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Gillingham midfielder Mark Byrne says threat of relegation from League 1 remains

00:00, 19 April 2018

Mark Byrne has warned Gillingham are still not safe from relegation.

Gills have a six-point cushion over the bottom four with three games left and would be unlucky to go down with 52 points.

But midfielder Byrne is looking over his shoulder after losing to Rotherham and is determined to secure League 1 safety at home to Blackpool this Saturday.

Mark Byrne in action against Rotherham on Tuesday Picture: Andy Payton
Mark Byrne in action against Rotherham on Tuesday Picture: Andy Payton

He said: "We know ourselves we've been lacking that bit of quality the last couple of weeks.

"Before, we were going ahead and doing well and I just think we're going through a little bit of a bad patch at the moment but we've got three games and I still think we need another win just to get safe.

"It's a big game coming up for us on Saturday now.

"A result can change things around and then you go on a little run to the end of the season but we've got to keep digging in there, we're not over the line yet, we're not safe.

"We've got to look over our shoulder.

"We said 51-52 points but to be safe we need those three points and hopefully we can get them Saturday and put it to bed."

Byrne remains in talks over a new contract and would like to stay at Gillingham, hailing boss Steve Lovell's man-management, although survival is his priority.

He said: "We're in talks at the moment but nothing's been done yet.

"I think we'll look over the next couple of weeks or so but we just want to get over that line first and foremost before anything gets sorted out.

"But for me personally I just need to keep doing what I'm doing every week and being consistent and if you put the performances in you get your rewards.

"I'd like to stay, I'm enjoying my football. Since the gaffer's taken charge, I'm really enjoying it.

"He lets me go out and express myself and for me personally one of the most important things for a manager is man-management and I think the gaffer has that massively.

"He just knows what to do with certain players, whether they need an arm round the shoulder or a rollicking.

"You can have all the badges you want in the world but his man-management for me is No.1."

Read the full interview in this week's Medway Messenger.

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