Mixu Paatelainen, the Hibernian manager, has dismissed Mark McGhee's claim that Motherwell deserve to finish third - insisting whoever claims the spot will do so on merit.

Earlier in the week, McGhee said his team have been superior to their SPL UEFA Cup rivals as they had "absolutely annihilated" Dundee United and Hibs, whom they lead by one point, in previous fixtures.

McGhee's comments have not gone down well at Easter Road. The two managers were involved in a touchline spat at the tail end of March and the stage is now set for an end-of-season decider between the clubs on May 22, although the race for the UEFA place could be decided this weekend.

Hibernian play at Celtic 24 hours after Motherwell, who have their game in hand against Rangers next Saturday, host Aberdeen.

McGhee claimed third place will be all but secured if his men beat Aberdeen, but Paatelainen was taking his comments with a pinch of salt. He said: "If Mark McGhee says that they deserve it, at the end of the day, that means nothing.

"Whoever qualifies for the UEFA Cup deserves it, it's as simple as that and I wish that club all the best. I hope it's us.

"I hear Mark McGhee's comments saying that if they win and we lose on Sunday that's it. As long as we don't lose we are still in the race going into the last game as long as Rangers beat them.

"Everything is possible.

We need to take a result from Celtic Park that is for sure. That's what we are going to concentrate on."

Paatelainen hopes, meanwhile, that his side can make Celtic supporters restless in tomorrow's game by frustrating their hosts.

The Finn knows any anxiety amongst the home support at Parkhead can transfer to the pitch and, if it does, he hopes his charges will be able to take full advantage.

After dragging themselves back into the title race, Celtic will be keen to make a decent start at home to a Hibs side also desperate for the points. However, Paatelainen is not naive enough to think keeping last season's champions quiet will be an easy task.

He said: "Of course we can take advantage if the crowd get edgy if the game goes our way. I am sure they will come out strongly and try and score early goals to settle the game and they will then try and control the tempo.

"Celtic have been winning recently so the title race is wide open now. We took a point off Rangers last week so, hopefully, we can upset Celtic this week. We look after our interests and try and accumulate as many points as possible to try and get into the UEFA Cup."

Paatelainen has pinpointed Scott McDonald in attack and midfielder Barry Robson as the main threat to Hibs' chances of leaving Glasgow with something to show for their efforts.

McDonald has netted an impressive 24 league goals in his maiden season for Celtic while Robson has been named Clydesdale Bank Player of the Month for April after enjoying a rich vein of form.

Paatelainen added: "We know we have to defend well because they have powerful strikers and Scott McDonald is in very good goalscoring form at the minute.

"They always put quality crosses in so it will be a very tough game. In midfield, Barry Robson adds a lot to the midfield and he has done tremendously well. I think that's one of the reasons they are winning. The midfield area as well is one we need to be on guard."

Meanwhile, Paatelainen confirmed the midfielder Craig Rocastle will join the club for a trial on Monday.

The Englishman, who failed to land a contract at St Mirren earlier this week, spent six months on loan at Easter Road from Chelsea in 2004 and is a free agent after being released by Port Vale.

Paatelainen said: "Craig will come next week and train with us and we will see how that goes. He did really well when he was here last time and it was a pity he left."