Chris Strain admits all the pressure is on his Kilwinning Rangers players ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Junior Cup replay against Bridge of Don Thistle.
The Buffs make the long trip north after being held to a surprise 2-2 draw at home to the Aberdonian minnows at the weekend.
Strain insists his side are lucky to still be in the competition after they saved their poorest performance of the season for the second round tie.
But he reckons there can be no excuses if they fail to finish the job this time round.
Strain said: “Hopefully it serves as a wake-up call because the players have been made aware in no uncertain terms that the performance was unacceptable.”
“We just weren’t at it from the word go. You can accept players having an off day but what I can’t accept is the attitude we showed.
“It’s up to the players to show it was a one-off. But make no mistake, the pressure is very much on us going up there.
“If we were to go out of the cup at this stage it would be hugely disappointing. Bridge of Don aren’t a bad side but we are the Premier League team and we have to show that.”
Strain insists a replay is the last thing the club needs both from a playing and financial point of view and fears it could have a damaging knock-on effect on their league aspirations.
He said: “It’s going to cost the club a few quid to travel which is a frustration and then there’s the fact we’ve a long journey on the morning of a big game which is far from ideal.
“There’s also the repercussions it will have on the league.
“We’re now going to fall a game behind and you don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you’re playing catch-up.”
Striker Ryan Wilson will miss the clash with a hamstring injury.
