INTERVIEW Blackpool full-back puts club's bid for survival ahead of personal situation

STEPHEN Crainey will have more to play for than most at Old Trafford tomorrow when Blackpool attempt to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League. While Ian Holloway’s side face the prospect of dropping back into the npower Championship, the Scotland internationalist also hopes it offers one final opportunity to display his talents with his contract about to expire.

Blackpool are keen to offer him a new deal, but there will be no shortage of interest in a player who has excelled against some of the best wide players in world football. Crainey knows another solid showing against title winners Manchester United will not do his contract negotiations any harm, although he is adamant it is his club’s future which is at the forefront of his mind.

Blackpool go into the final day sandwiched between Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City in 18th place, one goal better off than Wigan and one goal worse off than Alex McLeish’s side. Also, Wolves and Blackburn Rovers are just one point ahead of those three teams as they all fight against the drop.

Working out potential outcomes is practically impossible. In fact, the former Celtic defender has given up trying to get his head around it.

“It’s way too complicated to try and figure out,” said Crainey. “The simple way to explain it is to say five teams are all fighting to avoid two relegation places.

“We’re in a situation where a victory at Old Trafford might still not be enough to keep us up but, by the same token, we could actually still survive even if we lose.

“There are so many important games and it must be exciting for people not connected to any of the clubs involved. But we’ve just got to concentrate on our own match. We are facing the champions who have also reached the final of the Champions League. I don’t think we could have asked for a tougher game.

“So we’ll give it our best shot. It would be unbelievable if things go our way and we stay up.”

Crainey has enjoyed playing in the top tier of English football and his performances have prompted a return to the Scotland set-up under manager Craig Levein. It has been an exhilarating experience for the full-back, and is one he is eager to prolong.

“It has been a fantastic season from that point of view,” he said. “After playing in the lower leagues in England, it has been brilliant to go up against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal and go head-to-head with some of the best players in the world.

“Obviously, that can only improve my game and I do feel I’ve learned a lot. Also, returning to the Scotland squad has been pleasing, so I’m happy. I’m not looking further than this weekend. It’s too important not to give it my full attention.”