Wolves boss in Bully pledge
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has pledged to help new Stafford Rangers manager Steve Bull any way he can after lending him highly-rated teenage striker Liam Hughes.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has pledged to help new Stafford Rangers manager Steve Bull any way he can after lending him highly-rated teenage striker Liam Hughes.
The 18-year-old Wolves Academy graduate Hughes is Bull's first signing as he moved to solve an injury crisis among his strikers.
Hughes – who had a spell on loan at Bury earlier in the season – was the top scorer in the Academy last season and has featured regularly in the reserves.
McCarthy is backing Hughes to pick up a few tips on goalscoring from the Molineux legend during his month's loan.
"I sent Bully a text to wish him all the best in his new job," McCarthy said.
"He said he might give me a call for some help and advice and I offered to help him any way I can.
"We've sent young Liam out to get some experience and if he can't learn something from one of the best scorers there was then there's something seriously wrong."
Hughes goes straight into the squad to face Farsley for Bull's first official game since taking over.
Rangers are expecting their biggest crowd of the season as tickets have been selling fast for what has become a high-profile game under the glare of the media.
They will include former Villa and England star turned TV pundit Stan Collymore, who resurrected his career at Rangers.
Bull is well aware of the effect the razzamatazz could have on a Rangers team fighting for their lives in the Blue Square Premier.
The 42-year-old Wolves legend said: "There's going to be a lot of coverage, but I'm going to take the pressure off the players by being in the limelight.
"All I want them to do is go out and play and fight for everything.""
After a four match unbeaten run, hopes are rising that Bull can pull off a great escape and keep Rangers in the Blue Square Premier.
However, three of the clubs four goalgetters, Nathan Smith, Marco Adaggio and Del Olaoye are all doubts.
"It's no use moaning that we haven't got this or that, we'll have to compensate with what we've got and there are some good utility players here," said Bull.
"It was absolutely brilliant the way they came back at Histon - one of the best comeback games I have seen.
"They need to show the same determination and passion against Farsley, and keep it going for the next 15 games. We've got Liam initially for a month and we'll see how it goes after that."
Rangers (from): Alcock, Allen, Gibson, Ingram, Sangare, Daniel, Sutton, Street, Draper, Jarrett, Hopkinson, Shaw, Flynn, Arnolin, Adaggio, Grayson, Olaoye, Meakin-Richards, Reid, Hughes.
