Falkirk manager John Hughes believes his side will be two years ahead of schedule if they secure their place in the SPL top six this weekend.The Bairns can achieve a piece of history if they beat Kilmarnock on Saturday, and other results go their way, by claiming a place in the top half of the table for the first time.

Hughes' sixth-placed team hold a three-point advantage over Hearts and Aberdeen - as well as a superior goal difference.

Falkirk are in their third straight season in the Scottish Premier League, and if Hughes can lead his side into the top six it would be a fine achievement considering his budgetary constraints.

The former defender has developed a young side committed to passing football but even he admits that success has been achieved quicker than expected.

Hughes, who has watched his team rack up five clean sheets in their last six matches, said: "We've come so far with two massive games to go before the split.

"It would be a great achievement to reach the top six and if we did it I think we would be a couple of years in front of ourselves.

"I think the league position has taken over our stadium (redevelopment) a bit, although there are plans afoot for the new South Stand.

"I don't think there is any pressure on the boys. Just go out and play, I tell them, as they have been a credit to themselves.

"The top six is for the prestige of the club and getting ourselves in the history books."

Meanwhile, Hughes has told on-loan midfielder Liam Craig he still has a future at the club.

The 21-year-old was farmed out for a loan spell at St Johnstone in December due to a lack of first-team action.

Craig has since shone with the Irn-Bru First Division outfit, scoring four goals and helping Derek McInnes' side to a Scottish Cup semi-final next month.

The ex-Ipswich youngster is out of contract this summer and McInnes is thought to be keen to retain him.

But Hughes has been impressed with his upturn in form and the offer of a new one-year deal is on the table.

He added: "Liam has been doing great, it's how a loan move can work.

"It's up to Liam and whatever he wants to do, but I want Liam back at my club next year.

"St Johnstone are within their rights to see what they want to do, but we're keen to keep him."

Jim Jefferies believes Hughes' achievements with Falkirk will have brought him to the attention of bigger clubs.

Jefferies said: "John is ambitious enough to want to improve and go to a bigger club and I don't mean any disrespect to Falkirk by that.

"I know John and he won't settle for being in the top six, he'll have ambition to improve and he'll be targeting fifth and that's feasible.

"Whether he is there long to see that who knows because of the success he's had and the way he works at things behind the scenes John will definitely attract a bigger club.

"John has picked up good, young talent and that doesn't just happen. He has to go and assess them, he'll have them watched a few times.

"That's a gamble but he's got more right than wrong and a lot of clubs will take notice of that.

"He's picked up good young players and develop them more."

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