MOTHERWELL have what it takes to recover from their European knock-out blow and shine in Scotland's top flight once again this season, according to Simon Ramsden.

The Steelmen will kick off their Premiership campaign at home to St Mirren in seven days' time, having suffered a body-blow when they were dumped out of the Europa League by Icelandic side Stjarnan last week.

After booking a place in the second qualifying round with a dramatic win at Pittodrie on the last day of last season, it was another brief European adventure for Stuart McCall's side.

Well continue their pre-season schedule with a closed-doors clash against Spanish side Real Betis today.

And defender Ramsden insists the Fir Park squad have the mental strength to put their woes behind them and focus on a flying start in the Premiership.

He said: "We have got that character throughout the squad. The lads in that changing room are not too different to the squad that we had last season that finished second so there are definitely characters there.

"The last game of last season shows you the highs of football and, in comparison, last week was the low.

"But if we go out and win comfortably next Saturday everyone will be the best thing since sliced bread again and there will be a positive feeling around the club.

"We intend to start strong and bounce back and have another positive season."

Motherwell are not the only Scottish club to falter in Europe this term, with Celtic, Aberdeen and St Johnstone all facing uphill tasks after their continental outings in recent days.

McCall's side were on course to book their place in the third qualifying round before the Icelanders struck late to break Well hearts and eliminate them as skipper Keith Lasley conceded three penalties over the two legs.

The start of the new Premiership campaign next weekend should focus Fir Park minds as they look to fire out of the blocks for another finish at the sharp end of the standings.

But Ramsden admits the Euro exit has hit morale hard as the Steelmen continue preparations for the big kick-off.

He said: "Mentally, it was a massive blow for everybody. Pretty much all week you can sense in the changing room that everyone is very deflated.

"I think overall from the two legs we are definitely kicking ourselves. At times, in both games, we put ourselves in comfortable positions where it looked as if things were going to plan, and obviously it ended up that it didn't.

"As hard as it is, as a club we have got to move on and look forward to next week."