The travellers were treated to three goals from Pearson and Lasley as the team made certain of a fifth place finish. The result also completed a full set of wins against every team in the league. That accomplishment was last earned in season 1999/2000 when Stevie Hammell made his debut for the club as an 18 year old.
Louis enjoys the winner
Mark McGhee spoke highly of his team after the match making reference to the bright and flowing football on display in the first half. He felt that the two goal cushion at the break would be enough to ensure the win and with the help of resolute defending and a good show from Samson three points were secured. It was a deserved win.
The team will be back in action for the final game of the season on Sunday, This time the journey will a fifteen minute trip along the M74 to Celtic Park. Our hosts will be keen to round off their championship winning season with a final win for their departing manager but that will be of no concern to McGhee’s men.
The 2-1 triumph at Parkhead in mid-December came when Motherwell were second bottom of the league and suggested that the team were capable of moving up. The bookies don’t see a repeat on Sunday and Motherwell can be backed at 14/1 to do the double.
The manager has resisted the temptation to blood young fringe players in recent games even with the insurance of a top half finish as comfort. He’ll be wary of any radical experiments and will be keen to have a robust defence. He knows that the team has enough pace to be a threat on the break and that may be our best hope.
There’s no doubt that we can look back on 2015/16 as a success. Following the trauma of last season’s flirt with relegation a top half finish was more that many believed possible but our chance of a second successive win in the east end are slim. We may have to be content with a 2-1 loss.