‘WELL AIMTO HALT HOOPS
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Motherwell boss Graham Alexander knows his side will need full energy levels as they head to Celtic Park on Sunday, and is grateful that they have a full week of training.
Alexander felt last Tuesday n i g ht ’s 1 - 0 w i n at h o m e t o Dundee United in torrential rain, on an energy-sapping pitch, took its toll on Saturday, but he was happy to emerge with a 1-1 draw against Hibs at Easter Road.
The Hoops are unbeaten in their last 12 games domestically, but the side sitting second in the Premiership will host the
Steelmen off the back of Thursday night’s Europa League clash at home to Real Betis
And Alexander will hope they can use the extra rest to their advantage.
He said: “We know there are tough challenges every week, they don’t get any easier.
“We’ve got a full week of training now to get the energy levels back – I thought they were just a little bit down from Tuesday, which I can understand, because the pitch had been really testing for the players on Tuesday and I didn’t want to make too many changes.
“We had to make two, but I thought that just told in the second half a little bit.
“But with a full week’s training, the boys will have those levels back up and we’ll need them next week, because it will be a tough game at Celtic.
“It’s always important to get a point [going into these games].
“We want to add points onto our tally, so [Saturday’s] another one in the right direction.”
Motherwell could be without two key men for the clash in Glasgow, with injuries to defender Ricki Lamie and forward Kaiyne Woolery in the draw with Hibs.
Alexander, whose side are fifth in the table, added: “Ricki came off and that means we have one ‘recognised’ centre-half, but we have players who can do that role for us as well, so we’ll see how they are during the week.
“It was unfortunate, because Ricki has been in brilliant form for us, but we brought Jake Carroll on, who has been training like an animal, and ready to come in, and he fitted in seamlessly, contributing to a clean sheet in the second half.
“There are a few boys with bumps and bruises, it was a tough, physical game, but we don’t mind that.
“There were a few at half-time struggling a little bit, which makes the second half performance and result even better.”