Source: Team_Talk
McCall defends deflated SPL
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has urged Scottish football fans to appreciate what they have despite another disappointing night in Europe.[LNB] Both Old Firm clubs suffered underwhelming results in the Europa League play-offs with Rangers falling to a 2-1 defeat by Maribor in Slovenia and Celtic held to a goalless home draw by Sion.[LNB]And a 5-0 defeat for Hearts against Tottenham at Tynecastle sparked doom in some quarters over the gulf in class between the top-level English game and its Scottish counterpart.[LNB]But McCall believes there are many things to be positive about in Scottish football, including improvement in the national team and the numbers of talented young players coming through.[LNB]The former Scotland midfielder, whose team top the Scottish Premier League ahead of the visit of Rangers on Sunday, said: "You have to put things in context, Rangers and Celtic had disappointing results but I'd hope they will both still go through.[LNB]"Hearts is a different story. You have to look at the budget and the players Spurs can call on.[LNB]"There's (Jermain) Defoe and (Rafael) van der Vaart, (Aaron) Lennon on one side and (Gareth) Bale on the other side - it's formidable.[LNB]"It's disappointing, but if we look at the result in the cold light of day then maybe it's not surprising with the quality they have - Spurs are a top, top Premiership side.[LNB]"Whoever they come up against from Scotland I think would be a tough, tough game."[LNB]The former Bradford manager added: "I think we have to relish what we've got and enjoy the young lads we've got playing now.[LNB]"The national team is doing okay, albeit a lot of them are playing down south.[LNB]"It all comes down to finances, I mean we get outbid from (English) non-league teams for players and that's the reality of the finances in the Scottish game.[LNB]"There's been a lot of good football this season by teams in the SPL and I think we need to be positive."[LNB]Midfielder Keith Lasley, who spent two years in England at Plymouth and Blackpool, hopes the European results do not detract from a bright start to the SPL season, not just for his own club, who have not conceded a goal in four games.[LNB]"The (Hearts) result does look bad on paper, there's no doubt about that," the 31-year-old said.[LNB]"I think Hearts would probably admit they weren't at their best.[LNB]"But if you take a step back and look at the Tottenham squad, I think there is a gulf even in England.[LNB]"I know it's 5-0 but hopefully there is not too much of a knee-jerk reaction. Tottenham would have beaten most English teams last night.[LNB]"It doesn't look good but hopefully it's not going to be a sign of things to come. The national team is looking positive at the moment."[LNB]Lasley added: "There are more and more teams playing an open, attractive game. You look at Kilmarnock blazing a trail last year, St Mirren, there are plenty of teams out there trying to play the right way.[LNB]"There have been plenty of good games and good goals scored in the SPL and I just hope it doesn't get put down as much as it probably, unfortunately, will."[LNB]Lasley is not counting on Rangers suffering a bad reaction to their last-minute defeat but he is optimistic Motherwell can end a winless run against the Glasgow club stretching back to Boxing Day 2002.[LNB]"Rangers are well experienced at going away in Europe and coming back to play, they do it year in, year out," said Lasley, who returns from suspension on Sunday.[LNB]"They are coming off a good result in the league and they are experienced enough to come back from that game and not have any ill effects.[LNB]"Last year it wasn't a great fixture for us in the league but hopefully we can change that.[LNB]"We've started well, confidence is up, it's a home game and we want to make sure any game at Fir Park is tough for the opposition."
