Mark McGhee: Motherwell suffered no damage from Celtic hammering
Boss Mark McGhee insists Motherwell will have suffered no collateral damage from their midweek thrashing by Celtic as they prepare to host St Johnstone on Saturday.
The Steelmen were subject to a night of torment at Parkhead on Wednesday where the Hoops ran out 5-0 winners in the Betfred Cup second round.
McGhee's side lost 7-0 at Celtic Park on the final day of last season and were beaten 6-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle earlier in that campaign but he believes the occasional thumping need not be debilitating.
Ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership meeting with St Johnstone at Fir Park, McGhee said: "There is no chance that the other night will have a damaging impact.
"Even before a ball was kicked I spoke about the season ahead and said that for instance last season when we got beat badly by Hearts at Tynecastle and of course on the last day of the season and these things happen.
"We have proven that we are realistic and are capable of losing a game.
"But we go on to the next game and believe we can win it and that is the most important thing.
"Immediately after the Celtic game I gave them a rationale that regardless of the fact that they got thumped by Celtic they can still go and beat St Johnstone."
McGhee expects another tough test against Saints who registered a fine Betfred Cup victory over Hearts in midweek.
He said: "We found it difficult against St Johnstone in the games last season and they beat us here last time.
"Beating Hearts is a great result so they will feel they are strong and in a good position to come here and get a result so we have to be ready for that."
Carl McHugh misses out as the midfielder suffered delayed concussion following a collision with Kilmarnock's Dean Hawkshaw last Saturday which left him with a gaping head wound.
Steven Hammell is a doubt with a calf injury picked up at Parkhead and Jacob Blyth returns to the squad following an Achilles problem while player-assistant boss James McFadden (broken leg) and striker Louis Moult (groin) are still out.
St Johnstone are unbeaten in six games in all competitions this season and midfielder Danny Swanson is confident they can extend it this weekend.
already reaping the rewards of a new diet and fitness regime after deciding it was "never too late to change".
The 29-year-old, who took his goal tally for the season to five with a double in the 3-2 midweek win over Hearts, said: "We played them in the top six last season and won there.
"It's not an easy place to go but we are confident we have players who can do some damage.
"We are looking strong. We have definitely strengthened over the summer and I think it shows. Nobody is guaranteed a place and that can only be good for St Johnstone."
Tam Scobbie is a major doubt for the Saints after going off with a leg injury against Hearts.
Fellow defenders Keith Watson (thigh), Ally Gilchrist (groin) and Dave Mackay (hip) were already ruled out but Chris Millar could be reintroduced to action after a groin problem while Murray Davidson (bruised foot) and Graham Cummins (knock) are expected to return.
Source: PAR
