Never mind Pires – it’s Fir Park kids I’m worried about
STEPHEN McMANUS admits he’ll be feeling the heat in the Hydro – from his own Motherwell charges.
The Fir Park youth coach is digging out the boots alongside some of the biggest names in the game for the Star Sixes, which start in Glasgow tomorrow.
McManus is relishing the chance to go up against top names such as Robert Pires and Ronald de Boer.
But he doesn’t dare slip up with the Well hitkids watching on as he and former Steelmen reserves boss Stephen Craigan head into battle.
McManus retired in 2017 and the 36-year-old said: “It has only been 18 months since but it feels like a lifetime. I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s difficult just after Christmas but we’ll give it a good go. I’m under BY MICHAEL GANNON pressure, the young lads at Motherwell will be watching me closely. You never lose that competitive edge.
“The legs might not be able to quite do what they used to but you never lose that competitive spirit.
“When the whistle goes we’ll want to win. You can’t switch that off. It will be good to be up against Craggs but I doubt we’ll ever be at the same end of the pitch to challenge each other.
“I grew up with the Tennents’ Sixes and I loved them.
“We used to go along with the boys’ clubs but the youngsters these days haven’t seen something similar.
“It used to be great to see the big names doing something a bit different and I’m sure they will love this.”