Interview: Motherwell ace Liam Polworth had more reasons than most to celebrate Scotland qualifying for Euro finals

That’s because Polworth took pride in watching his ’Well team-mates Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell produce heroic performances, as well as seeing fellow Inverness-born footballer Ryan Christie score Scotland’s stunning opener early in the second half.

“Both Declan and Stephen were outstanding for Scotland,” Polworth, 26, told the Times and Speaker.

“It was brilliant just to be sitting there watching it on TV. In my personal opinion, what they did for themselves and the country was massive.

“I think everyone around Scotland would be looking at them as an inspiration, given they’re not playing for the Old Firm.

“A lot of the Scotland squad play for teams in the English Premier League but these two are still starting the big games for Scotland.

“It just goes to show that it’s not always the biggest teams that are represented.

“As long as they’re out there and playing the way they did, they clearly deserve to be there.”

On seeing fellow Highlander Christie score Scotland’s goal, Polworth added: “Ryan did unbelievably for the goal and he was unbelievable in general.

“His performances have been brilliant for Scotland.

“It’s a massive thing for everyone up north to see him do that.

“It gives everyone that inspiration.”

Assuming crowds are back for next summer’s finals, Polworth said it would be important for Scotland to use the home fans’ passionate backing at Hampden for group games against the Czech Republic and Croatia, sandwiched between a game against England at Wembley.

Continuing the continental flavour, Polworth and his ’Well mates impressed in this season’s Europa League, winning preliminary-round ties against Northern Irish opponents Glentoran and Coleraine before going down 3-0 against Hapoel Beer Shiva in Israel.

Polworth said: “After the season we had last season, finishing third, it was something I think everyone was looking forward to, being a part of the European games, and they were thoroughly enjoyable.

“Beating Coleraine on penalties was obviously a massive result given the way the game was going as well.

“To go on with 10 men and eventually Trev (goalkeeper Trevor Carson) saving the penalties to get us through, everyone was buzzing after the game and we knew it was going to lead to a big tie.

“In the last game, we didn’t do ourselves as much justice as maybe we could have, but it was obviously against a tough opponent.

“I felt like everyone would have benefited experience-wise from just playing the European games, being involved in that sort of environment.

“That is something that will push us on in the league because that’s something we want to experience again.”

Domestically, a recent resurgence has Motherwell rise to seventh in the Scottish Premiership table with 15 points from 13 games, level on points with eighth-placed cup opponents St Johnstone but with a game in hand.

That pick-up follows a series of disappointing results blighted by bad fortune early in the league campaign.

“It was a tough start to the season, I think, for me personally and for the team,” said the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder.

“I don’t think we were getting the results we deserved for the performances.

“More recently. my form has started to pick up a little bit, along with the team overall, and then obviously the results have started to come with it.

“It was a tough place to go on Saturday (a 1-1 league draw against St Johnstone in Perth), but I think in the end we were probably happy to get out of there with a point.”

It remains to be seen if Polworth will still be a Motherwell player next season as his current deal expires at the end of the current campaign.

“Obviously, my contract’s up at the end of the season,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Motherwell.

“The gaffer (Stephen Robinson) and everyone has been really good to me since I’ve come and I feel I have improved a lot under him.

“I have a lot of appreciation for him and Motherwell for the way things are going.

“It’s something that I’m having a look at, and the club’s starting to speak to me about a new contract.

“I’m going to sit down and have a chat with my family to see what’s happening.”