Robins 'can't ignore' play-off chances - Vyner

Zak Vyner has had loan spells at Accrington, Plymouth, Rotherham and Aberdeen while at Bristol City

Bristol City centre-back Zak Vyner says his side "can't ignore" their position in the table heading into Saturday's final game of the regular season.

The Robins are fifth in the Championship and will guarantee themselves a play-off spot should they beat relegation-threatened Preston North End at Ashton Gate.

"I think everybody knows what the aim is now," Vyner told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We can't ignore it. We're not sitting here going 'who knows?' We obviously know what the aim is, but we just have to make sure we've got the right mindset and the right focus on the day."

Play-off football against either Sheffield United (who will finish third) or Sunderland (fourth) would be the first time in 17 years City have finished in the top six.

They beat Crystal Palace 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals in 2008 but came up short in the Wembley final, losing 1-0 to Hull City.

Bath-born Vyner was in the Robins' academy at the time and attended the 2008 final as a boyhood fan.

Now 27 and a mainstay in the City team this season, he could find himself back at Wembley 17 years on, but this time as a player.

"I was in the academy at the time, so it was like 'wow, this is what first-team football is, this is what professional football is, playing on this stage'," he recalled.

"It was a definite inspirational day. I was a fan so I was just taking it in as much as possible.

"We've obviously had a lot of football this year, so the mindset's been 'roll on to the next and just keep it rolling', so I haven't had too many moments to sit there and reflect on it.

"You have to be aware of the occasion and aware of the opportunity and it would be amazing to get it secured."

Liam Manning's side could have confirmed a play-off spot on Monday but were thumped 4-0 by champions Leeds United at Elland Road.

But Vyner believes there is still something to be taken away from the drubbing.

"That's the level that we want to be getting to," added Vyner. "We've done that to teams this year as well.

"We didn't put our best foot forward and we've got to make sure that we take the clean, technical, tactical aspects that they had and they implemented on the game. We take that into firstly Saturday and hopefully beyond."