Chris Strain says he's desperate to give Kilwinning Rangers fans the perfect Abbey Park send-off.
The Buffs host Hurlford United tonight in the penultimate match to be played at their spiritual home of 90 years.
The home side have little to play for but pride but Strain insists he won't allow his players to take their eye off the ball.
He said: “My focus is on making sure we give Abbey Park the right send-off. It’s not time for the players to switch off just yet.
“These games at home obviously have special significance ahead of our move to Kilwinning Sports Club in the summer.
“We want to leave Abbey Park with something of a feel-good factor.”
Strain will be praying strike ace Marc McKenzie doesn’t come back to haunt him and put a spanner in the works.
He reluctantly sold McKenzie to Premiership rivals Hurlford in December and after a sticky start at Blair Park the frontman has found form just in time for Wednesday’s visit to Abbey Park.
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He scored twice in Ford’s 3-0 win against Pollok on Saturday in his first game back after a loan spell at Rossvale.
Strain said: “We know all about Marc’s qualities. We were never looking to move him on but Hurlford came in with a bid and with Marc set to miss a chunk of the season with his wedding, we felt it made sense.
“He’s just one of many good players Hurlford have however and we’re expecting a very tough night.
“They’ve been front-runners in the division for so long.”
Strain reckons Ford’s open brand of football will suit his side and he believes that even with a depleted squad they can get a result.
“They like to press high up the pitch and that suits our capabilities on the counter attack. We won at their place earlier in the season when we weren’t in the greatest form.”
Kilwinning play Auchinleck on Wednesday, May 8 for Abbey Park's swansong.
Once the league campaign is over, Strain will turn his full attention to rebuilding for next season in the club’s new surroundings.
“We have to get our ducks in a row, he insisted. “There will be wholesale changes in the summer. To be honest, we are still a long way away from being consistent challengers for trophies.
“We brought in tried and tested Junior players this season but we may have to try a different tactic in the summer.
“A willing workrate and energy can sometimes make up the difference and we’ve seen that in some of our teams in the past.
“A big rebuild is on the cards but I’m looking forward to tackling it and helping to take the club’s growth strategy forward.”
