Ross Tierney opened his Motherwell account in spectacular fashion as he volleyed home deep in injury time to earn a point away to St Mirren on Tuesday night.
The Dubliner proved to be Graham Alexander’s super-sub as he wriggled free in the box before firing a Kaiyne Woolery cross into the top corner.
Tierney, who arrived last month after finishing up with Bohemians, was back on the bench at Fir Park having made his first start in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Hearts.
The 20-year-old replaced on-loan Celtic midfielder Liam Shaw just before half time and pressed his case for more regular gametime with a superb finish.
St Mirren, who had Irish quartet Charles Dunne, Joe Shaughnessy, Connor Ronan and Alan Power in their starting XI, took the lead nine minutes from time through Alex Gogic.
That looked set to be enough for the Buddies to take all three points, but Ireland under-21 international Tierney kept his cool to fire home his first goal in Scottish football.
And former Scotland international Alexander heaped praise on the youngster, who he feels has plenty of potential as he adapts to full-time football.
“We know he’s got the intelligence to pick up good positions and it was a great finish right in front of our fans, who were magnificent,” Alexander told the Daily Record.
“Even when we went 1-0 down they were still with us and brought us towards that goal. There isn’t much to him and there’s a lot of growth to his body as he puts in on the line.#
“He goes in where the big men are and he’s not afraid of that. He takes a buffering now and then. He’s a great character. He gives us an attacking threat and he’s something different.
“Their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves but I am pleased he wasn’t able to get to that one.
“Ross has taken his time to get involved because of the transfer but we know his intelligence.”
Elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, Dublin’s Jonny Hayes scored as Aberdeen were held to a 1-1 draw by Ross County.
Daniel Cleary started and John Mahon made his debut off the bench as St Johnstone won 2-1 at Livingston, while Ryan Sweeney started Dundee’s scoreless draw with Dundee United.
The Old Firm derby takes place at Parkhead on Wednesday night as Liam Scales and James McCarthy will aim to be in contention for starting berths.
