The amber gambler's integrity is Well intact

May 4 2008 Scott Mcdermott

FIRST glance at the Motherwell teamsheet and you just wondered.

Had Mark McGhee lost his marbles and inadvertently started yet another Old Firm conspiracy theory?

Or pulled off a tactical masterstroke that just might outfox his old mate Gordon Strachan and all but cement the Steelmen's UEFA Cup spot?

Player of the Year candidate Ross McCormack dropped to the bench. Influential playmakers Stephen Hughes and Simon Lappin - both outstanding since January - bulleted.

And ever-reliable keeper Graeme Smith discarded for nothing more than losing a bread and butter goal against Dundee United last week.

At first it beggared belief. But after the season he has had we should know McGhee better.

By noon yesterday every Rangers fan in the country was adamant the Well bosswas trying to do Strachan and Celtic a massive favour in the title race.

After all, just as the Hoops arrived in town he'd suddenly binned four of his best players for two Scotland Under-21 squad boys, a journeyman and an unknown English goalie who was making his debut.

But my God, how much did Darren Smith, Marc Fitzpatrick, Keith Lasley and Luke Daniels justify their gaffer's faith.

This game meant everything to both sides. Celtic aiming to put monumental pressure on their Glasgow rivals in the championship run-in and Well desperate to take anything that might seal the SPL's third place.

McGhee took a massive gamble but it so nearly paid off.

Despite Georgios Samaras' contentious 78th-minute winner no one - not even the staunchest Ger - could argue with that.

Sure they can disagree with some of ref Steve Conroy's decisions.

But in terms of Well's effort and commitment or McGhee's team selection? Forget it.

Just 20 days ago the Fir Park boss watched his team dismantled by the champions on the same ground, bullied into a 4-1 submission.

That wasn't the case yesterday. Dare I say it, McGhee adopted a more Rangers-like approach.

Out went the subtlety of Hughes and Lappin plus the talismanic ability of McCormack.

In came the tireless energy of Smith and the steel of Lasley and Fitzpatrick.

It almost worked a treat. They hounded Celtic from the off, snapping into tackles and letting the main men like Scott McDonald and Aiden McGeady know they were in a game.

But for a lack of concentration immediately after they had opened the scoring and a dubious corner-kick award Well might have taken at least a point.

As for Celtic, they proved yet again they simply refuse to let the SPL trophy slip from their grasp without a fight.

Because when Motherwell growled and snarled they didn't lie down. Instead they bit back like true winners.

Their reaction to going a goal down was terrific and you have to say it's difficult to see the defending champions dropping anything in their last two games.

Back-to-back Old Firm wins have got their tails up - Celtic still believe it's their title. Their fans do too.

But if Strachan's men make it three in a row it certainly won't be due to the opposition giving them an easy ride.

McGhee and Motherwell proved that yesterday so let's forget the conspiracies, sit back and enjoy a league climax that could match the drama of 2003 and 2005.

What's that buzz phrase at the moment - sporting integrity? Despite what anyone says Scottish football has plenty of it.