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Motherwell travel to Ibrox in the Ladbrokes Premiership this weekend, looking to bounce back to form.

The Steelmen went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to St Johnstone last weekend and face tough opponents in the form of Mark Warburton’s Rangers.

The two sides met earlier this season, as the Glaswegians left Fir Park with all three points in Group F of the Betfred Cup.

But in truth, it could have gone either way, with the Fir Parkers carving out a stack of chances and ultimately being undone by two wonder-strikes.

After a poor showing in Glasgow when McGhee’s men faced Celtic in the Betfred Cup, the club will be hoping for a more enjoyable afternoon in the city.

Striker Louis Moult will be the only guaranteed absentee for Mark McGhee to deal with going into Saturday’s match – Carl McHugh on the mend from a slight concussion and will be touch and go to make the game whilst Stevie Hammell trained this week.

Tickets for the match are available from the Fir Park Ticket Office now priced at:

• Juveniles are under 16s
• Concessions are over 65 and 16 & 17 year olds

The Ticket Office will be open on this Saturday (20th August) between 10am and 1pm. Please note there will be no sale of away tickets from Ibrox on the day of the game.

Playing either half of the Old Firm on their own turf is always difficult and if success is to be achieved, goals are a necessity.

So with last season’s most potent striker Louis Moult still recovering from a groin operation, the onus is on others to pitch in.

Thankfully for the Steelmen, talented midfielder Chris Cadden has stepped up with three goals already this campaign.

The 19-year old has been a standout since been given the nod by ‘Well boss Mark McGhee last winter. His performances were rewarded with a new 2.5-year deal last March and he has continued his elevation into a regular first-team starter.

The Bellshill-born player now has 34 appearances and five goals in Claret and Amber under his belt.

His drive, energy, enthusiasm and determination has been infectious and his importance to the team can’t be understated.

His late runs into the box, his ability to take his team up the park under pressure and his willingness to close down and harry opponents has made this exciting young prospect one of the first names on the Fir Parkers’ teamsheet. If ‘Well are to win at Ibrox, Cadden will need to be at the top of his form.

Rangers come in to the game on the back of an important first league win last weekend, when they beat Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park.

Goals from Kenny Millar and Harry Forrester were enough to claim all three points and get their season up and running after a sluggish 1-1 draw with Hamilton on the opening day.

But the Gers could be without last seasons top scorer Martyn Waghorn – who was absent from the Dundee win after going down in pain clutching his hamstring in the Accies draw.

The last time the two-sides met before this season was the memorable two-legged victory in the Premiership play-off when the Fir Parkers dominated and won 6-1 on aggregate.

But with a number of new faces arriving at Ibrox over the summer, Mark Warburton will have plenty of options at his disposal.

Niko Kranjcar, Josh Windass and Clint Hill are among the additions, but it was the signing of Joey Barton that quickened the pulse rates of the Gers fans the most though – after the midfielder swapped the English Championship winners Burnley for the Scottish Championship winners on a free transfer.

The Glaswegian’s are the bookmakers second favourites for the league title this season, so will certainly pose a threat to the Fir Parkers.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee admits he has had to pick his players up after a couple of disappointing defeats.

The Steelmen had won four on the bounce, qualifying out of the Betfred Cup games before an opening day victory at Rugby Park, giving the squad plenty of belief.

However, a heavy defeat at Parkhead and a 1-2 reverse against St Johnstone last Saturday has dented confidence.

And the Scotland Assistant says a part of training this week is trying to lift his players ahead of Saturday’s match at Ibrox.

He said: “We are coming off the back of two really disappointing results. I’ve gone on record already saying that the defeat at home to St Johnstone was worse than losing heavily at Celtic Park. You need only look at their (Celtic) result last night in a Champions League Play-off to know they’re a team who is flying at the moment.

[pullquote]We made a good start and looked as if, mentally, we were in a good place with a bit of momentum and belief. Those two results undermined that so this week has been about that, as much as it has been about coming up against Rangers.[/pullquote]

“So that was disappointing and it has burst our bubble a little bit.

“We’ve had to get ourselves right first and foremost and now I think we’re in the right frame of mind, we work on the game and the problems they may offer.

“It will be difficult, but when we played them here it was a clash of styles in a sense. It was a fairly even game and we felt a little unlucky to lose the game in the way we did so that has proven we can certainly cause they problems and that’s what we’ll take into this match at the weekend.”

Chris Cadden reckons Motherwell need to be more ruthless when they take on Rangers at Ibrox this weekend.

The teams locked horns in the Betfred Cup last month and ‘Well missed a hatful of chances before Mark Warburton’s men eventually ran out 0-2 winners.

Now, with the teams set to meet in the Scottish top-flight for the first time in over four years, Cadden, who has already scored three this term, hopes any chances created can be converted.

Speaking to the broadcast media at ‘Well’s pre-match news conference, the 19-year old said: “What we learned from that game (in July) is that we need to take our chances.

“If you recall, we had a lot of early opportunities and if we take one of them, I think the game is different.

