Sunday 31 May 2015 20:37, UK
Ian Baraclough hopes the post-match fracas which marred Motherwell’s win over Rangers does not overshadow the way they won in both legs of their play-off to retain their Premiership place.
Just as they had been on Thursday night at Ibrox, the Lanarkshire side were handsome victors as goals from Marvin Johnson, Lionel Ainsworth and John Sutton helped them to a 3-0 success.
That gave them a 6-1 aggregate win in a tie many saw them as underdogs in as they kept the top-flight place they have held since 1985.
Motherwell’s plan was clear as they absorbed early Rangers pressure, frustrated their opponents then took chances themselves when they came.
The game followed a similar pattern to the first tie between the clubs but there was little doubt the Lanarkshire men were better throughout.
Baraclough’s concern now is that at a time when his players should rightly be praised, focus might instead remain trained on what happened after the final whistle.
Home player Lee Erwin clashed with Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni, the latter kicking and punching his opponent after being pushed provocatively.
Both players were red-carded in the tunnel by match referee Craig Thomson along with unused Motherwell substitute Fraser Kerr, who became involved in the ensuing melee.
Triumphant Motherwell supporters also invaded the pitch and many of them goaded Rangers fans, something authorities are likely to take a dim view of.
Baraclough was delighted to see his players come out on top but knows they might not get the credit they deserved for winning so convincingly.
He said: "Everyone connected with us made sure these two games where the biggest of our lives. We executed our plan perfectly, took our chances and made sure we are in the top division.
"Hopefully the stuff at the end won't overshadow the win because it was 10 seconds of madness that has no place in this sport whatsoever.
"I was trying to talk to Stuart McCall and then all of a sudden I saw the melee so I don't know what kicked it off.
"Lee went to shake hands and I don't know what happened exactly. There has been an outpouring of emotions and it's gone too far. It was disappointing to see that.
"There were some unsavoury scenes and there is no place in football for that. You battle hard on the pitch and after the 90 minutes you shake hands and move on.
"The two teams went at it hammer and tongs, there were chances in both ends in both games and it was a pulsating game to watch for any neutral.
“If the back pages are full of two or three people brawling then that's the wrong message to send out for Scottish football."
Baraclough was able to keep Motherwell up after they were bottom of the Premiership table as recently as February.
Five wins and two draws in their final 12 games were enough to give them a lifeline as they moved to 11th place and the play-off spot that provides.
Baraclough brought several new faces after the January transfer window opened and after they made a positive impact, he is now promising more changes this summer.
He added; "We've got some important meetings over the next couple of days and invariably players will be moving on.
"I'd like to bring one or two players in. I can't give you numbers at this moment in time or names, but there needs to be a freshening up.
"Although I'm delighted we're still in the top division, you have to freshen things up to make sure this doesn't happen again next season, to make sure we are fighting at the right end."
