Fans didn’t turn on me and I’ll repay them at Hampden
SAYS LOUIS MOULT
WHEN Louis Moult runs out against Rangers at Hampden in next month’s Betfred Cup semi-final, it will be to a hero’s reception from Motherwell fans.
In their adoring eyes, the nine-goal striker represents the Steelmen’s biggest chance of a first League Cup final appearance since 2005.
But it’s safe to say the experience will be completely different to Moult’s last visit to Mount Florida. Back then he feared more of a hot reception than a warm welcome lay in wait from the Fir Park faithful.
Prior to a Betfred Cup group match against Queen’s Park in July, the 25-year-old had turned down the chance to sign a contract extension with Motherwell.
Available to speak to other clubs for free in January, he thought there would be a backlash.
Instead he was pleasantly surprised to be showered with affection — not anger — at Hampden.
Now Moult hopes to repay them with a trip to the final in November and the chance to dream of a first League Cup win for the club since 1951.
‘When I turned down the contract extension I was a bit worried the fans would turn,’ admitted Moult, who was the subject of a failed £400,000 bid from Aberdeen in the summer before scoring twice against them in a 3-0 quarter-final win at Fir Park.
‘I was worried what kind of reception was waiting for me at Hampden. But when I went out to warm up, the Motherwell fans were all singing my name.
‘I like to think the fans understand my situation. I know the football club understands my situation, but the fans responded to me in a positive manner and it helped me.
‘Then I came on and I scored in our 5-1 win against Queen’s Park and they all went mental. I was taken aback a little bit, actually.
‘It was my first game since the contract but it just shows you what this football club is about.
‘The fans have been 100 per cent behind me no matter what. And knowing that makes me run that extra yard for them.
‘I understand that I am liked here, and I appreciate it so, so much. It probably gives me a bit of an edge to score the goals that I do.
‘I’m loving life here. The relationship I have with the fans is special, it’s massive for me. They have been unbelievable and they maybe do give me that little edge, that wee bit more confidence. I’ll maybe try something I wouldn’t try if I wasn’t liked.
‘Would I like to pay them back by reaching a final? Definitely!
‘We’re going to be back at Hampden next month for the semi-final and it’s going to be some game. Probably the biggest game I’ve played in since I’ve been at this club. But we’re not just going there for a day out.’
Since joining from Wrexham in June 2015, Moult has scored 18 goals in each of his two seasons at Fir Park.
Without wishing to put pressure on himself, he is almost halfway there already this season and would love to breach the 20-goal mark.
‘I’ve been fairly consistent since I came here,’ he added. ‘At this point last season I was on seven goals and at the moment I’m on nine.
‘If I was to score 20 to 25 goals this season it would mean the absolute world to me. And I think you can see from my endeavour every time I go out on the pitch, all I want to do is score goals and help the club.’
Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson has changed the team’s formation, allowing the revitalised Ryan Bowman to partner Moult up front.
Moult is quick to credit the work done by his unsung strike partner in laying the foundations for his own headline-grabbing contributions.
Speaking ahead of today’s home match against Partick Thistle, Moult said: ‘I love playing alongside Ryan. He helps me massively. When we play up front together he gives me a lot of space and I can also save some energy.
‘When I am playing up there on my own I’ve got to do everything — battle for the ball, jump, sprint in behind, come short to feet. But when Ryan is up there with me I can save a bit of energy for when I have the ball. I’ve told him how much he helps me.
‘I’ve played against him before down in the Conference in England and I knew what he was capable of. And now he is doing it for Motherwell.
‘He looks like he would run through a brick wall for Motherwell and that’s exactly how he was in the Conference.’