European Adventure

[LSArab]

Scottish Cup winners will be from within the top 5 - 9 points gap to St Mirren ?.

It?s getting very close to the time to start looking out the passports

Third place will make a huge difference to the experience.

It would be incredible to be guaranteed the group stage and have 3 good away trips to look forward to

Am I alone if being a just a little bit excited right now !!?!

[shedka]

No but it's premature to assume we are top 5

Could easily be down to 6 pts ahead of St Mirren by time we head to Easter road

There is a worst case scenario of them beating us at Tannadice to go level on pts (would be ironic after beating them 4/4 without conceding)

Obviously there is a chance we can wrap top 5 up by then too but just think we need to be cautious at the moment as it's not decided, we don't want to end up with egg on our face

Especially now we had lost Luca and a suspension hanging over Ferry

[shed-buoy]

No but it's premature to assume we are top 5

Could easily be down to 6 pts ahead of St Mirren by time we head to Easter road

There is a worst case scenario of them beating us at Tannadice to go level on pts (would be ironic after beating them 4/4 without conceding)

Obviously there is a chance we can wrap top 5 up by then too but just think we need to be cautious at the moment as it's not decided, we don't want to end up with egg on our face

Especially now we had lost Luca and a suspension hanging over Ferry

With the goal difference it?s really 10 points, and if we blow that we dont deserve to be anywhere special

For me it?s more about the feel good factor and momentum. All the teams around us have player issues, booking injuries etc, so I don?t think we can play that card; nonetheless it is a relatively small squad and Goodwin has done well with it, albeit I would have kept Miller Thompson in the pack, though there?s much none of see/know

Also an opportunity for players to prove themselves worthy of new contracts and a place in a European squad

Its been a great season and I trust the manager and team are just as keen as the rest of us for it to continue to the final whistle of the last game.

[shedka]

Yes in the worst case scenario of losing to Celtic/Hibs and SM winning their two before Tannadice, there wouldn't be much of a GD advantage left

However just being cautious as the way the fixtures have fallen then two defeats isn't beyond possibility

No point thinking we are certain for Europe just yet

[LSArab]

I do want us to go for third and that would be incredible to get European Group Stage football

It?s probably a once in a decade chance to get third and get into Europe like this

Need to grasp the chance these last few matches

[Walloper]

It?s by no means certain however I can?t see St Mirren winning three games, never mind more or a 11 goal swing.

I?m going for a win for us against Aberdeen and St Mirren. Hibs draw and defeats against the old firm (though I have a feeling we will get something against Celtic)

That should give us fourth at least.

[LSArab]

It?s by no means certain however I can?t see St Mirren winning three games, never mind more or a 11 goal swing.

I?m going for a win for us against Aberdeen and St Mirren. Hibs draw and defeats against the old firm (though I have a feeling we will get something against Celtic)

That should give us fourth at least.

Yeah it?ll be matches against the other European contenders that decide it - anything against the old firm is a bonus

[Stoke_Arab]

I suspect Jim Goodwin will discourage the players from discussing permutations too much. He'll make them aware of the prize and tell them to focus on each game one at a time. And tell them they're there on merit.

I hope the club has put an extra player bonus in place for 3rd and 4th because the prize at stake for 3rd would be a game changer for the club. It's knockout football now and we're equipped for that.

We have the added motivation that we actually start the race ahead of the Sheep albeit on goal difference.

[LSArab]

The figure of ?5M has been mentioned for third

I am sure internally at the club they are taking that prospect very seriously

It?s kind of money that would allow us to sign up Dalby and get the best players on longer contracts and invest to stay ahead

One game at a time and I?m sure JG will have the boys fired up

[shedka]

I would love 3rd but honestly just can't see it, be difficult finishing above one of the sheep/Hibs , especially the latter

The Jan signings won't help us and we are down Holt/Stephenson from the team that got us to 3rd by early January

I'm definitely not getting greedy or getting hopes up as it is very unlikely, it has been ever since that Hibs game at Tannadice and the Dalby goal ruled out (we'd be 3rd now 3 pts clear), I want us to secure top 5 first

Bring realistic i think 4th is the best we can probably do, so if we are within 2-3 pts of the sheep by the last day with a chance at that would be class for me

[Stoke_Arab]

Nobody's saying we're GOING to do it, folk are just saying we're in a great position to give it a go.

[tangeron]

My opinion, we would be better off without Europe.
We have a big job on our hands at end of the season replacing loan players and strengthening the squad without the distraction of European football.
Going to be a tough season with Plastic pitches of Killie, Falkirk and possibly livingston on surfaces we tend to lose on.

[shedka]

Better off without Europe is a ridiculous take, imo

[Arabdownsouth]

Yeah I don't get that mindset either. For one thing,being in Europe means we don't have to take part in the shytey league cup group stage.

[dreamoftangerine]

Would also be an incentive for players to come.