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    Motherwell 1 – 4 Rangers

  • Archive

    Hateley looks forward to Rangers clash

  • Archive

    Ticket Office: Festive Opening Hours

  • Archive

    Young ready for difficult Gers test

  • Archive

    Officials named for Rangers clash

  • Archive

    Aberdeen game off

  • Archive

    Rangers Hospitality

  • Archive

    Q&As at the Fans Forum

  • Archive

    Club Statement

  • Archive

    Young can’t wait for Dons challenge

  • Archive

    Motherwell 1 – 4 Rangers

    [tab:Match report]

    A Vladimir Weiss-inspired Rangers side proved too much for Motherwell as the champions ran out 4-1 winners on a disappointing afternoon at Fir Park.

    It took the visitors until midway through the first half to open the scoring as Kenny Miller caressed home a Bougherra cross, and it didn’t take long for Rangers to double their lead as a Weiss delivery kicked off the turf and into the net via the forehead of the unlucky Steven Saunders.

    Hope was temporarily restored as John Sutton poked home early in the second half, but goals from Vladimir Weiss and a second strike from Kenny Miller soon put pay to any hopes of a comeback.

    Interim Motherwell boss Gordon Young made one enforced change from the last outing against Hearts, with Steven Saunders coming in for the suspended Steve Jennings, meaning a move into midfield for the versatile Tom Hateley.

    Meanwhile, Rangers named an unchanged side from the one which drew 1-1 in Inverness on December 11th, which meant a start for former ‘Well star Lee McCulloch on his return to Fir Park.

    And it didn’t take long for the Bellshill-born midfielder to mark his return to Lanarkshire with a shot on goal, as he lashed wide of Darren Randolph’s right-hand post after just three minutes following some nice build-up play by Vladimir Weiss.

    That was quickly followed by a great chance for visitors to take the lead as Walter Smith’s men displayed an early fluency which belied their enforced 15 day hiatus. Kenny Miller was freed by a chipped Steven Davis through-ball and, with the angle narrowing, fired against the on-rushing Randolph – only for the ball to loop into the path of Steven Naismith, whose goal-bound header was cleared over the bar by Mark Reynolds, via the woodwork.

    The visitors were dominating proceedings in the early stages, and Darren Randolph was forced into action as Steven Davis fired a smart shot from 25 yards which was nestling in the corner until the Englishman parried wide. From the resulting corner ‘Well were forced to clear off the goal-line for the second time, with Keith Lasley hooking a Steven Naismith effort away from goal.

    Some momentary respite was offered for the home side in the form of a rasping from the edge of the box by Jamie Murphy which flashed just wide, but it was to prove a false dawn, with Rangers taking the lead five minutes later.

    Madjid Bougherra was released on a typically lung-bursting run down the right-flank and showed excellent composure to cut an inch-perfect cross back to the penalty spot for Kenny Miller, who side-footed the league leaders in front.

    Nick Blackman flashed a shot just over the bar as Gordon Young’s men tried to carve out a response, but it was to be Rangers who extended their lead ten minutes before the break

    Vladimir Weiss, who was thriving in a free-role behind Kenny Miller, delivered a wicked free-kick into the Motherwell area which, after skipping off the turf onto the head of young Steven Saunders, found its way into the corner of Darren Randolph’s net.

    Rangers could have gone in three-up at the break, but Weiss’ back-post cross was sclaffed across the face of goal by John Fleck, with the net gaping. Steven Saunders cleared off the line to ensure the Steelmen had some hope for the second period.

    That hope was exacerbated early in the second half when Madjid Bougherra made a meal of a long hopeful through-ball, allowing substitute John Sutton to burst through and prod the ball beyond Allan McGregor to half the deficit.

    Motherwell followed that strike up with a period of pressure, but hope was extinguished as the prodigious Weiss capped a splendid performance with a wonderful solo goal. Steven Davis fed the Slovakian international on the edge of the area and the 21-year old proceeded to dance around three challenges before firing low past Randolph.

