Queen of the South boss Wullie Gibson said Dunfermline’s 4-1 win over Partick Thistle on Tuesday night has had a big impact on the relegation picture.
The Pars winning their game in hand has left the Doonhamers three points adrift at the bottom before his side travel to Hamilton tomorrow.
Gibson said: “Dunfermline’s result is a huge factor because we’re three points adrift at the bottom now but things can change quickly. We need to go tomorrow and win the game. Points here and there aren’t going to keep us in the division. We need to go and win games of football and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
The club captain spoke to his players this week to underline the importance of the next six league games as people play for their futures.
He said: “I told the boys it’s everybody. Everybody needs to give and do more as a team.
“In a couple of months contracts will be up and they need to either earn a new contract here or elsewhere.
“For me I put the club first because I love the club to bits. I’ve got that natural connection that some players don’t. But everybody has got to do all they can to stay up. Contracts take care of themselves.”
Queens played a bounce game against St Johnstone on Tuesday to give players more game-time and work on fitness.
Harry Cochrane and Lee Connelly returned from injury last week and Gibson hopes to have Calvin McGrory back on Monday. Aidan Fitzpatrick could return at the end of next week or the start of the following week.
Assistant Grant Murray will miss the game as he tested positive for Covid-19.
The boss also urged his players to focus on Hamilton instead of their Challenge Cup final next week. He said: “I would like to think that the boys have put the final to the back of their minds, but they are a young side.
“I’ve been there and you get carried away and can’t help looking forward to it but the league is the business.”
Meanwhile, on-loan Motherwell player Max Johnston has been selected for Scotland’s Under-19 Euro Elite Group matches this week.
Johnston was on the bench for Scotland’s 2-1 win over Turkey in Hungary after a late call-up.
The Scots now take on Hungary tomorrow and Israel on Tuesday.
Gibson said: “Max has done terrifically well and I told him after the Killie game to go and enjoy himself because it’s a big honour.”
