McGhee plays mind games with his men

Nov 13 2008 by Andrew Weston, Hamilton Advertiser

MOTHERWELL boss Mark McGhee claimed that he is currently “wrestling with his players’ mentality” and believes that his squad have an extra 15 or 20 per cent to give him after watching them fall to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.

Since taking the reins at ’Well in June of last year, McGhee has moulded a side that’s one of the most attractive to watch.

The bold deployment of a three-pronged attacking force landed the Steelmen a crack at European football this season by means of finishing third in the SPL last term.

And while he has the players capable of playing the ball out of defence and keeping the ball on the deck, McGhee is determined to instil a belief in his squad that gives them the confidence to do this consistently when the pressure is on – particularly against Rangers and Celtic.

He would be hoping that this confidence would produce a decent result in Wednesday’s home SPL clash with Rangers.

He said: “There was a lot that was right on Saturday but I am going to be hard on the players.

“I have got to set high standards and I think we should have done better.

“There were periods of the game where we came under pressure from Celtic and we lost our composure.

“I think we have got to be mentally stronger than that.”

He added: “During the 25 minutes at the start of the game, when we were all over Celtic, they never lost their composure.

“Celtic could have lost a goal but they didn’t. They just kept calm and kept playing and got through that period and won the game.

“Mentally, we have got to be stronger and handle the pressure.

“So I have been working on that on Sunday and Monday by talking to them, explaining what I mean on the training ground, putting exercises on for them that forces them to use their head while under pressure physically.

“At times, I think round about the edge of our own box when we won the ball against Celtic we just simply cleared it into space and gave the ball back again.

“In those situations, we have got to be hitting the centre forward or have got to be making a pass and have something on our minds. They have got the capabilities to do it.”

The Motherwell gaffer expects a tough game when his side travel to Falkirk on Saturday.

The two sides last met at Fir Park back in October, with the home side collecting all three points in an entertaining 3-2 win.

McGhee said: “This season, we managed to beat them for the first time since I have been here.

“But we are evenly matched with most teams, although I think Dundee United look a bit better at the moment than the rest of us outside the Old Firm.

“The rest of us can win or lose against each other and that includes Falkirk.”