Debut joy for MacIver on return to old club County
ROSS MacIVER, a youngster released by Ross county in the summer, might have walked Dingwall’s streets a little warily last night before returning to the nearby family nest.
The 20-year-old came off the bench for his Motherwell debut against the club that nurtured him through their youth system and he sparked a dramatic comeback with a spectacular equaliser.
county had led comfortably through Blair Spittal’s first-half header before a 61st-minute red card for Lewis Spence.
But MacIver’s contribution, with instinctive venom on the turn, paved the way for a nervy finale and, in the dying seconds of time added on, Scotland cap Declan Gallagher sealed the win.
‘People get released for all kinds of reasons and maybe he wasn’t quite good enough at that time,’ said Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson. ‘Maybe Ross wasn’t quite what Ross county were after. We needed that type of young striker we could develop.
‘He has got the bit between his teeth, tried to force his way into the team with a great attitude and got a lot of rewards today.’
Robinson was thrilled by the turnaround and felt it was wholly deserved.
‘It was a great reward for the amount of fans we brought up as it’s a long way to come on Boxing Day,’ he said. ‘I thought we thoroughly deserved it.’
The only black spot for Motherwell was their fans’ conduct — spilling onto the park after the winner and fighting with stewards after the final whistle.
county were still battling the ill-effects of a sickness bug, with striker Lee Erwin missing out. Scorer Spittal stepped in for his first start since a thumping defeat at celtic Park.
In contrast, Motherwell’s energy shone through early on with Sherwin Seedorf twice sending in dangerous deliveries for the lively, mobile James Scott.
Home goalkeeper Nathan Baxter was sharp to thwart the first chance while county’s Sean Kelly made a crucial clearance from the second.
Their chances stacked up. allan campbell’s glancing header flew wide while Scott sent another attempt drifting past the post.
county, though, were unbowed — and went ahead on 24 minutes.
after slick build-up, Richard Foster’s cross from the right was just too high for Billy Mckay but Kelly was able to return the ball from the left and Spittal bulleted a downward header in off the glove of keeper Mark Gillespie.
all the festive cheer drained from Motherwell’s big and noisy travelling support as county fans voiced their appreciation.
But either side could have been celebrating before the break as play tore from end to end.
a Spittal free-kick was poorly cleared by Peter Hartley, gifting a free header to Ross Stewart that flew wide from 12 yards.
Jermaine Hylton then flashed a 25-yard attempt just off target, before slipping in Liam Polworth with a lovely disguised pass. The visitors’ playmaker put it wide. It remained lively in the second half, but neither side could gain the upper hand. Then came the flashpoint that proved to be a turning point. Polworth played a through pass toward the darting Seedorf, who was tripped by Spence 25 yards out. There was no protest as referee Greg aitken drew a straight red card for a player already booked. Jake carroll managed to strike the dead-ball low through the wall but Baxter smothered it with relative comfort.
Motherwell’s assault appeared to be petering out when young MacIver made his entrance in place of campbell with 16 minutes to play and created such an impact.
Taking a high ball at least 25 yards out, the youngster turned and rocketed a shot high beyond the reach of Baxter.
The killer blow for county came when Gallagher outjumped everyone six yards out to head the winner right at the death.
Staggies co-manager Stuart Kettlewell said: ‘It’s a really sore on to take, but there’s certainly no criticism that goes to our players after their level of performance.’