Round-up: McCall writes off Motherwell's title chances as Lennon dresses down players

 

Gerard Brand
Tuesday 18 September 2012 05:21 EDT
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Michael Higdon scored twice as Motherwell set the SPL pace
Michael Higdon scored twice as Motherwell set the SPL pace (Getty Images)

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The Motherwell manager, Stuart McCall, has dismissed any chances of a title challenge despite seeing his side come from behind to win 2-1 at Dundee on Saturday, Michael Higdon scoring both their goals, to maintain their place at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

"It's nice for the players and their families to look and see they are top but I think we all know where the title is going to end up come the end of the season so there is no excitement in that part of it," said McCall, whose side remains unbeaten this term.

"The determination and drive is just to keep getting the points. We got off to a good start last season and we've done that up until now this time around."

The Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, whose side might have been expected to run away with the title in the absence of Rangers, admits that his players will need to motivate themselves for every league match as well as Champions League nights after a 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone.

"They need to stop listening to their own hype or people praising them," Lennon said. "I said to them, 'You will have no bother picking yourselves up, you will have no bother being motivated for Wednesday night [against Benfica] but I want to see the motivation in the week to week stuff'."

Rangers manager Ally McCoist was left frustrated as his side continued their slow start to life in the Third Division with a goalless draw at Annan Athletic.

"You would expect being the full-time side the longer the game goes on we get more possession and hopefully dictate," said McCoist.

"The opposition are well up for it because this is the biggest game of some of their lives. But we certainly have to start games a lot, lot better."

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