Source: Team_Talk
McGovern: County can stun Celtic
Michael McGovern has issued a rallying call to his Ross County team-mates ahead of Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.[LNB] County have already toppled Scottish Premier League opponents in both cups this term, having knocked Hamilton out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and shocked Hibernian in their Scottish Cup quarter-final last month.[LNB]Now goalkeeper McGovern will get the chance to test himself against his former side at Hampden and he is relishing the opportunity.[LNB]He said: "We're going into the game as massive underdogs (but) on the day it's 11 versus 11 - shocks happen.[LNB]"We'll be hoping Celtic don't play to their full potential on the day and we play to ours."[LNB]Celtic have been disappointing by their own standards this season but McGovern thinks they have found another level since Neil Lennon replaced Tony Mowbray as manager.[LNB]"I think they've definitely got a lift since Neil Lennon's taken over," said McGovern.[LNB]"You can see in their last couple of victories they have been harder to beat.[LNB]"There is always a positive reaction when a new manager comes in.[LNB]"From our point of view, it makes it more difficult for us but, even if there hadn't been a change, it would be a tough game anyway."[LNB]McGovern knows all about Lennon's leadership qualities as the former Northern Ireland midfielder was captain for part of his time at Parkhead.[LNB]"If you did something wrong in training when I was there, he would be down on you like a ton of bricks," said McGovern.[LNB]"On the other side of the coin, if you did something well, he would be quick to praise you.[LNB]"Everybody talks about winners, and Lenny is one of them. He always strives for perfection.[LNB]"If you were in his team in training, you always had to be on your game.[LNB]"Celtic are a great team and Lenny has got them organised, so it's going to be a really hard game for us, nobody is giving us a chance.[LNB]"But we'll go out and give it our best shot."[LNB]McGovern has already picked up a couple of Scottish Cup winners' medals in 2004 and 2007, although he never made it onto the pitch for Celtic.[LNB]He said: "Obviously, it was nice getting the winners' medals because not a lot of people get them.[LNB]"I was proud to an extent, because I rose through the ranks and worked hard to get to the fringes of the first team.[LNB]"On the other side, I wasn't that proud because I never took part in the games and never contributed.[LNB]"From my point of view, the match on Saturday will be much bigger than the two cup finals I was involved in."[LNB]McGovern joined County last summer and has since been a regular member of a team which now sits fourth in the Irn-Bru First Division.[LNB]He said: "I've been delighted how it's gone here.[LNB]"I wanted to come here in the summer to get games and experience, and from that point of view it's worked.[LNB]"The team has also done very well and to get to the semi-final of the cup has exceeded expectations for me personally. I've really enjoyed my time here.[LNB]"It's obviously nice being at a big club but there is a stage when you need to play football.[LNB]"I could have stayed at Celtic. I was offered a new contract, but I thought it was best to move on.[LNB]"If I had stayed, I would still have been third choice. I needed to play games to progress.[LNB]"I'd rather play in the First Division than sit on the bench in the SPL.[LNB]"The only way you can go forward is to play games.[LNB]"I've played every week this season so I hope I can continue that until the end of the season."[LNB]