Gillingham midfielder George Lapslie says League 2 survival will be nothing to celebrate

George Lapslie will be in no mood for celebrating if Gillingham clinch League 2 safety tonight.

The Gills will be mathematically safe with three games to go if they beat champions-elect Leyton Orient at Priestfield, while a draw would suffice should Hartlepool lose to Salford.

But there will no Everton-style survival scenes if Neil Harris’ men get over the line against an O’s side who know victory will guarantee their promotion.

Lapslie didn’t move from Mansfield in January simply to stay in the division - there’s bigger fish to fry.

Asked if he’d celebrate survival, the midfielder said: “No.

“I don’t think anyone here is going to be celebrating survival in League 2.

“As much as we’ve still got to do the job and survive, I think we’ve got to be looking towards next season and building for next season.”

Gillingham were in the bottom two when Lapslie signed but have pulled clear of trouble since January.

He said: “I believed with the quality in the squad we had it in us to do what we’re doing.

“I wasn’t surprised we were winning as much as we were, especially with the crowd here.

“I came and watched the Hartlepool game and I was like, ‘Oh my God, why is this team near the bottom of the league?’

“The crowd was buzzing, everyone was happy, there was no real pressure on the players if they made a mistake. The fans got behind them.

“I feel like when I watched that game I couldn’t believe the position we were in.

“I’m not surprised we’ve won as many times as we have.”

Gillingham took another step towards safety with Lapslie on target in 1-1 draw against Stockport on Saturday.

It was his third Gills goal and his 10th overall this season, having defied a chest infection to take his place in the side.

He was too tired to celebrate