SIMON RAMSDEN has urged the Fir Park fans to be Motherwell's 12th man and inspire them to Europa League success.

Stuart McCall's side kick off their European campaign at home to Icelandic side Stjarnan tonight as they look to end a poor run of form on the continent that has seen them fall at the first hurdle in the last two seasons.

Ramsden made his Well debut in the loss to Greek giants Panathinaikos two seasons ago as the Steelmen support roared their team on from the stands in a Champions League qualifier.

Motherwell have continually defied the odds to reach the European arena and the defender is eager to have more memorable nights in continental competition.

Ramsden said: "The Panathinaikos game was a great match to make my debut in. It was the best atmosphere I have seen at Fir Park that night.

"It was a great game to play in. The build-up for that, it was the first time the club had been in the Champions League qualifiers, was massive.

"Last season, playing against [Kuban Krasnodar] was another good experience, but in both seasons the results have gone against us.

"The thing that stands out is, I remember we went 1-0 down against Panathinaikos and there was a massive roar from the fans as if to say 'come on, we can still do this' and it lifted everyone on the pitch.

"It was definitely one of the best atmospheres I have played in during my career. It was great. We will be more favourites going into the game than we were that night and the fans can definitely help us again.

"It might be one of those games where we have to be patient. They might sit in for long spells and make it difficult for us.

"If the crowd get behind us then I am sure we can get a positive result."

Having fallen to the likes of Pana, Levante and Krasnodar in European competition in recent years, Motherwell are targeting an extended run this time around.

Stjarnan are far from one of the giants of the continent, but Ramsden knows McCall's men can take nothing for granted this evening.

He said: "It would be massive for everybody connected to the club if we were to progress to the group stage.

"This will not be an easy tie and you only need to look at how Celtic fared against Reykjavik to know that this will be a difficult game.

"We are expecting them to come and sit in but we feel that with the quality we have at our disposal we can stamp our authority on the game. We have players in our squad who can hurt them."

If Motherwell are to book their place in the third qualifying round, the Steelmen will have to bring an end to their barren scoring streak.

Even a narrow win would put them in pole position for the return tie next week, and Ramsden said: "This is my third season and I have not seen us score a goal in Europe.

"Our aim is not to concede in this tie. If we don't concede an away goal that will give us a platform to get through the tie."