CHRISTMAS CARROLL

Jake Carroll revealed he had to fight off Scotland glory- hunter Declan Gallagher for the goal that fired Motherwell back into third spot.

The Irish full-back’s blazing 25-yard free-kick was all that separated the sides in a war of attrition at Rugby Park that left Kilmarnock winless in five in the wake of Angelo Alessio’s sacking.

But it was Well’s fourth win in five and Carroll insists they’re desperate to keep hold of the best- of-the-rest spot going into the winter break. The 28-year-old said: “I’m pleased with the goal, it has been a long time coming.

“I’ve had a few this season but they haven’t hit the target so as soon as I saw the position it was in I was excited to take it.

“It was strange I had to fight Declan Gal lagher of f, right enough, because I wouldn’t have expected him to be anywhere near it. Obviously because he’s had a Scotland call-up he fancied himself but luckily I kept him away from it!

“It was an absolute battle. They’re a tough team to play and defensively we were brilliant, from the lads at the front back to us, they made our job easier.

“The plan now is to take third place into the break.

“We’re training Christmas Day, which is tough for the families, but if we travel up to Dingwall and win the game, it’ll be worth it.” The chessboard tacticians would have loved the match-up in the first half, the footbal l- as- enter tainment purists not so much as they cancelled each other out.

But the tempo af ter the break – and the number of chances – rocketed.

And Well should have had the lead seven minutes in.

Chris Long will be relieved his blunder didn’t end up costing them all three points. Jermaine Hylton’s shot from the left was past Laurentiu Branescu and heading for the back of the net