Motherwell defender Ricki Lamie was part of the Morton squad that made it to a League Cup semi-final – so he knows all too well the importance of cup success.
The Well defender will look for a full return from injury this afternoon when the Steelmen face St Johnstone in the last 16 of this season’s League Cup. It’s a big chance for the Well to go one step closer to Hampden.
At Morton, Lamie was able to make it to the final four of this competition in 2016, where the Ton were unfortunately beaten by Aberdeen. That run included knocking Motherwell out the tournament during Ian Baraclough’s final game in charge.
“Back in my Morton days I made it to the semi-final,” said Lamie of the Cappielow cup run. “I think we were beaten by Aberdeen but it was a great occasion that probably exceeded expectations.
“Whatever competition you go into, you want to go as far as you can. But being a Championship side, we were realistic that if the draw wasn’t favorable, it might be an early exit. But that year we dodged the big guns.
“It was great to be a part of and something I’ll always remember. It was the cup run where we beat Motherwell at Cappielow. I remember that being Baraclough’s last game in charge.
“There was a lot of pressure at the time and it was early on in the season. It went to extra time, a memorable one under the floodlights. It’ll be good to get back to the League Cup and we want to do well in it.”
One piece of news that caught Lamie off-guard this week was the departure of former manager Gary Holt from Livingston, who he joined the Steelmen from in the summer. The defender was shocked to hear of Holt’s exit.
“It was a surprise,” explained Lamie. “I was part of the previous two seasons and since the club came back up, things have been really successful for the most part.
“It’s a strange one. I haven’t spoken to anyone at the club but it definitely came as a surprise to me. They have probably exceeded expectations over the last few seasons.
“They are doing reasonably well this season. I don’t know much about it but it did come as a surprise.”