    It was to get worse for Young’s charges as Rangers threatened to run riot. Once again Weiss was involved as he fired in a cross at the near post. There didn’t look to be much danger but somehow Kenny Miller managed to sneak in and scramble the ball over the line, with a little help from the post.

    Despite an arduous afternoon Motherwell kept plugging away and had to decent efforts on goal. Firstly, Ex-Rangers forward Alan Gow fired a powerful effort in at the near post which had to be parried away by Allan McGregor. This was followed by an excellent Jamie Murphy drive which just flashed wide.

    However the score was to remain 4-1, and Motherwell must now bounce back for a tough midweek trip to Parkhead.

    [tab:As it happened]

    90+3 – Thankfully, fulltime. Motherwell (Sutton) 1 – 4 Rangers (Miller [2], Saunders OG, Weiss)

    80mins – A real lull in the encounter. Rangers are very happy with 4-1 and sadly I think ‘Well would take that at this stage. Disappointing

    61mins – GOAL Rangers. 4-1 (Miller 61) Weiss cross is somehow scrambled in at the near post by the Scotland international.

    58mins – Weiss has enjoyed too much space all day. ‘Well trying to push but Rangers dangerous on break.

    51mins – GOAL Rangers – 3-1 to the visitors as Vladimir Weiss fires home after a mazy run on 50 mins.

    49mins – Whittaker looks to restore the 2 goal advantage but his shot is deflected, taking the sting out and Randolph saves. 

    48mins – Not sure if Blackman got the last touch. Need TV for that one!

    47mins – GOOOOALLLLLL Motherwell! John Sutton! Mistake inside the area allows the big sub in. His shot trickles past McGregor.

    46mins – Motherwell get the second half underway! C’Mon the ‘Well!

    40mins – Sutton on for Hateley! Gow is dropping back into CM to allow Sutty to go up top.

    40mins – Fleck on for Naismith (Rangers)

    40mins – Stop in play! Naismith looks as if he’s pulled up! Tom Hateley is struggling too…

    34minsGOAL Rangers! Not too sure what happend there – free-kick from the right. I think Saunders put past his own keeper?

    32mins – Keith Lasley booked – not sure what for. Dissent I think?!

    28mins – Weiss cut back finds Davis on the edge but his shot is comfortable for Randolph as Rangers go for number 2.

    26mins – To be fair, it has been coming. Motherwell haven’t started this game at all but it was a poor goal to lose none the less.

    26minsGOAL for Rangers! Kenny Miller. Bougherra in space on the right, his cut back found Miller and he tucked home from ten yards.

    20mins – Motherwell register their first effort. Low shot from Murphy bounced just wide. That would’ve been against the run of play!

    19mins – Well survive the corner as Lasley hooks off the line from a Naismith effort. The Fir Parkers are holiding on, just!

    18mins – Rangers are dominant – Motherwell can’t get out their own half. Low shot by Davis is turned round by Randolph for a corner.

    10mins – Rangers almost take the lead. Miller through, shot blocked by Randolph before Reynolds heads the rebound over via the bar. Phew!

    9mins – David Weir heads about two yards wide after a Weiss free-kick. Randolph watched it wide fairly comfortable.

    8mins – Rangers almost take the lead with an excellent counter but ‘Well hold firm!

    7mins – Fairly even stuff so far with neither side taking control. Lots of passes going astray!

    3mins – Corner comes to nothing but Rangers seeing more of the ball in the early stages.

    1mins – Early low shot from Lee McCulloch is deflected wide for a corner.

    1mins – Rangers kick-off!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell interim manager Gordon Young:

    “The game plan revolved around Tom Hateley and unfortunately he was violently sick during the game and then at half-time. That had a slight bearing on how we were going to play.”

    “I don’t think it’s ever great to laud a defeat,” said Young. What we’ve always got to look at is what we can do better.

    “We set a game plan out, had a contingency game plan and if you’re better than the opposition on the day you’ll win the match.

    “I didn’t think we played as well as we could today, I take full responsibility. I thought we could’ve performed a wee bit better.

