Ross Forbes was one of five young players to score against Flamurtari

Motherwell manager Jim Gannon said the 8-1 thrashing of Flamurtari in the Europa League proved that relying on his young players was not a gamble.

Gannon's side now face Steau Bucharest in the third qualifying round.

"I saw them play Shelbourne and they are an excellent side," he said. "It's going to be a fantastic tie.

"I saw a headline saying I was taking a gamble. But, if you think you have good players with qualities and skill, you play them no matter their age."

Flamurtari coach Eqerem Memushi had arrived at Excelsior Stadium saying he expected another victory to add to their 1-0 lead from the first leg in Vlore.

However, Motherwell were 6-0 ahead by half-time at the home of Airdrie, who were hosting the game because of work to the Fir Park playing surface.

"It is an amazing scoreline," Gannon told BBC Scotland. "You don't expect that in European football. You thought those days would be gone.

We had five young lads scoring all the goals and that's testament to their abilities Motherwell manager Jim Gannon

"But the way the boys went about their business suggested it could have been a lot more.

"I thought the lads were excellent. We really worked hard in training on the way we were going to go about our business.

"I have done my work well, but they have gone out and done their work very, very well."

Jamie Murphy scored a hat-trick, Paul Slane grabbed a double, while Ross Forbes, Shaun Hutchinson and Robert McHugh added the other goals.

"Anybody who knows me or looks back at my record as a manager knows I have always given youth a chance," said Gannon.

"And we had five young lads scoring all the goals and that's testament to their abilities."

Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan thought that a change of tactics had made all the difference.

"We spoke about playing a high-tempo game and getting in their faces, trying to play a more Scottish game, getting them to turn and putting them under pressure," he said.

"Before we knew it, we were 5-0 up. It was a wonderful night for us."

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