Premiership trio face 'crescendo' in top-six chase

Neil Critchley, Stephen Robinson and Michael Wimmer are vying for a top-six spot

The Scottish Premiership season reaches what Heart of Midlothian head coach Neil Critchley describes as "a bit of a crescendo" on Saturday.

Either the Edinburgh side, Motherwell, or St Mirren will clinch the one remaining top-six place before the division splits into two for the final five games of the season.

But, whereas the chance to qualify for European football would normally be an added incentive, the eight-point gap between fifth-top Dundee United and sixth place means that is probably an unrealistic target.

This time, the main prize on Saturday is an assurance that the successful side will not be drawn into a potential battle to avoid relegation.

So how are the three protagonists viewing what could be season-defining afternoon?

'There's consequences for losing'

Sitting a point ahead of the other two and with a much superior goal difference, Hearts are in pole position, but they are away from home and have to go head-to-head with a Motherwell side for whom it is win or bust.

St Mirren, meanwhile, need to beat visitors Ross County and hope Hearts fail to win at Fir Park.

With Hearts only five points clear of Dundee in the relegation play-off spot, Critchley understands "the importance of the game" and how each side will look at it "psychologically".

"Motherwell will want to win the game, of course, but they'll also be understanding that there's consequences for losing the game as well," the Englishman, who took over in October with Hearts bottom of the table, said.

"It's not like a normal, regular league game that you play every week."

While Critchley stresses that, while Hearts are a club who would normally expect a top-six finish, "from where we were when I took over to where we are now, we've made progress. The fact that we're fighting to the top six is credit to the players".

Despite losing 1-0 at home to United last time out, he believes that: "If we can play to a similar level with a little bit of extra, quality and intelligence in front of the goal, then I'm sure we'll get the result that we need.

"We have that one game, it's in our hands."

'Perfect situation' to 'ease pressure'

Hearts' Musa Drammeh scored the game's only goal against Motherwell in January

Motherwell counterpart Michael Wimmer is also in optimistic mood going into what he regards as his side's biggest game of the season so far.

The German, who took charge in February after Stuart Kettlewell resigned, realises the importance of extinguishing the threat of relegation as it is "very important for me to have a secure situation" as he builds for his first full season in charge.

"This is similar, for example, to Austria," he said. "If the smaller clubs reach the top six, you have security and you can plan your next season without pressure. It's a perfect situation."

Motherwell have gone three games without a win, losing their latest two, but Wimmer stressed: "The last games have been away games.

"I feel happy that we have the chance to win the race to the top six."

'Huge bonus to be in top six'

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has told his players victory over County would seal a "huge achievement" - even if they miss out on that top-six place.

The Buddies are looking for a hat-trick of top-half finishes by reaching 40 points before the break, but Robinson said: "If we can win on Saturday and you don't meet the top six, it's still a massive improvement on where this football club was.

"To do it three years in a row and hit 40 points before the split is probably the first time it's been done."

Former Motherwell manager Robinson has had to deal with losing three players from his squad this season following court appearances, but they have brushed off the disruption.

"We have to embrace it," the Northern Irishman said. "We're not the ones under pressure. Ourselves and Motherwell, it's a huge bonus to be in the top six.

"Considering everything that's happened at the club and all the problems we've had off the field, to still be in this position is fantastic."

Robinson suggested St Mirren had not enjoyed any of "breaks" required to overachieve given their playing budget.

"The top six currently probably is the way it should be in terms of resources," he added. "So it's important to remember that the minimum target is to stay in this division. It is a big game that would ease the pressure both ways."