Graham Alexander urges Motherwell to repay fans who turned training base into 'Galatasaray away' in bid to ignite season

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