Kettlewell hails Spittal after double in Motherwell’s rout of County

Stuart Kettlewell paid tribute to Motherwell’s double goalscorer Blair Spittal’s character after the attacking midfielder led the Steelmen to a 5-1 victory over Ross County.

The 28-year-old was the benefactor of more than a hint of good fortune to score the openeron saturday, capitalising on a major error from staggi es goal keeper Ross Laidlaw. However, his class was on show for the second, curling a wonderful effort beyond the shot-stopper’ s reach to pick out the corner of the net, making it 3-1 and essentially putting the game to bed.

With a reported pre-contract agreement in place with hearts, Spittal is set to depart Fir Park this summer, but Kettlewell said he has had no doubts about selecting the playmaker.

“When you know the character of the man, it’s never a problem,” Kettlewell said. “When you get the chance togo to a bigger club and earn more money –whateverjobyoudo–youtend to jump at the chance.

“His performances have been fantastic, andi understand why a club like Hearts want to try and sign Blair Spittal.

“If you talk about those oldfashioned attacking midfield players, I think he sits right at the top of this division.”

County interim manager Don Cowie did not get the reaction he was looking for when making three half-time substitutions with his side 2-1 behind.

Cowie looked to freshen his side up by putting on Loick Ayina, Josh Sims and Jordan White, but the Staggies could not find a breakthrough.

Cowie said: “I felt we needed a freshness in the second half, so I wanted a reaction. With the way our home form has been, I expected us to go on and get the equaliser, but obviously it unravelled.”