Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has urged his players to take inspiration from their captain Liam Kelly and former team-mate Max Johnston’s international breakthroughs.
Goalkeeper Kelly made his Scotland debut in Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat by France, while 19-year-old Johnston was called into the squad for the first time several months after leaving Fir Park for Sturm Graz.
“It’s a serious game against arguably one of the best sides in the world and some of the top players in the world,” said Kettlewell, whose team are looking to end a four-game losing streak when they face St Johnstone on Saturday.
“I’m fairly certain Liam is going to come back a better goalkeeper and a better person for it because when you expose yourself to that, it can only be a good thing.
“I’m delighted for him and I think it gives him a real boost coming back into our group.
“To see Motherwell players involved in the Scotland set-up, for where we are just now as a nation, I also look at Max Johnston, taking that step into the senior squad as well – that’s a lesson learned for a lot of people.
“Where we are operating, you are not five or six steps away from making that jump. Max Johnston was out on loan at Cove Rangers this time last year. That just shows you what’s possible.
“I always talk about pushing boundaries. If you are performing consistently, your numbers are good and you are catching your eye of the general public in Scotland, you see a manager who is prepared to give guys an opportunity.”
With Scotland clinching Euro 2024 qualification, Kelly could hand Motherwell a financial boost if he makes Steve Clarke’s 23-man squad for Germany.
“Most important, if he maintains his levels, Steve Clarke has been pretty loyal in his squad selection,” Kettlewell said.
“But I know the type of guy he is, take away the financial gains and all the rest of it that might come for ourselves, we just look at simply getting him back and switched on for Motherwell.
“Not thinking about Kylian Mbappe, just getting his head back on his job here. But he is a consummate pro and I have no doubts he will be the influence he has been since I came in.”
Motherwell could have Calum Butcher back in their squad in Perth, five months after the defensive player suffered a foot injury that required surgery.
Kettlewell said: “I watched him on the training pitch on Monday and it was an absolute breath of fresh air to see him back and the levels he hit. He was not a million miles away from the levels he left when he dipped out in May.
“He has been through an extensive rehab so if there’s no issues I would envisage he puts himself into contention for the squad. I have been pleasantly surprised by his fitness levels.”
Mika Biereth is due back in training next Thursday following a knee injury, while Jon Obika is slightly further behind in his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Klopp laments late lapse as Liverpool fail to see out win
Jurgen Klopp was lamented his side's late mistake as Liverpool gave up a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday.
The Reds were on top after a quick start as Emiliano Martinez gifted them an opener inside the first 61 seconds. Though Youri Tielemans equalised for Villa, Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put Liverpool back in control.
Jhon Duran scored twice late on, netting in the 85th and 88th minutes to deny Klopp’s side three points.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the German admitted that though they could not see out the win, he was proud of his team’s performance.
He said: "It got away from us. We played really good football. We were really good, played a lot of good stuff and caused a lot of problems.
"Before we changed, we gave them too many chances. It was very intense for the boys. They created too much. They were too often in our box, and we made the changes. Then we made a mistake. It happens but in that moment, it opens the door.
"They scored an equaliser, and I don't even know how. The character from the boys tonight was outstanding in our situation. We wanted to win the game. In the moment, when we gave away the 3-2, that was really tricky. That's it, that's the story of the game."
It looked like Quansah’s goal would be the winner for much of the second half, with the young defender heading in his first goal for Liverpool.
"I've been waiting for that moment," he told the BBC. "I don't score too many goals, so when it goes in the back of the net you just saw the emotion come out I guess.
"I just tried to get the best contact on it as I could. I'm thankful it went in.
"The way the crowd celebrated was a surreal moment, definitely one I'll never forget."
Emery praises 'special' Duran in Villa comeback
Unai Emery has praised "special" Jhon Duran after his late brace secured Aston Villa a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday.
The Reds looked to be on their way to a 3-1 despite Youri Tielemans’ strike after Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah added to Emiliano Martinez’s early own goal.
However, Duran's 79th-minute introduction changed the game as the Colombian scored twice in three minutes to salvage a draw.
Villa needed a win to secure a Champions League spot, but a point keeps their fate in their own hands despite Tottenham having a game in hand against Manchester City on Tuesday.
Emery was full of praise for his forward, acknowledging how important his goals could be by Sunday.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Jhon Duran is a special player. We have to try and help him. He is a good guy, and he needs a team behind him. He is getting our demands better. He was very clinical and today was important for him.
"Today we are celebrating with our supporters, we have to push it and keep working and be consistent. We were consistent all the season. The team was being mature and always consistent in our mind. Inch by inch we did it.
"We are very proud of the season. It is not enough at the moment to get fourth. Even after we scored the two goals, we had chances. We are celebrating the season here with our supporters in Villa Park.
"We are only thinking of us. We will prepare for our match on Sunday, everything is in our hands."
Villa were on a three-game losing run going into the Liverpool contest, and John McGinn highlighted the team’s strong mentality to avoid another defeat.
"It's a brilliant effort towards the end. We got a bit of luck. It's been a tough few weeks with lads coming back and playing through the pain barrier. This place got us going," he told Sky Sports after the game.
"There's some of us that have never been close to the Champions League in our life. The manager has a no-excuse mentality. People have written us off and we've floated under the radar. We'll have our Man City tops on tomorrow.
"Big Jhon [Duran] is a bit nuts and is a nightmare to have in your team, but he's got quality. We need to keep his feet on the ground over the next couple of days."
Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad: Blaugrana back to winning ways to reclaim second spot
Barcelona reclaimed second place in LaLiga with a 2-0 home win over Real Sociedad on Monday courtesy of a Lamine Yamal first-half strike and a late Raphinha penalty.
Yamal put Barcelona ahead in the 40th minute when he coolly slotted home from Ilkay Gundogan's pass after a quick breakaway for his fifth LaLiga goal this season.
Raphinha's penalty in stoppage time sealed victory for the hosts after a VAR review for handball, leaving the Basque side in seventh place with 54 points, one behind Real Betis in the last Europa League spot.
Xavi's side leapfrogged Girona to move on to 76 points, one clear of their Catalan rivals who dropped points in Friday's 2-2 draw at Alaves.
Real Madrid have already secured the league title, sitting on 90 points with three games left.
Data Debrief:
Gundogan got a vital assist for Barcelona's opener, and has been involved in 193 open-play shot-ending sequences in LaLiga this season, more than any other player in the competition.
Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in both games against Real Sociedad in LaLiga 2023-24 (W2), achieving this in a single season of the competition for the first time since 2006-07, when they also beat them twice.
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