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Alan Gow admits he can’t wait to get started at Motherwell after joining the club on a short-term deal.

The forward, who finished last season on loan with Hibs, passed a medical this morning before meeting the press at lunchtime.

There, he explained how much Craig Brown and Archie Knox influenced his decision, and how pleased he was to be at Fir Park for at least the next six months.

“It’s good to sort my future out and hopefully I can get back playing as soon as possible,” he said.

“I’ve just been keeping myself fit and waiting to sign somewhere eventually. I’m just looking forward to playing now.

“I spoke to a few clubs. But I’ve probably made a few moves that I shouldn’t have and this time I wanted to take my time making a decision and find somewhere that suited me.”

“Craig Brown and Archie Knox being in charge was a massive influence and I can’t wait to get started.”

Gow began his career with local club Clydebank before spells with Airdrie and Falkirk eventually led to a dream move to Rangers.

However, he made just two cup appearances during his spell with the Glasgow giants and went out on loan to Blackpool and Norwich.

A move to Plymouth followed but he was released in the summer after spending the second-half of the season at Hibs.

Despite a frustrating few years, Gow insists he has no regrets about the path his career has taken.

“I started off playing for Clydebank and never really did much before so everything I’ve done has been a great achievement for me,” he said.

“I’m never going to complain about things that didn’t work out. I’ve no regrets, I would still make the same moves I made before.”

As for his short-term deal at Motherwell, he admitted: “I don’t really know where it can take me.

“I’ll just take one step at a time. I need to come back and play and show everybody that I can be fit for a season at least.

“I’ve signed a six-month contract and I need to prove to the management that I can get myself into the team and stay there.”

Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan will captain Northern Ireland when he wins his 50th cap against Slovenia in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier.

The defender, 33, has become a regular in Nigel Worthington’s side after making his international debut in February 2003.

It is the fourth successive time he has worn the armband with Aaron Hughes standing down as his team-mate reaches his milestone.

Northern Ireland boss Worthington said: “Stephen will get his 50th cap and I’m delighted for him.

“I have left him and Aaron to sort out the captain’s armband but I think I know where it is going. He fully deserves it as well.

“Aaron has been outstanding when it comes to something like this. It is the sign of a good leader.

“I have known Stephen for the last three years and what you get from him is a solid performance.

“He is always there. He is a terrific servant, a fantastic professional and great to have around the group.”

The club are delighted to announce the signing of Alan Gow, subject to a medical tomorrow morning.

Forward Gow has been without a club following his release from Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season.

He started his career with his local side but moved to Airdrie United following the demise of the Kilbowie club. He impressed at the Diamonds but it was at Falkirk where he really shone, eventually securing a move to Rangers.

Things didn’t quite work out at Ibrox though and after loan moves to both Blackpool and Norwich City, he eventually won a £200,000 move to Plymouth .

The 27-year-old spent last season on-loan at Hibernian from and was released from his contract following Plymouth’s relegation to League One.

Gow has been courted by several clubs but eventually chose Motherwell and has signed an initial six-month contract subject to a medical.

Following a successful completion, he will be paraded at Fir Park at 1pm tomorrow.

Craig Brown is cautiously optimistic about his side’s chances against Brechin City following this afternoon’s Co-operative Insurance Cup draw.

The Steelmen managed to avoid SPL opposition in the third round but face a tough trip to Glebe Park against Second Division City.

The teams met in pre-season of course as Motherwell prepared for the Europa League clash with Breiðablik.

‘Well turned in a decent performance back then, winning 3-1 thanks to second-half goals from John Sutton, Ross Forbes and Keith Lasley.

Brown expects things to be tougher this time around but is hopeful his team can do a professional job on the night.

“I suppose, in many ways, it is a good draw for us,” said the manager.

“We’ve been there recently and it’s a nice wee place. I expect it to be a really decent cup tie although we would have obviously preferred to be at home.

“I know Jim Weir from having him in the Scotland U21 squad. He’s a good lad and he’s fast becoming a very good manager. Brechin have some very good players, some of whom have played in the SPL, and will be very dangerous opponents.

“We have to go there, do a professional job and hopefully that will be enough to see us into the next round.”

Motherwell will play Second Division Brechin City in the third round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

The match will take place at Glebe Park on Tuesday 21st September, kick-off 7.45pm.