[pullquote]We might not get as many chances when we’re at Ibrox so if something does come along, we’ve got to be ruthless and take it. If we do, hopefully we can get a result.”[/pullquote]

Cadden also hopes the side have learned lessons from their last visit to Glasgow, when they lost heavily to City rivals Celtic in the Cup.

“Although Celtic are a really good side, we perhaps gave them too much respect. We need to get closer to Rangers, get in their face, try and stop them playing a disrupt them.

“They’ve brought in some big names players like Joey Barton, Niko Kranjčar and Jordan Rossiter, which has obviously improved them a lot. That said, we can’t go into this match focusing solely on them.

“I don’t think you can do that. You have to also look at yourself too as every game is different. Our last opponents St Johnstone play in your face, fighting hard for second balls whereas Rangers are far more likely to want to keep the ball so we have to adapt.

“It’ll be a tough game, but we’ve been working on a plan all this week and we’re hopeful of coming away with a good result.”

Motherwell FC, in partnership with Police Scotland, will roll out an alternative Fan Egress Plan with a view to enhancing the experience at Category C matches.

Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows said: “Along with Motherwell FC Safety Officer Alan Marshall, I met with Police Scotland recently to discuss a number of topics, including the closing stages of the Betfred Cup match against Rangers last month.

“With the match nearing its conclusion and with the aim of minimising the risk of public disorder outside the stadium with two sets of fans exiting towards the same area at the same time, the call was made to ‘hold back’ the East Stand section closest to the South Stand, meaning fans who wished to leave either early or at full time were unable.

“This led to much frustration and anger, particularly for those unwittingly caught up and unable to exit the ground. For that, an apology is certainly due and we are sorry.

“Whilst I think everyone is in full agreement that fan safety either inside or outside the ground is absolutely the right thing and always should be the priority, there is a question around are there more effective, fan-friendly alternatives to the method adopted at this match?

“As a result, I have tasked Alan to work in partnership with Police Scotland to come up with a practical alternative when it comes to stadium egress at ‘Category C’ (i.e. highest risk) fixtures.

“The aim of this will be to ensure there is no need for a repeat at Fir Park whilst, at the same time, making it the safest possible environment for all supporters to enjoy.

“It should be reiterated that Motherwell FC is absolutely committed to identifying and punishing any individual who commits any act of unacceptable conduct either at Fir Park or elsewhere, but believe strongly that the focus should always be on dealing with individual perpetrator(s), rather than large groups of people, the vast majority of whom are often completely innocent.”

Tickets for the Ladbrokes Premiership match with Rangers on Saturday at Ibrox are still available from the Fir Park ticket office.

This is an all ticket match and tickets will not be available at Ibrox on the day of the game. Tickets are priced as follows:

• Juveniles are under 16s
• Concessions are over 65 and 16 & 17 year olds

The ticket office is open late on Thursday night the 18th August (until 7pm) and is also open till 1pm on the day of the game for fans wishing to purchase tickets.

Highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell’s Under 20s exit the Irn Bru cup after  a 1-2 defeat by Airdrie.

Images from today’s 1-2 loss to Airdrie in the Irn Bru Cup at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”airdrieU20s160816″]

It was mixed emotions for Stephen Craigan as he watched his U20s put on a brave showing against Airdrie, but ultimately exit the IRN-BRU Cup.

The young Steelmen, with an average age of just seventeen, went toe-to-toe with their senior opponents for the full game, but came up just short.

Former ‘Well striker Iain Russell put the Diamonds in front just before the break before Adam Brown doubled the advantage minutes after the restart.

Dylan Mackin pulled one back with a ferocious strike to set-up a grand stand finale, but despite creating chances, the youngsters couldn’t get level.

It brings to an end Motherwell’s run in the IRN-BRU Cup, but there were plenty of positives for Craigan, his team applauded off at the end by the 1,007 fans inside Fir Park.

[pullquote]They put so much into the game, they had a great appetite for it; I can’t praise their attitude enough. [/pullquote]

“Anytime you’re involved with the Under 20s you always come away with mixed emotions,” he sighed.

“They put so much into the game, they had a great appetite for it; I can’t praise their attitude enough. We maybe came up a little bit short and lacked that little bit of quality in the final third, particularly when coming up against an experienced defensive line, guys who have played a lot of first-team games.

“That’s why I enjoyed being a part of this tournament because it’s a great experience for our lads and a marker for where they’ve got to get to.

“Sometimes when you play against other Under 20s sides you don’t always learn things, but from both the Edinburgh City and this game tonight, it’s been a brilliant experience for all of us. We’re just gutted we’re out.”

A terrific display from the Under 20s came close to producing an IRN-BRU Cup shock against League One side Airdrie, but they came up just short in a 1-2 defeat.

A goal either side of the interval sent the visitor’s on their way to the next round, however, a fabulous strike from Dylan Mackin set up a terrific last half hour.

Despite falling just short, the young ‘Well’s efforts were recognised with a standing ovation from the home fans in the 1,007 crowd at the final whistle.

After taking five minutes to find their feet against their more senior opponents ‘Well had the first crack at goal, Thomas Fry’s low twenty-yard drive forcing Rohan Ferguson to throw himself low to his left and push the ball round his post.

