RICHARD TAIT is thrilled Motherwell have reached the promised land of the top six.

Now he’s on a mission to help keep there, no matter how difficult the task ahead may be in the coming weeks.

The Steelmen rocketed up the standings into sixth in the Ladbrokes Premiership at the weekend with a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle.

Even though Well now find themselves in top half of the table after 13 games, still only three points separate them from bottom-placed Dundee with a trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts up next before Celtic come to Fir Park.

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Still, former Tamworth right-back Tait is optimistic about Motherwell staying in their lofty perch in the weeks ahead and opening up a gap between them and the rest of the chasing pack.

He said: “You always have an eye on it and have a look to see where you are.

“We really needed the three points against Thistle with two really tough games coming up in Hearts and then Celtic.

“We got a good one so I don’t really focus on it. Having said that, our aim is to be in that top six and at the minute we’re there.

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“As tight as it is, we need to try and just keep picking up points, whether it is one or three, and see where it takes us.

“I’ve never played at Tynecastle so I’m looking forward to it. Everyone is really on top of you and the boys have been speaking about it. My brother also lives just around the corner from it too so it’ll be nice for him to come to the game!

“Every game is as important as the next. If we go there and pick up some points then fantastic.”

There was a rare moment of joy for Tait and the rest of his Motherwell defensive chums as they recorded only their second Premiership clean sheet at the weekend.

It’s a stat that has given little satisfaction to Tait, who added: “After we beat Ross County and I scored a goal that I’d rather have had a clean sheet, so it was excellent to get one against Thistle.

“I think if we can get more clean sheets it will help us improve our performances and get us up the table.

“I enjoy going forward, though. We matched up Thistle so I was basically a wing-back. It’s fun to get up and try to create goals, but obviously first and foremost I’m a defender and I need to do my job.”