ACTING Head Coach Mike Rush says the players are fully focussed on Sunday’s match with Leeds Rhinos despite the stress of the last few days.
The 36-year-old took over from Royce Simmons on Monday morning and is looking forward to the challenge.
“Of course I want to succeed at this challenge,” he said. “I am a St Helens lad and I never want to see this club not at the forefront of the game, whether that is in developing players or winning trophies. We as a club want to achieve that and I will do everything I can to make that happen.
“Eamonn asked us – myself and Keiron – to step in and do what he thinks is right for the Club at this given moment in time. This is a big club with big expectations and perhaps the players have been feeling that. We want to take a little bit of that away from them and bring a smile back into training. But the players know they have to aim up as well.”
Rush says Saints will leave it as late as possible in the week before deciding on the availability of James Roby, Jonny Lomax, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Ade Gardner and Sia Soliola.
“At present we’ve had the lads together for a couple of hours and will sit down with the physios today (Wednesday) to find out who will be available,” he continued. “Sia has nothing broken which is good but we have a long way to go before Sunday’s game.
“It is a tough start for me and Keiron (Cunningham) but it’s a challenge. We want to turn our season around as a collective. You wouldn’t be in sport if you didn’t like challenges and the thrill of it or trying to beat a competitor.”
Tickets for the game which kicks off at 6.35pm on Sunday are still on sale in the unallocated areas of the North and South Stands. You can buy via the Ticket Office at Langtree Park, by calling 01744 455 052 or by clicking here.
