Adam Rooney
“It’s another tough game.
“We had a good run in both cups last year, making both cup finals, but unfortunately didn’t win.
“It’s something we look forward to as the last few years we’ve done well in the cups. It’s something we feel capable of winning with this squad. Motherwell is the next step and we must make sure we go there and it’s going to be difficult as it always is down there. Hopefully we can get through to the next round, but we know they are on a good run at the minute so we will need to up our game. We are confident we can get through.
“The League Cup final last year we never felt we did ourselves justice and after that we used it as motivation to get ourselves back (to Hampden) and give ourselves another chance. Obviously, the way to lose it in the last minute was disappointing, but it’s something we can use as motivation to go one better in both competitions. This is the first chance we have to do that and all the lads are desperate to try and get another day out at Hampden and get the fans back down there.
“There’s no easy games and I personally didn’t care who we got in this round. To win any cup competition you need to beat the best teams so regardless of who you play you need to turn up on the day and perform. Hopefully if we can do that we can get through to the next round, but playing Motherwell away is always difficult for us and we’ve had some great games down there in recent years.
“Obviously, Moult and Bowman have done really well so far. They cause a lot of problems and it’s something we’re aware of, but we have our own attacking threats so Motherwell will have paid attention to ours too.
“It’s not just the two strikers for them, they work well as a team and they are on a good run so they will be confident going into the game. We need to make sure we go there with the belief that we can get through to the next round.
“If we are going to get through to the Cup final we know we’re going to have to perform better that we have been in the last couple of games. There’s elements of the games that we’ve played well. It’s just moments of slackness that have gone against us and that’s given the other team momentum so we will work hard to ensure that doesn’t happen. It is still a new squad and there’s still guys gelling together and in spells the team is looking stronger in each game. We’ve shown glimpses of how good we can be and hopefully on Thursday we can produce the complete performance.
“It was disappointing to get injured in the second game of the season and I was out for five weeks. It’s been good to get back and get some games. I’m feeling fit and ready to go. Hopefully I can get some more goals and get myself back into the team.
“There’s competition for places, but I’m always confident of getting myself onto the pitch and scoring goals. I always work hard in training and games, but there’s always been competition here. People say there’s been more now, but there’s always been two or three strikers.
“As well as the forward positions, we have competition for places all over the pitch now. It’s a good squad and it’s something we will need throughout the season so you need to work hard to get yourself in the team.
“Our aim every year is to win a cup competition and be in with a chance of lifting some silverware. We made the final twice last year and we can use that as extra motivation to go one better this season.”
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