Scott delighted to be screaming success
By BRIAN MARJORIBANKS
JAMES SCOTT knows to brace himself every time he upsets his manager. The young Motherwell attacker could set his watch by the volcanic eruption of temper that follows from Stephen Robinson if he does not make the right kind of run to get on the end of crosses into the box.
But the 19-year-old insists he could not be more delighted at seeing his Fir Park boss getting frustrated at him — because it means that Robinson rates him.
‘The manager said a few weeks ago I need to score the kind of goals that nobody remembers; the tap-ins at the back post,’ smiled Scott.
‘But when the ball comes over I just totally forget about getting across my man and the manager goes mental at me!
‘Are his rants extreme? Definitely. He’s always on my toes but I really like that. He just wants me to be the very best I can be.
‘He is always saying to me that the day he stops shouting at me is the day he stops believing in me. So I want him to keep screaming at me.
‘I’d love to be scoring more goals. I know every striker says it, but I’d love to be scoring every week.
‘I play on the right but I enjoy playing there. And if you look at James Forrest at Celtic it’s possible to play on the right and score a lot of goals. And if I add more goals the manager will be happy.’
Scott may not have got on the scoresheet at Rugby Park on Saturday but Robinson’s rants brought out the most well-rounded display of the forward’s season.
The 1-0 victory lifted the Steelmen above Aberdeen and into third place in the Premiership.
With a trip to face Ross County today followed up by a home Lanarkshire derby against Hamilton on December 29, there is every chance Motherwell will start 2020 as the best of the rest behind Celtic and Rangers.
‘The season is going great so far,’ said Scott. ‘Being third at this time of year is a great Christmas present. We have exceeded our expectations so far. We were pushing towards being a top-six side.
‘But we have been flying and hopefully we can keep that going and get six points from our next two matches.’
Motherwell have been hit with a setback with attacker Devante Cole being recalled to parent club Wigan after impressing in
Lanarkshire. Robinson has stated he is in the market for a new striker. While Scott believes it is up to him to show his boss he can fill the void, he is not scared of a little more competition for places in the squad. ‘Definitely, I’d like to show I can stay in the team,’ he said. ‘But it’s not a bad thing if another striker comes into the club in terms of competition for places.
‘That would mean I have to fight for my place — and competition brings out the best in players.
‘But it will be sad for Devante to go back to Wigan. He has been great for us.’
Whatever happens for the rest of the season, Scott has already played more than he thought he would.
‘In pre-season I was flying and back then my mentality was that I needed to be playing in the first team. So it’s massive that I am in the team and scoring goals,’ he added. ‘I think the difference is I am expected to perform now.
‘I am always thinking I need to have a good game.’