THIS WASN’T THE SAME FOLD STORY
Zak: Well have the Steel to survive
ZAK JULES is adamant Motherwell have shown their stomach for the survival fight.
The Steelmen slipped to their third straight defeat at Parkhead, but there were signs of resilience that were sadly missing from the 7-2 thrashing at Aberdeen.
And Jules believes the determination to battle will stand the squad in good stead for the challenges ahead.
Mark McGhee’s men are just points from the bottom of the table and three above Hamilton in the play-off spot, but the centre-back was encouraged by the display against Brendan Rodgers’s high flyers.
Jules said: “The team could have folded when we went 2-0 down, but the way we responded shows we have a good unit.
“Every game here is a fight. We are trying to get as many points as we can to get into the top six.
“We have the quality, we just need to show belief in ourselves.
“Football is all about pressure. If you can’t deal with pressure you’re never going to have a good career, never going to succeed.”
Jules was thrust into the contest after just five minutes when Stephen McManus suffered an injury.
He recovered from conceding a spot-kick to Moussa Dembele to grow into the game.
The 20-year-old Reading loanee said: “I was expecting to have a nice sit on the bench for 90 minutes. But in football you always have to be ready. Anything can happen.
“It wasn’t so good for Mick, but for me it was a positive to get practically 90 minutes under my belt.
“To do it in an arena like Celtic Park was unbelievable.
“I’m quite a relaxed character so I could deal with it.
“I got an opportunity and I don’t think it was a bad performance from myself or the team. Overall, it was a good reaction from the 7-2 defeat by Aberdeen. It was another loss but I think we can take a lot from it going forward.”
The spot-kick was a disappointment, but Jules had no complaints.
McGhee stated he attached no blame to the youngster and Jules was grateful for his boss’s understanding.
Jules said: “Dembele has been very clever and used his experience.
“He has seen me pull my leg back when going to clear and just put his body in the way at the last minute so I have taken him out.
“To be fair to the referee I think it was the right decision. It was harsh on me but something I’ll learn from.”
Jules reckons that’s why he’s at Fir Park – to learn.
He said: “It’s not as ruthless at Reading reserves.
“Anyone who has seen me play for Reading knows I like to drive into midfield and make things happen.
“I think I got further up the pitch than I expected today but it was all good.”
CRAIG SWAN