The Blues are preparing for a crunch few days ahead. First, we head to the City Ground tomorrow afternoon to take on Nottingham Forest, knowing that three points will almost guarantee us a top-five finish and Champions League football for next season.

Then, the following Wednesday, we take to the pitch in Wroclaw to face Real Betis in the final of the Conference League. Dewsbury-Hall will hope to feature in both fixtures.

But Kiernan stressed there is no chance of the players' focus being on anything other than defeating Nuno Espirito Santo’s side on Sunday.

‘We've got a very important game at the weekend,’ the midfielder said ahead of Forest. ‘That’s our focus right now, we know it's almost like a one-game shoot-out for the Champions League.

'It's going to be tough, obviously. It's always a good atmosphere at the City Ground, the Forest fans will create a lot of noise but if we get it right, then we've got a really good chance.

‘That's our focus at the moment but at the back of our heads, we know we've got a massive cup final a couple of days later.

‘We'll play a tough Forest game, and then straightaway, the preparations going to the into the cup final will begin.

‘Look, it can be a very good couple of days if we get it right. That's all we're focused on right now. That last little push after a long season, and hopefully, by the end of it, we'll be happy.

‘That's the ruthless nature of the sport. We've had a ten-month season, but it's almost like a one-game shoot-out right now between five teams. We know what we need to do and we want to be celebrating at the end.'