Morton and Clyde could face play-off to avoid play-offs

PERHAPS the finest example of how the play-off system has been beneficial for the Scottish Football League will arrive this afternoon, with tension – and bumper crowds – guaranteed at no fewer than five grounds.

Broadwood, Firhill, Recreation Park, Glebe Park and Stark's Park are the venues for the final day matches which will decide who takes part in the knock-out system for the right to play in next season's First Division. In an altogether neat piece of symmetry, those successful in reaching or confined to the playoffs will meet at the semi-final stage.

The situation between Morton and Clyde as they attempt to retain First Division status may be more complex than initially appears, with the teams tied on points and only a single goal currently between them. If they cannot be separated at 5pm today on points, goal difference or goals scored, they will face a two-leg play-off – with the losers forced to take part in the semi-finals of the First Division play-offs.

The Second Division is considerably more clear-cut, with Brechin City and Peterhead hoping to pip Alloa Athletic, currently in the box seat, to a semi-final place. That three clubs retain genuine aspirations of making it to the play-offs is testimony to the competitive nature of the Second Division, arguably Scotland's most keenly-contested division of recent seasons. The three full-time sides in the league – Ross County, Airdrie United and Raith Rovers – have risen to the top in the end, but at no point detached themselves from supposedly less illustrious opposition.

Peterhead's recent fortunes have perhaps been the most eye-catching. Turbulence at Balmoor at the turn of the year was sufficient for Steve Paterson to be sacked as manager with his assistant, Neale Cooper, replacing him. Cooper remains employed on a caretaker basis, but Peterhead's chairman Rodger Morrison is on record as saying he wants the former Ross County manager to remain in office.

"It is just a case of sitting down once the season is finished and sorting things out," said Cooper. "I have been delighted with the way things have gone; we needed a reaction from the players at the turn of the year and we got that.

"We knew we had to win our last three games of the season to have any chance of the play-offs and that remains the case. At the start of the year, we never dreamed of being in this position. Now we are, we'll give it our best shot."

Managers of the three clubs involved are supporters of the play-offs, although Cooper admits there is an element of uncertainty. "All the chairmen will love the play-offs because of the financial spin-offs," he said. "But until we definitely know where we will be playing next season, I still can't make decisions over certain players or squad size."

Alloa, in fourth, hold a one-point advantage over Peterhead, but the Blue Toon's goal difference is eight better than that of Allan Maitland's side. Maitland regards last Saturday's 1-1 draw in Airdrie as "a great day" and added: "This is the third season I have been here, and in every season we have had a game at the end of season which has really meant something to us, usually it is to avoid relegation – this season it is to try and get us in the play-offs."

Alloa, on paper, have the easiest task. As Peterhead travel to face Raith Rovers and Brechin host Ross County, the league champions, lowly Berwick Rangers head to Stirlingshire. With only 16 points collected all season by Berwick and a goal difference of -60, it would be a major shock if Maitland's team do not record a home win.

Cooper, though, remains optimistic. "Alloa are the favourites, but you never know how Berwick will react having just lost their manager last week. Maybe someone else will come in and sort things out quickly. Ross County still have pride to play for as well. All we can do is try to win our game."

Brechin, two points behind Alloa and one from Peterhead, have been hailed in many quarters as the finest footballing team in the division with their young manager, Michael O'Neill, already tipped for greater things. The Ulsterman, though, has set his sights on preparing the Angus outfit for next season, whatever league they are competing in, and unlike Cooper has re-signed the majority of his part-time squad for the new campaign.

"We have turned this season round really, after being ninth in the league and nine points adrift of eighth at one point," O'Neill explained, with his team's goal difference vastly superior to their contenders. "Even if we miss out on the play-offs, I feel we are in a good position to take the next step forward."

Berwick try to avoid conceding a ton of goals

RELEGATED Berwick Rangers have had a catastrophic season, plummeting towards the Third Division, and getting through two managers in the process.

Michael Renwick was the latest to exit the Shielfield Park hotseat, last week's 5-2 home defeat to Raith Rovers proving the final straw for the Berwick board, who also saw John Coughlin step down from the post earlier in the campaign.

The club even had the chance to salvage a modicum of pride and a piece of consolation silverware during the week in the City Cup final against East of Scotland League outfit Spartans, but contrived to lose 3-2 to the non-league side at Shielfield.

Now, Jimmy Crease and Ian Little will take charge of the team for their farewell to the Second Division, and with their hosts Alloa Athletic hoping to secure a place in the play-offs, it looks an unenviable task.

Berwick will head to Recreation Park trying to avoid conceding their 100th league goal of the season, but the luckless Crease has to contend with injuries to Little, Garry Wood, Grant McNicholl, Bryan Fairbairn and Chris McGroaty, with Kevin McLeish also doubtful.

Crease, who is not in the running for the managerial vacancy, admitted: "It looks like it could be a backs to the wall performance for us with Alloa having something to play for but I am determined we will not end the season on a whimper. We want some pride back."

Meanwhile, with David Bingham and Kevin McAllister reportedly among the contenders to succeed Renwick, a statement on the club website said yesterday: "The board are delighted by the quality of applicants. Interviews are ongoing this week and we hope to announce a new manager as quickly as possible."