Scott McDonald urges Motherwell to "stay calm" against Rangers

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald has talked up the importance of his side keeping their composure when they meet Rangers at Ibrox on Thursday night.

The two sides will face off in Glasgow for the first leg of their Scottish Premiership final, with Motherwell looking to avoid relegation from the top flight and Rangers bidding for a return to the big time.

McDonald is one of three former Celtic players in the Motherwell squad, and he is confident that his side can manage the occasion both at Ibrox on Thursday and in the return leg on Sunday afternoon.

"When the whistle blows, it's another pitch, another 90 minutes, you get on with it. You can say what you want about crowds having an influence but you have to keep a cool head and stay calm and do what you have to do. It will be no different on Thursday and Sunday," he told PA.

"I will be encouraging the younger boys to try to be positive and do the right things and not panic a bit. But we have got some good young players and I don't think that will be the case. It will be more of a case of relishing the challenge and getting to perform on the big stage.

"These games are as big as they come and probably as big as I have played in since I left Scotland. They are games everyone should look forward to. It's great to play on the big stage again. It could be a fantastic way to end a disappointing season. To end it on a high like this would be fantastic to take into next season."

Rangers have been out of the top division of Scottish football since being demoted to the bottom tier due to financial troubles in 2012.