McGhee: We Have To Earn Our Win

Jan 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

Motherwell V Hearts Tues, Kick-Off 7.45pm

MARK McGHEE has warned his players the sentiment shown to Motherwell is over and other clubs' fans couldn't care less if the Steel men clinch Scottish Cup glory.

The Fir Park boss has heard talk of his side's name being written on the cup after the death of club captain Phil O'Donnell.

But McGhee is blanking that out and has told his players they will have to earn the right to lift the famous trophy.

He also warned they will have to beat one of the Old Firm, a feat they haven't managed so far this season, if they are to go all the way.

Well face Hearts in Wednesday's fourth-round replay - their first home game since O'Donnell died-after fighting back from two down at Tynecastle.

McGhee said: "People have said to me they think there's a lot of goodwill and fans would love to see Motherwell win the Scottish Cup. But the only people who really want us to do it are Motherwell supporters and that's fine.

"In the first game at Tynecastle there was a huge amount of goodwill from all supporters that Motherwell shouldn't lose. But that was then.

"We appreciated that sentiment on the day but it's finished and now nobody else will care.

"We have to beat Hearts first - do you think their 11 players will stand aside just because people say our name is written on the cup?

"And neither would Dundee if we got to the next round.

"Our players have to earn it and I think particularly they must face the prospect of having to beat one of the Old Firm.

"We haven't defeated Celtic or Rangers yet and to win the Scottish Cup you're going to have to knock out either or both.

"The likelihood is one of them will win so we're a long way from lifting the cup and talk of that is premature."

McGhee doesn't believe running out at Fir Park for the first time since O'Donnell's death will have any effect on his players.

And he doesn't even reckon the tragic events of December 29 were on their minds at Tynecastle although he admits they lacked fitness due to the lay-off.

McGhee said: "I didn't see anything that suggested there was a reaction in the first game.

"When we went to Tynecastle in the league it wasn't dissimilar. We made a reasonable start but they looked more dangerous.

"I think the week without training affected us more which meant we tried to work them really hard last week.

"They eventually got up to speed but I think it would have been the physical rather than psychological damage. The first game after Phil's death was the big thing whether it was at home or away.

"There was a bit made of the fact it wasn't at Fir Park and how that might have been a good thing. I don't know if it was or not but I don't feel there will be any hangover now."

McGhee is desperate for Well to score first in midweek after losing the opening goal in the last two games against Jambos.

He said: "Hearts beat us at Fir Park and led 1-0 in the other two games at Tynecastle although we came back to win one and draw the other.

"But we can't keep allowing them a lead and expect to peg them back.

We have to score first this time.

"We don't pay Hearts too much attention. The way they play fits our system fairly well so there's not a great deal of change needed. We give all our opponents the same respect."