Motherwell manager Stuart McCall will be backing Celtic against Hibernian in the William Hill Scottish Cup final this month as he looks to extend his club’s close season.
The former Rangers midfielder was confirmed as Clydesdale Bank Premier League manager of the season on the back of the Fir Park side’s second-placed finish in the SPL, which has brought with it a Europa League place.
Which qualifying round McCall’s side will enter, and therefore which date they will return to pre-season, will be determined by Hibs’ result against the SPL champions at Hampden in a fortnight.
If Pat Fenlon’s side take the cup back to Leith for the first time in 111 years, they will enter the third qualifying round which starts on August 1.
If Hibs lose, they will enter the second qualifying round on July 18 and Motherwell will enter the third qualifying round.
“We have a rough idea when we will go back,” said McCall, ahead of the awards dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. Obviously when we go into Europe depends on the cup final result. If Celtic manage to beat Hibs, we will go in a bit later.
“So it’s possibly the first time I have ever been cheering Celtic on at a cup final but we are all looking forward to Europe.”
Acknowledging that keeper Darren Randolph is set to leave the FirPark club, with Birmingham favourites for his signature, McCall confirmed his interest in St Mirren number one Craig Samson.
“The boy Samson is on our radar but I will leave that to Gordon Marshall (goalkeeping coach), that is his specialist subject,” he said.
“We have played against Samson but Marsh knows him from his Kilmarnock days and he is one we are looking to talk to. But whoever comes in will have a challenge to get the number one shirt because we have a lot of faith in Lee Hollis.”
McCall described Motherwell’s second-place finish behind Celtic as “incredible” and praised his players for helping him to win his award.
He said: “It was documented at the beginning of the season that we had lost three or four players and Aberdeen, Hearts and Dundee United and other sides were tipped for second spot,” he said.
“We weren’t mentioned and rightly so. Top six was our aim and to finish second with a game to go and beating last season’s points tally, is a tribute to the players.
“It is down to the players and the staff. I have been very fortunate.”
There was also success for Dundee United, whose team led by Gordon Grady won the Community award. Also, St Johnstone came out top in the Family Champions category.