Jordan Archer knows he’ll likely be busy today – and keeping former Tottenham teammate Jermain Defoe at bay will be key for Motherwell.
The Steelmen face Rangers at Ibrox this afternoon as a huge task awaits Stephen Robinson’s side. Archer has made his way into Motherwell’s starting XI of late, the former Tottenham goalkeeper signing on a short-term deal at Fir Park until January earlier this term.
The former Tottenham kid is a Steelman. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
While at White Hart Lane, Archer trained with veteran Defoe, the deadly English striker now plying his trade with Archer’s weekend opponents. He’s looking forward to meeting his former Tottenham colleague.
“When I was younger at Spurs I had good times with Jermain,” the 27-year-old said. “He was always great to the young lads, always took time out to come and speak to us. I’ve got a good relationship with him.
“I haven’t seen him for a couple of years now so it will be good to see him but I will leave that to after the game because my focus is on the actual game itself.
“I was in goal for quite a lot of his shooting practice because I was one of the younger lads at the time. He’s a great finisher, you can just look at his record and the amount of goals he has scored.
Jordan Archer at Tottenham Hotspur. (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
“That was years back and now I’m on the opposite side to him. I have never played against him in an actual match, just in training. But I am not just going to focus on him, there’s a number of other players Rangers have that possess that sort of quality.”
With his contract up at Fir Park next month, Archer has his future in Lanarkshire to sort out soon. But for now, he is focusing on the task at hand this weekend.
“Any team in football can be beaten,” said Archer. “Ultimately, on the day, it’s 22 people on the pitch. If we stick to our gameplan we give ourselves a good opportunity to get three points.
Backing the Well to do the business. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
“That’s my job, whether it’s four or five saves or one. It’s up to the boys in front of me to keep the ball away from me, but when I’m called upon hopefully I’m there to make some saves.
“We’ve not been focusing on other teams, it’s about what we can do. To me, it’s just another game of football and we’ll go out there and play our usual stuff and hopefully that’s enough to get three points.
“Personally it’s good to be back out on the pitch and I think we have been quite unfortunate in a couple of games. I haven’t thought too much about my future, I’ve got my opportunity, now I’m trying to find my feet again.”