Kilmarnock are fighting relegation but their need for points isn't greater, says Well boss

Kilmarnock might still be fighting relegation from the Premiership, but Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell insists their need for points isn’t greater.

The Rugby Park club go into today’s Fir Park clash only four points above bottom side Ross County while Motherwell are six points ahead in eighth place.

But Kettlewell says if his side go into the game with anything other than a professional attitude they will be turned over.

And he says 10-man Kilmarnock fighting back to draw 2-2 from 2-0 down back in December is a spur, if not a lesson for his players.

Kettlewell said: “I don’t accept that Kilmarnock’s need for points is greater, and I never do.

“It depends on the motivation from the people that are working towards it, really, and I see a terrific motivation from what we have here.

“Yes, we’re ahead of Kilmarnock on point and league placings, but if we turn up and don’t think our motivation is great, then we’re going to lose the game, it’s as simple as that.

“If we turn up with the same motivation as Kilmarnock, then I think we give ourselves every chance.

“It’s my job to make sure the players go through the steps during the week to make sure that, come Saturday, we’re at our optimum level that we can produce a performance and get a result.”

While he wasn’t yet manager, Kettlewell was at Fir Park for that 2-2 draw, and it’s still a source of frustration.

He admitted: “It is an added motivation. I was at that game and it’s something that’s in my head.

“I keep speaking about not going too far back and not dwelling on the past, but I think it’s important to probably mention that last game.

“Motherwell were sitting 2-0 up, probably very dominant in the game, Kilmarnock went down to 10 men, and for me, sitting watching the