Stuart Kettlewell references ‘completely different side to Celtic’ in Motherwell preview

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Stuart Kettlewell has his own tactical plan ahead of Motherwell’s clash with Celtic this weekend.

The manager knows the Hoops always arrive at Fir Park with goals up their sleeve with a number of recent fixtures between the two offering a truckload of goals.

Kettlewell hopes his side can emulate previous outings but he understands that Brendan Rodgers’ side are on a high following their goalless draw with Atalanta from midweek.

Celts put in a heroic defensive performance in Bergamo to ensure they headed home with a Champions League point but, back to domestic football on Sunday, they will be expected to get back on the front foot and score a few.

• READ MORE: Irish pundit revels in Liam Scales’ rise to prominence as Celtic man told his ‘career is flying’

Kettlewell knows this but he still reserved applause for Celtic from their Italian Job as he acknowledged seeing a different side to the usually dominant Scottish Premiership leaders.

It was a case of the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales among others doing what had to be done and shutting up shop.

Now, with their trip to the Steelmen on the horizon, Kettlewell is hoping his squad can do the same type of work against the champions while also remaining a threat on the counter up top.

Celtic were defensively solid in Atalanta and kept a clean sheet

“The first place you have to start is having that defensive stability which I think we’ve had a lot of against Celtic,” he said.

“You referenced the European game the other night and I thought they were fantastic on that front. Celtic were excellent against in my opinion one of Europe’s top sides.

“I thought you saw a completely different side to them.

Stuart Kettlewell wants Motherwell to emulate their opponents but also attack

“I envisage that the game will look and feel a bit different come Sunday but we know they’ve got threats on every area on the pitch and we need to prepare for that.

“I stress again that the players have to have that confidence and belief that when we have the spells on the ball and attack their half of the pitch, we do it with a structure, with a plan and, most importantly, with a confidence.”