McCall fears response from Rangers

Manager Stuart McCall fears Motherwell's 37-game winless run against Rangers is set to continue as the beleaguered Glasgow giants bid to end the campaign on a high at Ibrox.

Motherwell have profited from administration-hit Rangers' predicament by claiming a place in the Champions League next term. Second-placed Rangers are ineligible due to their financial failings and Motherwell secured third ahead of Dundee United, who lost 5-0 at Ibrox on Wednesday.

With uncertainty ongoing at Rangers, despite American businessman Bill Miller being named preferred bidder by administrators Duff and Phelps, it could be the final game at Ibrox for many of the squad and McCall anticipates his side may feel the full force, and said: "Saturday will be a big game for Rangers. It will be a very difficult day."

He added: "It possibly could be the last home game for a lot of the players, the lads who have served them outstandingly well this season. I think the support and the way the staff and the players have conducted themselves over a difficult time has been excellent."

Rangers' defeat of United sealed third place for Well, but while his players were basking in the glory and reported for training on Thursday with hangovers, McCall was left contemplating how Motherwell could claim victory over Rangers for the first time since December 2002.

Former Rangers midfielder McCall said: "All the players were texting me while they were out celebrating. I went home, had a cup of tea and tried to think how we'll stop the Rangers juggernaut.

"We've had disappointing results there over a lot of years, but we need to do better than we have done certainly this season. We'll hopefully put in a better performance than we have done of late."

Motherwell have faced Rangers three times this season, twice losing 3-0 before a 2-1 defeat in March. McCall is keen to end the miserable run at the end of an otherwise stellar season.

"We've played the Old Firm seven times this year and lost every one of them," McCall said.

"It's not acceptable, but you look at the squads Celtic and Rangers have and every player's an international player. It can be understandable. But for the boys to go 29 games and only lose four against the rest (of the SPL) I think is an incredible achievement by the squad."