The two teams met in pre-season when Motherwell ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Ross Forbes, Keith Lasley and John Sutton.

The full draw is as follows:

• Rangers v Dunfermline
• Kilmarnock v Hibs
• Aberdeen v Raith
• Falkirk v Hearts
• Celtic v Inverness
• Ross County v Dundee United
• St Johnstone v Queen of the South
• Brechin City v Motherwell

All ties are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21st or Wednesday 22nd September.

Steven Meechan, Peter Innes and Steven Lawless have all joined Scottish Third Division side Albion Rovers on six-month loan deals.

The trio will remain at Cliftonhill until January, gaining valuable first-team experience with Paul Martin’s team.

Midfielder Meechan has played two senior games for the club against both halves of the Old Firm last season.

And striker Lawless has already been out on loan this campaign, spending a month at Annan Athletic and scoring one goal.

Midfielder Innes was captain of the U19s who finished second to Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19’s league and was named the inaugural Gordon Russell Players’ Player of the Year for the youth team.

Manager Craig Brown said, “These three going out on loan is a part of the strategy we have in developing our young talent, preparing them for life in the first-team squad.

“We already have Dario Quinn at Linlithgow Rose, Jordan Halsman at Annan and Gary Smith at Dumbarton.

“Competitive football will do these guys the world of good and we hope, when they return, they will be in a much better position to challenge for a spot in our starting eleven.”

The club can confirm that goalkeeper Michael Fraser has agreed his release and will leave Fir Park with immediate effect.

Fraser joined on a pre-contact agreement from Inverness Caley last summer but has struggled to hold down a first-team place.

He was back-up to John Ruddy last season and has found himself third in the pecking order this term, behind Darren Randolph and Lee Hollis.

Despite having nine months left on his contract, he has come to an agreement to leave early in order to find regular first-team football.

“I am really gutted to be leaving because I love the club and the people at the club,” said Fraser.

“Things didn’t work out for me and I am sad about that but, you know, that’s football. I stay in Uddingston, I really like the area, so ideally I would like to stay down here and get a club in the central belt.

“Craig Brown and Archie Knox have been brilliant with me and they’ve not forced me out or cut me adrift. It’s just one of those things.

“I would like to thank Motherwell for the opportunity and wish the club all the best going forward.”

Craig Brown believes the international break is coming at the right time for his weary troops following the 1-0 defeat to Celtic.

The Steelmen looked tired throughout the SPL clash at Fir Park as their midweek Europa League exertions appeared to take their toll.

Celtic were able to make five changes from their team which lost to Dutch side Utrecht, Craig Brown was forced to rely on the same group of players.

This difference in resources told as a fresh-looking Celtic dominated the encounter.

And after five games in two weeks, Brown is focusing on getting his players fit and rejuvenated over the forthcoming international break.

“We didn’t do enough to take anything from the game,” said the Motherwell boss. That was the poorest we have been all season so far and I attribute that to the nine games we have played so far this season – six in the Europa League and three in the SPL, with the same group of players.

“We can’t refresh the group at the moment due to the fact we don’t have huge resources and when Jennings and Hammell go off injured, as happened today, we have problems.

“This will be resolved in the next fortnight. We don’t have a match for a couple of weeks and the freshness will return. We can also get back to the normality of one match in a week, whereas so far this season we have been playing on a Thursday then on a Sunday.

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot after Steven Saunders was sent off for a professional foul on Shaun Maloney.

It was a heartbreaking way for Motherwell to concede, having defended bravely for so much of the match.

And Brown felt the penalty award and sending off was a contentious decision from referee Dougie McDonald.

“It was a through ball with both players running through on goal, and there was perhaps a slight coming together,” he said.

“Dougie McDonald is not in the best position and there were a few bodies between him and the incident – yet he was very quick to give it.

“I acknowledge there was some contact but Maloney went down very, very easily.

“We can also fault ourselves because young Saunders shouldn’t have made the challenge. Steven is an outstanding talent but he should have just run alongside Maloney and not given the referee the opportunity to give a penalty.”

Brown was keen to point out to the assembled press that he felt the better team had won the match and despite the disappointing nature of the penalty award, he had no arguments against Neil Lennon’s side being worthy all three points.

“Celtic were the better team and they deserved to win the match,” he said, “Although with a little luck on the penalty decision, we could have shared the points.

