It's Not Make Or Break

Mar 9 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

MIXU PAATELAINEN insists Wednesday's massive Motherwell game will not make-or-break Hibs' hopes of making Europe.

But he says his side must deliver another unbeaten run like the one that earned him the Clydesdale Bank Manager of the Month Award for February if they are to salvage their push for a UEFA Cup place.

Third-placed Well head to Edinburgh looking to stretch their lead over the Hibees to eight points and still have a game in hand over the Leith men.

But Paatelainen will refuse to give up on their bid to catch Mark McGhee's high-flying side if the result doesn't go their way on Wednesday night.

He said: "It's a huge game. If we lose we could be looking at an 11-point gap but I wouldn't go as far as to call this one make or break.

"The run of four wins on the bounce and a draw in February was great. If we do that again it could be an unbelievable finish to the season.

"But we won't get carried away. You can lose the momentum just as quickly because we are facing quality sides every week."

The Easter Road men don't have room for more slip-ups if they are to snatch third but Mixu has already voiced interest in entering the Intertoto Cup in the summer should they fail to grab a UEFA Cup slot.

He said: "Our focus is to qualify for the UEFA Cup through league position and have a normal pre-season.

"If we have to go into the Intertoto you must do well because then July takes care of itself with European games coming along every week."