OK, it’s a bit of a long shot. But we’re talking about Scottish football here – anything’s possible.
It’s been a strange old season for Motherwell. For the first few months, it looked as if last year’s swashbuckling run of form was now the norm. But everything that goes up must come down, and the Fir Park side certainly went down with a crashing thud over the winter months.
Many predicted relegation. After 15 matches without a victory, pundits and supporters feared the club’s long spell in the top flight was under threat.
Thankfully, the team have dug out some decent form over the last two months. Following that historic victory over Rangers at Ibrox, people even started to whisper about ‘Well’s chances of sneaking into the top six.
And rightfully so. The open and inconsistent nature of the Scottish Premiership means a team is only ever a few points away from relegation bother, or European contention.
In truth, a lot must go right for Motherwell to make the top half. Here’s everything that needs to go to plan this week if Stuart Kettlewell’s side are to pip Dundee and Hibs to sixth spot.
Step 1: Rangers need to beat Dundee
On Wednesday, Rangers travel to Dens Park to play a rearranged fixture against Dundee. Why was the fixture rearranged, I hear you ask? Well, the fixture fell foul to the same pitch issues which jeopardised Motherwell’s match there last weekend. The main difference being that the SFA actually care if Rangers players suffer an injury…
Rangers have a lot riding on this match. If they win, they’ll move two points ahead of Celtic in the title race.
But if Dundee manage to bounce back from their heartache against Motherwell – we’re in bother. Even a draw would move Dundee four points ahead of the Steelmen, with just one fixture left to play.
Motherwell manifest: A Rangers win (Just this once!)
Step 2: Dundee must lose at Aberdeen
In years gone past, this would be a routine victory for the Pittodrie side. This season, the script has been flipped a little.
Aberdeen are lingering at the wrong end of the table, yet have rallied and won a few matches recently.
If Dundee lose to The Dons and Rangers, it’d be their third defeat in a row. This would be pretty unlike Tony Docherty’s side, who have been hailed for their bounce back ability this campaign.
Motherwell manifest: Aberdeen to put Dundee to the sword.
Step 3: Motherwell need to beat Hibs
Stuart Kettlewell’s Motherwell have clawed their way to a lot of spirited, comeback draws this season. But that won’t be enough here.
Motherwell must take three points against Hibs at Fir Park.
There’ll be huge pressure on the Edinburgh side, who’ll undoubtedly be backed by a huge visiting support. Nick Montgomery has a very expensive and talented squad at his disposal, yet they’ve disappointed since his arrival.
In fact, many Hibs fans see it as a failure in itself that their side are entrenched in such a last-minute dash to make the top six.
It would be VERY 2023/24 Motherwell if, somehow, everything went their way and they scraped into the top half. And you only need to look back at the final day drama at Livingston in 2022 to know that the last matchday before the split can produce drama like none other in Scottish football.
Motherwell manifest: The Steelmen to beat Hibs for the second time this season.
By Lewis Birrell, Chief Sports Writer at Story Behind the Steelmen
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