Paatelainen dismisses Well claims

Paatelainen laughed off claims Motherwell deserved third spot

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen has dismissed Mark McGhee's claims that his Motherwell side deserve to finish third in the SPL this season.

McGhee had said his Fir Park side "absolutely annihilated" Hibs and Dundee United in previous meetings.

But Paatelainen said: "If Mark says Motherwell deserve it, at the end of the day, that means nothing.

"Whoever qualifies for the Uefa Cup this season deserves it. It's as simple as that."

Hibs and Motherwell are vying for third place and the opportunity to play European football next season.

"I heard Mark McGhee's comments saying that, if they win against Aberdeen and we lose on Sunday, that's it," said Paatelainen.

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"As long as we don't lose, we are still in the race going into the last game as long as Rangers beat them."

Hibs face Celtic on Sunday and Paatelainen said his side were determined to finish the season with a flourish.

"Everything is possible. We need to take a result from Celtic Park and I'm confident we'll create openings," he said.

"That's what we are going to concentrate on. If it goes to the last game, whoever wins that games qualifies."