CHRIS CADDEN believes that the fight for the last spot in the top six is down to two teams, and he is determined that it will be Motherwell who come out on top of Kilmarnock in that tussle.

To do that, he says it is imperative that his team also come out on top of this afternoon’s battle between the sides at Fir Park, with only Motherwell’s superior number of goals scored edging them ahead of Killie at present.

With the Rugby Park side enjoying two games in hand, the significance of today’s result isn’t lost on Cadden, with the winger firmly believing that the match will have a huge bearing on their season.

“Looking at the table, it looks like we are the two teams that are going for the top six,” Cadden said. “They have two games in hand on us, but I prefer to have points on the board.

“If they win them they will go above us and that’s why we will be going out to win on Saturday. We know how big this game is for what we want to do this season.

“Steve Clarke has been brilliant for them and I watched them play against Celtic. We know it will be a tough test, but we will be fully prepared for it. They have real good players like Youssouf Mulumbu, Jordan Jones, and Eamonn Brophy is on fire right now. If we want to beat them we have to be on form.

“Every game now is crucial at this time in the season. If you want to get into the top six you need to beating teams like Kilmarnock at home. If we win, it will be a step towards the top six for us.”

Last weekend’s Scottish Cup win over Dundee brought up a century of Motherwell appearances for Cadden, and he has experienced huge highs and crushing lows during that time.

After fighting against relegation for the last couple of seasons, he is hoping that the end of this season will be a wholly more enjoyable affair.

“It would be magic to get into the top six and not have to worry about relegation,” he said. “The last few years have been a nightmare for us. With this squad we have put together, it is a top six squad.

“Against Hamilton last year was a massive game and Carl McHugh told me that I would be a much better player for the experience, and I think that is true. In my 100 games I have been to cup finals, but in the relegation scrap as well, so I have been put through the mill.”

Cadden has been impressed by the way that January signings Curtis Main, Nadir Ciftci and Tom Aldred have settled into life at Fir Park so far, but he hasn’t been surprised by their immediate impact.

He believes that one of Motherwell’s greatest strengths is the togetherness of the squad, and that has helped all of the new arrivals this year hit the ground running.

“At the club the gaffer doesn’t have thousands, never mind millions to spend on players, so he has been brilliant at bringing in new players,” he said.

“The boys he has brought in look like they have been here for years already. They have bedded in so well, and I think that is one of the main reasons we have been so successful this season so far.

“We have a great togetherness and we are all in it together, there is no cliques or anything. I feel like one of the old guys here now!”