    “We spoke at half-time. We agreed that nobody’s going to dominate the game for 90 minutes. We felt a great opportunity to go out in the second half to have a go and we scored the goal.

    “We then had to be tight for the next 10 minutes, the next goal was very, very important. We had a chance at 2-1 and then Rangers go up and make it 3-1, that was always going to make it more difficult for us.”

    Rangers manager Walter Smith:

    “The little bit of a break we had has been good for us. We now need to collect ourselves, we’ve got an awful lot of games still to catch up and play.

    “I’ve felt in a lot of games this season we haven’t started well after midweek games and such.

    “We had to put a little bit of pressure on everyone to make sure we started.

    “I felt in the first half we were excellent and then of course at the start of the second half giving away a goal, an unnecessary one at that, was something that we didn’t want to do but we came back immediately from that and I thought played very well.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”24″]

  • Archive

    Hateley looks forward to Rangers clash

    Tom Hateley is expecting the usual tight affair when Rangers visit on Boxing Day, but thinks it might be time for the Steelmen to nick the points.

    ‘Well have performed admirably well in encounters with the SPL champions at Fir Park in recent years, none more so than the last time to two sides met in North Lanarkshire in February; a match in which Hateley scored a stunning free-kick and Motherwell were robbed of a victory due to a wrongly disallowed goal.

    Indeed, you have to go all the way back to January 2007 for a Rangers league victory at Fir Park, with the last five SPL battles ending in stalemates.

    A confident Hateley insisted: “When we play Rangers or Celtic there is a firm belief that we can go out there and win the game; it’s never a case of ‘Oh, here we go again, another defeat!’ We’ve pushed Rangers close here before and we will again on Sunday.

    “A win against Rangers would give everyone at the club a massive lift. If you can beat one of the Old Firm then it is a massive thing for the club.

    “We have some huge games in the next while and it will be hectic squeezing in the postponed fixtures, so a win over Rangers would be the perfect boost.”

    The 21-year olds belief is refreshing, especially after a traumatic couple of weeks for the club. Nevertheless the former Reading man is staying focused on performing and winning matches for the Steelmen.

    “It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, but that has been because of things that are beyond our control and there is nothing we can do about it,” the Monte Carlo-born utility man declared, referring to the recent loss of the ‘Well management team.

    “As players all we can do is go out and win football matches, and we have an absolutely massive game on Sunday with Rangers which everyone is really looking forward to. Gordon (Young) has come in and taken training and everyone at the club has been upbeat and looking forward to coming in to train in the morning.

    “The manager has left, but in our eyes nothing has changed – we will still be doing our best to go out and get three points for Motherwell.”

  • Archive

    Ticket Office: Festive Opening Hours

    Fans please take note of the following changes to opening hours over the Christmas and New Year Period.

    The Chapman Building / Ticket Office will be open at the following times:

    Thursday 23rd December 2010: 9.15am – 4.30pm
    Friday 24th December 2010: 9.15am – 12 noon
    Saturday 25th December 2010: Closed
    Sunday 26th December 2010: 10am – Kick Off (3pm)
    Monday 27th December 2010: Closed
    Tuesday 28th December 2010: Closed
    Wednesday 29th December 2010: 9.15am – 4.30pm

    Thursday 30th December 2010: 9.15am – 4.30pm
    Friday 31st December 2010: 9.15am – 12 noon
    Saturday 1st January 2011: Closed
    Sunday 2nd January 2011: Closed
    Monday 3rd January 2011: Closed
    Tuesday 4th January 2011: Closed
    Wednesday 5th January 2011: 9.15am – 4.30pm

  • Archive

    Young ready for difficult Gers test

    Interim Motherwell gaffer Gordon Young is looking for his players to summon up the spirit of ’02 and put Rangers to the sword on Boxing Day.

    The game falls exactly eight years to the day since Motherwell last beat the Glasgow giants at Fir Park, when a solitary goal from James McFadden proved enough to vanquish a Rangers side including the likes of Barry Ferguson, Michael Mols and Ronald de Boer.

