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Andy McGilvray

Motherwell ace Max Johnston hails wonder strike winner against St Mirren

Max Johnston hit his wonder winner for Motherwell because he couldn't see anybody in the box, and says he knew it was in as soon as it left his boot.

The 19-year-old bagged his first goal for the club in the 19th minute, taking a Sean Goss cross on his chest before lashing a shot across goalkeeper Trevor Carson and into the far corner of the net from an acute angle.

That put Motherwell 2-0 up, adding to Kevin van Veen’s eighth-minute opener, and though Ryan Strain halved the deficit before half-time, the Steelmen held on to record their first Premiership win since October 29.

It was also their first three points at home since August 20, and a first league win in 12 attempts.

Johnston was beaming after the game and said: “I’m delighted, but more delighted with the win to be honest, and at home – it’s massive.

“I didn’t think anybody was in the box, so I thought I’d try to hit the target, and luckily it has gone in.

“It was one of those where I knew it was in as soon as I hit it.

“It was a nice connection, so I was buzzing.

“Hopefully I get a chance to score more goals like that, definitely, but to be fair I don’t think I could do any better than big Jon Obika and Kevin van Veen – they’ve been brilliant, so I don’t think I could hack that!”

Saints goalkeeper Trevor Carson can only watch as the ball nestles in the corner (SNS Group)

Motherwell showed a strength that has been missing to race into a two-goal lead, but more so to see it out in the face of some pressure from St Mirren.

Johnston reckons that was a huge factor in the win, and gave something back to long-suffering fans – but it’s important to take that on to Sunday’s clash against Hearts.

He said: “It’s a huge win, and a win at home gives everyone in about the club a lot of confidence.

“I think every game is the biggest game of our season now, to be honest, so we nee to take that on to Sunday.

“It was a great win for the fans, they’ve stuck with us the whole season, so that has been absolutely brilliant, and the boys can’t thank them enough for that.

“It was important to get off to a good start in the game, starting on the front-foot in any game I think is something we need to do.

Johnston opened his Motherwell account in some style, and enjoyed his goal (SNS Group)

“Seeing it out is a big part of it, as well. We did that really well, and it’s credit to the boys.

“We now have to recover, and hopefully I’ll get a chance to play against Hearts.”

Johnston admits it has been a difficult few days, following the departure of boss Steven Hammell after a 3-1 Scottish Cup fifth round defeat at Raith Rovers, but he says it’s just part of the game.

“It has been a hard time,” he said. “I was with Steven Hammell in the academy as well, so I knew him really well and I was really disappointed to see him go.

“But that’s football, unfortunately. It can be a horrible game, so we just need to get on with it, and we did that tonight.”

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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