The Grand National may be taking place this afternoon but Montrose boss Paul Hegarty is looking for his side to overcome some footballing hurdles and gallop across the finishing line to secure their League Two survival.
The Gable Endies are 10 points ahead of bottom club East Stirlingshire and with just four games remaining, Craig Tully’s side are odds-on favourites to face a pyramid play-off.
However, Hegarty is taking absolutely nothing for granted and is looking for his team to take care of their own destiny when they travel to table-topping East Fife today.
He said: “I mentioned last week that our season has been like a Blackpool rollercoaster and that continued last weekend at Clyde.
“At 2-2 we would probably have settled for a point but when we got that late third goal it looked like we had guaranteed our League Two survival.
“However, they then scored a last-gasp penalty and to lose two points like that was ridiculous.
“We now have an incredibly-difficult game at the champions elect East Fife.
“Gary Naysmith is doing a magnificent job there and fully deserved his Manager of the Month award for March.
“They are firing on all cylinders at the moment and we are fully aware of how tough it will be.
“We have though drawn there already this season and we also did well against them at Links Park.
“They are obviously going for the title but the game means as much to us and we are determined to get over that finishing line to ensure we stay in the SPFL League Two.”
Chris Templeman (ankle) and Kieran McWalter (ribs) are both injury doubts and will face late fitness tests before the game.
Meanwhile, Hegarty revealed that he has continued to make plans for next season despite the club’s SPFL safety still not assured and has “put feelers” out to signing targets but he believes no business will be done until after the end of the season.
The Gable Endies gaffer is also still keen to keep top scorer Gary Fraser, adding: “We have made Gary an offer but we understand there are a couple of other clubs showing interest in him.
“He has every right to move elsewhere at the end of the season but we have let him know we are really keen to keep him and it would benefit him and Montrose Football Club if he stayed for at least another year.”