McCall admits pressure is on

Saturday 21 April 2012

STUART McCALL will strive to protect his Motherwell players from the pressure of knowing one of the biggest prizes in the club's history is riding on the outcome of their final five Clydesdale Bank Premier League games.

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HeraldScotland staff

Third place, which the Fir Park side currently occupy, carries the reward of entry into the Champions League third qualifying round, with Rangers, who are second, unable to meet criteria for a UEFA club licence.

Motherwell went into the weekend five points clear of their nearest rivals St Johnstone, but with the Perth club facing fifth-placed Dundee United, who are just a point behind them, today, Motherwell's lead advantage will have been reduced one way or another before they host Celtic tomorrow.The Lanarkshire side have been in the top three all season and their manager acknowledges the expectation is all on them. "It's going to be an exciting time for supporters but it's going to be really tense," McCall said. "They are probably not going to get the high-quality games we had at the beginning of the season because the pitches are drying up and bumpy and, because of the tension and the pressure, and players will be playing with an edge."But it's our job to take that pressure off the players so they can play with confidence and freedom. Even with that big carrot at the end we have to try to play with freedom, confidence and relaxation."McCall feels that the absence of a title race, coupled with the fact the four teams behind the Old Firm – Hearts are the other – are all chasing at least three European places, could mean some surprise results in the run-in."It's going to be so difficult to predict games," he said. "Last season everyone knew Rangers would win that one and Celtic would win that one."This season there is so much to play for that one week clubs can be up on a high and the other week can be down again."

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McCall admits pressure is on

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