it has all built up over the last two weeks to gear towards that.
“The players need to relax. I think that’s important. If we go up there and we’re upright and forget to play, and work, then we have an issue.
“I don’t think Friday has any real bearing on that. We always knew we had to go to Arbroath and win anyway, so it’s the exact same scenario.
“Everybody knows what’s at stake. Let’s be honest, there are livelihoods and jobs at stake, there’s lots at stake – there’s professional pride at stake, that’s the one for the players.
“We have to go on Friday night and try to get three points from the game. We have to do whatever we can to do that.
“We need to roll our sleeves up, put the war paint on, go into battle on Friday night, and hopefully come out on top.”
Rankin says conceding a last-gasp equaliser against Partick Thistle a fortnight ago was a killer – but the players need to learn from it.
“When you score so late and concede really soon after that it’s a real killer, and doesn’t give you time to respond.
“But we can’t dwell on that. We need to get ourselves in front on Friday night and then get a shut-out from there on in.”
Rankin insists he’s not considering a play-off, or potential opponents at this stage.
He said: “Just now I’m looking at Friday, that’s the only thing. I said that to the players to forget everything else that’s going on, just concentrate and focus on Friday.
“I don’t think we can look too far ahead at what comes next, I think you just need to concentrate on the game that’s in front of you, and go and try to win it.
“We’ve been involved in a cup final this season and I think this is another one.
“It’s huge, it’s a massive game, and it’s hugely important to the football club.
“I would say to the fans to get behind us, bring your enthusiasm, bring your energy, and the players will work for us.
“We’re all in it together, we have to try and get out of it together, and with their backing and support on Friday night, I’m sure they can pull us through.”
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