Scottish Cup: Motherwell boss cautious of Aberdeen despite good record

STUART McCall has played down his and Motherwell’s impressive recent record against Aberdeen ahead of today’s William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Fir Park.

It is more than three years since the Dons recorded a win over the Steelmen and manager McCall has won all four of his games against the Pittodrie side since he became boss in the final days of 2010, including two in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this season.

However, the former Rangers and Scotland midfielder knows that any talk of a hoodoo over the men from the Granite City, unbeaten in their last 12 games, could rebound on him. McCall, who will have stand-in skipper Keith Lasley back from suspension, said: “Most people would say it was about time that [run] got broken. Since I’ve been at the club we have managed to get four wins out of four but if you look at the results, they all have been by the odd goal.

“We have had three 2-1 victories and a tight 1-0 here when Bob McHugh came off the bench and scored late on. So the games have always been very close between two evenly-matched sides and come Sunday it will probably be the odd goal that wins it.”

Tom Hateley was also a little nervous when reminded about Motherwell’s good recent record over the Dons. “Those games have been and gone,” said the Fir Park defender. “I don’t think it matters how we have done against them this season or in previous years. It will count for nothing if we don’t get the result. They are on a good run and playing well, defending well and not losing games, which is massively important, so it will be a very hard game.”

Motherwell lost in the final last season to Celtic and McCall wants to be there again. He said: “A lot of the lads had three games there last season, some players go through their career without getting to the old stadium. There is an inner desire to go one better this season.”

Hoping to be standing in McCall and Hateley’s way today will be Aberdeen winger Peter Pawlett, who has declared himself ready to provide the creative spark the Dons need. Craig Brown’s men are unbeaten in 12 matches but their season could hinge on two trips to Fir Park in the space of a week.

Although the Dons are much improved in 2012, they have only won two SPL games during their unbeaten run and the last time they scored two goals in the league was 2 January when Kari Arnason’s late 40-yard strike beat Dundee United.

Pawlett has recently returned from a hamstring injury he suffered early in the fourth-round win over Forfar and he is keen to get the chance to add some creativity to the team. “We are feeling confident,” the Scotland Under-21 international said. “We are getting a lot of draws but we are very difficult to beat with the number of clean sheets we have had. But we will go to Motherwell and go for the win.

“You do watch the team at the minute and feel we are very, very solid and difficult to beat. We need to create a few more chances. We are creating, but we need to score more goals and hopefully I can provide that.”

Pawlett came off the bench in the last two games, draws against St Mirren and Celtic, but has twice played 90 minutes in practice matches. “I’m starting to get back to full fitness and feeling sharp,” he said. I have had a few reserve games. I have played two 90 minutes and I am ready to play if the manager picks me.”