Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Motherwell prospect will be first-team regular by 20 as loanee hopes to seal Queen of the South cup glory

It's perhaps a potential momentum builder for the Championship relegation fight - but Motherwell loanee Darragh O'Connor can't wait for a crack at silverware.

The Irishman is on loan at Queen of the South and they face Raith Rovers in the SPFL Trust Trophy final at Airdrie's Excelsior Stadium on Sunday.

Wullie Gibson's team are bottom of the second tier and three points off a relegation play-off spot, with safety a further five points afield. They have lost four Championship matches on the spin.

Victory over Raith would bring confidence and O'Connor says the chance to try and lift the first trophy of his career isn't one he wants to pass up.

Formerly of Leicester City, the 22-year-old joined Motherwell last summer and after a frustrating first six months in ML1, he joined the Palmerston side on loan in January.

Out of contract this summer, the central defender said of Sunday's final: "Everything is based on the league but this is a cup final.

"If you can't get up for a cup final, you shouldn't be involved in football. Even for the buzz leading up to the game, you have to be up for it.

"We are looking at Sunday as momentum building. We are looking to get back to good results. If we won 1-0 and didn't play well in the league, I don't think anybody would complain.

"We want to build that momentum and what better place to do that than in a final."

Partick Thistle's Juan Alegria and Queen of the South's Darragh O'Connor (SNS Group)

Another Steelman at Queen's is Max Johnston, who's season is in doubt after an ankle injury sustained on Scotland u19s duty.

His form in Dumfries has reportedly drawn transfer attention from England. Still only 18, O'Connor reckons the right-back is set for big things after playing next to him in defence.

He explained: "It's hard to believe Max is 18. He plays well above his years and he is going to have a great career. He's a top lad too.

"He's one of the best trainers every day and in football, you get what you put into it. He is reaping the rewards of that with his Scotland call-up.

"His injury is unfortunate but since I have been there, he's been phenomenal. We do analysis at Motherwell and I think it's shown us we're in good form.

"Attacks haven't really come down our side. It's great for Motherwell to see two players doing well out on loan. We might be bottom, but I think me and Max have been two standout performers every week.

"You look at Barry Maguire at Motherwell. He came to Queen's on loan, and has just signed a brand new long-term deal at Motherwell.

"The two clubs have a great relationship and I am sure when Max is fit again, he'll be pushing for a start next season. I guarantee that when he is 20, he'll be a Motherwell regular."

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.