McGhee's mind games ahead of Rangers clash

Nov 12 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

ON Saturday Mark McGhee claimed that he was “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.

This week the Motherwell gaffer gave the Wishaw Press an exclusive insight into the mental barriers that he has been trying to address at the club in the build-up to this evening’s match against Rangers at Fir Park.

Since taking the reigns at ’Well in June of last year, the 51-year-old McGhee has moulded a side that is one of the most attractive to watch with the bold deployment of a three-pronged attacking force landing The Steelmen a crack at European football this season by means of finishing third in the SPL last term.

And whilst 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 the Old Firm.

“There was a lot that was right on Saturday but I am going to be hard on them. I have got to set high standards and I think we should have done better,” McGhee revealed to the Wishaw Press.

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

“Celtic could have lost a goal but they didn’t and 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.”

Tonight’s game against more high calibre opposition presents an ideal opportunity for McGhee’s charges to put into practice what they have worked on behind close doors since Saturday.

Looking forward to tonight’s home game against Rangers, which will be shown live on Setanta Sports, McGhee said: “I know how hard it is to beat the Old Firm and often fans can tend to be forgiving when you lose to them although I’m not as forgiving.

“But Rangers are a team playing well just now.

“Even although they nearly got beaten by Dundee United they scored three goals and four against Kilmarnock so they are in free-scoring mode.”

He added: “We did well against them last year.

“Our performances at Fir Park were good and we had two draws here and were unlucky not to beat them certainly in one of them.

“So we look forward to it.”

Meanwhile 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: “It will be a tough game.

“We managed to beat them for the first time since I have been here this season.

“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.”