Don't rule out revival from Motherwell, warns Mixu

HIBS boss Mixu Paatelainen today refused to rule Motherwell out of the running for Europe, despite the Lanarkshire outfit having picked up just two points from their last five matches.

Dundee United's win over Motherwell has fired Craig Levein's side into pole position in the chase for a place in the UEFA Cup, but Paatelainen believes it still remains a three-horse race.

Motherwell's slump has seen the Steelmen fall from third to fifth place, trailing United by three points and Hibs by one with the Easter Road outfit due at Fir Park this weekend.

Mark McGhee's players, however, have two games in hand over their Euro rivals and Paatelainen expects a tough battle on Saturday as Motherwell fight to prevent themselves falling further off the pace.

He said: "Motherwell are still in there as well, we have got to remember that.

"They have been playing well this season, although they have maybe had a couple of results which didn't go their way recently.

"But they have done well under Mark McGhee and they always give us a difficult game.

"They lost to Dundee United at the weekend and that obviously set them back a bit but they have still got a couple of games in hand.

"I know they are against the Old Firm sides, but that doesn't mean that they are out of the chase for a place in the UEFA Cup. They are still well in there with a chance and we cannot afford to write anybody off right now."

Hibs, however, look like being without midfield stars Guillaume Beuzelin and Brian Kerr once again. The pair have resumed light training but a question still hangs over their fitness. Paatelainen said: "They are only doing a bit of running with the physio and are not yet taking part in the full session. Whether this weekend comes too early for them we'll have to see.

"They are experienced guys and it would be nice to have them available. But if not other players will hopefully take their chance."

McGhee himself believes Motherwell are far from out of the running.

He said: "It was a great result for Dundee United but we still have them to play at Fir Park and we think we are capable of beating them there, so that would cancel out what happened at the weekend.

"We also have two games in hand and Hibs to play again a couple of times."

McGhee admitted, though, that "something has to change" if his side are to regain third place, insisting his players had to show more urgency when defending and concentrate on not conceding possession in their own half. He added: "We believe we can make a change to our way of thinking and that we are still well in the hunt."

Hibs' under-19 match against St Mirren which was due to be played on Saturday morning will now take place at Newtongrange's New Victoria Park on Friday at 1pm.