THERE will have been times, no doubt, that Motherwell supporters have looked to the skies above Fir Park in a desperate search for divine intervention. They may even, once or twice, have uttered the Lord’s name in vain.

For their midfielder, Gael Bigirimana, his relationship with God goes well beyond the 90 minutes on a Saturday, but he admits he lost his way on the pitch at Motherwell after straying from his path away from football last season.

He arrival in Scotland last season was greeted by excitement from supporters of the club. His undoubted talent had seen him play for Newcastle United in the English Premier League, and he came with a glowing reputation from Coventry City.

For his new fans, he was the creative midfielder that their team were crying out for. For Bigirimana, Motherwell was a stepping stone back to the big time. But somewhere along the line, those plans went awry.

Far from being the integral beating heart of the midfield, Bigirimana was a bit-part player as he failed to reach the physical standards set by manager Stephen Robinson’s demanding all-action style. His application came under scrutiny, and in the summer, it all came to a head.

On the verge of quitting not only Motherwell, but football altogether, suddenly Bigirimana saw the light. With a nudge in the right direction from wife Natalia, Bigirimana has turned his Motherwell career around. And far from using the club as a ticket back to the top, now, he lives to serve.

“I think that the difference in mindset for me came from my faith,” Bigirimana said. “My faith is everything to me, and I have a relationship with God.

“I came here with the mindset of using Motherwell as a stepping stone to where I want to get. In my faith, God doesn’t want to be approached that way, as if he is a Santa Clause figure that when you act good, he will give you stuff, and you just use him to get what you want.

“I was using Motherwell, and although people might say there’s nothing wrong with that and the club might even say they are a stepping stone to players, for me, that’s no longer my mindset.

“I believe the reason why I’ve enjoyed this season is that I have made my mind up that I am going to serve the club, I’m going to serve my team-mates, and whether I get played or don’t start I’m just going to play with a freedom.

“We all hear people saying no player is bigger than the club and that is true. As long as people care about the club, it will flourish. I might not be here next year, or in two years, or I could be here for the rest of my career. But after I hang up my boots the club will still be Motherwell. Every player, no matter where you are, if you play with the right motives you reap what you sow.

“For me, last season was quite tough because I had to examine myself. I even wanted to quit, and I wasn’t enjoying it because my motive wasn’t right. But now, my motive is right, and I play football to help my team-mates, to help the young boys, whoever I can help. I’m just here to serve.”

One person who has benefited from Bigirmana’s help already is David Turnbull, the latest product off the Fir Park conveyor belt. The 19-year-old midfielder has caught the eye with his goalscoring displays against St Mirren and Dundee in the last two matches, with Bigirimana sacrificing himself to allow the prospect to shine.

“It’s all natural to him, he’s so technically gifted,” Bigirimana said. “I said to him in training one day; ‘people think I’m technically gifted, but I had to work for it, because my natural position is a defender, a centre-back. But you, you were born with it. If you can work hard and be effective in training, then there will be no problem when you get your chance’.

“If it means I have to do the horrible, dirty side of the game to help the manager think he can bring David Turnbull in, then that has been my joy. Just seeing him play. I love playing with him because he makes my job easier, and I make his job easier."

Belief is a key theme when speaking to Bigirimana, and it will be a key requirement for the Motherwell players if they are to have any chance of beating Rangers this afternoon.

The Burundian has been impressed by the progress made at Ibrox since he was on loan there from Newcastle in 2015, and is all too aware of the threat they pose to his side’s recent upturn in fortunes.

“They are a different club now from when I was there, and that is why they are back in Europe and competing for the title,” he said. “I enjoyed my time there even though I didn’t play. The staff were great towards me and they were so supportive. I am looking forward to playing against them at Ibrox."