Connor Shields says wins away from home when you’re up against it are the sweetest, and is delighted that 10-man Motherwell emerged from St Mirren with a 1-0 opening day Premiership win on Sunday.
The 25-year-old former Queen of the South and Sunderland striker played his part in the win in Paisley, but says Liam Kelly was worth three points by himself.
Ricki Lamie’s red card left the Steelmen up against it in the last 10 minutes as Saints bombarded their box, and in a week that saw a dismal exit from the Europa Conference League and loss of manager Graham Alexander on Friday, Shields says it was a great win.
Stevie Hammell and Brian Kerr took charge of the team, and Shields says they just told the squad to do what they do best.
Shields said: “It was brilliant. In the first game of the season it’s obviously good to start on a high.
“In the last 10 minutes, going down to 10 men, is where you stick in and grit it a bit, but I thought the boys were brilliant, with a clean sheet and a win.
“I think if you had said that at the start, everybody would have taken it, so everybody’s pleased.
“Those are the games that are the best, the most sweet. When you come away from home and your backs are against the wall a bit, and you come away with three points.
“But we’re delighted to get the first win of the season, three points, and hopefully we can push on from there.
“The build-up to the game was difficult, and obviously these things kind of happen [Alexander’s exit].
“But when Hammy came in with Kerrso he just told us to go and do what we do best, play football and enjoy it.
“Obviously we’ve only had one day to work on stuff that we planned, but I thought all the boys did brilliantly, and they will be delighted with how we have performed.”
Shields says goalkeeper Kelly played a major role, producing some breath-taking saves to deny St Mirren what many felt would have been a deserved equaliser.
He said: “Liam Kelly was outstanding. Some of the saves were amazing, to be fair. There was one I remember where it has bounced and he has flicked it over the bar... and I don’t know how he has done it!
“That’s his quality, he’s one of those players that win you games, and I thought everybody stuck together well, but Kells was unbelievable at the end, there.”
Shields hopes Motherwell can take that win into their Fir Park clash against St Johnstone on Saturday in what is another huge game for the club.
He said: “That’s the first league game at home, that will be good, and hopefully we can give the fans something to cheer about.
“We had great support in Paisley, but hopefully they will be in their numbers next week and we can give them something to cheer about.”
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