DADDY PLAY CARE
O’Donnell enjoys a nappy return
5 MOTHERWELL SCOTT BURNS AT NORTH LODGE PARK
SCOTLAND star and new dad Stephen O’Donnell is delighted to cap the perfect run by holding the baby.
The defender helped the national team to an unbeaten start to their World Cup campaign, outshining David Alaba and picking up his jersey in the process.
He returned for the birth of his baby daughter Olivia before helping Motherwell book their place in the fourth round at Formartine.
The right-back also confirmed he has all but agreed an extension that will keep him at Fir Park for the next two seasons.
O’Donnell said: “Perhaps the fans and the media wanted more but every international is tough and to be second in the group after the first few games means we are still in it.
“There have been times before when that’s not been the case.
“So that was a great start to the week and then the birth of my wee girl on Thursday was brilliant.
“My missus is still in the hospital and I was able to get up here a little bit later and pop into see her.
“Winning, playing and family are the most important things in my life.”
The Euro 2020-bound full-back has raised a few eyebrows by agreeing a new deal but he has insisted he feels at home with the Steelmen.
He said: “I’m very close. I actually thought it might have been done before the last trip there.
“I’ve always been honest with the club and they’ve been honest with me so there are no issues.
“I’m just enjoying my football, enjoying playing for the manager and getting wins.
“It might be this week but there’s no stress. It’s more important I go home and change some nappies.
“I’m happy and I’m enjoying myself and the Scotland form maybe showed that. I’ll need to get that deal signed before my form goes due to having no sleep!
“The contract is for a couple of years. I’m getting a bit older and I’m happy to stay in what I think are good conditions.”
O’Donnell started Scotland’s games against Austria and Israel and won plaudits for leaving Bayern Munich’s Alaba in his wake.
The Scot said: “I was just trying to do my best for the team and it was nice to play against an opponent of his calibre. I might have got his top!
“It is not often you come up against a world class full-back although I’m fortunate because when I’m with Scotland I get to train against them too so I’m well practiced. I enjoy it.”
O’Donnell went from internationals to the Highland League but didn’t let his levels drop. Motherwell put on a professional performance and pushed the ring-rusty part-timers to one side.
A handful of fans made the trip north and cheered on their team from a container behind one of the goals.
Chris Long made the most of a misjudgement by Formartine keeper Kevin Main to skip past and net.
Jordan Roberts fired in the second after a clearance and netted the third when he knocked a wayward Devante Cole shot in at the back stick.
Cole headed home an O’Donnell cross for the fourth and a solo effort from Allan Campbell sealed this onesided win, after he took the ball back from Jake Hastie’s cheeky back-heel.
Graham Alexander will be looking for something similar when the postsplit fixtures begin this weekend with a win likely to all but confirm topflight status.
O’Donnell added: “They were a side we needed to respect, similar to the Faroes. To a man we all did our jobs.”