Louis: I was happy with a hat-trick
Louis Moult bagged all four goals in Saturday’s Lanarkshire Derby – but the striker was content with a hat-trick.
The Motherwell hitman netted three goals within 20 minutes of his first league start of the season after returning from injury. And when the Steelmen were awarded a penalty in the second half he wanted to give it to new signing Ryan Bowman.
However, manager Mark McGhee stepped in to ensure that the striker added to his tally.
After collecting the match ball on Saturday, Moult said: “I had already scored a hat- trick so I thought it would be nice to get Ryan off the mark.
“Ryan said: ‘Can I have it?’ and I just told him to go ahead – but I looked over my shoulder and the gaffer was screaming. At that point I thought I better take it!
“I said to him: ‘Bowie, I think the gaffer wants me to take it’ and he said: ‘ Yeah, fair enough Moulty, go and score.’ Thankfully I did.
“I’ve never scored four goals in a game before. That’s only my second hat-trick.
“It’s a fantastic start for me but more importantly we’ve scored goals and beaten Hamilton, our
rivals. I’m absolutely buzzing. It just about sunk in there when the boys were signing the match ball and congratulating me.”
Boss Mark McGhee said:“I told Ryan to get off the penalty.
“I had every confidence that he would score but there were several things going on at that point.
“One is, Louis Moult takes the penalties and if he’s on the pitch he’ll take the penalty.
“We were also in that 3-1 period where we were a bit nervous and if Ryan had stepped up and missed it, it would have increased the nervousness and puts Ryan under pressure.
“I think it was a sensible decision because if Moulty misses it he’s already scored a hat-trick and I think we can forgive him.”