Liam Gordon says Motherwell’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Dundee United isn’t going to make or break their season – but they want trophy success.
The Steelmen welcome United to Fir Park on Friday night, looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen as the Dons continued their 100 per cent start to the Premiership season.
But Gordon says recent wins over St Johnstone, Hearts and Kilmarnock mean Motherwell go into the game with some confidence.
“It’s a massive game for the club, because we want to get through to the semi-final and go back to Hampden,” said former St Johnstone defender Gordon.
“In terms of things overall, it’s only one game and it’s not going to make or break our season.
“But for us, we want to be going for trophies at this club, so hopefully it is a huge game for us.
“There’s no better feeling for the players, fans and the club to go on a cup run, as it creates a right good feeling around the place.
“Winning on Friday against Dundee United would be a good step for us.
“It’s more a game we are expected to win than if we had drawn one of the Old Firm at home.
But Dundee United have had some good results and made a good start to their season, so it’s going to be really difficult.”
Gordon was denied a late leveller at Pittodrie by former St Johnstone team-mate Dimitar Mitov, who clawed away his top corner-bound shot in the 2-1 defeat.
“I thought I had rescued a point at the end, but obviously the big man got the last laugh on me,” mused Gordon.
“It was a very good save, but I thought I had done enough for us to take something back down the road.
“He’s obviously doing really well at Aberdeen, which I’m glad for, as he deserves it.
“He was a really big player for us at St Johnstone last season, and I always knew he would go on to bigger and better things.
“It looks as though he is doing that, and without question he is one of the best keepers in the league.”
Gordon hoped his shot would earn a point, but says Motherwell have nothing to worry about.
He said: “I thought that we were going to go on and get something out if it.
“But I’ve said to the boys that we’re only going to get better and stronger, as we have players coming back with serious quality.”
Boss Stuart Kettlewell reckons he’ll have his side back on track for the visit of Jim Goodwin’s United side.
He said: “We’ve got a cup quarter-final to look forward to at Fir Park on Friday night, under the lights, and well certainly pick ourselves up, because it has been a decent start to the season for us.
“Nobody feels discontent, nobody feels any kind of lack of confidence, at this point.
“We just build on what we’ve done so far this season – including moments on Saturday – and we look forward to that game on Friday night.”
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