We can be shock troops
BY EWING GRAHAME CARL McHUGH knows Rangers’ weary stars arrived back in Glasgow from Russia early yesterday morning after their defeat by Spartak Moscow the night before.
But McHugh insists Motherwell are just concentrating on their own game in tomorrow’s clash at Ibrox – rather than looking to take advantage of any tiredness.
The Steelmen have eased their relegation worries after successive wins over bottom two Dundee and St Mirren.
And having already matched Steven Gerrard’s side in a 3-3 draw at Fir Park, they’re optimistic about causing an upset.
Well midfielder McHugh said: “They’ve had that big game in Moscow and the travelling involved but we’re really focusing on ourselves.
“We’re coming off the back of two good results and it has been a positive week. So we’re going to Ibrox full of confidence that we can get a result.
“Some might say this is a free hit for us but I don’t think so – there’s an expectation in our dressing room that we should go there and get a positive result.
“It has definitely been a relief to get those wins, though. We don’t feel that we have the points we’ve deserved over the course of the season but we put in two good performances to get those results.”
McHugh skippered the Steelmen to two cup finals last season then gave up the armband, saying the captaincy was affecting his performances.
He added: “I’m happier and I’ve been performing consistently better. It’s been a smooth transition and Peter Hartley has been brilliant with the arm band. He’s a great leader.”