Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates striker Benni McCarthy says he is delighted with the motivational role he has played for the club this season.

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The former Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Porto, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham striker arrived at the Orlando Stadium at the start of the season, and more often than not he has been seen encouraging and directing his team-mates during matches, more so now that the season is nearing its climax.

Speaking exclusively to Football411, McCarthy said: "I have played football at the highest level and I know what it is like for a player to get into his comfort zone and start slacking, but we can't afford to do that, especially at this stage of the season.

"I don't want the younger players to get into their comfort zone and that's the reason you have seen me being on their case in the game. I do it because I want to win and I also want them to have that mentality to play to win at all times."

McCarthy, though, admits his dual job, being goalscorer and motivator, has not been a walk in the park, despite all his years in football.

"Sometimes it becomes difficult for me to score the goals, to do what I want to do, because I'm trying to offer more in terms of assisting the players on the field," he added.

"But I'm motivated to keep doing it, because I'm not doing it for me but rather for the Pirates jersey."

Bucs currently top the PSL standings by two points with two matches to go, starting with Bloemfontein Celtic next weekend, before they bring down the curtain on the campaign away to Golden Arrows.