Let us set aside the uncertainty of relegation this season. The notion that any team would settle for last place is an affront to the professionalism of the players and managers who will settle the issue. No one wants to collect the wooden spoon.
Our three games are against Dunfermline, at East End Park, on Saturday followed by two home fixtures when we entertain Dundee and Celtic.
Given that we seem able to collect points only from teams in the top half of the table there is reason to be satisfied with the task ahead. Dunfermline and Dundee are currently holding fifth and sixth place respectively and there is no reason to believe that we will be empty handed after either game. The Celtic game will take care of itself. As Terry Butcher has suggested ‘we can take anyone on our beach!”.
Our rivals in the basement have it tough.
Dundee United have two games – away to Hearts and home to Rangers. It is difficult to see them take anything from either encounter. They are presently one point ahead of us (and we have a far better goal difference).
Thistle play at Ibrox on Saturday and play hosts to Hearts for the last game before the split. Not many points likely to end up at Firhill after those fixtures.
It seems clear that we have every reason to be optimistic. We must be odds on not to be bottom of the pile when the split comes. But what will happen when we play the last five games?