Job well done for McCall

10 April 2011 10:30

Manager Stuart McCall declared "mission accomplished" after Motherwell confirmed their place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's top six with a goalless draw at Hearts, while Inverness could only draw 1-1 at Kilmarnock.

McCall was thrilled with the confirmation of Well's league position and immediately began looking ahead hoping for more success at next Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final with St Johnstone at Hampden Park.

"I'm really pleased," he said. "We didn't set out to get a point, but we did say before the game if we managed to get a point here it would be a big result, regardless what happened between Inverness and Kilmarnock."

The former Bradford boss added: "It's even sweeter now that we've come off to know we've solidified our place in the top six. That was the aim when I came in. All in all it's mission accomplished. I've got a lot of tough decisions to make for next Saturday now after some good performances."

Inverness required wins from their remaining three games before the split, including at Rugby Park, to displace Well and McCall was relieved his side now do not have to be concerned with Caley Thistle's results and can focus on St Johnstone.

"We can look forward to the cup semi-final now, knowing the first part of the mission is accomplished and also looking forward to next week in a good vein of form, with a lot of players playing very well," he said.

While Hearts had the majority of possession and territory, the visitors enjoyed a strong final 15 minutes, which began when Ross Forbes struck the top of the crossbar from 25 yards.

Darren Randolph had to palm Craig Thomson's free-kick around the post late on as Hearts too almost found a winner. However, it was not to be and Hearts' bid to wrap up third place continues to stutter, with fourth-placed Dundee United now eight points behind with six games remaining.

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies said: "It just wouldn't settle around and about the box. The nearest we came was Craig Thomson's free-kick and the goalkeeper made the only real save of the game. It wasn't happening for us and it wasn't for lack of effort."

Jefferies, whose side have now won just one of their last six in the SPL, added: "We could've won it, but we could have lost it as well with them being very, very dangerous on the break. Every point is vital at this stage of the proceedings."

Source: PA