McGhee is February’s manager of the month

Mar 18 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MARK McGhee has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League manager of the month for February, during which the Fir Park side won two and drew one league game.

Before Christmas Motherwell were bottom of the table but since then they have lost just one league game from 11 matches, including a nine-game unbeaten run – their best sequence of league results in 11 years.

“I've said all along that when we have our best team out there we're the best team outside of the Old Firm,” McGhee said after picking up his award.

Motherwell are in seventh spot but after Saturday’s vital victory over Dundee United they are targeting finishing fourth that would secure a place in the Europa League.

“If we go another nine games unbeaten then we can overtake these teams,” McGhee added.

“What I need to do now is win the awards for March, April and May.

“If I do that I think we'll be where we want to be.

“I think if we were to go and get the same sequence of results as we did in the last 10 games, then we'd finish fourth.

“We're only where we are at the moment because of the horrendous catalogue of injuries, illness and suspension that we had in November and December.

“We're not the strongest squad and we're always going to be undermined by injuries, where teams like Aberdeen and Dundee United, who have bigger squads, can compensate.”

Meanwhile Motherwell striker David Clarkson has been called up to the Scotland squad for this month’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Holland.