McGhee throws supportive arm around sobbing Motherwell winger

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee has told distraught winger Lionel Ainsworth: "We love you."

Ainsworth was in tears after Motherwell's 1-0 defeat by Partick Thistle on Monday night as he admitted culpability for Steven Lawless' deflected stoppage-time winner.

The 86th-minute substitute had a momentary lapse of concentration which allowed Lawless to get in front of him and meet a half clearance, and he got back goal-side just too late as the subsequent shot flew in off Josh Law.

McGhee laid the blame for the defeat at an unnamed player's lack of awareness in his post-match interviews but there had been no hiding place in the dressing room for Ainsworth, who was on the receiving end from manager and team-mates. Ainsworth admitted he was "distraught" and took responsibility for the error in an extraordinary post-match interview, during which his voice broke with emotion and he could not stop the tears from flowing.

And McGhee pledged to take responsibility himself and lift Ainsworth ahead of the fifth-round clash with William Hill Scottish Cup holders Inverness at Fir Park.

"We love Lionel, he's a fantastic player," McGhee said.

"I take responsibility for putting Lionel on, trying to win the game.

"Maybe I should have put on a more defensive player and made sure we didn't lose the game, because we know Lionel can have these moments or lapses where he maybe switches off defensively.

"The other night it cost us and the team were upset, he was upset, we were all upset. But it's gone, there is no baggage with regards to that.

"Lionel is an important, important player for us and maybe what I have to do is think more about the way I deploy Lionel and take away any risk Lionel might pose in terms of those defensive situations."

McGhee has backed the 28-year-old to bounce back from his disappointment.

"I think he will but we have to help him," the Motherwell boss said.

"The fact he has come out and taken some responsibility for it is fantastic and I think the other lads will appreciate that.

"But we do love him, he has fantastic attributes.

"He has spent a lot of time sitting on the bench and I've got to find a way of getting the best out of him."