THE multitude of critics who have in the past poured scorn on the SPL's decision to split the league into two sections with five games remaining will no doubt be reflecting on the levels of interest and anticipation which surround tonight's televised fixture between Aberdeen and Falkirk at Pittodrie.
As was the case on Saturday when Hearts paid a fruitless visit to Rugby Park in their ultimately unsuccessful efforts to secure a top-six place, tonight's game would, under the old, pre-split system, constitute nothing more than a meaningless encount
er by two teams with nothing more than pride to play for, played in front of a paltry, uninterested crowd.
In the words of Falkirk manager John Hughes, however, tonight's game is like a cup final with both teams seeking desperately to avoid the fate of Hearts and to play out the rest of the season amongst Scottish football's elite, enjoying the financial and reputational benefits which such a status befits.
The mathematics are simple ... Falkirk need to draw, Aberdeen need to win and Hughes is just delighted that his team are in a position where their destiny lies very much in their own hands.
"Its great to be in this position," he said, "and it would be great to be in the top six. Being up there helps the finances of the club and it carries a great deal of prestige which will help us attract quality players in the future.
"A lot of permutations have been kicking around over the past few days but we now know exactly what's required of us and we'll be going up there looking for the result that will give us a top six finish.
"If we can achieve that, then it will be like winning a trophy but in all honesty, win , lose or draw, I'm proud of my players for what they've achieved this season. At the start we budgeted to finish ninth yet here we are looking to finish in the top six – I couldn't ask for any more."
Other than long-term casualties Tim Krol, Michael Higdon and Dean Holden, Hughes has no injury concerns for the Pittodrie game, which kicks off at 7.45pm and will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports.
The full article contains 383 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
