Stuart McCall hits back over Motherwell’s record against Rangers and Celtic

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall has defended his side’s record against Rangers and Celtic.

The Steelmen went down 2-0 at Ibrox in the League Cup as Ally McCoist’s men progressed to the next round.

As the wait goes on for a win in Govan, the SPL league leaders welcome Celtic to Fir Park this weekend.

McCall’s record against Rangers reads as no wins and one draw from eight matches, scoring two goals and conceding 23.

Against Saturday’s opponents, Motherwell have triumphed once in seven matches scoring three and conceding 17.

However McCall has hit back at suggestions his team don’t give their all against the Glasgow teams.

He said: "If it means beating Rangers and Celtic and finishing eighth in the league, then I certainly know where I’d rather be.

"Nobody likes getting beat against anybody and it would be nice to do better against the Old Firm.

"The group of players since I’ve been in charge have been excellent and you couldn’t ask for any more of them.

"I’m as disappointed as any fan, the players are as disappointed as any fan."

McCall said: "Celtic we have pushed close on occasion and managed to beat them once, Rangers we have pushed close on occasions but not on other occasions.

"The other night I always said the first goal was going to be crucial and the atmosphere was like a big Old Firm game once they got the goal.

"We didn’t play particularly well but it was through defensive errors, and that came through naivety."

Motherwell lost two late goals to draw 3-3 with Aberdeen last Sunday but remain top of the pile.

After allowing young defender Jonathan Page to go on loan to Hamilton, McCall wants his defenders to learn from their recent mistakes.

He added: "What we have been falling down on, and it probably comes through the inexperience and naivety in defence, we are losing soft goals," he said.

"That probably comes from a lack of organisation at times.

"Even the second goal from Dean Shiels, we have six players in the box and there is only one Rangers player in the box and he manages to score.

"We have to organise better and be aware but I do think that comes from the slight naivety because of the age of the defence.

"But we have got to learn from it and the young lads are trying their best to do that, it’s just really disappointing the level of goal we gave away.

"We have looked at the goals again and every one bar the Gary Harkins goal at Kilmarnock in the league have come from crosses into our box. We have just got to identify players and pick them up.

"Overall we have done really well this season, we are disappointed with the performance the other night but there is another game around the corner."

Celtic’s trip to Fir Park comes ahead of their Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow.

But McCall doesn’t think Neil Lennon’s men will take their eyes off the ball.

He said: "I think qualifying for the Champions League group stages was a big thing for Neil (Lennon) and there is no doubt a couple of games he has had an eye on the Champions League," he said.

"But I don’t think that’s the case (now). He and his side will be desperate to come to Fir Park and for them to go top of the league.

"I think Neil could put out two sides that would be strong enough in their eyes to do that."

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