Tony Mowbray looked to Barry Robson's return to Clydesdale Bank Premier League action for some comfort after Saturday's goalless draw against Motherwell at Parkhead left his side a point behind Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the table.

A Co-operative Insurance Cup tie against Falkirk and a substitute appearance against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League was the sum total of the midfielder's season before Mowbray handed him an SPL start against the Fir Park side.

The Parkhead fans moaned and groaned their way through an afternoon of missed chances but the former Dundee United midfielder, battling back to full fitness from a groin injury which had kept him out for seven months, escaped most of the flak before fatigue saw him substituted by Zheng Zhi with just over 20 minutes remaining.

However, Robson may have done enough to secure a place in the side for the Europa League clash with Hamburg at Parkhead on Thursday night.

"Barry did very, very well," Mowbray said. "He possesses all the qualities I like as regards his character, his drive, his determination and his desire to win football matches and individual battles on the pitch.

"He needed game time and that's why he played."