Source: FOOTYMAD
Motherwell Hope To Hurt Celtic Some More
Motherwell will have to be careful tonight as Celtic will be out to show that Saturday's performance was just a blip. Motherwell take on a hurting Celtic tonight and manager Craig Brown has some sympathy for his opposite number, Neil Lennon, who he considers has a bright future in management. Lennon declared he wanted the Celtic job on a permanent basis more than ever following Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Ross County. Brown said: "I've got high regard for Neil, I met him on a coaching course in Ireland and he was outstanding. I think he has got a future in football management and I think people would like to see him do it at Celtic. Obviously he'll be determined to get a result against Motherwell to enhance his credentials. I would expect a positive reaction. Neil Lennon is entitled to expect a positive response and for the fans to give him a positive response. The fans who do turn up, and I'm told it won't be a huge gate, will be the die-hards, the true, loyal Celtic fans, and there are no more committed and enthusiastic fans around than when Celtic fans support the team. So it will be a difficult encounter for Motherwell." Saturday's cup shock may have implications for Motherwell as it may open the door for Ross County to secure a Europa League spot at the expense of the SPL's fifth-placed team, currently the Steelmen. Motherwell will need to finish fourth if Ross County win the cup or if Celtic lose second spot in the SPL to Dundee United, but will otherwise qualify in fifth. However, Brown is refusing to set European football as a target after a 12-game unbeaten SPL run ended with successive defeats by Dundee United and Falkirk. The former Scotland manager said: "Credit to Ross County, they had an excellent performance and are a very good side, so if they get into Europe they have done it legitimately and on merit. Great credit to Derek Adams and Craig Brewster, but we won't give up with six games remaining. If we can get some good results, we will hopefully squeeze in there. But we'll not set targets because targets only embarrass you if you don't achieve them." Meanwhile, Motherwell are close to securing more players on extended contracts after recently tying up Stevie Hammell on a two-year deal. Brown said: "We hope to make a positive announcement about one or two of the lads quite soon. They haven't actually signed the paper. Once they've done that I'll say to you but we haven't had much of a disappointment in that regard. We're still negotiating with one or two guys and we might lose one or we might not, but the main players we are wanting have all but agreed to stay here and I'm delighted with that." Well will be using a youth team goalkeeper tonight as back up tonight at Parkhead as John Ruddy is still suffering from a thigh strain. The club had tried to sign former Wales Under-21 player Kyle Letheren as back-up to Michael Fraser but the rules prevented the move. Brown said: "We thought we would perhaps introduce a back-up keeper but rules state he would have to be here by March 31, so we will have one of the youth-team keepers on the bench". Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
