LIVINGSTON striker Liam Buchanan insists the players are well aware that their futures are on the line in today’s crunch play-off clash against Stranraer. The Lions are facing the disastrous prospect of falling through the Championship trapdoor unless they can turn around Wednesday’s 5-2 defeat in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.
Relegation would put Livingston’s ability to continue as a full-time club in serious jeopardy and Buchanan admits failing to preserve their status in the second tier would be hugely damaging.
He said: “It’s livelihoods at stake. We’re under no illusion about the effect it will have on the club and as players we know the scenarios that might happen if we’re relegated, but we’re all trying to stay positive about it.
“We have to remain positive that we can turn it around as a group.”
Buchanan scored one of the Lions’ two goals at Stair Park and insists David Hopkin’s side must remain confident that they can turn it around.
He added: “We can’t accept that we’re out of it. We know it was not good enough from us and now it’s about showing a reaction and showing they’re we’re hurting from it.
“We have to give credit to Stranraer as well, yes it was a bad night from us but they were excellent and we have to give them credit for that.
“They turned us over but we have to get ourselves together. We know the task in hand and have to stay calm and be confident we can get the job done.
“It’s a massive ask but one that we’re capable of. They’re maybe thinking that they’re in the driving seat and that they already have one foot in the final.”
Stranraer manager Brian Reid, meanwhile, will prepare his side for a Livingston backlash this afternoon.
He said: “I’d certainly not expect Livingston to sit back and defend but if they come out and attack then hopefully that will leave gaps for us to go and exploit.
“We’re obviously very pleased with the first-leg result. To score five goals against any team is an achievement.
“But we’re not getting carried away with ourselves, we know there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
Meanwhile, Ayr United defender Andy Graham reckons the Honest Men already have a squad capable of putting up a fight in the Championship.
Ian McCall’s side are in a commanding position to reach the play-off final after a 4-1 victory at Peterhead on Tuesday.
Should they stave off a Blue Toon fight back this afternoon, Ayr would then face the winners of the tie between Stranraer and Livingston for a place in the second tier.
Former Hamilton, Morton and Dumbarton player Graham is in no doubt that the Somerset Park outfit have the ability to play at a higher level.
He said: “I played in the Championship for three seasons before I signed for Ayr and I definitely think we have a good enough squad to go up there and compete.
“We have a lot of talented players and if we were to go up I think it would more be about the gaffer trying to keep the players together.
“With games like this you get people coming to watch you, but I’m in no doubt that we could go up there and compete.
“It’s been a real squad effort this season but some of the boys have done really well.
“Ross Docherty won a lot of the player of the year awards and it was no coincidence when he was out for ten weeks earlier in the season that we had a slump in form.
“The two guys up front have been pivotal to the way we play as well. Jordan Preston and Craig Moore have both been fantastic for us and I’d certainly not like to play against them as a defender.”
Graham, however, insists no-one at Ayr will become complacent following the first leg result.
He added: “To go to Peterhead, which is a very difficult place to go to, and get a result like that is great.
“It’s very positive from our perspective but we know nothing is done yet, we’ve already lost 3-0 to Peterhead this season so we need to be on our guard.
“It’s down to them manager to set us up to play against Peterhead on Saturday but I’m sure he’ll tell us to play exactly the same way like we did up at Peterhead.
“I think the manager will be looking for us to win the game. I’m sure Peterhead will be thinking that they’re not out of it too and they’ll have Rory McAllister back for it as well.”
Peterhead manager Jim McInally is refusing to throw in the towel despite admitting that his side were outclassed on Tuesday.
He said: “We were still in a game at 2-1 down and I would have stopped the game there and then if I could.
“It just looks like it has been a step too far for us.
“I don’t want to make excuses but we have players such as Simon Ferry playing with an injury.
“We have come up short and I certainly realise that we are a bit weak in certain areas.
“I have already been speaking to people to try to bring in new players for next season.”
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