Graham Alexander knows his underperforming Motherwell side can count on red hot backing from the stands - after supporters made a Dalziel Park training session feel like Galatasaray away.
Now the Fir Park gaffer has urged his players to turn up the heat on their top six rivals in the last three games before the break with a Euro spot still up for grabs.
Alexander was stunned when an army of Well fans turned out at Dalziel last week with flares, banners and foghorns in a bid to reignite their faltering season after 10 league games without a win.
In the end a first minute red card for Bevis Mugabi meant they also slumped out of the Scottish Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Hibs.
But a spirited performance with 10-men for 89 minutes convinced the boss a corner is ready to be turned as they look to repay those diehard supporters.
Well are still only a point off fourth spot ahead of today’s trip to struggling St Johnstone.
And Alexander said: “I haven’t seen anything like that since I came into management 10 years ago.
“We were told that some supporters were coming down to cheer us on and give us a bit of encouragement for Sunday’s game but it was like a match.
“They had flares, banners, foghorns, they were singing, I felt like we were in Turkey. It was like being at Galatasaray! It was brilliant.
“I was standing there smiling - we couldn’t hear each other speak.
“The players went over and thanked them and that’s when you understand the fabric that runs through this club and the connection between fans and players.
“When we went down to 10 men in the first minute our lads used that connection as fuel to keep going and we should have had extra-time in that game.
“I’ve spoken about how we need them behind us when we play much bigger clubs and we’re going to need them just as much in the three games before the split.”
Well midfielder Dean Cornelius might have been on the other side of the railings had he not been among Alexander’s squad preparing for the tie.
The 20-year-old Well diehard admits he’s living the dream in his breakthrough season as a top team player.
Cornelius, who joined his boyhood club after being released by Hibs in 2018, scored his first and only goal against St Johnstone the last time the sides met in a 2-0 win for Well in December.
And he said: “I was over the moon after the game. I just couldn’t stop smiling.
“I’ve got it stored in my phone. I’ve got it everywhere! I like to bring it up now and again but it’s not quite worn out!
“I know it’s a cliche but playing for this club is a dream come true.
“I’ve supported Motherwell since I was a wee boy and went to my first game when I was just three. It’s all I’ve ever known.
“I was at those cup finals in 2017 and 2018. I wasn’t signed here. Once I came in there a video before the season of where we wanted to be .. they finished with a clip of the fans and I was right down the front in the middle of it all.
“That’s saved in my phone along with the goal.”
Alexander, who is without suspended Bevis Mugabi but could have Mark O’Hara back from injury, insists Cornelius has earned his place in the first team.
He said: “I thought he was absolutely superb against Hibs last weekend - the amount of work he and Liam Donnelly got through as a two-man midfield in a 10-man team for 90 minutes was unbelievable .
“Dean is tactically aware, intelligent, fit and he can do all the things you want from a midfielder – he can press, close down, pass and score a goal.
“Just being a Motherwell fan doesn’t get you any special favours.
“He knows that if he’s in the team it’s because he’s there on merit and not because of some box-ticking exercise.”
