TERRY BUTCHER believes the sense of unity around Motherwell has healed the wounds of their CIS Insurance Cup final defeat from Rangers and left them ready to face the Ibrox side again tomorrow.
Troubling memories of the 5-1 defeat at Hampden last month are bound to linger but the Fir Park club are now focused on maintaining their charge for a top-six place by upsetting the title contenders.
Butcher has admitted to being moved to tears by the support they received after the final and insisted that has helped restore belief through the two weeks without a game.
"It has been down to the supporters, who have helped the players and they have helped me, " said Butcher.
"There has been a unified effort.
"There is a trust and I think that's because of the players giving everything on the pitch.
The fans identify with people playing for the jersey, especially in this day and age, and they know our players aren't on a lot of money, "We have been up and down more than we'd like this season but the public love to see the effort and also some quality football. That's what we'll try and put together on Sunday.
"We've lost 4-1 at Ibrox already this season, so we know what a heavy defeat from the Old Firm is like, but [the other game] was a cup final which made it that much harder.
However, we've had two weeks and the players are bitching and scratching to get a game, which I like to see.
"The players just want to play. We would like to beat Rangers but that would be the case whether we'd lost 5-1 in the final or not.
"There is a need for points.
We thoroughly enjoyed the top six last season and want to do so again. We have another four cup finals before the split but, hopefully, the results will be better."
Butcher, no stranger to gritting his teeth when injuries struck as a player, became the latest figure to give his assessment of the Marvin Andrews debate ahead of his side's visit to Ibrox.
The Motherwell manager, who famously played on in a blood-soaked head bandage for England in a match against Sweden, hinted that it was not the most intelligent decision but stopped well short of criticising Andrews for doing the same.
"He [Andrews] is a great character, a fantastic guy and is an honest professional, " said Butcher. "If he feels that he can play on then that's his decision.
I don't know the extent of the injury but the problem is clearly there and the doctors don't lie.
"Some players, now and in the past, have played through the pain barrier and thrown themselves into the firing line.
That might be brave or just plain daft but you'd prefer a figure like that in your side rather than out.
"It is difficult for me to say what I would do but I will say he is a big figure that, definitely, Rangers would love to have for the run-in because he is that crucial to them."
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