Now that the might of Lithuania has been vanquished Craig Levein has several weeks to plot Scotland’s way past Liechtenstein and Spain. Stuart McCall, now released from the BBC commentary gantry, has a few days to plan what we hope will be a successful trip to the east end of Glasgow.
Scotland v Lithuania
Motherwell have four SPL fixtures and one League Cup tie to play before the next international double header early in October. Can we hold on to our elevated league position and progress to the quarter finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup?
It is fair to assume that this weekend’s trip to Parkhead should present the biggest challenge. We last took an away point against Celtic in October 2009 when Gannon’s team held out for a goalless draw and we know that if the home team play to their best that our chance is slim.
We then have a run of three home games; St Johntone and Aberdeen are the visitors on league business and in between Hibs come for the third round of the league cup. The last game before the next break takes us to Tannadice and almost closes the first cycle of the SPL (our visit to Easter Road on 15 October will complete it).
Our excellent start to the season might suggest that all the team has to do to stay near the top is to stay free of injuries and suspensions and to maintain our good form. That takes care of our contribution to the games ahead. Unfortunately we can’t predict how our opponents will play. Our adversaries will know that they face a team that is playing well and confident in their belief that every game is there to be won.
Stuart McCall knows that few predict us to take three points at Parkhead but he is aware that the home team will have to bear a burden of expectation that might allow us to cause an upset. If we can relax, get the passing game working and enjoy the atmosphere then we might have the perfect springboard to allow us to regain top spot before the tartan double header in October.