Stephen McManus welcomes Motherwell's battle for top-six spot
Motherwell's battle for a top-six spot goes to the final pre-split game against Celtic at Fir Park on Saturday but defender Stephen McManus is simply glad to be free of another fraught season finale.
The Steelmen finished second-bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership last year and had to beat Rangers in the two-legged play-off to ensure survival.
Another struggle has ensued this season under Mark McGhee, who took over from Ian Baraclough last October, and indeed Motherwell dropped into 11th place as recently as February 13 when they lost 2-0 at home to Kilmarnock.
Six wins out of seven since, which earned McGhee the manager of the month award for March, took Well into fourth place although six clubs are vying for the three top-six spots available with the Lanarkshire men needing at least a point against the league leaders to guarantee their place.
McManus, however, welcomed the tension that comes with trying to finish in the top half.
The 33-year-old said: "After the start we had and where we were at certain times of the season, sitting third bottom, second bottom, you would have taken staying in the division.
"But when you get so close to something you want it even more and we would love to finish in the top six.
"It would be a great achievement but if it is not to be for whatever reason, when we walked off the pitch against Kilmarnock we would have taken where we are now.
"If you had said to us that we would be in this situation with a game to go with the possibly of getting into the top six we would have bitten the hand off you for it, because having gone through the experience last year of playing in the play-off games, it wasn't enjoyable."
Defender Louis Laing (groin) and midfielder Stephen Pearson (broken ribs/punctured lung) are back running but not ready.
Forward James McFadden (broken ankle) remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, Ronny Deila claims Rangers' promotion to the Ladbrokes Premiership will have no big impact on his plans for Celtic next season.
The Hoops' traditional rivals clinched the Championship and a return to the top flight after a four-year absence with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton at Ibrox on Tuesday night, with midfielder Andy Halliday immediately stating that he expects to be challenging the Parkhead side for the title.
The William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final meeting between the two clubs at Hampden Park on Sunday week will allow early comparisons to be made but, meanwhile, Deila is focusing only on keeping Celtic at the top of the table.
Ahead of the trip to Motherwell on Saturday lunchtime, the Norwegian was asked in what way Rangers' promotion might affect Celtic.
"It doesn't affect us so much," he said. "They have shown they are good enough to be in the top division and if it's Hibs, Falkirk or Rangers we'll be ready for it, that's how it is."
Asked if he expected Mark Warburton's side to be title challengers, he replied: "We'll see, it is too early to say something about other teams. I've got a lot of other things to think about. This is something you can keep on thinking about in the media and I will answer next season."
Deila, whose side lead the Premiership by five points ahead of Aberdeen, hopes top scorer Leigh Griffiths gets back on the goal trail against the Steelmen.
The Hoops striker has notched a remarkable 35 goals this season but for the first time in the campaign he has gone four games without scoring, a run which includes Scotland's friendly against Denmark at Hampden Park last month.
Deila, who revealed defender Erik Sviatchenko will miss the Motherwell game with a thigh injury but is hoping to have him for the semi-final, said: "He's not tired that's for sure. He's ready. He gets good chances all the time so that's the most important thing.
"If he had been going into games and not getting opportunities then I would be more concerned.
"He is so vital for us. We know how good a finisher he is and he will be back on track again.
"We have others who can score. A week ago we had a winger (Patrick Roberts) scoring two and the other one (Gary Mackay-Steven) scored one so we're scoring a lot of goals this season.
"But I know Leigh will continue scoring goals if he is at it and he will create chances for others as well so I'm not concerned.
"It's getting closer now but we are in a very good position. We're five points ahead with six games left so there are a lot of opportunities here."
Source: PAR
