THE notion of all you need is love is as pertinent now as it was when the Fab Four boasted about the benefits of compassion back in 1967.

In times of trouble and strife, even the biggest alpha males need a considered word, a guiding hand or an arm round the shoulder.

Connor Ripley is living proof of that. The strapping 6ft 3in keeper was left distraught only two weeks ago when his blunder against Celtic left Motherwell sweating as they were left to watch other results roll in as their post-split fate was decided.

The on-loan Middlesbrough man retreated from Fir Park to the safe haven of his bedroom, thoughts of Leigh Griffiths’ winner rolling through his mind just like the striker’s shot trundled through his legs, his eyes frantically scanned his television screen for news. At his lowest ebb, it was at this point Ripley was touched by the warm hand of kindness.

“I think I needed a cuddle,” confessed the towering 23-year-old. “It was a difficult couple of hours. It was probably the best first half I’ve had at Motherwell and then I cocked it up with that mistake.

“If you are a goalkeeper, it’s costly. Outfield players can misplace a pass or put the ball over the bar from six yards and people will be like ‘Oh unlucky, try again’.

“I went home and turned my phone off. I didn’t want anyone calling me.

“I just sat on my bed until I knew the results were in then all the lads started messaging.

“The boys were really good with me. I was really down. I felt I let the club and the team down.

“It was nice that Scott McDonald called me up and said ‘Listen, you’re doing well’ and Mick sent me a text. Even the assistant manager texted me. They were all really nice.

“It was good because I think I needed a cuddle. That was the virtual cuddle.”

You would need arms like the length of the Finnieston Crane to get round him, but the words of comfort given to Ripley in his hours of need quickly dissipated when it became clear his Celtic clanger didn’t impede Motherwell’s safe passage into the top six.

“As soon as we finished fourth they all ripped into me,” he added. “I felt a bit vulnerable!”

It was an unusual position for Ripley to find himself in given his form this season for Motherwell. A former England U20 internationalist, the goalkeeper has excelled in Lanarkshire while knowing potentially greater things will be awaiting him at the Riverside when he returns in the summer.

Middlesbrough currently lead the way in the English Championship with just three games left to play. While the prospect of Premier League football is understandably a draw, the level-headed Englishman knows only too well where he would feature in the pecking order.

However, with two years still left on his deal, Ripley is content to return to Teeside to fight for his place.

“I signed another contract with them just before I came up here,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it looks like they might be going into the Premier League. Let’s not be daft, I’m going to try and do my best to get there. If I can’t, I’ll look somewhere else.

“The head scout is Gary Gill and he’s actually my Godfather! He’s been keeping in touch with me and looking after me.”

Would Motherwell be a potential destination if he was to look elsewhere?

“Of course they will. If Motherwell wanted me back of course, but I’m going to go back to Brough as fit as I can be and fight for my position.

“Before I left I was second choice behind Tomas Majias, now he’s second choice to Agazzi who can also be second choice at times. I have a chance in and around the time.

“Dimi has done well this season and if I go back I’m not expecting to be thrown into the team, although it would be nice!

“I’ve got to fight my way and if I can’t do that and there are other clubs who want me I’ll go there.”