It’s difficult to imagine how a team that managed only one goal attempt in the defeat from lowly Albion Rovers can threaten a team in the group stage of the Champions League. Any hope that the display of passing and finishing as Motherwell failed to dispose of a side three levels below the Premiership.
Keith Lasley, still hurting, was quoted in the Evening Times, “We came in and trained as normal on Monday and Tuesday and we have tried to talk things out, but we know we have not become a bad team because of one howler.....We know we will have to raise things drastically on Friday night.” A drastic change might give some comfort to the home crowd who will take some convincing that our season is not over.
A happy day in May
Enough of the gloom, despite everything we are still third in the table and Celtic have been roundly beaten in each of their two visits to Fir Park earlier this year. And surely our opponents have already fulfilled their goals quota for the week?
McCall should have close to a full squad available and he’ll have some difficult choices. Can McFadden step up and deliver a performance? Should Kerr keep his place if Ramsden is fit? Assuming that Hammell starts is there a place for Francis-Angol? It’s unlikely that the manager will have any trouble choosing the striking duo of Sutton and Anier and he'll expect more shots on target than were recorded at New Douglas Park.
Meanwhile Neil Lennon has pointed out that Motherwell will be desperate to make amends for the cup exit and he's expecting a tough test. In comparison with McCall, Lennon will be spoilt for choice. The depth and quality of his squad far exceeds that available at Fir Park if the game goes to form then the result should be predictable.
Motherwell have demonstrated that shock results are a continuing part of football and a home win would probably fall into that category. However, it's likely that all we can hope for is to restore some pride despite a 2-0 loss.
Remember the last time Celtic were at Fir Park?