“Their new player Izaguirre was fantastic, a very assured debut – and they can just go out and strengthen their squad with players like that, so we can only be envious of the resources they have at Celtic.”

Pictures from the 1-0 defeat to Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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[tab:Match report]

A Daryl Murphy penalty consigned Motherwell to their second successive home defeat on a disappointing afternoon at Fir Park.

The Irishman scored the only goal from the spot midway through the second-half after Steven Saunders was dismissed for a foul on Shaun Maloney.

Celtic dominated the encounter for the most part and had several good chances to win by a larger margin against a Motherwell side which looked somewhat jaded after their midweek exertions.

Craig Brown made one change to his line-up for the visit of the Glasgow giants by restoring Steve Jennings, who was suspended for the 1-0 defeat to Odense.

His counterpart Neil Lennon meanwhile, made wholesale changes following their humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Dutch side Utrecht three days previous.

Keeper Zaluska, Mexican star Juarez, Jos Hooiveld and Birim Kayal all dropped out, as well as Marc-Antoine Fortune who completed a move to West Brom in the week.

They were replaced by Daryl Murphy, Glenn Loovens, Shaun Maloney and two debutants in Honduran World Cup left-back Emilio Izaguirre and Newcastle loan keeper Fraser Forster.

Neither team showed any signs of a continental hangover in the gripping early stages of the encounter. Brown’s charges attempted to press high up the field and Celtic displayed a freshness you would expect from a team able to make five changes from Thursday.

The result was a myriad of chances inside the opening ten minutes. ‘Well were first to threaten with only two minutes on the clock as a delightful whipped free-kick from the left by Hateley found its way onto the head of John Sutton at the near post but the Englishman’s header narrowly missed Fraser Forster’s near post.

Celtic went straight up the other end and should have made it 1-0. An excellent exchange of passes saw young James Forrest released down the right channel of the Motherwell box. The youngster fired across the face of goal and Shaun Maloney’s flick was splendidly saved by Darren Randolph.

Maloney threatened once more when he curled a 20-yard free-kick narrowly over the big Irish keepers bar, having won the free-kick himself with a jinking run which was unceremoniously stopped by Stephen Craigan.

The visitors continued to threaten in the early stages and could have been ahead ten minutes in when Murphy, enjoying his first SPL start of the season, cut in from the right wing and fired in a left-footed effort from 20 yards out, which was made much more dangerous by a wicked deflection off Craigan. Randolph took no chances and tipped the looping, spinning ball over the bar for a corner.

Celtic still looked the more likely side as the half wore on, with the attacking five-piece of Samaras, Ledley, Muphy, Maloney and Forrest combing particularly effectively – and it was the latter two which created Celtic’s next chance. With the clock approaching 25 minutes, Forrest drove to the byline, leaving Hammell in his wake, and clipped a nice cross to the near post, only to see Maloney head wide of the post.

Hammell was given permanent respite from the dangerous Forrest when he limped off after 34 minutes to be replaced by Jonathan Page, the Motherwell stalwart suffering from a hamstring strain.

After the initial barrage from Celtic, it was a relief to see Motherwell gradually get a grip on the game towards the end of the first half, winning more 50/50’s and beginning to play some threatening passes. Particularly some nice cross field passes by Murphy and Reynolds to the lively Humphrey.

Indeed, Motherwell came achingly close to taking the lead with five minutes to go until the break when a harmless bouncing ball into the Celtic box was wildly sliced into the air by Glenn Loovens – lobbing Forster in the process but just failing to creep in at the back post.

On the stroke of half-time, Maloney almost made Motherwell’s mini-revival redundant with a wonderful solo effort. The Scottish international breezed past Tom Hateley, before selling Stephen Craigan a step-over to go one-on-one with Randolph at an angle – but he failed at the final hurdle, lashing into the side netting with his weaker left foot.

Brown made a forward thinking change at the break, bringing on Nick Blackman for Jennings. The plan wasn’t immediately successful as Lennon’s men created the first chance of the second half as giant Swede Majstorovic met an outswinging corner, only to head clear over the bar from the penalty spot.

The Hoops didn’t need to wait very long for another decent chance though. Some nice play down the left flank by Maloney fashioned a yard of space for Samaras on the edge of the area. The Greek striker tried to curl an effort with finesse into the corner but Randolph threw himself to the corner to save and hold.

