MOTHERWELL caretaker boss Stephen Craigan has told how a pre-match call to Ian Baraclough helped ease his mind ahead of his first match as a manager.

The former Fir Park captain and current Under-20s coach was thrust into the spotlight at the weekend as he took charge of the senior team.

It would turn out to be a successful day at the office courtesy of a 2-1 win, despite the 38-year-old conceding the stress of the experience meant he enjoyed virtually none of it.

Craigan was brought back to the club in the summer under Baraclough’s watch, and the Northern Irishman forged a strong relationship with the then first-team manager.

Speaking to SportTimes, Crags confessed that he felt ‘awkward’ stepping into the former Sligo Rovers manager’s shoes just a matter of days after he was sacked.

But he has revealed a phone call to his old boss and the good wishes given by him helped the interim gaffer guide Motherwell to victory.

“I spoke to Ian Baraclough the night before the game and he told me he was convinced the boys would win. I told him I was convinced as well,” said Craigan.

“I gave him a phone because it’s tough. He brought me in during the summer and my sole intention was to work with the Under-20s.

“To then get promoted to the first team for one game, two games or however long it may be was difficult because I worked very well with him, we worked close together and we all had a mindset on the game.

“To take over his position, I find it awkward. I spoke to him on the Wednesday when he left but I felt I had to speak to him again the night before just to let him know how things have gone because he probably feels it’s his team, and it is.

“It’s not a magic wand that I come in and suddenly it changes round. It’s about the players, they deserve every credit they get.

“They are not my players. I didn’t sign them or bring them in, I’m just getting the reward for it. But certainly all the work is down to Ian.”

Craigan received plaudits from supporters for his team selection and change in formation, a switch that saw two men up front with a host of experienced faces thrown back into the starting line-up.

It was a result that will also have impressed Motherwell owner Les Hutchison, who is keeping close tabs on developments from his home abroad.

However, while many fans are glad to see the back of Baraclough, the Northern Irishman does not join them in that sentiment.

In fact, Craigan confessed that even the euphoria of recording a landmark victory on Saturday was not enough to take away the ‘heartbreak’ at seeing the Well boss lose his job.

He said: “There’s always a feel-good factor when you win a game of football. If you lose then things can change.

“Naturally Les will be looking at the result from afar. Whether it’s a good performance or not, it’s irrelevant and I told the players that.

“It just so happens that it was maybe one game too late for Ian which is soul destroying for us as a staff because we have been working very well with him. One game could have made his managerial career at Motherwell.

“As much as there is excitement and pleasure from the players, there is huge disappointment among the staff that we have lost a colleague.”