MOTHERWELL v RANGERS
New Motherwell captain Carl McHugh has revealed he’s still using the same mind coach who helped turn around his career.
When the Fir Park skipper was at Bradford in 2014 he sought the help of sports psychologist John Muranka in a bid to get back into the Bantams’ side.
And ahead of the new Premiership campaign, McHugh admits he’s still in contact with him now.
The 24-year-old Irishman was one of Wel l ’s best players last term and has been rewarded with a new contract and the armband.
Stevie Robinson’s men face Rangers in Lanarkshire today. And McHugh says that when it c omes to creat i ng a positive menta l attitude the work of people l ike Muranka shouldn’t be underestimated.
He said: “I used a sports psychologist at Bradford and I still speak to him today.
“It’s part of the game that’s maybe under-played. People don’t tap into it enough.
“At that stage in my career I was young and in and out of Bradford team.
“I found it difficult to be out for a few weeks then back in. But Muranka really helped me kick on.
“Phi l Parkinson, our manager at the time, thought it would be good for me. Fair play to him, he was right. It really helped.
“There’s different things involved in it but it’s just about getting you into a di f ferent mindset for training and games.
“It’s about maximising what you get back out.”
McHugh is relishing the role of Steelmen captain having taken over from club legend Keith Lasley in the summer.
He hasn’t been a skipper since his boys’ club days in Donegal but believes he has the personality to pull it off.
And with the likes of Lasley, Stevie Hammell and Stephen McManus to lend a hand at Fir Park he’s got plenty of experienced pros around him. McHugh said: “I felt proud when the gaf fer told me I’d be captain.
“I don’t think It will change a ny t h i n g about my game. You won’t get anywhere by changing y ou r personality.
“I ’ l l just c ont i nu e being a positive person, trying to help the younger players in particular.
“But I have experienced boys to help. Keith has been very supportive and Stevie and Stephen have also been great.
“There will be times when I’ll encounter things that I haven’t before so to have that depth of experience to lean on will be invaluable.
“I haven’t been a captain since I was playing for Dungloe as a boy. It’s a bit different now.
“It ’ s something I’ve always wanted to do in my career but I didn’t think it would come at the age of 24.”