Manager McCall has used the last few games as an opportunity to afford some rest to players at the end of a long, hard season. Saturday’s game at Tannadice was the 50th competitive match since the opening Europa League meeting with Breidablik last July and the need to give some relief to tired limbs is understandable. The concession of twelve goals in the last three outings has been a heavy price for that luxury and the time for a return to a full strength team has arrived. Saturday’s meeting with Celtic is another matter but on Wednesday we need a win to lift the spirits.
Killie's last visit in February
Kilmarnock have not won since we last visited Rugby Park in mid-March and, like us, they have gathered only one point from their three ‘top six’ fixtures. Kenny Shiels is trying make his position permanent and he knows that a win would guarantee a fifth place finish to their campaign (realistically, a point would serve the same purpose) so he’ll be trying to exhort his players for one more good performance.
It is almost certain that Stuart McCall will know his likely starting eleven for the final and there must be a big temptation to give them a run out on Wednesday. It may be that the formation he chooses against Kilmarnock at home differs from that to face Celtic at Hampden but in the main the same personnel will be involved.
The game will give Motherwell fans a chance to thank the players for their efforts over the course of a successful season and to wish them well in the Scottish Cup final. There’s bound to be a carnival atmosphere at the final whistle whatever the result but there’s no reason to suspect that we won’t be able to celebrate in style with a 2-1 win.