    The Gers may not have as many superstars as they did in 2002, but Young knows it will be still be a huge ask for The Steelmen to grab a win over the reigning champions and league leaders.

    “Rangers are as tough as it comes at the moment,” the interim gaffer honest asserted. “They have a management team which I have huge respect for and have been very courteous to me any time I have spoken to them.

    “I’ll extend them a warm welcome on Sunday but hopefully we’ll turn the clock back eight years to the last time we beat Rangers here and get a big win.

    “Any victory at the moment would we welcome. The players, having performed so well at the start of the season, have been hit quite hard by this period of inactivity due to the weather.

    “Thankfully, since the Hearts game I have managed to organise two bounce games. So I think the players now have the preparation and are ready for the match on Boxing Day.”

    Sunday will see the focus turn to the action on the pitch at Motherwell for 90 minutes, but there is still plenty of intrigue behind the scenes as the board earnestly searches for the man who will replace Craig Brown at the ‘Well helm.

    Gordon Young has already confirmed he does not wish to be considered for the role, but he is more than happy to take temporary charge for as long as it takes to find the perfect candidate.

    “Regardless of what happens in the interim with regard to an appointment we will continue to work and do what we’re doing in preparation for Boxing Day,” he confirmed.

    “My understanding is that the club has had a fantastic volume of applicants, and quality of applicants. Therefore we are doing our due diligence and taking our time to get the right candidate and when he does come in we have the platform already in place for him to hit the ground running.

    Whoever the new boss is, he will be hoping the likes of Alan Gow, Nick Blackman and John Sutton stick around for the foreseeable future. With several contracts approaching their expiry dates the wheels are in motion to secure the future of several ‘Well stars.

    “Without pre-empting anything, it seems that the players who are approaching expiry are keen to stay,” a positive Gordon Young insisted. “But I can understand a player waiting to see who a new manager is before signing; having said that, the way the players are treated here and with how close the group is I think there is a good chance they will stay.

    “Motherwell is a fantastic club, and we have been very good to many of the players who are here. I think if they have a step back and see how good it is to be performing at a club like Motherwell and how much it is helping them personally then they will be keen to sign.”

  • Archive

    Officials named for Rangers clash

    Referee for this Sunday’s Boxing Day Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers at Fir Park is the experienced Iain Brines.

    Brines will be taking charge of his third ‘Well game of the current SPL campaign, having been the man in the middle for the games against St Johnstone in early September and St Mirren at Fir Park one month later.

    A Nick Blackman wonder strike and an own-goal from Kevin Rutkiewicz was enough to earn the Steelmen all three points in Perth and late goals from Tom Hateley and Jamie Murphy gave ‘Well a 3-1 against Danny Lennon’s men.

    To his credit, Brines was excellent in both matches with the game at McDiarmid Park passing off without a single caution; a rarity in modern football.

    He will be a more than familiar face to ‘Well fans over the years. Last season, he looked after the games at Easter Road in December (2-0 defeat), the 1-0 home win against Kilmarnock in February and the 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park in April.

    The 43-year-old, who has been a top-flight official for a decade and amongst FIFA’s elite group for five years, has had a busy campaign with Saturday being his tenth SPL fixture of the season.

    Brines is no stranger to a Motherwell versus Rangers clash here in Lanarkshire. He was the man in the middle for the Co-operative Insurance Cup clash back in October 2007 when Paul Quinn’s late goal couldn’t prevent ‘Well crashing out 2-1 thanks to goals from Boyd and Novo.

    His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mix bag. Of the 25 games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won nine, draw four and lost twelve.

    In those games, 95 players have seen yellow, 44 of which in claret and amber, while three have been sent for an early bath.

    Iain will be assisted by John Gilmour and Tommy Johnston with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    Aberdeen game off

    Tomorrow’s match with Aberdeen has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

    No date has, as yet, been scheduled for the re-scheduled game.

