Carl McHugh will make sure he is playing a supporting role if not handed the starting place he is striving for in Motherwell’s team.
The midfielder has been on the bench for the bulk of Motherwell’s five-match winning run in the Ladbrokes Premiership, although he came on to help them beat St Mirren last time out.
McHugh has had good company, including his successor as captain, Peter Hartley plus top goalscorer Danny Johnson, Scotland international Ross McCormack and the likes of Elliott Frear, who set up the winner in Paisley.
The Irishman said ahead of Sunday’s visit of Hearts: “Obviously every player wants to play but it’s part and parcel of being a footballer, you are not going to play every game.
“You just have to conduct yourself properly, keep training right and make sure you are physically and mentally ready when you get a chance. And be a support to the boys that are in the team as well, because they have always done that for me as well. That’s what I will continue to do.
“The team’s winning, that’s the main thing. Long may the run continue.”
Motherwell have put themselves in contention for a top-six place ahead of the visit of Craig Levein’s team.
“It’s a great challenge for the boys,” McHugh said. “Obviously it will be a tough game, they are getting a lot of their key players back from injury.
“They have beaten us every game this year but there’s not been much in the games. We probably feel we should have taken results out of a few of them so it should be a good game on Sunday.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old striker James Scott has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract.
The forward has made four first-team appearances and his contract had been due to expire in May.
“We have extremely high hopes for James and he is already knocking at the door for a first-team spot,” manager Stephen Robinson said told the club’s official website.
Motherwell are also in talks with Jake Hastie and Barry Maguire over new deals.
“We are continuing to have positive discussions with one or two other young players, and hope to have an announcement on that front soon,” Robinson said.
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