Motherwell target Scottish Cup glory

Nov 28 2012 By Andrew Weston

Keith Lasley

Motherwell skipper Keith Lasley admits playing Aberdeen away from home in this weekend’s Scottish Cup could work in his side’s favour.

The 2011 cup runners-up have been in imperious form on their travels this year in contrast to the indifferent performances at Fir Park where they have won just one of eight league matches.

Stuart McCall’s men suffered cup heartbreak at the quarter-final stage at home to the Dons last season and Las feels playing them at Pittodrie this time around may give them the best possible chance of progressing.

He said: “Ideally you are wanting a home draw but the way things are at the moment maybe an away draw suits us better.

“It is a tough draw but results away from home have been good so we go there with confidence. If we play to our capabilities we know we have as good a chance as them.”

Motherwell threw away a two goal lead in their 3-3 draw at Aberdeen back in September, conceding two goals in the final seven minutes.

Despite admitting it felt like a defeat afterwards, Lasley believes the squad can take great confidence from the overall performance.

He added: “It certainly felt like a defeat because we were so gutted at the end. The way we played we deserved the win.

“I think Craig Brown admitted that after. But it was a good point up at Aberdeen so yes we take great confidence from that.

“We know we can go away from home and score goals which is a big thing. We have a threat and I’m sure Aberdeen will be aware of that. But we are also wary of the threat they pose.”

Aberdeen have enjoyed a fine start to their league campaign under the management of Craig Brown and Archie Knox. The duo left Motherwell under a black cloud two years ago to take up the reigns at Pittodrie but Lasley has nothing but praise for his former bosses.

“They did a great job when they were at Motherwell and I have a lot of respect for them both,” the 33-year-old said. “It’s no surprise to me that they are slowly turning Aberdeen around and no surprise they are up at the right end of the table challenging.

“I think that will continue. I just hope that come Saturday we are the ones who come out on top. They might be having a good league campaign but I’m hoping they won’t have a good cup run.”

He continued: “I go back to the cup final two year ago. It didn’t end like we wanted it to but the whole journey along that path was such a great thing to be involved in and certainly one of my highlights as a player.

“To be involved in that again would be fantastic and Saturday is the first step towards that.”