Motherwell survived a illness bug and a broken-down bus final week to maintain their European dream heading in the right direction.
They’ve not fairly managed to shake the lurgy from the dressing room however Graham Alexander hopes there might be no extra bumps within the street as he seems to be to steer his squad to a high 5 end and a spot in subsequent season’s Europa Convention League.
The Steelmen’s preparations for final week’s win over Ross County had been hit when a swathe of first-team stars had been laid low by sickness.
Matchwinner Kevin van Veen was among the many group who spent many of the week reaching for the bucket.
But it was Malky Mackay’s crew dealt a sickener when the Dutchman dragged himself away from bed to fireplace the winner in Dingwall.
The journey as much as the Highlands was not with out incident both after one in all Motherwell’s two coaches clapped out on the A9 however even that would not cease Alexander’s crew motoring off to an enormous win.
The Fir Park boss admits he’s nonetheless not been in a position to give his group a clear invoice of well being after final week’s outbreak however he's blissful to have a optimistic prognosis for his facet’s European ambitions.
A win at house to Hearts on Wednesday night time might be sufficient to e-book their spot as long as County don’t spoil Rangers’ Seville send-off by profitable at Ibrox.
Alexander mentioned: “There’s nonetheless a few different gamers coping with the bug now. It’s nonetheless tough for to lads who had it final week.
“A few them began the sport on Saturday and accomplished it which was each credit score to them.
“Clearly Callum Slattery and Kev had been on the bench however sadly a few different gamers have picked it up over the weekend and so they haven’t educated.
“So it’s nonetheless lingering sadly. We're simply ready till the final potential minute to see who’s in fine condition to run round for 90 minutes or a minimum of for an hour or so.
“The gamers got here collectively on Saturday. There had been fairly just a few off all week.
“We had a separate little mini bus for the lads who had been in poor health 20 metres behind the principle bus - which broke down - so that they received there earlier than us.
“We’re going to must run exhausting towards Hearts to get a outcome. We’ll simply must see how they're.
“All I’m hoping for is that nobody else will get it.”
Alexander knew how exhausting it might have been for these gamers wanting inexperienced across the gills to must report for obligation final weekend.
However he was tickled pink by their dedication to Properly’s Euro trigger.
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He mentioned: “When it comes right down to the season-defining interval which we're at, it provides a little bit bit extra to the strain however to the motivation as effectively.
“You noticed from the squad on Saturday that the motivation was excessive and we wanted that.
“The victory was right down to that spirit. We all know we've to do a variety of good issues defensively and attacking clever however should you haven’t received that togetherness and motivation them you don’t get the rewards.”