Motherwell can go to Ireland and win the tie, says midfield ace

Blair Spittal insists Motherwell have what it takes to win in Northern Ireland and progress in the Europa Conference League.

But the former Partick Thistle and Ross County midfielder admits Sligo Rovers sucked them into frustrating areas in the 1-0 Fir Park defeat last night.

Aidan Keena’s 27th-minute strike currently separates the sides as Graham Alexander’s men prepare for a showdown at the Showground next Thursday evening.

But the 26-year-old says Motherwell did enough well that they can go into the second leg with confidence.

When asked if they did enough to win the tie, Spittal admitted: “Probably not. I think we made one mistake and got punished for it, but we probably didn’t push on enough to get ourselves back into the game.

“We created some good half-chances – balls into the box into areas, but we probably lacked a wee bit of cutting edge, which was quite frustrating.

“But it’s only half-time in the tie, so we just need to pick ourselves up for next week.

I think we have enough in us to go over there and win the tie.

“We’re still in pre-season, effectively, and it’s competitive action now, but we’re starting to get that sharpness back in the team.

“It’s only half-time in the tie, there’s no point in being down about it.

“We’re disappointed, but what’s the point in dwelling about it? We just need to be positive and take that into next week.”

Keena pounced on Bevis Mugabi’s slack passback and lobbed the ball over stranded Liam Kelly for Sligo’s winner, and only a terrific save from Luke McNicholas prevented Spittal from levelling with a fierce drive from around 25 years, towards the end of the first half.

But while Spittal feels the visiting keeper was on form, he admits Motherwell still could have done more to