McDonald has saved me from a roasting

Hamilton had a great chance to open his account for the Steelmen against Hearts when Lee Wallace hauled down Scott McDonald in the penalty box.

The referee pointed straight to the spot and the big striker, an acquisition from SPL strugglers Livingston during the January transfer window, quickly volunteered.

However, he struck a weak shot that was easily saved by Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, much to his embarrassment and the dismay of the Fir Park crowd.

Fortunately for him, though, McDonald hit the target shortly afterwards and hit-kid Marc Fitzpatrick enhanced his own growing reputation and sewed up the three points with another goal just before half-time.

And Hamilton was a relieved man at the end of the game after Terry Butcher's team had secured their first league win in over two months.

He confessed: "The penalty miss still stings a bit. The boys really bailed me out with two good goals.

"Obviously, I would like to be getting in on the goals. But if I am setting up chances and the team is winning then I am happy.

"Overall, it was a good team performance. We have played well in every game since I have joined without getting the breaks. Against Hearts we did. It was a comfortable win in the end. It is frustrating not to have scored in my three games here. But I have only been at Motherwell for a couple of weeks and it is not make or break yet. Hopefully, I will start scoring soon."

Butcher clearly brought the 6ft player to Motherwell to add another dimension to his vertically-challenged side's play and it has worked wonders.

While he has not hit the target himself, the 29-year-old has made a general nuisance of himself against opposition strikers and McDonald - who took his tally for the season to 10 on Saturday - is clearly benefiting.

Hamilton agreed: "I am enjoying playing with Scott. It is only early days with the partnership but so far so good. I have been brought in because I have a bit of height, to act as a target man, and we are starting to get goals off it. Hopefully, I can chip in with a few myself."

Butcher, who has relegated David Clarkson and Richie Foran to the bench to field Hamilton, reiterated how happy he was with his new signing despite his inability to find the net.

In addition, the Motherwell boss was delighted his team finally ended their worrying run of nine SPL games without an outright victory.

With the CIS Cup Final against Rangers team looming at Hampden on March 20, Butcher is now hopeful they can go on a winning run.

He said: "This is a win that should give us a lot of confidence. We beat Hearts 4-2 at home earlier this season and it really lifted us. So hopefully this is the start of another good spell of form."

Watching Scotland boss Walter Smith must have been heartened by the display of Stevie Hammell.

This was one of the left-back's finest displays in a Well shirt and he will surely merit inclusion in the national squad to face Italy in the World Cup qualifier next month if he maintains this form.

HOT - Stevie Hammell was solid at the back and inventive going forward.

NOT - Jim Hamilton must score soon to bury the memory of his shocking penalty miss.

Taken from Evening Times