    Tickets previously purchased for the match will be valid for the re-arranged fixture.

  • Archive

    Rangers Hospitality

    The Steelmen face Rangers on Boxing Day and we want you to enjoy one of the biggest games of the season from the comfort of one of our hospitality suites.

    Incredibly, it’ll be eight years to the day since Motherwell last beat Rangers, Boxing Day 2002, when a single James McFadden goal past Stefan Klos gave Terry Butcher’s men all three points.

    Can the Fir Parkers repeat that feat some 2922 days later? Let’s hope so!

    It’s the day after Christmas after all and what better way to enjoy the big match in style from our recently refurbished Centenary Suite.

    You will be welcomed on arrival with a glass of bubbly, then sit down to a fantastic three course meal.

    Complimentary Motherwell labelled wine will be served at your table and a pay bar facility is available via our attentive staff offering a drinks service to your table.

    Relax until before kick off with your complimentary matchday magazines and teamsheet before taking your seats in the centre of the Phil O’Donnell Stand for the match.

    Half time refreshments are served again in the Centenary Suite and a pay bar is available after match.

    Prices start from £119!

    We also have amazing packages available in both the South Stand Boxes and the Millennium Suite.

    If you are interested, then contact Diane or Wilma on 01698 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Archive

    Q&As at the Fans Forum

    The Trust’s Fans Forum on Thursday evening provided an entertaining few hours thanks to Andy Devlin and the four guests who fielded all questions thrown at them.

    The good natured banter covered lots of topics, some were specific to Motherwell but many issues relating to the new SPL and McLeish proposals were covered. The well placed panel members were able to illuminate the topics from their different perspectives and it is to be hoped that the views of the audience would be taken on board as information flowed in both directions.

    The inclusion of Neil Doncaster in the panel was particularly relevant as the SPL seems set to undergo another transformation. Time and time again he made it clear that we are not living in an ideal world and that the financial imperative of securing the best TV deal was one of the main reasons that led to the hope of a ten team top division.  He also felt that a season starting in early July would help to fill the TV schedules with ‘our product’ when our neighbours south of the border were still on their summer break. The introduction of Colt teams would, in his view, help to promote the  development of young players.

    Leeann Dempster, our Chief Exec, accepted that some of the ideas in the proposed package were acceptable but suggested that others would need further discussion. She pointed out that there would have to be compromises on all sides. The search for a new manager was going well. There was lots of interest and it was hoped that initial discussions with candidates could start very quickly. She expected that some good news regarding use of the Ravenscraig Facility might be announced in the near future.  She stressed the importance that the club placed on working in and with the community. We must encourage the lost generation of youngsters to find the habit of watching live football.

    Gordon Young was delighted at the attitude of the squad following the departure of the manager. There were no prima donnas needing their egos massaged and they were working hard. He echoed Leeann’s thoughts about our young fans.  His job in youth development was to bring in lots of youngsters and search for the elite in the hope that they could be developed. If that didn’t happen then his job was to ensure that they became Motherwell supporters.

    Bill Leckie entertained with his football views that, at times, were at odds with the establishment. ShoUld the Old Firm get out of Scottish football? “I’ll drive the bus”!  Has glad that there seems to be a growing transparency in the SPL and that should be encouraged. He was sad that football was now seen as a business where “the bottom line” seemed to be everything. Football was better before that idea became rooted.

    Questions from the audience made it clear that there should be provision made for safe standing areas and that prices are excessive. There was no support for the ten team league. It would lead to over familiarity and an all pervasive fear factor. Neil Doncaster countered that the scrap at the bottom would deliver “excitement”.

    Trust chairman, Joe Smith, closed the night by thanking all participants and presented them with a gift. The Trust signed up more members on the night. If you have not joined yet then visit www.mstonline.net.

  • Archive

    Club Statement

    Motherwell Football Club have today (Thursday) issued the following statement regarding the departure of Craig Brown and Archie Knox to Aberdeen.