Motherwell looked a little labored after their European exploits but continued to fight for every ball and work exceedingly hard. This earned them a half-chance with 25 minutes still to play as Murphy fought off the attentions of two players on the left before feeding Lasley on the edge of the area. But the classy midfielder’s curling effort swerved just wide.

Celtic brought on Paddy McCourt for Samaras with just over 20 minutes left as the visitors looked for a spark to break down a resilient home  defence and they seemed to get a lift. Within minutes a move involving the sub set Maloney free in the left channel of the box but he dragged his shot wide.

The striker was involved again moments later as Celtic eventually took the lead. A Forster goal kick was flicked on by Majstorovic and sent Maloney haring through on goal. He was adjudged by Dougie McDonald to have been hauled down in the box by the chasing Saunders. He pointed to the spot and the young defender was shown a straight red.

Murphy kept his composure and fired past Randolph to break the deadlock and send the travelling fans into raptures.

With the numerical disadvantage, ‘Well struggled to get back into the match, and Celtic could have easily added to their tally.

McCourt, Murphy and Ledley all went close late on but it remained 1-0.

[tab:As it happened]

90+3′ FULL-TIME The referee blows the full-time whistle.

90′ Cross/shot by Ross Forbes.

90′ BOOKING Booking for Scott Brown for unsporting behaviour.

90′ Scott Brown concedes a free kick for a foul on Jamie Murphy.

89′ Patrick McCourt takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Darren Randolph.

88′ John Sutton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Glenn Loovens. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.

87′ Joe Ledley takes a shot from just outside the penalty area which clears the crossbar.

85′ Shot by Patrick McCourt. Save by Darren Randolph.

84′ Patrick McCourt gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Craigan. Free kick taken by Keith Lasley.

82′ Free kick awarded for a foul by Glenn Loovens on John Sutton. Free kick crossed right-footed by Tom Hateley, save by Fraser Forster.

81′ Daryl Murphy produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

80′ Outswinging corner taken by Tom Hateley from the right by-line, clearance by Emilio Izaguirre.

78′ Patrick McCourt has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

76′ Free kick awarded for a foul by Keith Lasley on Joe Ledley. Joe Ledley restarts play with the free kick.

75′ Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John Sutton by Du-Ri Cha. Tom Hateley delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, Daryl Murphy makes a clearance.

73′ GOAL Daryl Murphy scores from the penalty spot with a left-footed shot into the left-side of the goal.

73′ RED CARD Sent off Steven Saunders is shown a red card.

72′ Shaun Maloney fouled by Steven Saunders, the ref awards a penalty.

72′ SUB Ross Forbes comes on in place of Chris Humphrey.

71′ Effort from deep inside the area by Shaun Maloney misses to the left of the goal.

71′ Foul by James Forrest on Jonathan Page, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jonathan Page.

70′ Daryl Murphy produces a curled left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

69′ Effort from 12 yards by Nick Blackman. Fraser Forster makes a save.

67′ Daniel Majstorovic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Keith Lasley. Stephen Craigan restarts play with the free kick.

67′ SUB Patrick McCourt comes on for Georgios Samaras.

65′ Daryl Murphy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Stephen Craigan. Stephen Craigan restarts play with the free kick.

64′ Keith Lasley produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

64′ BOOKING The referee cautions Georgios Samaras for unsporting behaviour.

63′ Foul by Georgios Samaras on Stephen Craigan, free kick awarded.

61′ Daryl Murphy concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Craigan. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

61′ Corner from the right by-line taken by Emilio Izaguirre, clearance made by Stephen Craigan.

60′ Foul by Jonathan Page on James Forrest, free kick awarded. Scott Brown takes the direct free kick.

58′ The referee blows for offside against Nick Blackman. Free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.

55′ Foul by John Sutton on Scott Brown, free kick awarded. Shaun Maloney restarts play with the free kick.

51′ Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Humphrey, Stephen Craigan takes a shot from 12 yards. Blocked by Daniel Majstorovic.

50′ The offside flag is raised against Nick Blackman. Free kick taken by Fraser Forster.

49′ Shot by Georgios Samaras. Save made by Darren Randolph.

47′ Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Emilio Izaguirre, Daniel Majstorovic produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

46′ SUB Nick Blackman replaces Steve Jennings.

46′ KICK-OFF The referee gets the second-half underway.

