Motherwell boss praises on-loan Hearts winger for part in Easter Road triumph
Jordan Roberts, on loan at Motherwell from Hearts, was praised for his role in the Steelmen’s 2-0 win over Hibs on Saturday.
The Englishman scored the opener and set up Devante Cole for the second goal at Easter Road.
Roberts, pictured, made a surprise move to Motherwell in the January transfer window after struggling to hold down a starting position at Tynecastle following his switch from Ipswich Town.
The 27-year-old has had a positive impact at Fir Park. He impressed in the 0-0 draw with St Mirren during the week before putting in a manof-the-match display against Hibs. "I don’t know if he could give us anymore, he gave his maximum on Wednesday and he did it again today, just as every other player,” Motherwell manager Graham Alexander said.
"In the last two games there is not one point when I’ve looked at a player and they weren’t giving their all.
"Jordan got a fantastic goal for us and competed but the front three were such a handful for Hibs."
Prior to the match, Roberts had spoken about his struggles with injury and his views on the future with a year left on his deal at Tynecastle.
“I had an injury at the start and never really got an opportunity when I got back,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t come back on form.
"For me I always give my all in training and in games and if I get my opportunity in games I will do my best. I have another year there so I'm aiming to finish the season well here. I’ve not spoken to anyone at Hearts since leaving. They have scouts to see how players are doing on loan. I like to keep my head down and not worry too much about what’s going on outside the football club.
"It’s for me to get my head down and crack on. My opportunity now is here and I’m grateful for that. I’m happy in every department.” He added: “I don’t look too far ahead. Anything can happen. I could score 20 goals before the end of the season and end up going to the Premier League in England! But seriously it’s one step at a time and the main thing for me is getting to play football here.”
Ayr United are on the hunt for a new management team after the 14-month reign of Mark Kerr and his assistant Michael Mcardle was ended by mutual consent.
The Honest Men lost 1-0 at Arbroath on Saturday to remain in second bottom spot in the Championship some four points ahead of Alloa but only seven behind fourthplaced Queen of the South who have played two games more.
The defeat by Arbroath was Ayr’s third in a row and after only one win in their last ten there has been a parting of the ways with Kerr, who stepped up from a playing role at the club to replace Ian Mccall when he headed to Partick Thistle in October 2019.
Recently installed Ayr chairman Mark Smith said: “I spoke with Mark and Mick on Sunday following a board meeting and would confirm they have left the club by mutual agreement.
“I would like to put on record, our thanks for all their hard work over the last two seasons and I personally wish them both well in whatever they do next.
“The search for our new manager is underway but in the interim period David White and Derek Stillie will take charge with support from our Academy coaches.
“Whilst we have identified potential candidates for the manager’s position, we would also request that any interested party gets in touch by Monday, March 8.”
Meanwhile, Queen of the South’s rise from relegation candidates to promotion contenders continued with a 1-0 success over a visiting Dunfermline side on Saturday.
Willie Gibson cracked home the winner from 20 yards and boss Allan Johnston said:
“It was a great team performance, but we will not get overexcited at where we are now as football can come back and bite you.”
Raith Rovers jumped above Fife neighbours Dumfermline into second place ahead of the teams meeting this Friday when they came from behind to defeat Alloa 3-1 at Stark’s Park.
Dundee minus Covid-hit Charlie Adam hit back twice to secure a 2-2 draw at Morton.