MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall admits his side will have to defy the odds to qualify for Europe - but he knows his players expect nothing less.

McCall's injury-hit squad face Scottish Premiership champions Celtic on Saturday without the likes of James McFadden, Stuart Carswell, Simon Ramsden, Lee Hollis, Paul Lawson and the suspended Keith Lasley.

They looked to be heading into the split nine points above Dundee United and at least level with Aberdeen before referee Iain Brines awarded St Mirren a penalty for handball when the ball hit Stephen McManus in the face, a decision which sparked a dramatic late turnaround.

Aberdeen's subsequent William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat makes it imperative for Motherwell to finish in the top three, but their six-point lead over Dundee United is not as secure as it might seem given they travel to Tannadice the following weekend.

McCall, who revealed Brines had contacted him to apologise, said of the prospect of a third consecutive European adventure: "It certainly will be against the odds this season with the things we've had. Nobody expects too much from us but we expect it from ourselves.

"I keep saying we've got a good group in there. We've got to make sure we finish it off. It's no good talking about what you've done up to the split, it's what you do at the end of the season that counts.

"If we can bring European football back to Fir Park next season, even if it is on July 3, then we will happily take it."