STUART McCALL is dismissing claims Aberdeen's Fir Park hoodoo will have no bearing on tomorrow's Scottish League Cup quarter-final.

The Steelmen suffered a 3-1 reverse by Derek McInnes' men back on August 11, despite taking a first-minute lead through Estonian marksman Henri Anier.

While when it comes to cup competitions, the Dons have twice previously ended Lanarkshire aspirations of significant success in the major domestic knock-out tournaments under Stuart McCall.

Last season Aberdeen dispatched Well 2-1 in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, at Fir Park. A similar scoreline at the same venue accounted for Lanarkshire hopes, this time at the last eight stage two years back.

McCall said: "I don't see the Premiership league match having any bearing tomorrow night.

"With regard to the two losses to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup, that will only make our resolve even stiffer to try and get the better of them this time round.

"It is the last eight of the first cup competition of the season and we have home advantage and it is vital we make the most of that.

"With Celtic out of the tournament there is even more of an incentive for the sides still left in it to do well.

"So all our focus is on this one game and I don't think anything that has gone before will have any bearing on it, except from the point of view that it is time we came out on top against Aberdeen in a cup tie at home."

Sadly for Well the visit of the Dons will come too soon for James McFadden who is still struggling with a hamstring injury.

McCall may well shuffle his cards after the poor result and performance at Perth on Sunday saw Well blow the chance to go second in the SPFL Premiership.

"We under-performed against St Johnstone but we had been going well up to that point and one bad game does not make you a bad side," said the Motherwell boss.

"But there are areas we must improve on and I am confident we will.

"I think it is important as a manager that you retain a balanced perspective after a disappointing performance like the St Johnstone game.

"But the positive thing is we have a huge game coming just three days later which will hopefully allow us to make amends.

"A home cup quarter-final was always going to be an important game for us and now it is even more important and we look forward to it."

The Well gaffer will also hope John Sutton rediscovers his killer touch in front of goal after the powerful predator passed up on two chances at crucial stages in Sunday's reverse.

McCall said: "We were second best at St Johnstone and that can't happen again tomorrow night.

"Opportunities like this don't come round that often and it is vital we make the most of it and use it as a springboard in the league."