Motherwell Hibernian
EWING GRAHAME
MOTHERWELL supporters have grown accustomed to watching top-class goalkeepers in the last decade or so, with international stars such as John Ruddy (England), Darren Randolph (Republic of Ireland) and Trevor Carson (Northern Ireland) performing heroics between the posts for them during that time.
However, their current custodian, the unmarked Mark Gillespie, is set to eclipse them all by smashing the club record of 20 clean sheets in a season set by Carson immediately prior to Gillespie’s arrival from Walsall two years ago.
The Geordie’s shut-out against Hibernian on Saturday was his 15th of the campaign and, with 15 Premiership games remaining and the Steelmen still in the Scottish Cup, there is every chance that he will sail past that mark.
“Hopefully, 20 clean sheets is achievable,” he said. “The ratio just now is better than one in two but the whole team earned it on Saturday, starting with young Ross MacIver up front, who was absolutely magnificent.
“The manager is big on organisation and getting behind the ball. You can see it a mile off that we’re well coached and usually, by the time it gets to me, we’ve managed to keep them out. It’s a good record and one we need to continue because that’s the base we look to play off.
“Personally, it’s massive having an international goalkeeper – in Trevor – pushing me. He’s high in quality so I know I have to concentrate in every single game, even on Saturday when you don’t have much to do; they’re the hardest ones.”
However, Gillespie hopes that setting a new record will not represent his parting gift to the Lanarkshire club. The 27-year-old is out of contract in the summer and talks have stalled on extending his stay.
“I’m just focusing on the football,” he said. “I had conversations with the club and nothing was sorted so it’s been decided just to see where we’re at come the end of the season. It’s a big summer for me but I love my football and, hopefully, the fans can see that I’ll put my body on the line until the end of the season and try and help the team do as well as we can.
“We’ll have another conversation in the summer and see where that goes. But I’m loving my time here. I left everything to my representatives but it was decided by both parties to let me concentrate on my job and let the club focus on their business.
“I’ve got loads of respect for the staff who have helped me tremendously and I’ll try and repay that and make sure it’s a good final few months of the season. It would be fantastic for everyone involved at the club if we can take that third spot and we’ve got our eyes on the Scottish Cup as well because we desperately want to give the fans something to cheer about.”
Gillespie had only one straightforward save to make here, although Florian
Kambieri ought to have done better than to hit the post with a header from inside the six-yard box. Mostly, though, it was about the home side taking the game to their opponents.
Hibs remain 12 points behind Motherwell but defender Adam Jackson believes they can still finish above them.
“Is third or fourth place achievable? Of course it is,” he said. “We have the ability to win games like this. As long as we get the balance right between attack and defence then we can definitely get the points to push up the table.”