October 2002 Wednesday, October 16
1.40pm
Speaking in today’s local press, Terry Butcher dismissed reports Motherwell are set to sign Inverurie Locos striker Stuart McKay:
“We did have a scout taking in their game at the weekend, but we always have a number of scouts taking in plenty of games every weekend. To be honest, Ive never even heard of Stuart McKay before and well certainly not be signing him at the moment!”
Butcher also moved quickly to deny speculation linking him with the vacant manager’s position at Ipswich:
“Its obvious I will be linked because of my ties as a player, but I love my job at Motherwell and its a job Im just starting.”
Meanwhile it has been revealed that summer signing Khaled Kemas (remember him?) could feature in the next Under-21 game against Rangers at Fir Park on Monday night. Butcher added:
“Khaled joined in training last week and it was the first chance hed had to meet his new team-mates. Hes really enjoying being back in training and its a boost that hes finally able to run about pain free. Obviously, for me, its like having a new player and Ive set him a target of 20 goals before the end of the season! Seriously though, he gives us something different to what Lehmann, Ferguson and McFadden offers us and Im confident hell be a huge hit for us.”
Terry then looked ahead to the match at Ibrox on Saturday, and said:
“All the players are really looking forward to the game as its such a big one when you play Rangers at Ibrox. I want them to go out there and enjoy the atmosphere, but theyve got to realise theyre going to have to work hard to get anything from the game. However, well go and have a go at Rangers because we like to play attacking football and thats the way I want us to play. Rangers are the top team in Scotland just now, but we have already beaten Celtic already this season and they were top of the league, so we have proved we can do it.”
Terry admitted a repeat of last month’s shock victory over Celtic was unlikely:
“It was a tremendous result, but, to be honest, we cant really take anything from it because were not at home this time. The only thing Im hoping for is that we do ourselves justice and the players enjoy it the same way as they did against Celtic. At the moment, Rangers are the form team in Scotland, but well be focussing on their strengths and weaknesses later in the week. Ive been to Ibrox before with Dundee Utd and we managed to win, although its just your luck on what happens on the day.”
James McFadden will miss the match through suspension, although he will be available for the CIS Cup tie at Aberdeen the following midweek. Butcher added:
“Obviously, losing Jamie is a blow for us, but you expect to lose some of your key players through the season because of suspension. However, weve got people who can come in and replace him and its up to them to take that chance.
“The Aberdeen game is another one were looking forward to as we more than matched them at Fir Park and really should have won the game. Weve got a bit of a score to settle with Aberdeen because of that defeat and its certainly fired me up to get a bit of revenge, although I dont know about the players! Its a chance for us to make the quarter-finals, but were not looking beyond the Aberdeen game as its going to be an extremely difficult match for us.”
Stephen Pearson has recovered from his knee injury and is expected to be available for the Rangers game, while Scott Leitch could also make it after responding well to treatment on his leg.
James McFadden came on as a late substitute for Scotland in last night’s international match at Easter Road.
Time for a new opinion poll!
Should Steve Woods be replaced when the transfer window reopens?