Stuart McCall will field weakened Motherwell side on Sunday

Published on Tuesday 10 May 2011 20:18

MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall blasted claims from Celtic manager Neil Lennon that his players hadn't competed in their recent 5-0 defeat by Rangers at Fir Park - and then revealed that he'll field an under-strength side in Sunday's potential title decider at Parkhead.

The former Rangers and Scotland midfielder denied that his team had rolled over against his old club and claimed his only concern is making sure his players are in the best possible shape for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic the following weekend.

"I've pulled two or three lads in already and told them that I'm looking at leaving them out (on Sunday] and a couple of them have said; 'Oh no, I want to play at Parkhead' so we'll see," he said. "I'll do what I think is best for this club. The conspiracy theories started as soon as the post-split fixtures came out, with people saying that Motherwell would be in Europe if Celtic won the league.

"The balance has changed since then and it might change again but I'll do what's right for us. There will be some players who'll need a game and others who won't. Plus I don't want to show my hand before the final because it's Celtic we're playing the week after. My only focus is on winning the Scottish Cup."

McCall's side host Kilmarnock tonight and he'll restore the four regulars rested for the 4-0 defeat at Tannadice. "They'll be back for tonight's game and I'll be looking for performances because people can play themselves out of my cup final team as well as into it," he said.

Lennon questioned the commitment of Motherwell and Hearts in their defeats by Rangers. McCall, while refuting the allegations, refused to bandy words with the Irishman.

"I'm not too bothered what other people think," he said. "However, anyone who thinks I put out a team to lose a match obviously doesn't know me.

"If you look at our first-half performance against Rangers there was nothing to suggest that what happened was going to happen. We had a couple of chances but Allan McGregor made two excellent saves and then Rangers got a goal which shouldn't have been awarded just before the break.

"I told our lads that the next goal was crucial but, unfortunately, Steven Davis scored it and then Steven Naismith scored two goals the likes of which he'll never score again in the same match."

Kilmarnock caretaker manager Kenny Shiels reckons Motherwell will see tonight as a chance to get back on track before the final. "Motherwell have been playing very well but they have rested players in recent weeks against Hearts, Rangers and Dundee United," the Irishman said. "But they will see this game as a chance to get their confidence back ahead of the Scottish Cup final.

"They also know that they have the chance to get fifth place so they will be going all out to beat us. But we will be ready for them and we will be going out with the best intentions of winning the game. All teams in the top six are good teams so it is a challenge for us."Shiels welcomes James Fowler back from suspension but defender Mohamadou Sissoko picked up a groin injury in the weekend defeat to Celtic and Jamie Hamill is still absent with a hamstring injury.