WE LOVE LIONEL
McGhee shoulders the blame for midweek loss and gives his support to distraught winger
MARK McGHEE has throw na protective arm around Lionel Ainsworth in a bid to lift his spirits ahead of today’ s fifth-round Scottish Cup clash with holders Inverness.
The distraught Motherwell winger burst into tears during post-match interviews on Tuesday night after admitting he was culpable for Partick Thistle’s stoppage-time winner in the Premiership encounter.
Now manager McGhee has told Ainsworth: ‘We love you’ and pledged to take responsibility himself forth elapse in concentration by the 86thminute substitute that allowed Steven Lawless to score.
The Fir Park boss said: ‘I take responsibility for putting Lionel on, trying to win the game.
‘We love Lionel, he’s a fantastic player. Maybe I should have put on a more defensive player and made sure we didn’t lose the game because we know Lionel can have these moments or lapses where he maybe switches off defensively.
‘The other night it cost us and the team were upset. He was upset, we were all upset. But it’s gone, there is no baggage with regards to that.
‘Lionel is an important player for us and maybe what I have to do is think more about the way I deploy Lionel and take away any risk he might pose in terms of those defensive situations.’
Backing the 28- year- old to bounce back from his latest disappointment, McGhee (below) added: ‘I think he will but we have to help him. The fact he has come out and taken some of the responsibility for it is fantastic and I think the other lads will appreciate that.
‘But we do love him, he has fantastic attributes. He has spent a lot of time sitting on the bench and I’ve got to find a way of getting the best out of him.’ Whether Ainsworth plays any part against a Caley Thistle team looking to defend their trophy remains to be seen.
The Steel men will present a formidable obstacle in Lanarkshire today, but full-back Carl Tremarco is targeting another Scottish Cup medal success after committing his future to Inverness.
The ex-Tranmere Rovers, Wrexham and Macclesfield Town defender agreed a new deal through to summer 2017 on the eve of this afternoon’s game.
Tremarco, who arrived at Caley Thistle in July 2013, joins Ross Draper, Gary Warren and Ryan Esson i n recently agreeing extended contracts. He makes up a group of seven players including Richie Foran, Greg Tansey and Josh Meekings to have so far signed beyond this summer.
The Liverpudlian, who was sent off in last May’s Hampden Park triumph, was thrilled to get his future clarified, adding: ‘I’ve been discussing my contract for a while and it’s good to get it sorted. ‘I am now able to concentrate on my football and plan f or t he
future.
‘We’ve got a Scottish Cup match this weekend and the first aim is to get through that and move closer to another final — that’s the big aim.’
Manager John Hughes was also delighted with the new deal.
‘Carl is a great player with a great attitude and it’s good to get him signed up for another year,’ he said. ‘There are other players who we’ve also made offers to and, hopefully, we can get some more sorted soon.’
Hughes knows there is a massive test of character for his players in handling the pressure of defending the trophy — but is challenging them to do exactly that.
‘Motherwell is always a very difficult venue to go to. Although they got beaten the other night, they’re on the up,’ he added.
‘But we want to try to do what we did last year. If you have aspirations to do that and you’re a winner, it all comes down to character. Being the Cup holders brings an expectation level you have to be able to handle.’