‘FREE-KICK WAS IN THE IDEAL SPOT’

JAKE CARROLL revealed he overcame the distraction of an unexpected rival for the free-kick duties before scoring Motherwell’s winner at Kilmarnock.

The Irishman was delighted to finally nail a successful set-piece in competitive action for the club after netting one in pre-season against Linfield.

The spot of the foul on

Mark O’Hara immediately appeared perfect for Carroll’s purposes and he was proven right to see off one intrusive centre-half to take the kick.

‘I’m pleased with the goal, it’s been a long time coming,’ said Carroll.

‘I’ve had a few this season — but they haven’t hit the target, so to get one with a bit of pace and on target and get it in was great.

‘As soon as I saw the position it was in, I was excited to take it. It was strange that I actually had to fight Declan Gallagher off — because I wouldn’t have expected him to be anywhere near it.’

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson, who reported

Liam Donnelly a doubt for the Boxing Day tie at Ross County, admitted he would be thrilled to retain his team’s third-place status by the turn of the year.

‘I’d be absolutely delighted with that going into the break,’ said Robinson.

‘If we continue with these good performances and show the resilience we did, then there’s no reason we can’t stay where we are.’

Caretaker Alex Dyer refused to be downbeat about Killie’s first game since the firing of Angelo Alessio.

He said: ‘I’m disappointed but there were a lot of positives to take and the boys gave their all. Their keeper pulled off two or three very good saves and we conceded from a free kick. There really wasn’t much in the game. It will turn for us, there’s no doubt about that.’