Jim Jefferies has urged his Dunfermline side to secure themselves a brighter future by clinching promotion through the play-offs.
The Pars face Stranraer on Wednesday night in the first leg of their semi-final, with a possible Fife derby against Cowdenbeath awaiting should they progress.
The East End Park men had reason to curse the play-offs last year when they succumbed to the effects of administration which saw seven first-team players sacked and a 15-point penalty imposed and lost out to Alloa Athletic to be relegated from the First Division.
However, it is the second tier that Dunfermline have had firmly in their sights since confirming their runner-up spot behind champions Rangers last month and Jefferies insists it is now time for his players to deliver.
Having rested 11 players for Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Rangers, Jefferies said: “The players have been buzzing in training, especially after Saturday’s result with the kids, and I think that will have a spin-off with the experienced players.
“They’ll be thinking the kids did the club proud and now it’s their turn.
“It’s been a successful season. We knew Rangers were going to be strong favourites and they proved they deserved to be, with the resources and the experience they’ve got. It was always about finishing second and we’ve achieved what we set out to do.
“We’ve been clever in the last few games to keep the players fresh and I can see it on the training ground. There’s a buzz about the players.
“We finished well above Stranraer in the league but that doesn’t matter now. You’ve seen teams down south win promotion to the Premier League, having finished sixth. It’s all about cup ties now, to make sure you’re in the next phase.
“The play-offs last year were always going to be a problem, because we were on a downer. Last year, we had to double up a lot with the under-20s and we had to play that youth cup final.
“We didn’t have as strong a squad. They were less experienced than they are now because they’ve had an extra year under their belts and they learned from that experience. We’re a bit older and a bit wiser but we’ve still got to do it.
“Everybody has said they want to play at a higher level, especially when I was discussing contracts.
“So, here’s their chance. The players want to play in the Championship, we want to play there, the fans want us to play there, the board want us to play there.
“I’ll be telling the players: ‘If you want to play there, you’re getting the chance to take us there’.
“That’s all we can do, it’s about the players now when they cross that line.”
Dunfermline have had the upper hand on Stranraer this season, having won three times and lost once, but their most recent encounter ended in a 3-1 victory for the Stair Park outfit.
The peculiarities of a two-legged tie will come into play, with the Pars having the benefit of being at home on Saturday when the outcome will be decided.
Jefferies insists, however, the Fifers will travel to the south-west with nothing but victory on their minds.
He added: “The games have been tight between us this season, and we know all there is to know about each other.
“But we’ll not be going there with any other plan than to give ourselves the chance of winning the game.
“We’re capable of going anywhere and winning, and we’ve done it before, but it’s all about how we play and how disciplined we are.”