Baraclough embracing underdog tag

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough is happy to be written off as relegation certainties in some quarters ahead of the club's Scottish Premiership play-off final.

Well were consigned to 11th spot last weekend following a 2-1 defeat by relegated St Mirren, their third consecutive away loss.

Since then, an improved and determined Rangers edged past Queen of the South before beating Hibernian 2-0 in the first leg of the semi-final in front of a passionate and noisy crowd at Ibrox.

Hibs would have to produce one of the club's greatest afternoons to overturn the deficit so Motherwell will face a team on a high whatever happens on Saturday lunchtime at Easter Road.

On the contrary, Motherwell's finish to the season has been a major disappointment to supporters but Baraclough believes his players have what it takes to upset the odds.

When asked about being written off, Baraclough said: "I can understand people saying that. Rangers and Hibs are still considered two big teams in Scotland but we have a proud history at this football club.

"We not been in that second tier for 30 years and we have got to have the same pride as our fans have in this great football club, being part of the top echelon of Scottish football.

"I have no problem going into a game as underdog and people writing us off, that brings out the animal instinct.

"Prove people wrong. There are doubters and knockers, people can't wait to point the finger.

"To go into the game as an underdog, I don't think is a bad thing."

Motherwell received some welcome good news on Thursday when Scott McDonald won his appeal against the red card he received in some disastrous closing stages at St Mirren Park.

Baraclough said: "To have an extra player available for selection, especially someone of Scott's experience, going into these games is invaluable.

"I felt he was harshly done by on the day and I'm pleased the officials said they had seen it in a different way once they had reviewed the tape."

Before the focus moves entirely to the play-off first leg next Thursday, Motherwell host Partick Thistle in their final match of the regular season.

And Baraclough has told his fringe players they will get their chance to stake a claim for the play-offs.

"Now we know where we are and we will utilise the squad a bit against Partick," he said.

"There will be some players in there who haven't been regulars but hopefully they relish the chance.

"I want the players who come in to really show an enthusiasm and spirit that says 'If I do well, I am in with a chance here'."

Meanwhile, Partick striker Kris Doolan is looking to close another successful season for the club by further adding to his double-figure goal tally for the season.

The former Auchinleck Talbot striker has scored 10 goals this campaign to help Thistle finish eighth in the Scottish Premiership.

And one more goal against Motherwell at Fir Park would match his tally for last season, his first in the top flight.

"We have progressed since last year, we are obviously going to finish higher up the league," Doolan said.

"Across the season we have let a few points slip here and there, which we all know and take responsibility for, but all in all we have had a good season and personally for me to go into double figures again for back-to-back seasons, I am delighted with that.

"I will be looking to add to my tally on Saturday."

Thistle boss Alan Archibald is keen to finish the season on a high following their 4-1 home defeat by Kilmarnock last weekend.

Archibald said: "We will need to make some changes, we have a few players injured and Abdul Osman is on five bookings so we won't risk him, but we want to finish on a high. It was disappointing in our last home game, we let our fans down."

Steven Lawless will miss the game after being given a two-match ban by the Scottish Football Association for breaching betting rules.