Motherwell 1-0 Aberdeen: Motherwell not looking over shoulders now, claims McCall

The Fir Park side drew level on points with second-placed Rangers thanks to Steven Hammell’s wonderful long-range strike after 22 minutes.

The left-back collected Tom Hateley’s pass and rocketed the ball beyond Jason Brown in the Aberdeen goal.

However, following victories for rivals Dundee United and St Johnstone, McCall believes Motherwell should remain focused on consolidating third spot.

“It was a team effort and that’s what it needed to be,” said McCall. “Dundee United are on a terrific run and St Johnstone managed a good win at St Mirren.

“We all know that we have to play each other when we reach the split, if we had failed to win against Aberdeen we would have been looking over our shoulders.”

McCall handed a starting place to Chris Humphrey, who replaced Jamie Murphy, after the Jamaican impressed from the bench in last weekend’s clash with the Dons.

The former Bradford manager was pleased with his display but insists he must maintain his form.

“Chris was excellent and certainly deserved his starting place, he has to maintain that level, he has been itching to get a game,” said McCall. “When you see our bench, we had the likes of [Jamie] Murphy, Omar [Daley] and [Robert] McHugh and that gives a good indication of the strength in depth we have here and everyone has to be on their toes to stay in the team.”

Craig Brown believes Aberdeen’s chances of securing a place in the top six have now gone after falling to defeat at Fir Park. Aberdeen must now win their remaining three SPL games to have any chance of finishing in the upper-reaches of the table.

Brown also explained fourth official Bobby Madden had warned him that Clark Robertson was only one more challenge away from being sent off and was withdrawn as a result.

“It is a forlorn hope that we can make the top six now,” said Dons manager Brown. “It was not our best performance of the year, it was poor and I can’t account for it. I can only explain by saying that Motherwell were really up for the game to try and atone for last week.

“Our team is far from settled. It changes from game to game and even during the game.

“Clark Robertson was replaced because we were told by the fourth official that one more foul would lead to a red card. He was not replaced because of his performance.”