Wishaw’s trio deal
Griffiths aims to wreck rivals’survival hopes and push Steelmen to safety
Russell Griffiths was handed his first start for the Steelmen on Saturday — now he wants the chance to keep Motherwell in the Premiership.
The goalkeeper, on loan from Everton, replaced Craig Samson between the sticks and the 21-year-old is targeting derby day success.
Griffiths, who has played for England’s under-21 side, knows the importance of Saturday’s Lanarkshire derby, with both sides needing a victory move away from the relegation zone.
After a disappointing 1-0 debut loss to Ross County, the Englishman is now looking for an improved performance.
He said: “I was really happy to start but the result was disappointing and I thought we deserved at least a draw.
“It was really disappointing because of the manner we lost in but I think we’ve got enough in the dressing room to help us pull through and stay in this league — which we fully deserve to.
“When I came up I knew I wasn’t going to be coming up here to be number one but I’ve been working hard in training and I’m just happy I got the start.
“Sammy (Craig Samson) is brilliant, he works me hard in training and we’ve got a good relationship and on Saturday he was brilliant with me before the game.
“The derby is huge and, if I get the nod again, it will be good for me to play in one.
“The game on Saturday is massive and we need to come away with the three points.
“The derby is always huge but because of the stage of the season we’re at it’s going to be an even bigger game but we have to come out with the three points.
“We have enough quality to keep us up but everyone has to be positive.
“We’re going to focus all week on Saturday and if we get three points on that stands us in good stead to stay up.”