Stephen O’Donnell has signed a short-term deal with Motherwell as the impact of the pandemic hits home.
As a regular in the Scotland squad with his Kilmarnock contract ending in May it seemed like perfect timing to return to England after a prior stint at Luton Town.
The suspension of football, impact of Lockdown and rapidly changing landscape has changed everything with the one-time Celtic youth team player happy to get back playing with a short term deal at Fir Park.
The Sun reports:
O’Donnell had been targeted by clubs north and south of the border as he weighed up his future but he’s now penned a short-term deal with Stephen Robinson’s Fir Park side. O’Donnell lives locally and has been keen to get back playing ahead of Scotland’s upcoming Euro 2021 play-off.
He said: “I’m delighted to sign a deal with Motherwell. It’s a deal that suits everyone involved. Obviously there’s a few injuries and so the manager was looking for someone.
“When he came to me, I was delighted to sign up. I am a local boy, so it’s a great fit for me. And obviously, the chance to have another crack at Europe was a big factor.
“I feel I’ve a lot to prove at that level and to get that chance is important, especially with Scotland games on the horizon too but first, I want to get playing games and help the team.”
O’Donnell turned down an offer from Oxford United in January which would have greatly improved on his Kilmarnock terms.
With so much uncertainty around the chance to get playing again gives the 27-year-old the chance to get back into the Scotland squad and earn a move to England or extend his Motherwell deal through until the end of the season.
O’Donnell left Celtic in the summer of 2011, initially joining Partick Thistle before moving on to Luton Town and Kilmarnock.
