JIM O'BRIEN has vowed to repay SPL Manager of the Month Mark McGhee for getting his career back on track - by helping Motherwell qualify for Europe again.

O'Brien is delighted McGhee's achievements in February have been recognised by league sponsors the Clydesdale Bank.

The Steelmen have won three games and drawn two - including one against champions Celtic - to move to the brink of the top six. And former Celtic starlet O'Brien has played a key role in that impressive run of form after finally overcoming a difficult start to his Fir Park career.

The winger, who is set to start once again in the massive SPL match against Dundee United tomorrow, believes he has his gaffer to thank. He said: "I have been doing a lot better recently personally and a lot of that is down to the manager. He has transformed me as a player.

"He knows how to get the best out of me, as he does with all the boys. I think there is more to come, too. I look forward to each game now.

"I have had first-team experience from going out to other clubs on loan, including Dundee United last season. But coming to Motherwell was a clean break.

"It was disappointing not to feature regularly, but I am enjoying it now and have the manager to thank for that."

Motherwell's revival, after a dreadful run had them slump to joint bottom spot, started with an incredible 4-0 win over United at Tannadice back in February.

However, O'Brien knows better than to expect a repeat against Craig Levein's men, who are also hoping to qualify for the Uefa Cup.

He said: "We played well that day, but everything went right for us, every shot we hit seemed to go in. In many respects, we got lucky. I know for a fact that United will be desperate to make amends for that defeat."

O'Brien will be putting up two of his old United team mates, Jon Daly and Danny Grainger, at his house after the game tomorrow.

However, he stressed that will not stop him from trying to put a dent in the visitors' hopes of qualifying for European competition. He said: "Danny joined the club at around the same time as me and we used to room together. I also spent a lot of time over at Jon's house when I was in Dundee. His wife is such a good cook.

"Our aim is to get back into Europe as well and my friendship with the two of them will not stop me from doing everything that I can to help Motherwell get the win.

"We were disappointed not to get a result against Hearts last week, but we played well again and are confident we can give United a game and get another three points." Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan has been granted a testimonial by the Fir Park club.

The Northern Ireland defender has spent over 12 seasons at Well since arriving in 1994, with a three year stint at Partick Thistle in between.

Craigan, 32, has turned out 260 times.