Kettlewell urges Motherwell to be at their best in cup tie against ‘form horse’ Morton
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell is relishing a “proper cup tie” as his side travel to Greenock for a meeting of two in-form teams.
Kettlewell’s side warmed up for tonight’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fifth-round tie at Cappielow with a 5-0 victory over Ross County on Tuesday to make it six games unbeaten.
But Dougie Imrie’s Morton have gone 12 games without defeat in a run which has seen them jump from the bottom of the cinch Championship to fourth, in among the promotion play-off spots.
Kettlewell, who has seen Oli Shaw return to Fir Park, said: “I’m a big fan of the Championship and Morton are the form horse at the moment.
“Full credit to how they have gone about their business, when you look at the financial deficit between themselves and other clubs, they are bridging that on the park.
“I think it’s about as difficult a tie as you are going to get because the expectation quite clearly goes on to Motherwell being the Premiership side but you are coming up against a really well-organised team.
“I think there’s a perception with Morton that it’s up-andat-you and they just batter the ball forward and play for second balls and people talk about it being that industrial, robust type of football.
“I have spent a wee bit of time watching them and I don’t think they get the credit for some of the football they play.
“They look like a well-versed team and we are going to have to be at our absolute best to advance because if we come off it in any way, shape or form, I certainly don’t see them giving us a bye. So it becomes a proper cup tie.
“What adds an extra edge to it is we have 1,700 supporters confirmed travelling to Greenock, which is incredible, it just shows you how well supported this football club is. I would imagine that will get close to 2,000 come kick-off.
“Morton will be well backed, it’s live on television. It adds to the occasion and hopefully it gives you a real lift.”
Shaw is back at Fir Park to complete his loan spell having returned to Barnsley in January after suffering a hamstring injury.