Motherwell V Dundee Utd at Fir Park Stadium : Match Preview

Motherwell V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


McCall expects focused United

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall does not expect the Dundee United players to be affected by the departure of manager Peter Houston when they visit Fir Park.

The former Scotland assistant recently confirmed he would not be renewing his contract when it ended in the summer, citing further cutbacks at the club, combined with his own desire to progress as a manager, as the motivating factors.

However, after days of speculation as to who would be his successor, with Falkirk manager Steven Pressley and Partick Thistle boss Jackie McNamara among the front runners, United announced on Monday morning that Houston had left the club by mutual consent.

"There will be no Peter there and obviously I wish him all the best, I think he did a terrific job there," McCall told Press Association Sport.

"I doubt whether the new manager will be in place but one thing about Dundee United is that they have an experienced squad.

"They have good pros in that dressing room like (Jon) Daly, (Sean) Dillon, (Willo) Flood and (John) Rankin and regardless of who is taking the team, whether the new manager is to be up in the stand or whether he won't be announced by then, once you are out on the pitch you do your best to win football games.

"I'm sure a lot of them will be disappointed to see Peter go but they knew it was going to happen sometime. We just have to concentrate on ourselves.

"It is two evenly-matched sides, so it will be about on the night, who deals with the conditions and takes the chances when they come up."

Goalkeeper Darren Randolph is a doubt for Motherwell with a hamstring injury.

Former Dundee United captain and manager Paul Hegarty will take charge and is set to have a full squad to choose from.

Rudi Skacel could make his final appearance for the club with his contract due to expire on Wednesday.

Chairman Stephen Thompson hopes to have a new manager in place before Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Rangers.

Thompson said: "You'll find out in the next couple of days where we are. I would prefer someone in place before this weekend.

"We've been working on it for the last wee while, quietly behind the scenes.

"We've had a very long list and we've taken our time.

"We've actually had time to look at what we would like and what we are looking for, which we have been doing for the last 10 or 12 days to be honest.

"Now it's time for us to move on from there."

Thompson refused to be drawn on any names reported to be in the running for the position, adding: "I'm not going to confirm who I've spoken to and who I haven't spoken to."

Asked why the decision was taken to bring forward Houston's departure, the Tannadice chief said: "It's something I had been thinking about for a few days and that's the decision that has been made. A lot of thinking has been going on.

"As a club, and as a board, we decided we wanted to move on from the position we have been in. I'm not going to go into any detail because it would be unfair on Peter.

"We do wish him all the best for the future. He's done a great job for the last two or three years, as well as the previous three years. It's just time for both parties to move on."

Source : http://www.football.co.uk/motherwell/motherwell_v_dundee_utd_at_fir_park_stadium___match_preview_rss3681232.shtml