Kilmarnock boss Jimmy Calderwood could not hide his relief after seeing his side stay in the top flight.
Kille boss happy luck was on their side
Kilmarnock boss Jimmy Calderwood could not hide his relief after seeing his side stay in the Scottish Premier League.
Killie extended their stay in the top flight with a 0-0 draw with Falkirk at Rugby Park, a result that condemned Steven Pressley's Bairns to the second tier.
In a tense, tight affair, things could have been so different had Falkirk winger Ryan Flynn not missed a golden opportunity in the dying stages to win the game with a volley from ten yards out.
He could not convert however and as referee Dougie McDonald blew the final whistle, fans invaded the pitch in joy as the tension lifted around most of the stadium.
"We came here to do a job and we got it done," said Calderwood on the pitch with fans jubilantly celebrating behind him.
Relief
When asked about how he felt following the game, the Killie boss replied: "Relief definitely.
"We got the luck today I think.
"It was absolutely horrible. It was horrendous, I never want to go through it again. I'm glad it's finished.
"But you have got no divine right and it was our own stupid fault for getting
involved in the first place."
Calderwood admitted he was unsure over his future next season, but the former Aberdeen boss was open to talks with the Kilmarnock board over their plans for the club.
"I have not seen the chairman yet, he might be hiding from me," he added.
"I will see what the plans are, I wouldn't like to go through much more of this.
"If the plans are they want to get into the top six, then that's different.
"But if it's just survival then I'll see you at Christmas time or something."
Pressley staying on
Bairns boss Pressley looks likely to stay in his role as manager despite his side's relegation.
Despite not living up to the guarantee that he would keep the side up after taking over at the Falkirk Stadium, Pressley's management style suggests he has impressed the board enough to stay in his role.
The former Celtic and Hearts defender was full of praise for his players despite coming up short, and stressed his pride in the group since he took charge.
"I have said time and time again that this group of players have given me everything since I took over," he said.
"I have loved the job.
"Obviously there are a couple of things we need to discuss but I have thoroughly enjoyed this job and hopefully we can get things sorted out in the next couple of days.
"We came up a little bit short but certainly not on desire, commitment and effort. I have nothing but praise for the players.
"It was an emotional dressing room, there were tears in there, we are a very, very close team."
When asked whether he regretted his statement assuring that the club would stay up, Pressley's reaction was one of defiance, and that he would not let his statements or personality get in front of the efforts of his players.
"When I made that statement, what was the worst-case scenario? I have got a bit of egg on my face, big deal. My ego is dented, big deal," he added.
"The most important thing is the football club, not my ego, not Steven Pressley. It's about my players, these supporters and the club.
"I'm big enough and strong enough to take a little slap around the ears."
Falkirk chairman Martin Ritchie also made assurances over Pressley's position as manager, stating that they would like him to stay in charge as they bid to bounce back to the SPL next season.
"The board are really behind Steven and the team, they put everything into it. Steven came in and gave the whole club a lift," said Ritchie.
"The club have asked Steven if he will stay on as head coach going into the new season."
