Ross County manager Jim McIntyre does not expect next weekend’s League Cup semi-final against Celtic to give his players any added motivation today when they face Motherwell.
The Staggies make the trip to Fir Park in their final league game before next Sunday’s showdown with the Hoops at Hampden Park.
Players could secure a semi-final place with an impressive performance against the Steelmen but McIntyre says the only thing at stake today is three points against the Lanarkshire side.
He said: “I don’t think I need to mention the semi-final. The players know how big an occasion that is and will want to be part of it. I would expect by their own performances on Saturday that will show.
“We’ve got to concentrate on the game in front of us and beat a good Motherwell side. They had a blip by losing heavily against Hearts and that’s not like them. We’ve got to go there in determined fashion. They’ve got a good home record and we need to be at our best.
“After losing against Aberdeen we just want to bounce back, as will Well. They were in very good form before their heavy defeat and, like ourselves, will be looking to use this match to get back to form.”
County will be boosted by the return of attacker Craig Curran, who has been out since suffering a head knock against Caley Thistle on January 2, while midfielder Martin Woods has also returned to training after a back injury that has kept him out of the last two games.
McIntyre added: “Craig has trained the last couple of days and felt all right. He will certainly be in the squad, while Martin has trained the last couple of days, too.
“We’re in decent shape fitness-wise. We’ve had to prepare indoors this week because of the weather but it’s fine. We did that last year as well.”