BIG GAME HUNTER TAIT BRINGS HIS KNOW-HOW TO FIR PARK
RICHARD TAIT believes his big-game experience can help the Motherwell new boys tackle the Old Firm and their Scottish top-flight challenges next season.
The defender, born and raised in Galashiels, has returned to Scotland to sign for the Fir Park club after leaving Grimsby Town.
Tait bowed out at Wembley where Grimsby secured a return to League Two via the National League play-offs, following a six-year absence.
He had already won the FA Trophy at the national stadium with Cambridge in 2014, part of a Wembley double completed by promotion victory.
But his toughest test in football was shackling Manchester United successfully for Cambridge in the FA Cup fourth round of 2015.
Louis van Gaal and his stars were taken to a replay after Tait and company kept the Abbey Stadium tie scoreless and booked a lucrative Old Trafford visit.
‘I think the experience of playing in big games will help next season,’ said the 26-year-old right-back.
‘Everyone wants to play against big opposition and try to rise to the occasion.
‘Holding Man United to a 0-0 in a massive game and taking them back to Old Trafford was a fair achievement. We got beat 3-0 but Premier League teams get hammered there.
‘Hopefully, that can stand me in good stead.
‘We had the belief we could get at least a draw in the home game. They were struggling a bit at the time and we actually thought we could beat them.
‘In the first game, I was up against (Adnan) Januzaj. In the second game, it felt like I was up against (Marouane) Fellaini, (Angel) di Maria and (Juan) Mata. They just seemed to be everywhere! It was horrible. In a nice way.
‘I’m looking forward to facing good opposition, Celtic and Rangers who attract big players and everyone wants to play against the best that they can. I’m confident in my ability that I can come up here and do a job.’
Tait signed a three-year contract for Mark McGhee’s side and is joined by centre-half Ben Heneghan, formerly of Chester, and 23-year-old ex-Leicester City striker Jacob Blyth.
‘It’s a big stage to play football — that is a good attraction in itself,’ said Tait.
‘The big two are back in the league together while Hearts and Aberdeen are massive clubs. I’m looking forward to experiencing it.
‘I didn’t really want to leave English football given I had just won promotion with Grimsby. But when I came up to see the place, I was almost ticking a box.
‘By the time I got back on the plane, I’d decided I wanted to come. The manager sold it to me. He was very convincing and I’m glad to be here now. I can’t wait to get started.’