MOTHERWELL'S disappointment at their exit from the Champions League on Wednesday night was tempered by the knowledge that they at least now have a second bite of the cherry.

IT is not only British athletes who will be hoping for personal bests in the Olympic stadium tonight.

ROSS COUNTY are up and running.

COMPETING in the Champions League ought to be a privilege, but the tournament is often a means to inflict cruelty.

SUCH a familiar scene unfolded at Fir Park last night that it was almost hard to believe this was Motherwell's Champions League debut.

SHORTLY before 7.40pm tonight, Keith Lasley will pull on the captain's armband and turn to shout encouragement to his team-mates, before leading them out of the tunnel while the sound of Handel's anthemic Zadok the Priest rings out around Fir Park.

IT seems there is nowhere in Greece exempt from stringent austerity measures.

IT was just like old times at Fir Park: Stevie Hammell and James McFadden patrolling the pitch in claret-and-amber, Nikica Jelavic and Steven Naismith turning out for the away team in blue.

IT was difficult to gauge just who was the happier, Motherwell or Panathinaikos, following yesterday's draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

JAMES McFadden has heard years of applause and acclaim – not least from the Tartan Army – but he has reached an age which brings far less pleasant assaults on his lugs.

Motherwell may well be counting down the days until the third round Champions League qualifying draw takes place on Friday, but on this evidence they would be well advised to turn their focus to their training ground.

WITH the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier just over a fortnight away, Stuart McCall's side have much still to do if they are to emerge from the tie not just with their aspirations still alive, but with their reputation intact.

Motherwell midfielder Keith Lasley has signed a new two-year contract.

ANALYSIS Ibrox had no idea which players will be back as the home support dipped once again