Fired-up Irvine Vics boss Dougie MacDuff has ordered his players to treat their next two games like Champions League qualifiers.
The Westenders can propel themselves into the WoSFL Third Division promotion places with a home win against bottom dogs Saltcoats Victoria this Saturday.
And MacDuff insists taking three points away to fellow strugglers Newmains United the following weekend is just as vital if Vics want to cement their status as serious contenders.
With back-to-back clashes against second-placed Ardrossan Winton Rovers and leaders Lanark United on the horizon he knows there’s no room for slip-ups.
He said: “The next two games are massive.
“I’ve said to the boys that they are our Champions League qualifiers.
“I’m calling them that because six points would set us up for some really big matches against the teams right up there at the top.
“We’ve a real tough run coming up.
“No disrespect to Saltcoats or Newmains but we should be looking to win these games.
“Anything less would be a major blow.
“We know that three points will lift us into the top three.
“We’ve got to take these chances to get up the league and at the same time hope other teams can do us a favour.”
Saltcoats fought back from two goals down to earn a point when the sides met in the reverse fixture in November.
It’s a result that still rankles MacDuff – even though he was out of the country on holiday.
He said: “I watched the highlights back and fair play to Saltcoats they worked ever so hard to get themselves back in the game.
“But I felt our attitude wasn’t quite right and we can’t make that mistake again because come Saturday, I’m expecting a similar battle.”
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