Thursday 23 November 2017 12:28, UK
Peter Hartley admits that Motherwell are a physical side - but refutes suggestions that the are a dirty one.
Motherwell are aiming to win the League Cup for just the second time in their history when they face Celtic in Sunday's final at Hampden Park.
After their 2-0 defeat of Rangers in the semi-final, the Ibrox camp were scathing of their robust approach to the game and Brendan Rodgers also weighed in, saying their playing style 'endangered players' lives and careers'.
But on-loan Hartley maintains there is nothing untoward about their game-plan and says a mood of quiet confidence is building around Fir Park ahead of this weekend's game.
He said: "If we take the physicality out of our game then we are not going to be the same team. If we play Celtic at their own game then they will beat us. We have to try and make Celtic play our game.
"In the semi-final (v Rangers) nobody gave us a chance. It was only little old Motherwell. We are always the underdogs. But we won and we are going there to win again. We are not going there just to make up the numbers.
"We are going to Hampden to lift the trophy. We have full belief in our manager to come up with a plan.
"We get a lot of criticism about being physical, but we are a good team. We are a team that plays football in the right areas. We do the basics well and when we get in the final third we create chances."
The 1950 League Cup winners last tasted success at the national stadium in 1991 with a Scottish Cup victory and Hartley says they go into the game in good heart.
Hartley added: "Without a doubt, there is a distinction between being a physical team and a dirty team. I wouldn't say we are a dirty team. Scottish football is very physical as well.
"If you look at our yellow card record in the league we are sixth so I wouldn't say we are dirty.
"To win and keep a clean sheet at Aberdeen last weekend has given us a massive boost. Hopefully, it will help us going forward into the final."
