Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell praises hero Lennon Miller

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell was delighted with young Lennon Miller's penalty winner
-Credit: (Image: SNS Group)


Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell joked that he was more anxious than penalty hero Lennon Miller, but heaped praise on his match-winner.

The 18-year-old confidently slotted a penalty two minutes into second-half stoppage time to send his side into the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals, after Luca Stephenson had fouled Moses Ebiye.

It's a first Hampden date since 2018, and Kettlewell said: "Lennon needs to relax a bit! I think I had more beads of sweat on my brow than he did on his, but I just think it's pretty special when you're looking at an 18-year-ol who shows that level of composure, that belief and trust in himself, that he can convert a penalty kick the way he did.

"I go back to the bigger picture and speak about his performance in general, which I think leads to that, but nothing really surprises me with him.

Miller kept his composure to tuck away a last-gasp penalty to put Motherwell into the semi-finals
Miller kept his composure to tuck away a last-gasp penalty to put Motherwell into the semi-finals -Credit:SNS Group

"I've got so much trust when he picks the ball up and he spots it, and he puts it in the back of the net. I watched him doing it yesterday [Thursday] with five or six penalties and he scorches them into the top corner.

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"Maybe it's a frustration that he didn't quite put it in the top corner tonight, but I think we as a country should celebrate that type of story, because it's pretty special."

Kettlewell wanted a push from the Motherwell community for this game, and is pleased that they gave fans a night to remember.

He said: "I hope it's something that we can build on, but I also think the two of them are linked - we need to perform, to get results, and we'll get the backing from the supporters.

Motherwell celebrated a big win tonight
Motherwell celebrated a big win tonight -Credit:SNS Group

"It created a special night for us as a club, but from the first minute if we don't show the right application and appetite for the game then you'll lose the crowd.

"I always talk about that energy and desire, if you bring that, the crowd here will always appreciated you. They'll forgive a lack of quality and a bad decision at times, but as long as you put your body on the line, they'll come with you."

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