Airdrie’s replied with a long drive from Andy Ryan which produced a firm first save from Peter Morrison.

As the young Fir Parkers gained in confidence Jack McMillan burst towards the goal line before crossing into a packed box but Ferguson cut out the danger. David Turnbull then had a 25-yard drive which whizzed over the bar.

Stephen Craigan’s boys were content in possession as they probed for gaps in the visitor’s defence that was well marshalled by former Fir Park favourite Marc Fitzpatrick.

But it was the home ‘keeper who was tested when he firmly held a curling shot from Adam Brown.

After receiving treatment for a head wound Morrison then produced a couple of reflex saves to deny the Diamonds an opening goal.

In the 21st minute the ‘keeper rose smartly to palm Scott Stewart’s header over his bar. That stop was surpassed seven minutes later Joe Gorman’s effort took a deflection inside the six yard box and as the ball was heading just under the bar, Morrison reacted superbly to beat the ball away.

Ryan Hastie’s speed and footwork earned him an opening at the edge of the opposite box and his left foot drive across the goal forced a good save from Ferguson who pushed the ball beyond the inrushing Mackin.

Just before the half-time whistle Hastie had possession in a similar position but literally lost his boot and footing.

It proved to be a costly slip as Airdrie immediately raced to the other end. And when Ryan rolled the ball back to Iain Russell on the 18yard line he calmly stroked it low inside Morrison’s right hand post.

Before the young ‘Well team could reply after the break Airdrie had snatched a second when Ryan had time in the middle of the box to chest the ball down before driving low and hard past Morrison.

To their credit the young Steelmen then showed great strength of character.

And after firing a shot narrowly over Mackin pulled one back in the 53rd. Darting between Airdrie’s central defenders, the young ‘Well striker hammered an unstoppable drive high into the net.

That restored confidence and twice within a couple of minutes the home side came close to producing an equaliser.

Firstly, from the corner of the box, Thomas Fry curled the ball wide of Ferguson’s post before the ‘keeper firmly held Ross MacLean’s drive at the end of a terrific run.

The ‘Well fans in the Phil O’Donnell stand thought that Luke Watt had rattled home the equaliser when the ball crashed high into the netting, only to realise that it was on the outside of the post.

Morrison then produced a couple of solid stops to keep the deficit to one.

Twenty minutes from time only a terrific save from Ferguson denied ‘Well the equaliser. Substitute Dylan Falconer turned 10 yards from goal before unleashing a thumping drive which the ‘keeper matched with an outstretched hand.

The First Division side had another let-off ten minutes later when Luke Watt was tripped as he burst into the box but referee Mike Taylor waved aside genuine appeals for a penalty.

It took a amazing save from Morrison to deny Ryan, who looked certain to slam Russell’s cross home from four yards until the ‘Well stopper spread himself to brilliantly block.

That kept the game and the fans on an edge until the final whistle but despite pressing the game towards the visitor’s box until the end, the young ‘Well couldn’t find an equaliser and a crack at extra-time their performance deserved.

Motherwell U20s: Morrison; McMillan, Armstrong, Maguire, Watt; Campbell, MacLean (J.Moore – 87mins), Turnbull (Scott – 79mins), Hastie (Falconer – 65mins), Fry; Mackin

Subs: Stevenson, Livingstone

U20s manager Stephen Craigan knows tomorrow nights  Irn-Bru cup clash will be a big ask for his players.

But the Northern Irish coach is confident that his young players will be excited for the occasion.

Speaking to MFC TV, Craigan said: “It’s going to be a big ask with Airdrie being in League One and going full-time this year – they’ve got lots of good players and a good manager.

“I’ve managed to watch them on two occasions and I’ve been impressed with what Kevin McBride’s trying to do and how they’re trying to play and the intensity in their play and the freedom they’re trying to play with.”

[pullquote]It’s going to be a big ask with Airdrie being in League One and going full-time this year.[/pullquote]

He added: “There’s no doubt Edinburgh City was a big test for us but this will be a bigger test again.”

Craigan admits that he is mostly looking for his young players to stick to the game-plan and put in a good performance.

He said: “I just hope that we can go in to it and make an impression on the game – I hope we can play without fear and play free and put in that structure that we’ve spoke about on the lead up to tomorrow night.

“If we’re competitive in the game first and foremost, I’ll be pleased.”

[pullquote]They’re looking forward to it. After we beat Edinburgh City there was a sense of anticipation as to who we’d get in the draw.[/pullquote]

And the manager admits that they are all excited to get out onto the pitch at Fir Park tomorrow night.

He said: “They’re looking forward to it. After we beat Edinburgh City there was a sense of anticipation as to who we’d get in the draw.

“The boys will all have their own reasons to be up for it, for example Dylan Mackin was out at Airdrie on loan.”

He added: “But ultimately it’s exciting for them; they want to play competitive football. We talk about games like the Youth Cup final and against Edinburgh City, and these games are to see how the boys cope with the occasion.”

The game will take place on Tuesday 16th and Motherwell fans will be housed in the Phil O’Donnell stand, with visiting fans in the South Stand.

The Centenary Suite bar will be open from 6pm for home fans to enjoy a pre-match drink.