McGhee might look for call-off as bug strikes

Mark McGhee feels a postponement of tomorrow’s visit of Aberdeen might be the only fair option for both Motherwell and Celtic if more players are struck down by a bug.

Motherwell were forced to postpone a Development League game against Celtic on Tuesday after the vast majority of the Under-20s squad were laid low, and then six first-team players showed symptoms on Wednesday.

McGhee already had Stephen Pearson (punctured lung) and Louis Laing (groin) ruled out and both Keith Lasley (thigh) and James McFadden (ankle) are major doubts.

McGhee said ahead of yesterday’s training session: “At the moment our count seems to be about 15 which includes two or three of the young boys who have never been involved at first-team level.

“So it’s looking pretty grim at the moment with Lasley, Pearson and Louis Laing all injured.”

When asked whether the club would consider making a postponement request to the Scottish Professional Football League, McGhee added: “If we had another three or four showing these symptoms and unable to train, then it would leave me with no choice.

“I mean, I might only have nine players including the entire Under-20s. I can’t go into a football match with eight or nine players.”

McGhee is concerned about the impact on not just his own team but the title race itself given the Dons are one point behind league leaders Celtic.

The former Aberdeen and Celtic striker said: “We have a responsibility to the competition. We’ve still got Celtic to play, so I don’t particularly want to go into the Aberdeen game with half a team and then have my full team out against Celtic.”