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    Celtic defeat in pictures

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    Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    A tribute to Phil O’Donnell

  • Archive

    Welcome to the new look official site

  • Archive

    Young concedes the better team won

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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

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    Celtic defeat in pictures

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

    [svgallery name=”celtic291210″]

  • Archive

    Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    Despite a spirited second half showing, Motherwell crashed to a narrow 1-0 defeat to 10-man Celtic this evening.

    A tepid fixture was settled by a rare moment of quality midway through the first half when Paddy McCourt managed to avert three challenges before curling a superb effort past the sprawling Darren Randolph from just inside the area.

    ‘Well pushed for an equaliser in the second period, but chances were at a premium. In fact, any noteworthy moments were at a premium until Scott Brown received his marching orders for a late foul on Steven Hammell.

    Gordon Young responded to the weekend’s defeat to Rangers by bringing in Marc Fitzpatrick in the place of Nick Blackman, adding a little bit of apt steel to the Steelmen midfield.

    Conversely, there was no hint of defensive compromise from Neil Lennon’s ultra-attacking starting eleven, with the attacking riches of Stokes, McCourt, Kapo, Forrest and Joe Ledley all lining up against ‘Well as Celtic aimed to hit the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

    It didn’t take long for Lennon’s troops to register their attacking intent. Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley latched onto a clearance to drive a shot from the edge of the box which was heading for the bottom-corner. It was well saved by Randolph, but the rebound fell perfectly for Emilio Izaguirre, who blasted high and wide from six yards.

    Ten minutes later Celtic thought they had taken the lead when Scott Brown fired in a low shot from 25 yards, which was deflected into the net by Olivier Kapo. As Celtic Park erupted the assistant referee held his flag aloft to disallow the strike. That was immediately followed by Patrick McCourt heading just wide at the far post after some lovely build-up work from James Forrest.

    Motherwell managed to ride out the green and white storm until just before the half-hour mark, and then they were undone by a swift corner routine. James Forrest came short to receive the pass and the home side worked the ball to McCourt on the edge of the area. The Northern Irishman breezed past a couple of challenges before curling the ball into the corner of the net from just inside the area.

    It should have been two for Celtic ten minutes before the break. A lovely passing triangle between Kapo, Stokes and Joe Ledley set the midfielder through on goal but, with the goal gaping and Reynolds struggling to make up the ground, he could only drag his shot wide.

    Both clubs celebrated the life of Phil O’Donnell at halt-time on the third anniversary of the death of the Motherwell and Celtic legend. His wife Eileen and children Olivia, Luke, Megan and Christopher came on the pitch along with Simon Donnelly and Jackie McNamara – all of whom, along with many others, completed a walk from Motherwell to Glasgow for a heart disease awareness charity in Phil’s honour.

    A montage of Phil’s greatest moments was paraded on the big screen at Parkhead, providing a fitting sense of perspective midway through a football match whose importance pales into insignificance in comparison to the loss of O’Donnell – a loss still felt by everyone at Motherwell Football Club.

    The second half started in scrappy fashion with neither side really getting a hold of the ball. This break in fluency actually worked to ‘Well’s advantage, with the visitors gradually coming into the game after a disappointing first half effort. Indeed, Motherwell almost created a chance for an equaliser when Steven Saunders burst down the right flank before fizzing in a teasing cross – but Rogne managed to clear with Gow waiting to pounce.

    As the half progressed the contest descended into a turgid affair, with both side struggling to pass the ball, and with the game being littered by petulant fouls, odd refereeing decisions and yellow cards. A McCourt run and shot with 20 minutes left temporarily livened up a drab encounter, but Randolph gathered comfortably.

    Motherwell introduced Nick Blackman to the fray late on as they chased an unlikely point, but they couldn’t force any discernable chances and Celtic managed to hang on for a 1-0 win, however there was another moment of note as Scott Brown was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Stevie Hammell.

    [tab:As it happened]

    90mins – 1-0 win for Celtic. Well missed a late chance after a scramble, and Brown was sent off.

    76mins –  Murph off for Nick Blackman as we look to nick a goal and grab a point.

    72mins – McCourt drives through on goal but his lashed drive is gathered by Randolph.

    56mins – Motherwell look the more likely here. Getting into the game while Celtic seem asleep after their good 1st half.

    54mins – Interesting note, Sub Murphy has been subbed for Kayal. Off to a less than positive reception. He doesn’t seem the most popular.

    53mins – As you can see, we are back in the second half. Motherwell actually look more lively this half.

    44mins – Ref decks it!!! The most entertaining thing from a well perspective to happen all half. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

    43mins – Bring on the half-time whistle. Celtic could be 2 or 3-up. But we are still in this.

    27mins – Goal Celtic: McCourt curls home from 18 yards. 1-0 

    21mins – Motherwell succeeding in keeping Celtic out at the moment, but struggling to create much up the other end.

    12mins – Under cosh again! Kapo has goal rightly disallowed before McCourt heads inches wide after good work from Forrest. 

    10mins – Thankfully things have calmed down a little here. That was a shaky 1st 5 mins!!

