Red card gave me a break, now it's up to me to keep the shirt, says Motherwell ace

Kofi Balmer says while unfortunate circumstances led to him breaking into the Motherwell team, it’s up to him to keep hold of the shirt.

With Dan Casey shown a straight red card for handling Mykola Kukharevych’s shot three minutes into the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 win at home to St Mirren, Ebiye Moses was sacrificed and Balmer thrown on for his Premiership debut.

The 24-year-old Northern Irishman has patiently waited for his chance – that was only his second appearance since signing from Crystal Palace’s Academy in June.

Defender Balmer started and scored in Motherwell’s 3-0 win over Edinburgh City to kick off their Premier Sports Cup group stages back in July, but has been cooling his heels since.

“It was good. It was long-awaited, I had to be patient for it and thankfully it happened,” said Balmer.

“The circumstances, with Dan getting suspended, obviously wasn’t ideal, but that happened, I came on, I had to do a job, and I think I did that.

“I think now it’s up to me to perform, do well in training, get the spot, and hopefully keep it.

“You’re always fighting for a position. The gaffer says if you get the shirt, you have to play well to keep it.

“I think that’s all on me, I have to keep concentrating and try to perform the best I can.

“You always have to be ready. You never know when you’re going to get your opportunity, so for me it was not to lose the head, not to throw the toys out the pram, I just had to be patient.

“I was always ready to come on and take the opportunity, and the manager was talking to me, saying I would get my chance.

“That’s good for me as well, because it keeps me in the right frame of mind to always be ready when the opportunity comes.

“Saturday probably came on quicker than I expected,