45+1′ HALF-TIME The first-half comes to an end.

45+1′ Steven Saunders challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Emilio Izaguirre.

45′ Foul by Keith Lasley on Joe Ledley, free kick awarded. Glenn Loovens takes the free kick.

45′ Effort from inside the area by Shaun Maloney misses to the left of the goal.

42′ The assistant referee signals for offside against James Forrest. Free kick taken by Darren Randolph.

41′ The offside flag is raised against Steven Saunders. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.

40′ Corner taken right-footed by Chris Humphrey from the right by-line, clearance by Daniel Majstorovic.

38′ The ball is swung over by Cha Du-Ri, Header from deep inside the penalty area by Daryl Murphy goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

36′ Keith Lasley is penalised for a handball. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.

34′ SUB Jonathan Page replaces Stevie Hammell.

34′ Effort on goal by Cha Du-Ri from long range goes harmlessly over the bar.

33′ Corner taken by Emilio Izaguirre from the right by-line, save by Darren Randolph.

32′ John Sutton concedes a free kick for a foul on Daniel Majstorovic. Fraser Forster takes the direct free kick.

32′ BOOKING Steven Saunders is booked for unsporting behaviour.

32′ Unfair challenge on Keith Lasley by Georgios Samaras results in a free kick.

27′ Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John Sutton by Daniel Majstorovic. Stephen Craigan restarts play with the free kick.

26′ Unfair challenge on Stephen Craigan by Georgios Samaras results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Stephen Craigan.

22′ James Forrest produces a cross, Close range headed effort by Shaun Maloney misses to the right of the goal.

22′ Shot from 20 yards from Scott Brown. Blocked by Mark Reynolds.

20′ The offside flag is raised against Daryl Murphy. Darren Randolph takes the indirect free kick.

18′ Free kick awarded for a foul by Keith Lasley on Scott Brown. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.

11′ James Forrest takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a save.

10′ Inswinging corner taken by Shaun Maloney from the left by-line played to the near post, Steve Jennings manages to make a clearance.

10′ Daryl Murphy takes a shot. Mark Reynolds gets a block in.

8′ The assistant referee flags for offside against Daryl Murphy. Stephen Craigan restarts play with the free kick.

6′ Free kick awarded for a foul by Keith Lasley on Scott Brown. Direct free kick taken by Glenn Loovens.

5′ Jamie Murphy is caught offside. Fraser Forster takes the indirect free kick.

4′ Stephen Craigan concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Maloney. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Shaun Maloney.

3′ Shaun Maloney takes a shot. Darren Randolph makes a brilliant save.

2′ Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jamie Murphy by Scott Brown. A cross is delivered by Tom Hateley, John Sutton has a headed effort at goal from close range which goes wide left of the target.

1′ KICK-OFF The match is under way.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell boss Craig Brown:

“We didn’t do enough to take anything from the game. That was the poorest we have been all season so far and I attribute that to the nine games we have played so far this season – six in the Europa League and three in the SPL, with the same group of players.

“We can’t refresh the group at the moment due to the fact we don’t have huge resources and when Jennings and Hammell go off injured, as happened today, we have problems.

“Celtic were the better team and they deserved to win the match. Although with a little luck on the penalty decision, we could have shared the points.

“It was a through ball with both players running through on goal, and there was perhaps a slight coming together.

“Dougie McDonald is not in the best position and there were a few bodies between him and the incident – yet he was very quick to give it. I acknowledge there was some contact but Maloney went down very, very easily.

“We can also fault ourselves because young Saunders shouldn’t have made the challenge. Steven is an outstanding talent but he should have just run alongside Maloney and not given the referee the opportunity to give a penalty.”

Motherwell midfielder Keith Lasley:

“It was a big game for us but maybe the number of matches we’ve had recently took an edge off us.

“We certainly didn’t get to the standards that we did on Thursday against Odense when I thought we played really well.

“We’ve got a small squad so most of those who played in midweek did so again on Sunday. Celtic could make changes and that gave them a little bit of freshness and as the game wore on they created more chances.”

Celtic coach Alan Thompson:

“This is a valuable three points for us. It was always going to be difficult coming here after Utrecht. So we are very pleased to get the points and the performance with it.

“It was a test. Some of the players knew what they were coming into today because they have been in Scotland for a while.

“But there were boys coming in who hadn’t and they coped well.

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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