MOTHERWELL striker David Clarkson has been through the mill in recent years.

The recent death of his uncle and colleague, Phil O'Donnell, was a public grieving process and arguably it is something the 23-year-old striker is still coming to terms with.

But on the pitch there were problems too. Prior to Mark McGhee's arrival at Fir Park, the club were struggling and Clarkson, who was also at Motherwell when they went into administration in 2002 has known his fair share of ups and down.

Recently, though, there has been plenty of ups, the most notable being a Scotland cap and goal.

But the striker is expecting tomorrow's Uefa Cup tie against Nancy to be the highlight of his career so far.

"I never thought I'd be in this position last year but I'm loving it," he said.

"I'm involved in the inter- national set-up and we've got the Uefa Cup coming up and that's something to look forward to. The players are looking forward to it and spirits are high.

"If you were to say Motherwell had a chance of reaching the group stage of the Uefa Cup a couple years ago no-one would have thought it.

"It's something you look to do as a player and to do it with Motherwell is great.

"There have a few of us who came through with the club in administration and almost being relegated and such things.

"To come this far, finishing third and playing in the Uefa Cup is unbelievable in such a short time."