Everton test will prepare us for Rangers Hampden clash, says Motherwell boss

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell reckons facing Premier League giants Everton at Goodison Park is ideal preparation for a clash against Rangers at Hampden on Saturday.

Kettlewell’s side drew 0-0 in their Premiership opener with Ross County on Saturday and he took his squad to Liverpool for their closed-doors bounce game with Everton yesterday, as Press Sport went to print.

The Fir Park boss hopes facing the Toffees is ideal preparation for the clash at the National Stadium, with Rangers currently locked out of Ibrox due to construction work on the Copland Road stand running behind schedule.

“I think we can go to Hampden and build on this point, against Ross County,” he said.

“It’s always going to be difficult playing against Rangers. I watched some of their game against a really good Hearts side at Tynecastle, but it’s going to be a really tough game for us, it always is.

“I’m kind of taking out the environment. I know a lot of people reference it, but the environment is that we’re going to play at Hampden, we will deal with that, we’ll make sure we’re well enough equipped.

“We’ve got a bounce game on Tuesday in a closed doors game against Everton at Goodison Park. That overnight stay, playing against a top-level side, will be a brilliant test for us as well, in their build-up to the season starting.

“I’ve got a whole host of guys there who are desperate for minutes, so I think as much as trying to improve what we did on Saturday, it starts to strengthen that squad with more minutes into the players, and the challenges that will face them in the coming days.”

Kettlewell reckons his side should have taken more than a point from Ross County, and while they weren’t ruthless enough, that will come with time.

He said: