Big Hampden send-off for Motherwell

Motherwell will be getting a big Hampden send-off party later today ahead of tomorrow's Scotish Cup final against Celtic.

Shops in the town are decked out claret and amber and even houses are getting in on the act.

Deputy leader of North Lanarkshire, Paul Kelly told Clyde News: "If Motherwell win the Cup it will be huge boost for the whole town. The club is at the heart of the community across North Lanarkshire.

"The Council's put up a banner and people are tying up bunting and it's absolutely wonderful to see, there's a real buzz all around."

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson believes ending Celtic's double-treble mission is not impossible.

Celtic are looking to wrap up a second successive domestic treble but Motherwell are eager to make their own mark and emulate the heroes who last took the trophy back to Lanarkshire in 1991.

The Steelmen lost to Brendan Rodgers' side in the Betfred Cup final back in November.

But after seeing his side push all-conquering Celtic close more than once this term, Robinson is convinced Motherwell can finally prevail at Hampden.

He said: "There are no expectations on us apart from within our dressing room. Everyone expects Celtic to win but we have different ideas.

"We have created a real belief that we can do something special this season.

"I don't think there's any point turning up if you don't believe you can win. We're certainly not turning up to make up the numbers.

"The belief is not unfounded. We're constantly looking for footage of teams who have caused them problems previously - and a lot of the footage is of us.

"I know we have affected Celtic. I know we were a minute from beating them at Fir Park. We drew with them with 10 men.

"It will be a hard task, we're playing against a very good Celtic side - but it's certainly not an impossible task.

"My team have beaten most of the top sides. They have held their own against every team we've played.

"We have respect - but we don't have fear.''

Saturday's showdown will represent Well's fifth trip to Hampden this season as they kicked off their Betfred Cup campaign against Queen's Park.

But more importantly the experience of seeing off both Rangers and Aberdeen in high-pressure semi-finals, as well as testing the Hoops in their previous final - a 2-0 defeat which swung on the controversial dismissal of Cedric Kipre - has reassured Robinson his side will not be overawed.

"We've learned how to cope with the big stage,'' he said. A lot of my boys have come from a non-league environment where they are playing in front of 500 to 1,000 people.

"Now all of a sudden they're running out to 50,000.

"But they coped with that against Aberdeen and Rangers in our two semis this season and coped with it against Celtic for long periods in the last final, so I don't think the occasion will affect them.

"You dream of these occasions and hopefully you don't freeze. We've been here before this season and dealt with it. Now we need to see this as another game we can deal with.

"For us it's not about anything other than becoming legends of the football club.

"That's a really nice pressure. To be in the situation to try to win a Scottish Cup final is fantastic.

"The boys have embraced that and I can see the belief growing day by day.'

• Motherwell FC