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Sport
Andy McGilvray

Motherwell star Bevis Mugabi says being adaptable is the key to his success

Bevis Mugabi says the secret of his success at Motherwell is being able to adapt to wherever boss Graham Alexander needs him.

The 26-year-old has been deployed at centre-back and right-back this term, and Alexander even threw him up front against St Mirren in a bold move during the 1-1 draw in Paisley on February 1. In typical fashion, Mugabi nearly scored with a ferocious volley.

Mugabi says that's just modern football now, though and says he will be happy to slot in to any position, as long as he's in the team.

He said: "Playing right-back has been good. Sometimes it's a bit different if I'm changing from centre-back to right-back, but I feel like I've shown that I can do both jobs pretty well.

"I feel like in this day and age you need to be able to play in more than one position to have a chance of playing on a Saturday, so I feel like I've given myself the best opportunity.

"People say they love it when I open up the legs and bomb it down the line, that it's a bit of a sight to see!

"I'm enjoying it. It's a big shift compared to centre-back, going up and down, but I've got it in my locker to do that - and play striker!

"The gaffer threw me up top in the last 10 minutes against St Mirren to give them a different type of problem, and I nearly scored!

Mugabi has enjoyed life at Motherwell since arriving in 2019 from Yeovil Town (SNS Group)

"As long as I'm playing or selected in the side I'll try my best."

Mugabi says how the fans have received him played a major part in his decision to sign a contract extension that keeps him at Fir Park until 2024 - but so did the faith that Alexander has put in him.

The former Southampton kid agreed a six-month deal when he first arrived at Motherwell from Yeovil Town in 2019, and has flourished from there.

Speaking ahead of today's Premiership visit to Rangers, Mugabi said: "It was nice to get it signed and sealed, and everything sorted out. It has been brewing for a couple of months, to be fair, so I'm happy to get it done and I can be focused on the rest of the season.

"This is my third season, and I'm here for another two seasons. I only joined on a six-month deal when I first came up here, so to have signed my fourth contract now is good, and I obviously feel very comfortable here.

"I've developed as a player in that time, for sure. Everybody can see that, especially this season with the way I've performed.

Mugabi says the belief placed in him by boss Graham Alexander played a big part in his decision to sign an extension (SNS Group)

"That's just with my hard work, working with the previous gaffer and this gaffer. I feel like I've learned a lot and this is the right place for me to develop even further.

"As soon as I joined a couple of season ago the fans welcomed me straight away, so it's a nice feeling.

"On Saturday against Aberdeen, when we were 1-0 down, they were pushing us on to get the equalising goal, and from my point of view, I could have done better for the goal.

"I could have caved in, gone into my shell, but they kept pushing me on to keep working hard during the game.

"The manager's belief in me played a big part in my decision.

"As soon as he came in he has played me straight away, and I think I've been once of the most consistent players for him since he's joined."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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