MARTYN CORRIGAN suffered the horrors of administration at Motherwell and then within a year the club was saved from relegation only because Falkirk's ground wasn't up to scratch.

Players lost their jobs, so did other staff, there was an awful lot of bad blood and given how bad the results were over this period, dropping out of the top tier was a real possibility. Only Brockville's crumbling terraces, and a refusal to allow the Bairns play at Airdrie, kept them up after finishing rock bottom.

And yet these were some of the most enjoyable days of the former defender's life at Fir Park.

Why was this when so much apparent doom and gloom surrounded the club? It was because the players were only interested in the positives. The supporters would not allow them to feel sorry for themselves and out of this difficult situation emerged a different football club that boasted some fine, young players including James McFadden.

It's this Dunkirk spirit which Corrigan, now assistant manager at Stirling Albion, wants to see from Motherwell tonight and on Sunday as they fight it out with Rangers for their Premiership status.

The last thing he wants is for Ian Baraclough's squad to worry about what might happen when they can still go out and make things happen on the pitch.

Corrigan, who maintains cult status among Motherwell supporters, said: "There is a chance some players at Fir Park will be sold, people could lose their jobs and even wages go down, but as hard as it is, the players can't think about that. Not right now. They have to be positive going into this final.

"If Motherwell go into this game in a negative frame of mind then they are asking for trouble.

"Everyone will be aware of the consequences, however, that has to be put to one side and the only thing any Motherwell player should be thinking about is beating Rangers. I think they will. They are too good to drop a league.

"It was a difficult time for the club, however, in the strangest way it brought everyone together, the coaches, players and the supporters who really rallied around us. That got us through.

"It's a reason why I stayed so long at the club. I never wanted to leave to be honest with you. It's a brilliant football club with a great support."

Corrigan doesn't buy into the theory that Rangers are the favourites and there is little evidence to suggest either side should be awarded that tag.

Motherwell can boast a few old heads in their team and while experience isn't everything, it may well count for everything over the next three hours of the most intense and nervous football you could imagine.

Corrigan said: "I've been away from Motherwell for quite a few years now, but there are quite a few lads I played with who have gone back and this is one of the reasons I fancy them.

"Stevie Hammell, Stephen Pearson, Scott McDonald and Keith Lasley are all experienced guys, plus there are one or two others who won't be fazed, it's why I fancy them.

"Motherwell now have a bit of bite about them. They won't be pushed around. They are not called the Steelmen for nothing. It would be a real shame if after 30 years they were relegated, given everything the club has been through and the way it came out the other side.

"But it will be tough, really tough for both teams. One goal either way might do it."

One of those who has the 'been there, done it' t-shirt is Stephen McManus who as a Celtic player won, drew and lost plenty of times at Ibrox. None of these games could in any way be described as calm.

You get the impression Big Mick is lipping his lips in anticipation of what lies ahead.

McManus said: "As a player you want to play in the biggest atmospheres. You want to play in the biggest occasions. As you get older you appreciate it that little bit more because you don't know when your next chance will be.

"It's massive. There's no doubt that it's huge for both teams. I think this is probably going to be the biggest play-off game that there might be.

"Going to Ibrox is hard enough. You need to concentrate first of all in doing your job to the best of your ability before you try and help other people out. But players want to play in these types of occasions.

"If you don't want to play in these kind of games and look forward to them then it's maybe not the career path you should be looking to take."

Corrigan will be pleased to hear that this Motherwell man is not giving negativity a second thought.