SPL preview: Rangers to test Motherwell mettle

Motherwell will face a stern test to maintain their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premier League season when they host Rangers.

Stuart McCall’s men are yet to concede in the SPL this season, winning three and drawing one match to sit on top of the league standings.

However, if the most recent meeting between the sides is anything to go by, the Scottish champions will put Motherwell’s defence to the test at Fir Park on Sunday.

Rangers thrashed Motherwell 5-0 last time they met and scored a total of 21 goals against the Steelmen in their five fixtures last season.

Motherwell midfielder Tom Hateley said his side are keen to banish the memory of their insipid performances against the champions.

“We took a few heavy beatings last year. We conceded far too many goals, as a player you look to rectify that,” the 21-year-old Englishman said.

“You never want to concede one goal in a game let alone as many as we did to Rangers.”

“So it’s one aspect we will work on and hopefully come Sunday we’ll be ready for it.”

On the same day, second-placed Celtic host winless St Johnstone, with the former keen to use the momentum gained in last Sunday’s 5-1 thumping of Dundee United.

Striker Gary Hooper was carried off in the rout with an ankle injury, though he is expected to return soon.

Celtic are also in action in the Europa League qualifiers as they host Sion on Thursday.

Hearts are another side involved in the qualifiers for the second-tier club competition in Europe when they host Tottenham on Thursday, with the Edinburgh-based club set to back up on the road to Kilmarnock on Sunday.

The three other matches on the weekend all take place on Saturday, with Aberdeen at home to Inverness in a battle of the bottom two, Dundee United meets Dunfermline Athletic and St Mirren is on the road to Hibernian.