Craigan Vows To Finish Off The

Posted at 13:10, 2010-Aug-12

Byline: BRIAN MARJORIBANKS

MOTHERWELL buy bulova watches skipper Steven Craigan last night warned Icelandic Europa League opponents Breidablik that the Fir Park side are ready to finish the job when they travel to Reykjavik next week.

Craig Brown's team managed just a 1-0 home success on Thursday, but Craigan believes his side will be fitter and better for the return leg in Iceland to set up a third-round qualifying tie against Norwegian side Aalesund.

'At times against Breidablik you could see we were slightly off the pace,' said Craigan. 'The manager said beforehand that they would have an advantage because they were in the middle of their season and I think that was the case.

'We were still trying to find our shape and organisation but by next week we will have another four or five days training and we will probably be in better physical condition.

'When you get tired, the mind goes a little bit and you start to slacken off and drop runners, but we should hopefully be in a better shape by next week.' Motherwell celebrated the return of European football to Fir Park -- after playing last season's Continental ties at Airdrie -- by keeping a clean sheet fake chanel and Craigan hopes that will prove decisive in the tie.

He said: 'The manager stressed beforehand that it was vital that we kept a clean sheet. A few years ago, we played Nancy and after 20 minutes they had scored an away goal.

'It was kind of awkward this time, leading 1-0 with 10 minutes to go. It becomes like a game of chess and you are wondering whether to go for another goal or sit in. But it was nice to get a clean sheet.

'With the chances we had in the first half we could maybe have put ourselves in a better position but, given we've only been back in training for two and a half weeks, to win 1-0 at home gives us something to build on.

'We will be expecting Breidablik to come out a little bit more in their home game and that might create more space for us.

'I wouldn't say we were favourites by any means but we have now got a bit of an advantage.

'If we were 14 games into our season like they are, then I'd say we would be favourites, but it's not quite as easy as that.'

Craigan joked that it was a bit surreal to be playing on a pristine Fir Park pitch, which has been beautifully re-laid after the myriad problems it has suffered over the past few seasons.

'The pitch was so nice that we were a wee bit lost at the start, to be honest. But I'm sure it will deteriorate quickly,' he added.

HODGSON'S CHOICE

LIVERPOOL will take a step into the unknown after being paired with Macedonian side Rabotnicki or Mika of Armenia in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Roy Hodgson's first competitive match in charge of the club will be at Anfield on July 29, with the return leg taking place on August 5. Meanwhile, Hodgson yesterday reiterated that Alexander McQueen Liverpool have no intention of selling either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres.

CAPTION(S):

Cool head: Craigan is confident of making progress

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