ABERDEEN manager Jimmy Calderwood has told his players to keep their season alive in this weekend's must-win game against Motherwell.
Victories over Hibernian and Dundee United since the Clydesdale Bank Premier League split have thrust outsiders Aberdeen into contention for a surprise third-place finish.
The Steelmen currently occupy that coveted position, which brings the prize
of Uefa Cup football, while still holding a game in hand over their rivals.
But Calderwood knows a win at Fir Park could see his in-form side set up a final-day clash against Rangers to determine whether they once again qualify to play in Europe.
He said: "It is another massive game, but it seems we have been involved in them throughout the whole season and the players are getting used to that. They have got themselves into a position which has given us a small chance of coming third, although in my eyes Motherwell are still the massive favourites to get into Europe.
"But it's about getting over the finishing line, as we well know from last season. We are going down there to try to keep our season alive, and to make sure we have a wonderful game to look forward to.
"We have not got it in our own hands and the simple thing for us is that we have to win the game. A draw would suit Motherwell better than us because then we are out of the equation. So we will do everything in our power to win the game."
Motherwell go into the match on the back of defeats to either half of the Old Firm, and manager Mark McGhee made several changes in personnel for the matches with Celtic and Rangers.
But despite McGhee tinkering with his team of late, Calderwood is confident he knows exactly how Motherwell will line up for this clash.
The Aberdeen manager said: "I think Mark will play a 4-3-3 formation and go back to the tried and trusted system that has got him success this season. I doubt very much he will play six in midfield, but if he does then we will just have to change."
McGhee, meanwhile, has encouraged his players to show the "bottle" to seal a Uefa Cup place. A win over the Dons would secure third place this weekend if Hibs and Dundee United lose against Celtic and Rangers respectively.
Motherwell have finished in the top three on just two occasions since 1934 and McGhee knows they are on the verge of a memorable achievement.
"I think you have got to have the bottle to go and try to win them," said McGhee. "If you go in with fear you sometimes cannot perform to your total capabilities. You have got to go in and not have fear of losing. That's really important, we've got to go from the first minute to try to win the game."
McGhee has led Reading, Brighton and Millwall to promotions and taken Wolves to an FA Cup semi-final. But he admits helping Motherwell into Europe would equal any success he and his players have enjoyed, especially following the death of skipper Phil O'Donnell and problems with the Fir Park pitch.
"As everyone knows, it's been a dramatic season in all sorts of ways, which makes it all the more poignant if we were to get some sort of success out of it," McGhee said. "It would rank with anything we have done, particularly given the obstacles that have been put in our way."
The full article contains 595 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
