Matt Penney insists Motherwell have a point to prove when they clash with Celtic on Saturday, and says they’re looking for a win.
Penney knows the Scottish champions will be hurting from their 2-0 defeat at St Mirren a fortnight ago, but says he’s not exactly overjoyed after Hearts ran out 3-0 winners at Fir Park on the same day.
And the 24-year-old defender hopes Motherwell can inflict further pain on Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Motherwell dominated against Hearts, with 26 shots during the game, but lost 3-0 after conceding a first-half opener to Lawrence Shankland, while Alan Forrest helped himself to a second-half double.
Penney, who is on loan from Ipswich Town, said: “You say it’s a big game but we’ve just battered Hearts for 90 minutes.
“They’re supposed to be the third-best team in this league and we’ve battered them for 90 minutes.
“We lost 3-0 but Celtic have lost as well so there are lots of twists and turns.
“It’s still early in the league, there’s still lots of games to play, and it’s a tough fixture, but I’m confident we can go there and get a result.
“With the way we played against Hearts, if we can sort those details out there’s no reason why we can’t go to Celtic and put a performance on there, and put our foot down on the league.
“It will be a great game for the neutral, but with the boys in the changing room and the manager there’s no reason why we can’t go there and get a result.”
While the left-back believes the Steelmen go to Parkhead eager to bounce back from their disappointment, he knows the Parkhead side will be like a wounded animal after their pain in Paisley.
Penney added: “Losing makes them dangerous, they’re going to have a point to prove, but then so do we.
“We’ve just lost 3-0 at home, which is unacceptable.
“From a distance it doesn’t look great, but anybody who was at the game knows that we were the better team and deserved to win.
“We conceded three very poor goals, but we’ve created and had 26 shots – that’s enough to win three games, never mind one!
“Honestly, I think that’s the most frustrating game I’ve ever been involved in.
“But football’s about taking your chances and keeping the ball out the back of your net.”
Kick-off on Saturday is 3pm.
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