    “During a difficult time for Scottish football and when clubs are about to enter discussions on a major league re-structuring, we are of the view that it is not in anyone’s best interests for two Scottish Premier League clubs to be involved in an ongoing dispute.

    “Following constructive discussions with Aberdeen, we have reached an agreement to draw a line under the matter and have formally withdrawn our complaint to the SPL in relation to their employment of Craig Brown and Archie Knox.

    “We have always maintained a good working relationship with Aberdeen and look forward to that continuing in future.

    “We strongly believe this action is in the best interests of the club and will make no further comment on the matter. We will now focus all our resources on employing a new management team to take the club forward.”

  • Archive

    Young can’t wait for Dons challenge

    Craig Brown and Archie Knox face taking a bitter blast from Motherwell fans at Pittodrie tomorrow.

    All the duo will get from Fir Park caretaker-boss Gordon Young is a warm handshake and his gratitude.

    Young understands why the supporters are raging over Brown and Knox quitting to join Aberdeen after having originally stated they were staying at Well.

    He, however, has nothing but respect for the veterans – and a real appreciation of the stunning job they did in the dugout for the Steelmen.

    Young is still desperate to beat them, though, and gain his first victory as stand-in.

    He said: “I’d like to think I’d speak to Craig and Archie on an ongoing basis.

    “They are far too worldly-versed and they have assured me I can call on that. Maybe not this weekend, though.

    “Craig texted a message to the players before the Hearts game on Tuesday wishing them all of the best and told myself and the staff he wished us good fortune and that we could be successful.

    “I’m not going to trot out old clichés, but life goes on and we all have a hard job. We mention pressure – but it’s a pleasure and we come to work for fulfilment.

    “I feel sorry for guys who have to labour and toil. I can only talk for myself, but I’m a supporter and take people the way I find them. I can’t change.

    “The pair were amicable and hospitable towards me.

    “Whatever the fans think, they are more than entitled to because, next to the players, they are the most important people in our business. I would never tell anyone what to say or think but when people are upset, it’s not a back-handed compliment, it’s a massive compliment to what they achieved.

    “Everyone has their reasons to make changes and they will, hopefully, justify it.

    “A year ago here there was a different mindset and a morale-lifting exercise had to be undertaken.

    “A year down the line, the place is stabilised.”

    Young’s been in charge twice as a caretaker – this season and last – and each time endured defeat.

    Nothing would give him more pleasure than victory tomorrow, although it still wouldn’t change his mind about not wanting to be a candidate to replace Brown.

    The youth chief said: “I really enjoy the role I have at the club.

    “What did manifest over the past year was an ascension to a No3 position. Craig was quick to highlight a person who could help players make the transition from youth team to first team. As a club which depends on promoting young players, it was good there was that sounding board to get them from youths all the way to the first team.

    “I’m flattered if anyone thinks I could be good enough for the main job.

    “I genuinely believe my skill-set is geared to other things with assistance to whoever comes into the job. From my heart, I believe Motherwell should be looking for a sound, professional boss. Not underselling myself, but they need a skill-set which can take Motherwell forward.

    “You have a personal pride. I have been fortunate enough to work with a lot of great managers such as Billy Davies, Terry Butcher, Eric Black, Maurice Malpas, Paul Hegarty, Chris McCart, Scott Leitch, Mark McGhee.

    “Even Jim Gannon, it’s been a great learning curve.

    “I’m not so naive that I don’t know how to organise – but it is horses for courses. It’s a challenge for me to win. Forget that Craig and Archie are my friends; I have to make sure Motherwell get the three points.

    “I just hope that the weather is kind. The players are desperate to get the game on and this would be a good game to have live on TV. I think people are self-motivated.

    “We are not going there with a point to prove but I’m encouraging the players to go there as leaders.

    “Regardless of who is in charge, they have to show they don’t rely on someone at the side of a pitch. You have to remember, we started early in the season. We have had a European campaign, we’ve been in the top six all season, we were in the top three up until the bad weather.

    “The boys are desperate to get back on the rails and prove to people we can finish in the top four.”