MOTHERWELL midfielder Stephen Hughes insists the Steelmen can still repeat their feat of qualifying for Europe despite slipping to tenth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
Motherwell, who host in-form Hearts on Saturday, fell to third bottom after losing 2-0 to Aberdeen at the weekend.
While Well have picked up only one point from their last five games, Hearts have won every match. However, that helps prove to Hughe
s they too can launch themselves up the SPL table and aspire to finish third again.
Hughes said: "It was always going to be hard, every team has strengthened and got better. But it's not unrealistic.
"We are on a wee bit of a slump just now but a good win on Saturday, and we have Kilmarnock at home the week after, and we could start looking up the table.
"Six weeks ago we were third in the league and Hearts were down where we are just now. They have gone on a run of wins and are third. It just shows you that if you win a few games on the trot, you can shoot up the league."
Hughes battled a niggling hamstring problem at the start of the season, which kept him out of the Scotland squad for the friendly against Northern Ireland in August, but he is 100 per cent fit now and is fully focused on helping the team move up the SPL table.
"I'm feeling good just now, it's just a case of getting points on the board for the team," he said.
The 26-year-old will also not allow speculation over his future to hamper his bid to move Well up the table, ruling out a January move away from Fir Park.
"I think we'll wait to the end of the season," Hughes said.
"I'm not looking to do anything. First and foremost, I'm just looking to get back to winning ways with Motherwell. That's the only thing that's on my mind."
The full article contains 336 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
