Manager Michael Wimmer believes a “great togetherness” is being fostered at Motherwell after survival was celebrated with beers and banners.
Assistant boss Ahmet Koc handed out bottles of beer to supporters who had gathered at Fir Park last Saturday to welcome the squad back from the 2-1 win at Dundee.
That victory ensured a 41st successive season in the top flight for the Steelmen, a feat proudly emblazoned on a supporters banner.
“It’s always a good moment if you come back and the fans are happy, satisfied and not angry,” said German Wimmer.
“I was in a situation where I came back and the fans were angry. Not here, but in other clubs.
“So, it was very good and we were also proud to get out of the coach and the fans are there. It was really fantastic. I think it shows that we’re going in the right direction.”
On Koc handing out bottles of lager to fans, Wimmer laughed: “I think they deserved it and Ahmet is someone who always recognises if someone deserves it or not.
“He saw the fans outside and he looked at the players and said, no beer for you, I give it to the fans.
“Especially in smaller clubs, it’s important that you have a great togetherness.
“This is the fans, this is the team and this is also the management. If you work hard together and if you love each other, that’s maybe too strong a word, but you have to talk, you have to fight, you have to say what you think.
“But in the end, you have to stay together and you have to decide one way and you have to go this way.
“At the moment it’s good and if we finish the season as well as possible, then we have energy and this energy will bring us over in the summer.”
Wimmer insists he is better prepared for next season after winning four of his opening nine games in charge while adapting to his new surroundings.
“It was a very tough time also for me as a manager to come in, to have this big squad with 34 players, and also the connection between fans, and also not have much information about the league,” the former Austria Vienna boss said prior to Saturday’s visit to face Hearts.
“I saw the league on TV of course, but to experience it in the game on a Saturday, it’s another picture.
“And now for me, it’s more clear what we need, what fans expect.”
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