‘Well boss Mark McGhee believes his squad are in a good position to face Hearts on Saturday afternoon.
After introducing a few new signings in January, the Fir Park boss feels he has a strong squad and one in form too.
Speaking to the press this morning, the manager credited the clubs ability to stabilise the budget in playing a big part in adding depth to the squad.
McGhee said: “I think the great change here is that we weren’t praying someone would come in for one of our players in terms of the financial situation which has become stabilised and means we can afford to keep these boys.
“We still remain a club who are here to improve these lads and if they can get themselves moved on then that’s what we have to live with because its part of what we have to do to sustain the club.
“In this time we’re in a good position and we didn’t have to sell so we didn’t – happy days.”
Stephen Pearson, who signed until the end of the season this morning, brings something important to the table, believes McGhee.
[pullquote]The great change here is that we weren’t praying someone would come in for one of our players in terms of the financial situation which has become stabilised and means we can afford to keep these boys.[/pullquote]
He said: “We know what Pearo is, he’s different from the others, he’s got a goal in him and we’re delighted to have him back.”
After Aussie striker Scott McDonald was sent off against Rangers, the club appealed Willie Collum’s decision, which McGhee admitted he was positive was incorrect.
He said: “I’m 100% convinced that it wasn’t a red card but I’m not 100% convinced that the people over there will see that or will be prepared to turn it over.
Ultimately, the boss predicted it correctly, after the Scottish FA dismissed the appeal at Hampden this morning.
McGhee defended his striker though and said: “I’m absolutely adamant that everything that happened about the challenge was fair and proper and that Scott McDonald actually took due care in making sure that he didn’t hurt Kenny Miller because he bent his leg.
“There’s all sorts of evidence in my opinion that shown that Scotty was under control, won the ball and then did his best to make sure he didn’t hurt Kenny.”
With the chasing pack behind Motherwell just a point or two off that sixth spot, the ‘Well boss insists his side just need to keep their heads down.
[pullquote]All we can do is look behind us at the others and just chip away at it. We’ve got eleven games before the split and I’m expecting improvement now, regardless what happens in the next few games.[/pullquote]
He said: “It’s incremental; you keep your head down and look at the next game and we know that we have a tough run coming up now.
“All we can do is look behind us at the others and just chip away at it. We’ve got eleven games before the split and I’m expecting improvement now, regardless what happens in the next few games. I think we’re playing well enough and we’re competitive enough to win enough games to give us a chance of getting that sixth spot.”
And ahead of Hearts on Saturday, McGhee believes that their convincing win over Rangers can’t be something that plays too big a part in the Steelmen’s preparations.
He said: “We can’t worry about last night because by all accounts Rangers were poor compared to what they were against us. We know Hearts can beat anyone in the league and when I looked at their team last night I didn’t really recognise it in a sense because of all these signings.
“We’ve got a wee bit to learn this afternoon about how they did it and what they were like.”
He added: “We have as strong a squad as we’ve had at any time this season, I think we’re in as good form as we have been at any time this season and therefore we’ve got a good chance of doing well against Hearts.”
