Keith has plenty in reserves

Aug 3 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

KEITH LASLEY hit rock bottom when he was turning out for Plymouth's RESERVES against Cheltenham Town.

Now the Motherwell midfielder can't believe he could be facing the likes of AC Milan or Spurs in the UEFA Cup.

It has been an amazing turnaround for Lasley whose career looked to be going nowhere when ex-Argyle boss Tony Pulis ditched him from Plymouth's first team.

But his return to Fir Park two years ago has worked a treat with the 28-year-old forming an integral part of the success of Mark McGhee's side last season.

Well finished third in the SPL and sealed a crack at Europe where they could meet some of the world's biggest clubs.

Lasley admits he has fallen back in love with the game, at a place where he feels at home.

He said: "Playing a big name at Fir Park in the UEFA Cup is a long way from playing Cheltenham reserves, that's for sure.

"My second year at Plymouth wasn't enjoyable. To come back and be involved in a campaign like last season was just incredible.

"When you're travelling from Plymouth to other grounds and not even playing it isn't much fun.

"When everything's going well for you the Championship is a great league to play in. But if you're not playing it's not so great.

"I went for months without a firstteam game at Plymouth and I ended up going on loan to Blackpool. It did start to get me down and I became a bit disenchanted with the game.

"It's no good travelling to games just to sit in the stand. You feel you're wasting your time.

"I was happy to get back up the road when I did and to get to where we are now and be in Europe as one of the best teams in the country just shows it was the right move.

"Another reason for me coming back to Scotland was family. I got married that summer and my wife's now expecting our first baby and it's good to be closer to home for that.

"I've no regrets about going to England - I'm a better player for it - but the time was right for me to come back home."