McGhee: We'll try to kick their teeth in!

Oct 1 2008 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

McGHEE: WE’LL TRY TO KICK THEIR TEETH IN!

MARK McGhee believes his threadbare squad have the potential to upset French giants Nancy and grasp a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The Fir Parkers, who must overcome a slender 1-0 deficit tomorrow night against the French Ligue One outfit to reach the group stages of the UEFA Cup, have been boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Stephen Hughes and club captain Stephen Craigan after the pair missed Saturday’s morale-boosting victory over St Mirren.

And the rapid rise of teenage sensation Jamie Murphy will be completed on Thursday when the midfielder makes his first European start having become a vital part of Motherwell’s attacking weaponry in recent weeks.

Despite the massive financial gulf between the two teams, McGhee feels his side are capable of causing an upset and kick-starting what has been a relatively difficult start to the season.

He said: “Nancy received around £26million in TV revenue last year as a result of their performances and in that respect we can’t live with them but that does not mean I don’t believe we can beat them.

“It was disappointing I wasn’t able to add more to the squad in the summer and cope with Europe.

“Financially everything seemed to be out of reach. The 12 or 13 guys we have here are good enough but to replace them with someone that’s going to raise the standard is beyond our means.

“But we have a chance and it would be fantastic for everyone involved at this football club if we were to get through this match.”

Motherwell had Graeme Smith to thank for keeping the tie alive going into the second leg at Fir Park.

The stopper made three world-class saves in the second half of the first match including a superb penalty stop from an Issiar Dia strike that means the Lanarkshire club stand a very good chance of progressing in the UEFA Cup after a 13-year break from European competition.

And McGhee feels that his side can improve on their performance in Europe and shock the French side that lost 2-1 away to Lyon in the league on Sunday saying: “Nancy wouldn’t have been impressed with us after the first game so I expect them to look for an early goal and maybe risk more than they should.”

The former Wolves manager has stoked the fire ahead of the game by claiming their French opponents showed his club a lack of respect in the first leg.

He said: “When we travelled to Nancy a fortnight ago I anticipated making new contacts there, contacts that would add to my long list of associates.

“I thought I would be able to call upon them when necessary for help and for information about players, teams, maybe training facilities, hotels or anything.

“What I found instead was a wall of indifference and no interest from their side to have any contact with us. I guess this meant Motherwell had nothing to offer them.

“When Nancy are here on Thursday we will show them respect – then we will try to kick their teeth in.”

Meanwhile Robert Malcolm believes Saturday’s win against St Mirren has given his teammates vital confidence ahead of tomorrow’s match.

And the midfielder who scored the winning goal on Saturday feels they can overcome the first leg deficit saying: “There is definitely a confidence that we can turn it round after the 1-0 defeat. I don’t think there is a great deal to fear from Nancy.

“We’ll just play our own game and not get too carried away by the supporters because if it means we have to take it to the last ten minutes to get a result we will.”