Interview: Stephen O’Donnell delighted to get first Motherwell game under his belt

The Scotland international fullback (28), who has joined on a short term deal until January, spoke after Motherwell dominated possession and chances in the Scottish Premiership clash at Easter Road but failed to score in a game which finished 0-0.

He said: “It was a wee bit surreal with no fans. I thought the cardboard cutouts made a lot of noise!

“It was great to be back. Naturally I was a wee bit off it with my end product at times, tiring a bit towards the end.

“But I’m relatively happy to get through 88 minutes, was it? For my first game in five months, that’s not bad.

“No matter how much running you do, it doesn’t prep you for it. So it was good to be back in it.

“I actually thought I might be playing at left back – and didn’t even know I was playing until this morning.

“Thankfully he didn’t tell me last night or I might not have slept.

“But I was delighted I lasted as long. Maybe a wee bit disappointed I didn’t complete the full 90, once I’d gone that far.

“But I just didn’t want to cost the team if something had gone.

“I cramped up my calf early in the game, then my hammy’s cramped.

“If something goes again it can cost a goal, give them a good chance – or put me out for a couple of weeks.

“I will hopefully be fighting fit for Saturday.”

O’Donnell, who had a first half goal attempt blocked in Edinburgh after a fine David Turnbull pass, felt his side merited the three points.

He added: “We finished third last season and I don’t think we’ve lost many players, so it’s pretty much the same squad.

“We’re hoping to go on and have a similar season again. So I don’t see why we should have gone to Easter Road and feared Hibs.

“We did well, we were maybe the better team.

“But, watching the English games, when they started back they were a bit slow getting into it.

“So there was a wee bit of rust. And it probably doesn’t help when you’ve go someone who hasn’t played in five months.

“It was a good performance, a good clean sheet. We kept a very good attacking side quiet, so there are a lot of positives.

“Coming away from Easter Road with a result is tough at any time, never mind when they’re top of the league.

“They’ve been very solid. I watched the game on Tuesday night against United.

“It was good to get the draw and it hopefully gives us something to build on.”

O’Donnell, who left Kilmarnock this summer after three years at Rugby Park, revealed that it has been tough not playing football in the few weeks before making his Motherwell debut.

He added: “It’s been brutal just sitting watching other people play for the past few weeks. Horrible. Something I hope I don’t need to do again.

“Just the way the virus has dictated thing, it’s been a very strange off season.

“I did a couple of radio things, did Sportscene – and I loved the opportunity.

“As you can tell, I talk plenty of rubbish so I hopefully fit into those roles relatively well!

“It was good to do those things. But nothing beats being out there on a Saturday.

“I just hope I’ve got a wee bit more to bring than I showed today.”