Motherwell star jokes madcap fan celebrations would have left him 'mangled' as 'little lad' revels in maiden goal

Ross Tierney fancied getting involved in some last-minute Motherwell fan celebrations at St Mirren - but he thought he'd get lost in the crowd.

The Irishman netted his first goal in claret and amber since arriving from League of Ireland side Bohemian in the January transfer window during a 1-1 Premiership draw with St Mirren.

Alex Gogic had put Saints ahead with nine minutes to go but the Irish youth international popped up with a neat finish in stoppage time.

Graham Alexander's side remain fourth in the league ahead of facing Celtic on Sunday, and Tierney's goal prompted fans of both sides onto the park.

Motherwell's new attacking midfielder is small in stature, and said: "When I scored I looked over to go that way and thought 'no, I'll get mangled over there so I'll keep my distance'.

"I was going to go and celebrate with the fans and then I thought 'no, I won't get back out'. A little lad like me will probably get lost.

“I enjoy it. I have grown up with bigger lads, I was always the smallest lad, so I am sort of used to getting thrown around.

"I enjoy it, I bounce back up. I work in the gym every day and hopefully I can get a little bit bigger and be able to hold them off sometimes."

Tierney says January wasn't the best time to arrive at a new club, but he reckons adaptation comes quickly for him. 'Well have picked up two points from four games though post-winter break, something the playmaker is aware of.

He said: “I know the goals will come, it's more about the points. Since I came, we have been a bit iffy points wise and in the dressing room it feels like two points dropped but maybe come the end of the season it might be a good point.

"Coming over in January wasn't ideal, I knew I wouldn't come straight in the