Tony Watt laughs off Motherwell abuse as 'Judas and Moses' zinger has returning striker chuckling
Watt can see the funny side of his controversial return on loan from Dundee Utd
Tony Watt admits he’s chuckled at some of the abuse since returning to Motherwell. Especially the punter that said the Well frontline was now Judas and Moses.
The striker was anything but a saint to Steelmen supporters when he upped sticks and left for Dundee United two-and-a-half years ago. But the 30-year-old is serious when he says he will have the same fans worshipping him again soon now he’s back on a season-long loan from the Arabs.
Watt knows he has a job to convince the majority of his intentions. But he’s up for the challenge, starting in tomorrow’s League Cup clash with Kilmarnock where he could be paired with Well forward Moses Ebiye. Watt said: “It feels good to be back. I’m excited. I didn’t have any doubts at all. Why would I? I’ve been more than honest about why I left. You need to make decisions for your family.
“Some of the banter was funny. I remember getting called ‘Judas’ when I’d signed a pre-contract. It is what it is.
“I saw someone say this week that ‘Judas and Moses are playing up front for Motherwell now!’ I found that quite funny.
“I can understand how some of them feel and I don’t blame them for feeling hurt and upset. It’s up to me to turn them around, do my best for them and I am confident I will. I will embrace the boos, I will embrace the cheers.”
Ironically Watt’s first goal for United came against Well at Tannadice two years ago – and his exuberant celebration that afternoon ended up in bout of touchline verbals with then Motherwell chief Alan Burrows. Watt said: “Flo was angry I celebrated but we spoke an hour after it.
“I explained to him that I was getting dogs’ abuse. If you get hit with dogs’ abuse, you hit back with dogs’ abuse – that’s life!”
Watt insists there was no animosity with Jim Goodwin over his exit at Tannadice. He said: “We saw it coming to an end. We spoke three weeks ago and he said, ‘The club will let you leave, you aren’t going to play much’.”
Well boss Kettlewell –who still hopes to add “one or two” more signings – reckons he’s added a big figure on and off the park in Watt. He said: “You get all different types in football and it’s safe to say he isn’t quiet! But that is something that I want in the group.”