Relegation Watch, Week 19: 5 Goals Safe

By: Ian Rose | December 20th, 2008

We are officially halfway through the season, now, 19 matches done out of 38, and one other thing is official – you can print it – we’re in a relegation dogfight.

Four teams are tied at the bottom of the SPL on 17 points. Hamilton is still bottom, but only goal difference separates them now from (going up the table): Caley, Motherwell, and Falkirk. St. Mirren, to their credit, has risen a full four points above this group, and looks a class better.

The next month is absolutely vital. We face both Motherwell (the post-Christmas match, odds on to be postponed at awful Fir Park) and Hamilton. We have to perform well against those two, and really we have to win at least one. We also have two Glasgow-side matches that matter more than you might think for a bottom side like ours. First, at home to Rangers. The bottom of the league is very, very tight right now, and I wouldn’t bet against relegation coming down to goal difference. For that reason, the Rangers match could be a very important one. First off, obviously, any points gained against the Old Firm are points gained on the other three relegation favorites. But, even if we lose, which given our home form is all but certain, we must keep it close. We cannot afford another drubbing like we took at Ibrox. We also have our first Scottish Cup match coming up against Partick Thistle. With our league standing in such poor shape, some fans are saying that the sooner we drop out of the cup, the better. I disagree. A win and advancement in the Scottish Cup not only means a return of some confidence to the club, but also a cash injection, important in these days of dwindling home attendances.

In a month, we will know a lot more about who is likely to go down. I am as worried about relegation as I have been since our promotion to the SPL. Give me a Christmas present next week, boys. Beat the Well. Rise us up.