Motherwell not fazed by pressure

Motherwell full-back Stevie Hammell feels they can handle the pressure of being favourites to seal a Champions League qualifying spot.

Motherwell go into the last five games five points ahead of St Johnstone in third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Stuart McCall’s side have been in the top three for the whole season but face a challenge from the in-form Saints, Dundee United and Hearts for a Champions League place, which is on offer amid Rangers’ financial woes.

Hammell told MFCTV: “With the success we have had comes a different pressure. There’s a pressure of getting to the top six and then pressure getting amongst the European spots. Because of where we are in the league we become more of a scalp

“Teams have to raise their games against us. Pressure comes with that and it’s the business end now and there is more pressure and different pressure from what we are used to.”

Hammell added: “It’s a positive, it’s where you want to be. You want to be at the top end of the table, you don’t want to be seventh or eighth and can’t go anywhere. This is what you play for. If we did get Champions League football it would be one of the best achievements the club has ever done.”