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Liam Donnelly knows consistency will be key for Motherwell over the festive period if they are to stay in the top four of the Premiership by the winter break.
The Northern Irishman made his first start for the Steelmen since August in Saturday’s 2-0 win over St Johnstone that saw them go fourth in the table for Christmas and three points clear of Dundee United.
And the midfielder says he is fighting fit for three big games before the two-week shutdown.
Motherwell host Livingston on
Boxing Day before trips to Ross County on December 29 and St Mirren on January 2.
Ahead of the visit of Livi, Donnelly said: “We just want to aim as high as we can, try and be consistent, keep the work levels as high as they were on Saturday.
“Against St Johnstone we were on the front foot. We got two good goals, put them under a lot of pressure and I think we were comfortable defensively as well.
“It’s a great result and good to get a clean sheet as well. Hopefully we can get a few more over the festive period as well.
“We know it’s going to be another challenge. Every game we play in this league is. Some challenges are different to others but no game is easy.
“We have to go into the [Livi] game with the same attitude, play on the front foot and if we can combine that with a bit of quality, hopefully we get another result.
“We will be in early for a bit of training on Christmas Day then we will enjoy Christmas with our families to an extent, and be ready to go into the Livingston game.
“We’ve got Ross County away after that and then St Mirren so that’s three big games coming. I hope we can keep these performances up and get some more results.”
Donnelly played the full 90 minutes at the weekend and was delighted to get the game time under his belt after a stop-start season so far.
He added: “I picked up a few niggles which wasn’t ideal after being out last season [with a knee injury]. I had a small hamstring issue and just came back from that when I picked up a calf one.
“They were nothing major but I just had them straight after each other. Combined, it took a bit longer than I’d hoped but I hope that is all behind me now.
“I’m 100 per cent. I feel good. It will probably take me a couple of games still to get back into the swing of it fully.”
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