Dundee United cup tie is a massive opportunity that we must grab, says Motherwell boss

Stuart Kettlewell knows his Motherwell side face a massive challenge when they come up against Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final tonight – but has told them to grab the opportunity.

Kettlewell reckons the Tangerines are a massive club, but says players might not have that many chances in their careers to reach a Hampden semi-final.

And Kettlewell says in a money-centric world, silverware and cup runs are still more important than win bonuses and contracts.

“This club has some real good history going there [Hampden], there has been some unbelievable backing and some amazing memories along the way," he said.

“I speak about that as if it’s going to be a simple task – it’s going to be an incredibly difficult one.

“Dundee United are a good side, they’re really well organised, they’ve got some good players, and they look as if they’ve done some shrewd business.

“You talk about a team jumping up from the Championship, but I think we all know that Dundee United are a very big club in this country. They always have been, probably always will be.

“We know what to expect and how difficult a challenge it’s going to be, and for us to start thinking about anything else and getting carried away would just be really naive.

“We need to concentrate on being our best version.

“But as we all say as managers, how many opportunities do you have to go on cup runs throughout the average career?

“I always talk to players about not wasting those opportunities.”

Jim Goodwin’s side come to ML1 on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Rangers on Sunday, while Motherwell lost 2-1 at Aberdeen a day earlier, with the Steelmen looking to reach a showpiece game for the first time in six years.

Kettlewell said: "I think 2018 was the last time