Motherwell go into today's game against Celtic at Fir Park still hoping to secure a top six place. No matter the result today defender Stephen McManus is simply glad to be free of another fraught season finale. The Steelmen finished second-bottom of the Premiership last year and had to beat Rangers in the two-legged play-off to ensure survival. Another struggle has ensued this season under Mark McGhee, who took over from Ian Baraclough last October, and indeed Motherwell dropped into 11th place as recently as 13 February when they lost 2-0 at home to Kilmarnock. Six wins out of seven since, which earned McGhee the manager of the month award for March, took 'Well into fourth place although six clubs are vying for the three top-six spots available with the Lanarkshire men needing at least a point against the league leaders to guarantee their place. McManus, however, much prefers this kind of tension that comes with trying to finish in the top half than the type that comes with avoiding relegation. .
He said: "After the start we had and where we were at certain times of the season, sitting third bottom, second bottom, you would have taken staying in the division. But when you get so close to something you want it even more and we would love to finish in the top six. It would be a great achievement but if it is not to be for whatever reason, when we walked off the pitch against Kilmarnock we would have taken where we are now. If you had said to us that we would be in this situation with a game to go with the possibly of getting into the top six we would have bitten the hand off you for it, because having gone through the experience last year of playing in the play-off games, it wasn't enjoyable."
Today's opposition are ignoring the noise generated by the promotion of Rangers to the top flight. Manager Ronny Deila says the arrival of the Championship winner will have no big impact on his plans for Celtic next season. The Parkhead side's' traditional rivals clinched the Championship with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton at Ibrox on Tuesday night, with Ibrox midfielder Andy Halliday immediately stating that he expects to be challenging the Parkhead side for the title. The Scottish Cup semi-final meeting between the two clubs at Hampden Park on Sunday week will allow early comparisons to be made but, meanwhile, Deila is focusing only on keeping Celtic at the top of the table. Ahead of the trip to Motherwell today with the lunchtime kick off, the Norwegian was asked in what way Rangers' promotion might affect Celtic.
He said: "It doesn't affect us so much. They have shown they are good enough to be in the top division and if it's Hibs, Falkirk or Rangers we'll be ready for it, that's how it is. (Will Rangers be challengers for the title next season) We'll see, it is too early to say something about other teams. I've got a lot of other things to think about. This is something you can keep on thinking about in the media and I will answer next season."
Deila, whose side sit at the top of the Premiership five points clear of Aberdeen who lost to Hearts last night, hopes top scorer Leigh Griffiths gets back on the goal trail against the Steelmen. The striker has scored 35 goals this season but for the first time in the campaign he has gone four games without scoring, a run which includes Scotland's friendly against Denmark at Hampden Park last month. Deila, who revealed defender Erik Sviatchenko will miss the Motherwell game with a thigh injury but is hoping to have him for the semi-final, said: "He's not tired that's for sure. He's ready. He gets good chances all the time so that's the most important thing. If he had been going into games and not getting opportunities then I would be more concerned. He is so vital for us. We know how good a finisher he is and he will be back on track again. We have others who can score. A week ago we had a winger (Patrick Roberts) scoring two and the other one (Gary Mackay-Steven) scored one so we're scoring a lot of goals this season. But I know Leigh will continue scoring goals if he is at it and he will create chances for others as well so I'm not concerned. It's getting closer now but we are in a very good position. We're five points ahead with six games left so there are a lot of opportunities here."