Stephen McManus: Ibrox agony lasted all weekend after blunder against Rangers
Motherwell defender Stephen McManus has vowed to bounce back after his mistake saw his side crash out of the cup with a late defeat to Rangers.
The centre-back looked on in horror as his misplaced pass quickly went from the boot of Rangers midfielder Emerson Hyndman through to Kenny Miller who fired into the back of the net to put Rangers 2-1 up in the 89th minute.
McManus claimed the mental strength of footballers was often underestimated and he vowed to get the mistake out of his system when Motherwell face Rangers again on Ladbrokes Premiership duty at Fir Park on Saturday.
"I will make mistakes in the future, I have made mistakes in my career, everybody does, but it's how you react from it," he added. "It's life. You can sit in a dark room and watch it over and over and over and beat yourself up or you dust yourself down and go again. You just deal with it.
"The most important thing is you put yourself back in the training pitch on the Monday and back on the pitch on the Saturday and do the things you have always done."
Manager Mark McGhee was equally downbeat at Ibrox, comparing the feeling to losing promotion play-offs with Wolves and Millwall. And he admitted experience did not make it any easier to get over the disappointment.
"Not really but I am experienced enough to get over it," the 59-year-old said. "I know it's not the end of the world and I know there are other games but you just have to be honest in these situations and that was how I felt.
"I was very ambitious about the cup this year, I felt if we could get past that one and get the luck of the draw, then who knows?
"I have said this before, I don't feel our season has started, it has stalled with internationals, injuries etc. And I saw Saturday as an opportunity to kick on. So all those things went through my head, but I am over it."
Martyn Waghorn is ready to make an impact after regaining his place in the Rangers side in place of the injured Joe Garner.
"It's unfortunate that Joe is out injured but I've got to be ready for my chance. When I get it, hopefully I take it," he said. "I got the assist for Kenny 's goal against Motherwell and I felt I contributed to the game. Whatever minutes I get all I can do is try to have an impact.
"I think for any striker playing games is crucial. You need to get your rhythm.
"All professionals get frustrated like myself. It's one of those things I need to learn to deal with."
Source: PAR
