Stuart McCall aims to ease ‘pressure’

MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall will seek to take the pressure off his players despite the prospect of one of the biggest prizes in the club’s history riding on the outcome of their final five Clydesdale Bank Premier League games.

Motherwell sit five points clear in third place ahead of the visit of champions Celtic tomorrow. However, that lead will be cut on Saturday when nearest challengers St Johnstone and Dundee United meet at McDiarmid Park.

With Rangers unable to meet criteria for a UEFA club licence, third place will secure entry to the Champions League third qualifying round.

Motherwell have been in the top three all season, so all expectations are on them to remain ahead of Saints, United, who are six points behind, and Hearts who are a further point back.

“It’s going to be an exciting time for supporters but it’s going to be really tense,” McCall said. “They are probably not going to get the high-quality games we had at the beginning of the season because the pitches are drying out and bumpy and because of all the tension and the pressure, the players will also be playing with an edge. But it’s our job to take that pressure off the players so they can play with that confidence and freedom.

“Even with that big carrot at the end we have to try to play with freedom, confidence and relaxation.

“But I think pitches will play a part. I was up at St Johnstone-Inverness before the split and it wasn’t the greatest of games for a few reasons.”

McCall welcomes back Stevie Hammell and Steve Jennings from suspension but loses Jonathan Page and Keith Lasley for the same reason.