Motherwell 1 - 1 Rangers

Motherwell v Rangers: Preview

Updated: May 16, 2008, 5:28 PM UK

Malcolm was hit with a one-match ban after going through the disciplinary threshold for cumulative yellow cards.

Skipper Paul Quinn (broken jaw) is the only other absentee for Mark McGhee.

Goalkeeper Graeme Smith insists Well are ready to turn on the style to beat Rangers after clinching their place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Many Celtic fans hold fears that Motherwell will ease off, having secured third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Victory for Rangers would leave them one point behind Celtic, with St Mirren to play ahead of the final day of the campaign.

But Smith believes the absence of pressure could help Motherwell produce some "free-flowing football''.

"Any time you play the Old Firm people say you raise your game,'' the former Rangers player said.

"The atmosphere and the occasions make it easier to play. They are the quickest 90 minutes.

"We have nothing to lose. Sometimes boys are a bit shaky when they play the Old Firm but we can go out and express ourselves.''

Mark McGhee has told his players they will face a Rangers side who will be even more determined to lift the title following their UEFA Cup final defeat against Zenit St Petersburg.

"It's a dangerous animal we are playing and we are going to have to be at our best,'' the Motherwell manager said.

"There is a danger we will go down a gear now that we have done what we were trying to do. But I will try to not allow them to do that.

"It will be the same preparation and I will trust the players will be professional and go out and do their best.''

Sasa Papac is rated doubtful for UEFA Cup runners-up Rangers.

The left-back is suffering from a thigh strain following the UEFA Cup final in midweek and could miss the trip to Fir Park.

Daniel Cousin comes back into contention after missing the defeat to Zenit St Petersburg through suspension, with manager Walter Smith planning to freshen up his team.

Walter Smith is hoping a hectic fixture schedule will actually work in Rangers' favour as they attempt to wrest the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title from Celtic's grasp over the next seven days.

The manager admits his players are still suffering from the psychological blow of losing out to Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday.

But, with a domestic treble still a possibility, the outcome of the league match at Motherwell is set to have a major bearing on the destination of the SPL trophy.

Smith is pleased his players will have had little time to dwell on what might have been in Manchester.

"We can't hide the disappointment that we feel at losing a European final and having to play again early on a Saturday after a Wednesday night may well be a good thing for us,'' he said.

"The importance of the fixture itself may take away a little bit of the disappointment.

"Everybody here faces a big test to get themselves lifted and get through what is an unusual circumstance for any team - playing three important league games in such a short space of time and all of them away from home.

"It's a difficult task and one that not many teams are asked to do.

"Every one of us has a job to get on with. We suffered a disappointment the other night and we know we have to get over that and adjust to an end to a season that very few teams have had to overcome.''