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McCall eyeing Europe Motherwell manager Stuart McCall admits a European place is the ultimate aim for his side this season after their spell in the top two ended, at least temporarily, with defeat by Celtic. With the hype about their lofty position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League subsiding following their late 2-1 loss, Motherwell travel to Aberdeen on Saturday looking to strengthen their grip on third place. They lead St Johnstone and Hearts by seven points and McCall, despite remaining keen to play down their long-term goals, confessed Europe was in his sights with five Scottish clubs qualifying this season. Motherwell qualified for European football for three consecutive seasons before this one and with a record of eight wins and two draws from 11 games against the teams from outside Glasgow, another overseas campaign beckons if they maintain their early-season form. McCall said: "We don't get beyond ourselves in our dressing room. We've got a target. "At the beginning of the season, top six was our initial aim. "I did expect other clubs to be a bit stronger at this time. Thankfully, there is a bit of a gap. "So we do look at it again and this season, if you finish fifth, there is a European place. We have got to be looking at cementing top five. "If we are still right up there with a couple of weeks ago, then great. "But we are well aware of the size of our squad and what can happen if you lose a bit of form and a couple of players, you can get caught." Motherwell this week re-signed Stephen Hughes on a short-term contract but McCall will stick with the impressive trio of Keith Lasley, Nicky Law and Steve Jennings in midfield at Pittodrie. Defender Tim Clancy begins a two-match ban following his red card against Celtic. Aberdeen manager Craig Brown is refusing to push the panic button over their lowly league position. The Dons head into the match at Pittodrie with only goal difference keeping them ahead of Inverness and off the bottom of the table. But Brown believes that a couple of positive results will be enough to haul them out of the danger zone and back to a respectable place in the standings. The veteran boss said: "I look up the way all the time. When we won two games in a row there recently it made a huge difference. "It was important that we did that and if we do that again it will make a huge difference to our league position. "We don't like where we are at the moment, I can assure you. I certainly don't; none of the players do. "We don't want to remain there so it's up to us." Brown may be a self-confessed Motherwell fan, but insists he will be all out for victory against the third-placed club when his former side arrive in the Granite City. He said: "Every game gives you a lift if you win the match, particularly against a team that's considered to be one of the best. "I'm a bit biased because I'm a Motherwell fan but they are undoubtedly the next best team in the SPL outside the Old Firm. "Although I've got a soft spot for Motherwell, my loyalty is to Aberdeen, totally and completely. "Quite clearly we would love to derail Motherwell a bit but it will take an excellent effort from our own team to get a victory over Motherwell. "Motherwell are an excellent team and Stuart McCall has done a marvellous job there. Great credit to him. "We are going to measure ourselves against third at the moment so we will have a job on our hands." Meanwhile, Brown says he will only start contemplating the prospect of possible compensation for Sone Aluko if and when he signs for Rangers. Aluko, whose Dons contract expired at the end of last season, is currently on trial with the Scottish champions and their boss Ally McCoist admitted he was unsure as to whether Aberdeen would be due cash for the 22-year-old. Brown said: "I haven't heard from Rangers about Sone and I haven't heard from him either so the situation is just as before. "He is apparently on trial at Rangers and we will await the outcome of that trial period. "It's hypothetical to start talking about fees or compensation or things like that. We will cross that bridge when we come to it." Aberdeen will be without suspended duo Rory Fallon and Ryan Jack, while Brown is hopeful Rob Milsom (ankle) and Kari Arnason (hamstring) will feature. Yoann Folly looks set to miss out, though, with a chest problem.