Lionel Ainsworth is adamant that he and his Motherwell team-mates can get a positive result against Celtic tomorrow.

The lunchtime clash at Fir Park is seen by many to be an easy win for Ronny Deila's side, who have soared to the top of the Premiership table while managerless Well have slumped to third-bottom spot.

But Ainsworth is convinced this is exactly the kind of match the Steelmen can use to show their real mettle and spark a rise back up the table to where they feel they belong.

"This is one of our biggest games of the season and we showed last year we can be a match for Celtic, especially at Fir Park," he said.

"We drew 3-3 with them at the end of last season and at the time everyone felt that Celtic were unstoppable.

"So we know it can be done. People might look at this game on paper and expect them to roll over the top of us but why should we not go into the game believing in ourselves?

"We haven't changed as players or as a team and we know we are still capable of putting in a shift.

"I actually think a game like this is ideal for us because you know you have to hit the ground running and really be up for it from the word go.

"You can't afford to be too respectful of Celtic. Yes, they are a good team and have a lot of quality players but I think we have enough about us to ask a few questions of them.

"We need to show them we are worthy of a bit of respect ourselves."

Caretaker boss Kenny Black said after last weekend's 2-1 Scottish Cup loss at home to Dundee United that Well were "rudderless".

The ongoing situation with no permanent boss in place is a continuing source of anxiety for their fans. But Ainsworth mantains that the players are happy to let the board take their time in naming Stuart McCall's replacement.

THE 27-year-old midfielder said: "I try to not think about it. As players, it is out of our hands and is not something we can have any influence on, whereas I can do something when on the pitch.

"So it makes much more sense for me to be focused on training and trying to help the club by winning games.

"Ultimately, that is what is going to help us most of all."

While Well have struggled on the pitch, Ainsworth says morale has not taken too big a hit inside the dressing room.

And he believes they can still reach the top half of the table by the season's end.

"You wouldn't know that we are struggling for form if you turned up at training," he said.

"The atmosphere is good and I think that is down to the fact the players still have the belief. We haven't turned into a bad team overnight.

"It is hard because we feel we aren't getting the little bits of luck you need and things seem to be going against us.But we are confident that we have it in us to turn it around.

"A result this weekend against Celtic would really give us a massive boost and go a long way to helping us out.

"I know I speak for a lot of the guys when I say that when the chips are down like this, all you want to do is go out and play games.

"You want them coming up thick and fast because you know you can fix it.

"But we need to be patient, keep our heads up and believe we can get it right."