Ricki Lamie says Motherwell were guilty of inviting penalty pain against Rangers

Motherwell defender Ricki Lamie admits no-one at the Fir Park club can pinpoint why they have suffered so much agony from the penalty spot this season.
Motherwell defender Ricki Lamie holds off a challenge from Rangers striker Cedric Itten at Fir Park on Sunday (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)Motherwell defender Ricki Lamie holds off a challenge from Rangers striker Cedric Itten at Fir Park on Sunday (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Motherwell defender Ricki Lamie holds off a challenge from Rangers striker Cedric Itten at Fir Park on Sunday (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

But the 27-year-old insists they will have to resolve the issue quickly if they hope to pull themselves away from the Scottish Premiership relegation zone.

Motherwell have now conceded a remarkable eight penalty kicks already in the current campaign after handball offences by Bevis Mugabi and Liam Grimshaw delivered two to Rangers which were both converted by James Tavernier as Steven Gerrard’s side romped to a 5-1 win in Lanarkshire on Sunday.

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“I don’t think anyone can put their finger on it,” reflected Lamie. “It would be easy to just say it’s misfortune but there’s been too many to say that.

“There are errors at every penalty you can pinpoint. But I think collectively that sometimes we are guilty of inviting it.

“On Sunday, if you concede numerous amounts of set pieces or invite balls into your box, then the likelihood of a ricochet or something going against you is heightened. We’ll need to put it right as we can’t keep conceding goals like that.

“It feels like for the most part we are defensively strong but if you are giving away set pieces and penalties, you will be up against it.

“We’ve lost 18 goals this season – and eight of them have been penalties. Trevor Carson is an amazing goalkeeper but it’s a free shot at goal from 12 yards and nine times out of 10 it’s in the back of the net.

“If you keep giving them away you are leaving yourself with a mountain to climb. Unfortunately for us it was a double from the penalty spot on Sunday and it doesn’t make it any easier.”

After back to back wins over St Johnstone and Aberdeen had kick-started Motherwell’s league campaign, Sunday’s setback left Stephen Robinson’s men just a point clear of bottom spot in the table.

The defeat came after a draining and disappointing Europa League trip to Israel, where they lost 3-0 to Hapoel Be’er Sheva last Thursday night.

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“It’s maybe easy to turn to the tiredness and use it as an excuse, but it is inevitable,” added Lamie.

“There was a bit of fatigue. We’ve played in midweek for the last few weeks, but so have Rangers.

“They have been tough games and that was always going to take its toll. We had 120 minutes in Northern Ireland against Coleraine, we then went up to Pittodrie and got a positive result then had another long journey to Israel. We were well looked after but it was going to take its toll.

“We had a couple of half chances on Sunday but we didn’t capitalise and were beaten by the better side.

“We could have been more compact, myself personally as well, especially when Rangers were bringing in guys like Jordan Jones who was fresh. Unfortunately for us, it never happened.

“It was a tough start to the game and you are always on the back foot when you concede an early goal. It was a hard afternoon against quality opposition but we didn’t make it easy for ourselves.”

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