Gallagher cap would prove that all is Well
Keith Lasley insists that Scotland boss Steve Clarke won’t regret it if he hands Fir Park favourite Declan Gallagher his first cap against San Marino.
The Motherwell assistant- manager believes the diabolical defending which led to Thursday’s 4- 0 hammering by Russia could give Clarke the chance to hand the 28-year-old his first cap.
He’s convinced that Gallagher, a Bosman summer signing, will step up to the plate if he’s asked to firm up a back four which has conceded 24 goals in the last 11 games.
“After that disappointing result in Moscow, there might be a few changes and it would be great if Declan was one of them,” Lasley insists. I hope he gets that chance because he certainly deserves it.
“I know there’s not exactly a feel-good factor surrounding the national team at the moment, but Declan can handle going into a pressurised situation like that.
“He’s not a young boy any longer, and he’s been doing it for us every week.
“In fact, he’d been excellent with Livingston for the last couple of years without always getting credit.
“The reason we signed him was down to the fact that you get a great level of consistency from him.
“His call-up was a tribute to the work he’s put in since he came to Fir Park.
“He was good before, but he’s kicked on again. He’s been as good as any defender I’ve seen in the Premiership.
“The call-up will boost his confidence, and that belief will help him make the most of his season. There’s more to come.”
Lasley had begun to wonder whether there was a law against capping Motherwell’s stars.
Winger Chris Cadden got three minutes off the bench against Peru in 2018, and the last Well player capped before that was full- back Steven Hammell against Sweden in 2004.
“International football has largely bypassed Motherwell for a number of years now,” said Lasley.
“Players at the bigger clubs get more recognition, and there are quite a few of our players who’ve been unfortunate not to be selected in the recent past.
“Some had to move on to get their chance, while others didn’t have that opportunity.
“If Declan does play against San Marino, I hope other players at the club draw inspiration from that.
“It would also be good for players at other clubs to see that there’s a pathway.”