Ritchie, former Celtic star and Scottish football writers' player of the year, made only a handful of appearances at Fir Park during the mid-1980s after being signed by ex-Rangers manager Jock Wallace.

After Wallace left 'Well to return to Ibrox, Ritchie wasn't part of new boss Bobby Watson's plans and his days with his boyhood heroes were numbered.

Ritchie relived his short time at Fir Park as he promoted a new book, Flawed Genius, which spotlights some of Scottish football's most colourful characters.

A chapter is devoted to Ritchie who had three years at Celtic from 1973 before moving to Morton. There he achieved legendary status as a prolific goalscorer during a period when the Cappielow club enjoyed top flight status.

Ritchie grew up in Bellshill and was a regular at 'Well home games as a schoolboy.

He was set for a new lease of life when Wallace signed him after Morton were relegated, but it soon turned sour.

Ritchie said: "Bobby Watson came in but made it clear immediately he didn't want me. I had been there only six months, but Motherwell bought out my contract.

"It was a big, big disappointment because the team wasn't bad at that time with players like Gary McAllister and Ally Mauchlen involved. I would have loved to play more for them.

"Even today, after Morton, the Motherwell result is always the second one I look for on a Saturday."

Full story in January 14 edition of Times & Speaker