Hearts are good, but we must be confident, says Motherwell caretaker boss

Motherwell caretaker boss Stuart Kettlewell says Sunday’s Premiership clash against Hearts is a different challenge for his side, but they must go into it with confidence.

Kettlewell steered Motherwell to a 2-1 win over St Mirren on Wednesday night, their first at home in the league since August 20.

That was also their first Premiership victory since beating Dundee United 1-0 on October 29, and the former Ross County gaffer admits it has given the whole club a massive lift.

Kettlewell is under no illusions how difficult it will be against a side flying high in their place.

He said: “There’s always a relief when you win, especially when you’ve been on a bad run, but I didn’t also see people hiding in the days leading up to St Mirren.

“Undoubtedly there’s going to be a renewed confidence on the back of a win against what I think is a very good Premiership side in St Mirren.

“That has to give them a springboard and a belief to face the next challenge, which is Hearts on Sunday.

“There has been an obvious feel-good factor, I think, when you’ve earned the three points, as we did; it was hard-fought.

“Again, watching the boys coming in this morning they rightly feel good about the work that they’ve done.

“I think you almost need to put a full-stop on that, take lots of the good aspects, but we now need to think about what we approach on Sunday.”

Having played Hearts twice this season and lost 3-0 at home – despite dominating on chances – and fell to a 3-2 loss against 10-man Jambos in Edinburgh, Kettlewell says his side can match them in certain areas.

Kettlewell said: “The challenge that awaits us on Sunday is going to be really difficult. I’ve made no secret of how good I think Hearts are.

“We are under no illusions that