YOU don’t win anything with kids, so the saying goes. And Motherwell won’t win anything this season, but the fountain of youth may just inject some new life into their campaign.
A single goal just before half-time from the outstanding 19-year-old David Turnbull, set up by another equally impressive 19-year-old in Jake Hastie, was enough to keep a welcome three points at Fir Park against Neil Lennon’s misfiring Hibernian side.
After putting in such a turgid display against Ross County to go out of the Scottish Cup with a whimper at the weekend, it was just what the doctor ordered for a fanbase who were quickly growing sick of the way things were unfolding at Fir Park this season. But they saw a much-improved performance from a side who were revitalised by players produced right here in this parish.
“That was a nice pick-me-up after Saturday,” said Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson. “The performances were night and day. I’m first to admit I didn’t get the team right but we got it right tonight.
“There’s no doubt that David Turnbull has great quality. We have been on at him to do the dirty work in midfield. It was so pleasing how much he did off the ball, how disciplined he was, not being a luxury in the team. He’s a really top prospect.
“We have a lot of top young players. Allan Campbell is 20, David is 19 and Jake Hastie is 19.
“Jake was excellent. For 60 minutes him and (Gboly) Ariyibi caused problems out wide. That’s what we’ve lacked a bit, but they got fans off their seat.”
That they did, particularly with the goal that made the difference on the night. A wonderful turn by Hastie took three Hibs players out of the game, and then the winger was off and away. When it came to the crucial moment, he then had the composure to lift his head and pick out the arriving Turnbull with a perfectly weighted pass, and he did the rest as he swept home from 20 yards.
Hibs were much better after the break, but they struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. When they did, they lacked conviction, with Daryl Horgan blowing a great chance when clean through and then Florian Kamberi and Olly Shaw both caught napping as Horgan flashed a ball across the six-yard box late on.
The loss leaves them without a win since beating Celtic back in mid-December, and manager Neil Lennon admits he is concerned by his side’s lack of firepower.
“I don’t think we are working hard enough [up front],” Lennon said. “The one that flashed across goal in the final minutes, two of them are on their heels. It was just begging for someone to tap it in but we are not reacting.
“You work away and work away but that has got to come from them. They have to want to score goals and be willing to get in there and get hurt. But the final ball is either behind the player or flat.
“There's a lack of quality and that's not the way I want to play.”
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