Motherwell not favourites away to Rangers, says Stuart McCall

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall addresses the media

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall does not see his side as favourites for the Scottish Communities League Cup tie against Rangers in Glasgow.

The Fir Park men are top of the Scottish Premier League, while Rangers sit second in the Third Division.

"With the record we've got at Ibrox, it's hard to see us going into the game classified as favourites," said McCall.

"It's the toughest draw we could have got, but it's got the makings of a really good game."

Rangers dropped down to Scotland's fourth tier following a summer financial meltdown and have yet to win away from home against any of the three part-time outfits they have faced in league action since.

But, while they were also knocked out of the Ramsdens Cup at Ibrox last week by Second Division leaders Queen of the South after a penalty shoot-out, Ally McCoist's side have scored 14 goals in three convincing home league victories.

Motherwell's Tom Hateley tackles Rangers' Lee Wallace during May's 0-0 draw

"It's probably an even game and a hard one to call, if I am honest," suggested McCall.

"If we can produce what we did up at Aberdeen on Sunday in an attacking form then I'll be really pleased.

"Rangers have gone through really tough times, but they have still managed to bring in good quality players and they will certainly be a real test for us."

The Ibrox side have had the 16th highest attendances in Europe this season - with an average of 46,738 - entertaining more fans than Scottish champions Celtic.

"We've got a young back line, if you take Stevie Hammell out of it, and I also think that, with the crowd that they'll have behind them, it will act like a twelfth man," said former Rangers midfielder McCall.

"I think it balances it up. We are playing quite well away from home and I think it's got the makings of a really good game.

"The crowd will be right behind them and we have to try to quieten them as quickly as we possibly can."

Motherwell are unbeaten domestically in seven games this season, including four on their travels from Fir Park, but have not won at Ibrox since May 1997.

However, they closed their last campaign with a 0-0 draw at the home of the side who finished a place ahead of 'Well in second.

"We were the last SPL team to play there and we got a good 0-0 at the end of last season," added McCall.

"I remember sitting in the dressing-room afterwards and saying to the lads that we need to take that into next season at Ibrox, obviously not knowing at the time the troubles that were going to affect them."