Laing playing for Motherwell future

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Louis Laing is playing for his own future as well as Motherwell's as he bids to finish the off the job against Rangers.

The on-loan Nottingham Forest player was impressive alongside Stephen McManus in the heart of the Motherwell defence as Ian Baraclough's team won 3-1 at Ibrox in the first leg of the Scottish Premiership play-offs.

Motherwell are looking to retain their 30-year top-flight status on Sunday and Laing could stay at Fir Park if they do so. Forest looked set to take up a one-year option on the former Sunderland defender's contract but the dismissal of Stuart Pearce in February - he was replaced by Dougie Freedman - means Laing is in limbo.

The 22-year-old said: "I'm out of contract in the summer so to stay in the league and help the club would be a massive advantage for me having another option next season, because I might like to come back.

"I'm not sure what's happening next season. As far as I know, I am a free agent.

"I have really loved it here. Would I like to stay? Yes, probably, but you never know what's going to happen.

"Motherwell is a great club, it's a great fan base, the manager is fantastic, everyone here is a great guy and I am really enjoying it. First and foremost we need to concentrate on Sunday and stay in the league.''

Laing, who has returned from a groin injury in time for the crucial double-header, added: "Obviously the situation we are in isn't ideal but last night was the highlight of my career.

"Playing in front of that many people, the pitch was fantastic, and the magnitude of the game was brilliant. I think Sunday is going to be pretty similar and it will be a fantastic, fantastic atmosphere if we stay in the league.''

Motherwell had lost nine of their previous 10 away games but they stunned nearly 50,000 Rangers fans and 950 of their own by racing into a 3-0 lead moments into the second half.

"We take massive confidence from last night,'' Laing said.

"Playing in front of that many people, some people may have thought that the pressure might have got to us. It's been said that we can't play under pressure but we proved that we can, especially in front of their fans, who were fantastic.

"But I've got to take my hat off to the Motherwell fans because I could hear the Motherwell fans over the top of the Rangers fans. They were brilliant and helped us get through the game.

"My ears are still ringing now but I feel refreshed after a good sleep. It's easy to keep the feet on the ground.

"We know Sunday is going to be a very, very tough game. We still have a massive job ahead. We just need to defend well, stick to the game plan. The tactics were perfect last night and we go into the weekend full of belief. We can't go into the game with any complacency.''

It would be natural for Motherwell to sit on their lead to some extent but they have recently put five goals past St Mirren, four past Hamilton and scored three against Kilmarnock at Fir Park and Baraclough knows that even one goal on Sunday would give Rangers a major task.

He said: "We have been strong at home and we have scored goals. We know if we can score on Sunday, it will make Rangers' task more difficult.

"But we know we will probably have to defend for long periods as well and make sure we are fully ready for what Stuart (McCall) and his men are going to bring to the party. We go into the game with a two-goal lead and we will look to build on it.''