Graham Alexander admits European spot was all the more sweeter after criticism

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander admits qualifying for Europe was all the sweeter in the wake of what he felt was “unjustified” criticism weeks earlier.

Alexander’s side are back in fourth spot in the cinch Premiership following consecutive wins over Ross County and Hearts. They occupied that position at the winter break but then went on a run of one win in 15 league matches.

Ricki Lamie’s last-gasp equaliser against Livingston squeezed Motherwell into the top six and they overcame the odds to seal a top-five place ahead of Saturday’s final game at Celtic Park despite losing their first two games after the split.

Motherwell celebrated following victory over Hearts on Wednesday but they had gone into April without a league win in 2022 and Alexander faced criticism from fans over tactics and team selections ahead of a crucial victory against St Mirren.

“It does make it sweeter,” he said. “I’m not going to lie. Because it was almost like our first 20 games of the season didn’t exist for some people. Like somehow we had won a golden ticket to get into the top six.

“I thought it was over the course of a season – 21/22, not just 22. We won enough games, scored enough goals and got the points we needed to earn our place in the top six.

“It did seem as if the first 20 games did not ever happen, didn’t exist, for some reason. I think it was wrong.

“I understood the form we were in wasn’t great but then at the split you are where you are because you deserve to be.

“We have overcome a lot of challenges this season. Some of them documented, some not. So for us to achieve what we have done, I think we can pat ourselves on the back little bit, because not many other people will be patting us on the back.

“I do understand the run was