McGhee says Motherwell won't suffer after Celtic defeat

Boss Mark McGhee insists Motherwell will have suffered no collateral damage from their midweek thrashing by Celtic.

The Steelmen were subject to a night of torment at Parkhead on Wednesday where the Hoops' 5-0 Betfred Cup win was no reflection of their superiority.

McGhee's side lost 7-0 at Celtic Park on the final day of last season and were beaten 6-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle earlier in that campaign but he believes the occasional thumping need not be debilitating.

Ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership meeting with St Johnstone at Fir Park on Saturday, McGhee said:

"There is no chance that the other night will have a damaging impact.

"Even before a ball was kicked I spoke about the season ahead and said that for instance, last season when we got beat badly by Hearts at Tynecastle and of course on the last day of the season and these things happen.

"We have proven that we are realistic and are capable of losing a game.

"But we go on to the next game and believe we can win it and that is the most important thing.

"Immediately after the Celtic game I gave them a rationale that regardless of the fact that they got thumped by Celtic they can still go and beat St Johnstone.

"So it is over; an experience.

"There was certainly four in the squad who had never set foot in Parkhead before and had never played against that level of player or team.

"That was a great experience for them albeit a hard one.''

McGhee expects another tough test against Saints who registered a fine Betfred Cup victory over Hearts in midweek.

He said: "We found it difficult against St Johnstone in the games last season and they beat us here last time.

"Beating Hearts is a great result so they will feel they are strong and in a good position to come here and get a result so we have to be ready for that.''

Midfielder Craig Clay, who signed a two-year deal hours before the Celtic Park defeat following three games as a trialist, insists the Parkhead experience can only improve him as a player.

The 24-year-old, who had spells at Chesterfield, York, Halifax and Worksop, said: "I am delighted to get my future sorted. I can fully settle down now and give my football 100 per cent.

"You want to put yourself against the best players, that's why I came up here.

"They (Celtic) are the best team I have ever played against, that is without a doubt.

"It always felt like they have an extra man but you always want to play against teams like that to better yourself so I am looking forward to playing them again.''