FALKIRK midfielder Scott Arfield believes a new-found resilience has taken the Bairns to the brink of a top-six place.
John Hughes' men can achieve a small piece of club history this weekend by securing a spot in the top half of the table for the first time ahead of the league split.
Sixth-placed Falkirk boast a three-point lead – and a better goal difference – ov
er both Hearts and Aberdeen, meaning a home win over Kilmarnock today, coupled with slips by their rivals, could seal it for the Bairns.
Hughes has developed a talented team committed to passing football, but it is the ugly side of the game where his side have thrived recently in racking up five clean sheets in six matches, including last week's hard-earned 0-0 draw at Hearts.
Arfield, one of the finds of the Scottish season, relishes playing an attractive style but admits a more combative approach could achieve their top-six goal.
The 19-year-old said: "I think we've changed to grind out results recently. We've not been playing our usual passing game and, if we have, it's not been as slick as the start of the season. But we're getting what we need and that's the points to get into the top six, so we have to try and keep it going.
"Killie have found some form, so we need to go and either play our slick passing game or again go and grind out something. But the most important thing is the three points and hopefully we can get them."
While league matters are dominating Arfield's mind today, he is eager to continue playing his part at international level. The attack-minded teenager was part of the Scotland Under-21 side that defeated Finland 2-1 at Pittodrie on Wednesday night to keep their European Championship challenge hopes alive.
He added: "It was a good week and a great result for us. I was involved at the ball for the free-kick for our first goal, as we had done that move in training and Steven Naismith put it in. Finland are still top of the group, but we're right in there five points behind."
Meanwhile, Tim Clancy insists that Kilmarnock can recover from their season of frustration to reassert themselves as top-six contenders next term. When Jim Jefferies' side missed out on the top six three years ago they dropped just two points in their final five games after the split, which boosted their confidence going into the next campaign.
Defender Clancy admits that hitting such a run of form is tenth-placed Killie's aim for their seven remaining league games.
Clancy said: "If we finish the season on a winning run that will give us confidence for next year.
"Falkirk away will be a tough one as they have a chance of getting into the top six, and then we have Hearts, who also are trying to get into the top six. But these are winnable games.
"Then after the split we'll be against teams in the bottom half and all of these are winnable. So we're looking to collect a fair few points."
The full article contains 539 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
