RoseknowstheHampdennow
Return to National Stadium for final is goal for Well star
HAMPDEN was virtually empty last Saturday as Motherwell took care of Queen’s Park but Andy Rose was entranced by the sheer history of the place.
Now the midfielder wants to return to the National Stadium in front of a packed house on November 26 in the Betfred Cup Final.
Motherwell have not reached such a stage in the League Cup for 12 years but Rose, who is one of nine new signings at Fir Park, believes there is something special brewing at Fir Park.
The 27-year-old, who has arrived from Coventry City, knows they can take a major step to qualifying from their group by beating Morton today and then he is hoping for a favourable draw that could take Well all the way to Hampden.
He said: “To be inside such a great stadium and on such a great pitch last weekend was a fantastic experience.
“The stadium was pretty empty though so it would be nice to return there and experience Hampden with a real atmosphere. A cup run is massively important to the club and we are all taking it seriously. It was great to get off to a winning start last week at Hampden and especially scoring fivee goals.
“The guys are excitedxcited to have matches that count so soon in the campaign. n.
“We want to keep that momentum going and it would take a bit of pressure off if we beat Morton.”
Rose, born in Australralia to English parents, is only starting his seccond season in Britishh football having completed a scholarship in the United States and played for Seattle Sounders in Ma- jor League Soccer. He believes the Fir Park squad is the tightest he has ever been a part of and that will bode well for the campaign ahead having diced with relegationrele last season. Rose said: “The club had a tough end to the season but they sta stayed up and the gu guys are proud of what they accomplished late in the campaign. “The new guys are hungry since they have come in and we have all come together in a good way. The manager has brought in a lot of competition for places and that is a good thing.
“I have been impressed by the way we have come together in such a short space of time.
“There are a few new faces and it has been good to bond with the others so soon.
“Playing with Gael Bigirimana at Coventry last season has helped me settle in at Motherwell as it always helps to have a friendly face around.”
Manager Stephen Robinson insists there has been no development in the Louis Moult situation after the Steelmen rejected a £350,000 bid from Aberdeen two weeks ago. And he insists Moult is completely focused on Motherwell – along with Ben Heneghan and Chris Cadden who have also been linked with moves.
Robinson said: “I’m not resigned to losing Louis. We have had no other bids or contact since the initial stuff a couple of weeks ago.
“I understand how players can get their head turned but Ben Heneghan, Chris Cadden or Moulty have not been fazed by any of the interest.
“Louis is a big part of the club but if someone comes in with money we can’t turn down then we will accept that. But Louis is not knocking on my door demanding to leave.”