    4mins – ‘Well already hanging on! McCourt dances to the bi-line and teases a ball to the back post which thankfully evades everyone!

    2mins – Celtic could have been ahead immediately! Decent drive from 18 yards parried by Randolph – Izaguirre blasts rebound over from 6ydrs!

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell interim manager Gordon Young:

    “Close but no cigar. I’m so proud of the players, I thought they were excellent in the second half.

    “In the first half we looked as if we needed a bit more belief and at half-time I charged them with proving that they were good players and I thought they answered that call.

    “I made a statement in the dressing room before the game saying that we’ve gone through a blip and they’ve got to put a marker down now and say that the Motherwell of old are back and I think they’ve answered that, Motherwell are back.

    “He (Stuart McCall) was pleased with what he saw in the second half, it gives him great confidence. He reiterated my points about us just having a bit more belief and retention of the ball so I think we’ll be singing off the same hymn sheet.”

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon:

    “I know Rangers have got two games in hand, but I’m delighted that we’re psychologically top of the league for however long it is.

    “It’ll give the players a lift going into Sunday.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”25″]

  • Archive

    A tribute to Phil O’Donnell

    Motherwell and Celtic will both pay tribute to Phil O’Donnell on the third anniversary of his tragic death this evening.

    Both clubs meet in a vital league encounter but rivalries will be put to one side to remember our late Captain, who tragically passed away three years ago today.

    Players on both sides will wear black armbands in tribute to O’Donnell, who enjoyed significant success at both clubs.

    The day also sees the now annual Walk 10 for 10 fundraiser leave from Fir Park as the O’Donnell family continue their excellent work in raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

    For more information on Walk 10 for 10, visit their website by Clicking Here

  • Archive

    Welcome to the new look official site

    We’ve revamped the official club website to improve our service to you, the fans.

    As well as changing the appearance of the site, we’ve made it much more user friendly. There is a new navigation system, search facility and key links to help you find what you want, faster.

    Social bookmarking functions also allow you to share content with friends and colleagues on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

    There are a whole host of new interactive features including blogs, calendars, polls, photo galleries, virtual tours and stunning player profiles.

    We’ve also introduced an e-membership facility with exclusive website content and material for registered users. It doesn’t cost anything to register, all you have to do is fill in our online form to gain access.

    And this is just the start. Further developments will take place in 2011 including the launch of the club’s own mobile and online TV service.

    Take a look around

    If you’re a regular visitor, then things will look a bit different. You might want to take some time to explore the site and get used to the new look and feel.

    First time here? Then set motherwellfc.co.uk as your homepage to keep up to date with the latest news from Fir Park.

    Tell us what you think

    Of course, we won’t get everything right straight away. The website is a continuous work in progress, and there are a number of other improvements on the way.

    But if you’re having problems viewing the site, have any questions or suggestions of what you’d like to see, let us know by emailing mfc@motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • Archive

    Young concedes the better team won

    Gordon Young admitted that his Motherwell side were outclassed after watching the Steelmen succumb to a heavy 4-1 defeat against Rangers.

    Rangers looked sharp from the outset and took the lead through a Kenny Miller strike after a neat Madjid Bougherra cutback, and they doubled their advantage when a Weiss cross deflected into the corner of Darren Randolph’s net via the unlucky Saunders.

    A John Sutton reply early in the second half gave the home side hope, but goals from Vladimir Weiss and Kenny Miller ensured Walter Smith’s men left Fir Park with all three points.

    The interim ‘Well boss couldn’t hide his disappointment after a damaging defeat, one which sees Motherwell remain in sixth spot in the SPL.

    “I definitely think the best team won today,” the lifelong ‘Well fan honestly conceded. “We could have passed the ball better and we could have retained possession much better – but, as I say, I take responsibility for the set-up of the team and what happened today. It was a bad day for the players, the fans and everyone else at the club.

    “Unfortunately it was apparent that Rangers had far more firepower than us.”

    Things went wrong for the home side before the match even started, with a bug going round the camp and affecting a few players – most violently Tom Hateley, who had to be withdrawn in the first half after being sick pre-match.

    Hateley’s illness was simply one facet of a day where nothing went right for Motherwell.

    “The game plan just didn’t come off,” Young said. “We wanted Tom Hateley to play a specific role and he was violently ill before the game and I decided to have a go with him, but it became clear early on that he would not be able to function at full capability.

    “We had a contingency plan, but Tom was key to what we wanted to do. I take full responsibility for the changes today.”

    Young will continue his duty as manager as the club looks to accelerate its search for a new boss. You could forgive his for beginning to regret taking on the role – but he insists nothing could be further from the truth, and he is still up for the fight.

    “The club has been very good to me during this period,” the interim boss praised. “It’s the players that I feel sorry for with this situation. They have done particularly well all through the season, and there’s no reason why they cannot bounce back from this result. When we do get a new man in I’m sure they will respond in the manner they have played for the rest of the season.

    “I have enjoyed the experience, although I would like to be winning matches. As I’ve said before, I take responsibility for Motherwell at the moment, and it is an enjoyable responsibility.”

  • 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.