Motherwell manager Graham Alexander says Allan Campbell proved he’s not ‘beyond human’ as the midfielder limped off during a 5-3 Scottish Cup fourth round penalty shootout win against Greenock Morton.
The Fir Park club were matched by their visitors as a 119th minute goal from Stephen O’Donnell was cancelled out by Morton defender Markus Fjørtoft a minute later. In extra-time though prior to Motherwell’s penalty shootout success, Campbell was substituted with injury.
Alexander has provided an update on the midfielder: “I have just seen him there with a bag of ice on his leg. I think that’s a first that I have not seen Allan Campbell complete a game never mind a training session. He is a tough boy, fit as anything so fingers-crossed he will be ok for the coming games because he is a massive player for us.
“I think the ice pack is around his thigh area but I haven’t spoken to him about it. You fear the worst when someone like Allan Campbell comes off because you think he is beyond human. But he probably showed he is actually human.”
Alexander’s team left it late on the night against Morton but the Motherwell manager insists progression was the key: “I’m happy, obviously relieved because it was a really tough night for us. The first target is to be in the next round, which we’ve achieved. We could have done things better.
“I would also like to acknowledge how well Morton played as well and made it difficult for us. As coaches we knew it would be [hard] and we can do things better, but I think you have to give credit to Morton as well, because I think they played exceptionally well.
“It’s about results in professional football, both in the league and the cup. In the league you’ve got other games to make up lost ground, but in the cup if you lose that’s it, you’re out. We didn’t start the game well, we were a little bit slow in our build-up, but I think the way Morton set up they made it so.
“We got frustrated with each other and played into Morton’s hands, but they did it well. We had some really good chances to score further on in the game, which we didn’t take, and then when you score so late on you think you’ve done it – but we gave away a really sloppy set-piece away.
“I’ve got to give credit to my players because throwing it away in that final second could have been soul-destroying but we picked ourselves up, went into the penalties and scored five great penalties.”
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