Motherwell’s Reid eager to seize second Europe chance

Motherwell defender Craig Reid has admitted he feared he would never get another chance to play in Europe again.

Reid, who scored the Steelmen’s last-minute winner that clinched second place, will run out at Fir Park on Thursday night for the Europa League qualifier against Icelanders FC Stjarnan.

And that will come six years after his last continental action which was Queen of the South’s European debut against Nordsjaelland.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “We weren’t expected to win so it was really just about enjoyment. But in the end we nearly won it.

“In the first leg I think the early away goal killed us but away from home we were up 1-0 and had chances for 2-0.

“We threw everybody forward in the last ten minutes and lost two goals on the break which was a shame. It was something completely different for Queens, though, and I did think it could have been my first and last European game.”

Now he can look forward to another big night.

“In football you never know what is round the corner,” said the 28-year-old. “You just have to make the most of the highs when they come along. You have to keep working hard and believe things are going to come right for you.

“I had a lot of ups and downs last season but it ended up being a bit of a fairy tale for me. For a while I didn’t even have a club.

“Then I got signed, played every game for Motherwell and of course scored the winner in the last minute up at Pittodrie which got us second place.”

The next task is to justify favouritism against the Icelanders.

“I know Stjarnan are well into their season and not only second in their league but I think they are unbeaten this year as well,” he said.

“Although they will be sharp and fit we are going to be expected to win it. It won’t be easy though.

“We have a lot of Euro experience now having qualified for the last few years and hopefully that will come into play.”