Montrose boss Ray Farningham has set his sights firmly on the second division play-offs for next season as he aims to continue his impressive run at Links Park.
Farningham was speaking ahead of Saturday’s season finale against Queen’s Park at Hampden, in which he hopes to round off the campaign with a victory.
Although the Gable Endies are a modest eighth in the table, they have won five of their last seven league fixtures, a tally which Farningham believes bodes well for season 2011/2012.
The former Motherwell, Dundee and Dunfermline midfielder said, “The boys are doing really well and we are all ambitious here.
“Apart from the Arbroath game, we have had some really good results lately and it was always my aim to pick up as many points as possible.
“We are going to be positive going into the Queen’s Park game and a win would be a great way to end the season.
“We’re looking forward to next year-there is a lot of potential at the club and a good few young boys who will hopefully come through and the more experienced players will help them.
“It’s very important to aim high and we have got to look to the play-offs next season.”
However, several key players will miss out. At the back, Alan Campbell has been ruled out with an ankle injury and forward Daryl Nicol is suspended.StrongNonetheless, Farningham believes he has a strong squad heading into the match, one which he feels can only be strengthened during the close season.
He said, “I am hoping to build on the current squad and that’s something I will be looking to do. I’m really looking forward to continuing with the job.”
Queen’s Park have to defeat Montrose to reach the play-offs for the second year running and Hampden head coach Gardner Speirs is predicting a tense afternoon at the national stadium.
“We know what we need to do but knowing that does not make it any easier,” said Speirs.
“Montrose had a great result last Saturday and will be out to do the same again so we have to go out and win the three points.”
The Spiders are definitely without five players with the Jamie Brough, Stephen Baillie, Paul Harkins and Michael O’Hara remaining on the sidelines and David Murray still not fit enough to return after his hamstring injury.
Experienced midfielder Tony Quinn is a doubt, but the evergreen Andy Millen and winger Craig Smith have shaken off knocks to be included.