Motherwell are ready for Rangers, says midfield ace
Callum Slattery says Motherwell are ready for the start of the Premiership season, and are eager to get going in their opener against Rangers.
Slattery set up Apostolos Stamatelopoulos' equaliser in the 1-1 draw at home to 2 Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin on Friday night in what he says was a testing game.
But the midfielder reckons coming up against the German cracks showed how to deal with challenging periods in games when Motherwell won't have the ball.
Slattery, 26, said: 'I think we're as prepared as we can be and we're ready.
'We feel like we've got better in each game and showing what the manager wants. I feel like after the cup games that tonight's friendly was real test for us, in terms of how we want to play, and what games are going to be like when it is tough for periods.
'We're really excited for the start of the season and I think we're in a good spot.
'It was good to play in, a really tough test for us, and they're a very fantastic side.
'We knew, going into the game, that they were going to be good, and that it would be a good test for us.
'I think it was, to be honest, I think it was a really good game. The atmosphere and the football played was brilliant.'
Slattery added: 'I'd say it was a similar test in terms of the football played, them playing out from the back and causing us a few problems here and there – but that's what we're going to probably face against Rangers.
'They're a good side. They strung some passes together and caused us some problems at times, but I thought the lads were brilliant.
'I thought we held a good account of ourselves and it was a really good game.'
Slattery hopes to forge a fruitful partnership with Australian striker Stamatelopoulos, and wants to enjoy his football.
He said: 'I was really pleased [to set up the goal]. Since the start of the season me and him, I've said I'll try to put him in as much as I can so he can get the goals.
'He was in the right area and I managed to put it in, so I'm really pleased.
'It's the start of a new season, the injury [last year] is way behind me now. I managed to get a good run at the end of last season, but this is a new season and I just want to play my football and enjoy it.'
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