Celtic - 24h on (again)

Motherwell got nothing from Saturday's game with Celtic but for the second week running results elsewhere went our way. While we will be content to take whatever favours are given by others, the bottom line is that we have to earn more points by our own efforts.

Our performance against Celtic suggests that we will not be found lacking as far as hard work is concerned. We were on top for long spells at the weekend and paid a heavy price for our defensive slips. The manager caused eyebrows to be raised by his team selection but and it is a testament to the development of the squad that the five changes did not cause any disruption to our play.

The impressive display from Brian McLean (if we forget McDonald's goal!) relieves some of the discomfort caused by Quinn's absence and the improvement in Malcom's contribution continues match by match.

There are three teams behind us at the moment and all still have ambitions to play in Europe next season. All three have two games remaining and we have four to go. United have to face both halves of the Old Firm, Hibs have to play Celtic and then Motherwell on the last day of the season and Aberdeen are at Fir Park next week before their last game against Rangers.

If we were to beat Aberdeen next Saturday then Hibs and United would have to take something from one of the Glasgow teams to keep their hopes alive. But there should be no need for us to concentrate of the Aberdeen game just yet. We have the bonus of a 'free throw' at Ibrox this Wednesday.

The team can take to the Govan pitch knowing that all the pressure is on the home team. Our record there is poor but the longer we can hold out without conceding the greater the hope of a wee shock. You never know…..

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