KEITH LASLEY is known for many things to many people. To some, he was a player you loved to hate, a combative silver-haired midfielder who would never leave his rival alone. To others, he was an inspirational captain on and off the park, club icon and, in the case of the 2015 Premiership play off, a ropey karaoke singer.
However, the two things not linked with the now Motherwell assistant manager during his playing days was his eye for goal or standing on top of a Hampden podium, holding a silver trophy aloft, draped in claret and amber ribbons.
Unbeknown to some, the first of the two was ticked off almost seven years ago in the pursuit of silverware at the national stadium. Now standing in the dugout as Motherwell return there on Sunday in the same League Cup semi-final fixture against the same opponents Rangers, the dream of playing even a small part in making history with the Fir Park club is in the mind of Lasley. For a man who has captained Motherwell into the Champions League qualifiers and helped them to second in the table, it would post-retiral present that would finally allow him to close the door on the one thing missing from his playing days in a Motherwell shirt.
“Undoubtedly,” he said. “I know from my point of view it would be fantastic but I know what it would mean to so many people. The supporters, the people at the club like Alan the kitman, Karen and Wendy in the office. These are all people who have been associated with Motherwell far longer than me.
“For me, it would be a proud achievement just to be involved. But the bigger picture is what it would mean to the town, the club and the Well Society. Things with the Society are really taking off right now and a cup win would galvanise it all and push the club to a different level. To be a part of that, even a small part, would mean so much.
“Have I missed playing? Not really, which is a surprising answer. The main reason is because I’ve not had a chance. At this side of the game there’s more hours and it’s more intense. I’m really enjoying it, though. It’s a continuous loop. You don’t get a moment to think ‘Oh I wish I was playing’ but don’t get me wrong, when we get to Hampden on Sunday I’m sure there might be a wee thought about being out there on that turf.”
As it happens, Lasley’s goal against Rangers - just one of 19 in over 400 appearances for Motherwell - is the last goal the Lanarkshire side have scored in a semi-final against Rangers. It was January 2011 when his uncharacteristic drive from 18 yards whizzed into the net at Hampden to cancel out Maurice Edu’s opener. It would soon end in disaster for Stuart McCall’s men as Steven Naismith struck on 75 minutes.
“We were really gutted not to win it. I remember that,” recalled Lasley. “We played well throughout that match. Maurice Edu scored a screamer from 25 yards before I got the equaliser. At that point we had a belief we could do something, but there was a wee bit of magic from [Nikica] Jelavic to cross for Steven Naismith to stick it away.
“I’ve been lucky enough to score in some bigger games and that one is up there. You just want to get to play at Hampden growing up. I don’t get many to score was a proud moment in itself. It would have been better just to get the job done.”
While that Motherwell team went on to lose 3-0 in the Scottish Cup final later that year to Celtic, there is a confidence and vigour pulsating through Stephen Robinson’s team now that has them going into this meeting with Rangers full of confidence. Motherwell have won 11 out of their 15 games this season to take them to fourth in the Premiership and to the last four of the Betfred Cup. It’s clear the prospect of getting the better of an Ibrox side just a point above them in the league comes with no fear factor.
Lasley said: “There has been a change in mentality which is a big thing we’ve focused on. Individually what to expect from each other and as a club. I was a big part of it over the last two or three seasons. It wasn’t that you came in expecting to be involved in a relegation scrap but that was the general feeling around the place.
“You can see the players are showing more belief.”
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