The worry lines on Ray Montgomerie’s forehead have been well earned over the last 10 months.

Once voted as the Kilmarnock support’s most iconic figure, he has suffered alongside them during a campaign that has lurched from crisis to calamity and then back again.

Now employed by the Rugby Park club in their commercial department, Killie are still not far away from the 55-year-old’s heart that has been aching at the sight of his beloved team consigned to a Premiership relegation play-off place against Falkirk.

“It’s hard just now. It’s written all over my face some match days,” said Montgomerie. “It’s 28 years I’ve been at the club now and I didn’t think I’d be there that long.

“I remember playing Cowdenbeath at Rugby Park and there being 9,500 there. When you see it now with average crowds of 4,000-4,500, it’s heartbreaking.

“It’s heartbreaking seeing a lot of things around the club right now.

“It is what it is, I’m not in a position to do anything about it. It’s influenced by the people on the pitch and those responsible for putting them on the pitch.

“Getting the fans back? I don’t know. I don’t have a magic wand.

“But a lot of it has to do with being successful and we have not been successful. We are where we are for a reason.”

In the midst of a season mired by sorrow and anguish, there have been small flickers that offer Montgomerie hope for what lies ahead on Thursday night at the Falkirk Stadium.

In the month of April, the Rugby Park side hammered Hamilton Accies 4-0, defeated St Johnstone 3-0 and grabbed a draw with Partick Thistle.

It is these performances – and indeed results – that give encouragement that all is not lost going into the two-legged showdown with Peter Houston’s high-flyers.

“If we’re not good enough to take the situation on with just two games, we shouldn’t be in the Premiership,” said Montgomerie.

“But I know the Kilmarnock team which faced Hamilton a couple of weeks are capable.

“Playing as we did at New Douglas Park was the best performance of the season.

“We steamrollered Hamilton. We were right physically and mentally. We were up for it. Everyone.

“We are capable of doing it and it’s in our own hands.”

He added: “You look at guys who have been in the position and it is weighted in favour of the Premiership team. Quite rightly so.

“Teams coming up have to get the Premiership place.

“You talk about how difficult it is. Falkirk had two extra games. It’s exhausting, so whoever comes up, deserves to come up.”