Dunfermline man-of-the-match Fraser Aird revealed after Saturday’s victory over Brechin that he had won a tidy sum betting on the Grand National, but the race that he’s even more interested in at the moment is the one at the top of the Championship.
The Pars remain well placed to claim a spot in the promotion play-offs as their fourth straight win and a defeat for Morton leaves the Greenock club five points off the pace with just two games still to play.
A late surge from Inverness is complicating matters, however, and although the 2015 Scottish Cup winners are eight points adrift, they have two games in hand and can really make things interesting if they beat Dunfermline at Caledonian Stadium next weekend.
There was no tension in the air on Saturday against a team that had already been relegated after failing to win a league game all season.
Brechin came to East End Park on a 13-match losing streak and that looked likely to become 14 when Aird’s pinpoint corner kick and Lee Ashcroft’s volleyed finish put the home side in front within the opening two minutes.
Aird added a calming second goal with a spectacular long-range strike in the 25th minute before substitute Andy Ryan’s header and Kallum Higginbotham’s late penalty gave the scoreline a more accurate reflection of the gulf between the two teams.
“We can’t complain winning 4-0,” said Aird.
“Before the game, everybody knew we needed to go out there and win the game.
“After we scored the first goal so early, we maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit and we didn’t play as well as I thought we should have done.
“Our second goal today was the goal of the season, wasn’t it? I thought it was a bit like the one I scored against Livingston, curling the ball into the far corner of the net.
“I’m really enjoying my football right now. Everyone knows what I can do and I’m determined to keep my place in the team. Two more assists is nice too, so I’ve definitely enjoyed my weekend.”
The former Rangers player made a point of praising his team-mates for another assured defensive display, although they also rode their luck when Isaac Layne rattled the post for Brechin.
Defensive solidity will surely be crucial in Inverness, and Aird is also acutely aware that John Robertson’s side has greater big-match experience.
“It’s going to be really tough going up there to play a team that was in the Premier League until this season,” he said.
“But we know that if we win this one, then we’ll definitely be in the play-offs.”
City boss Darren Dods said: “We got off to the worst possible start, which was disappointing.”