Motherwell's Stuart McKinstry idolised Louis Moult as a boy, now he'll share a pitch with him

Motherwell's Stuart McKinstry admits it is going to be surreal to share a dressing room with a player he idolised as a youngster.

But he hopes Louis Moult's return can herald more magic moments for the club, just like the ones he grew up on as a fan.

The 19-year-old winger from Wishaw watched from the stands as Moult guided his boyhood heroes to two cup finals in the 2017/18 season, where he bagged a particularly memorable brace to knock Rangers out of the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden.

Moult also grabbed a winner over Celtic at Parkhead in December 2015 to earn another famous win for the Steelmen.

A few years later, Moult is now back at the club and, intriguingly, the Steelmen have been drawn at home to Celtic in the League Cup quarter-finals next month.

McKinstry is back at Fir Park himself after joining on loan from Leeds United, the club he left Motherwell's academy for in 2019.

So it's a lot to take in now that he is rubbing shoulders with a club hero.

He said: "It's strange to have Louis here. Last time I watched a game that he played in I was in the stands as a fan.

"So for his next game, for me to be on the pitch with him, would be a bit strange but I know what he can do.

"I've seen him do it on many occasions.

"He scores big goals in big games and I'm just hoping he can replicate it this time around.

"I remember the goals against Rangers in the League Cup semi-final, goals against Celtic as well.

"Those are the ones that really come to mind, but he's done it many more times and I hope he can do it again.

"We're not quite talking posters on the wall because I was a bit old for that by the time he was here, but I was a big fan of him.

"I was just thinking the other day that i've got wee cousins who idolised