MOTHERWELL assistant boss Scott Leitch says the Steelmen are ready to face a daunting domestic and European schedule which will see the Fir Park side competing on three fronts home and away.

First up for Well is Saturday's lunchtime visit of SPL champions Celtic followed by a midweek trip to French cracks Nancy in the Uefa Cup.

Then the Fir Park outfit travel to Ibrox to face Rangers on Sunday week before entertaining neighbours Hamilton in a Co-operative Cup clash back at Fir Park three days later.

And a bullish Leitch said: "We've shown we are a very good side. So it is about how we perform and how we take the challenge. We've got Celtic, Nancy, Rangers then Hamilton in the cup. So, for the next three weeks, the players will be really busy, but it's a fantastic opportunity for everyone at the club.

"We'll prepare for a big game against Celtic and then for the European game and then after that Rangers. But the Old Firm do that year in, year out and this is a great chance for our boys to show they can play weekends then midweek and that's the challenge for them.

"It shows how far the club has come. There's a buzz and you see the queue of fans buying tickets. Hopefully it's for the match on Saturday and they've not forgotten about that, as the players certainly haven't. The European games for the fans are massive, but the players are definitely focused on Celtic."

Despite Saturday's visit of the SPL champions, Leitch admits the prospect of crossing the channel to face Nancy next Thursday has been hard to shut out.

He said: "I watched Nancy against Le Havre in the French League and they are technically very gifted and play nice short passing. They're a big team so it'll be a difficult task as they can also play two different styles of slow football and then quicken it up and counter- attack.

"In the second half, when they were losing, they upped the tempo and won 2-1. So Nancy are a good side and we know that, but so are Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Dundee United, so we face a challenge every week."

Leitch added: "It's important for every Scottish fan that we keep our teams in Europe. Last season everyone was delighted for Aberdeen. You look forward to the European nights and the fans, players and management are all the same." Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen is confident a slight groin strain will not stop Derek Riordan making his second debut for the club against Dundee United after his move from Celtic. Hearts' defender Robbie Nielson could be back in action by December after under-going ankle surgery.