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Club captain Keith Lasley believes that Motherwell will be going into Friday’s clash with Hearts in a good frame of mind.

Speaking to the press earlier today, the skipper admitted having that positive mid-set is key for matches against opposition like Hearts, andfor the season ahead too.

Lasley said: “We go into this game in a good frame of mind and anytime that you come up against Hearts you have to come in to it with a good frame of mind because we know it’s going to be a big test.”

Sitting two points behind Hearts, the Steelmen could potentially move above Friday’s opponents with a win, something Lasley admits is motivation.

He said: “It’s a bit of a motivation for us but it’s still early, we all know that, we haven’t been through one round of fixtures yet but it’s an incentive for us.

[pullquote]If at any point you can move above Hearts in the table you know you’re doing ok and Friday night, a home game against them, it just adds a little bit more and we hope we can carry on the momentum that we’ve built up.[/pullquote]

“If at any point you can move above Hearts in the table you know you’re doing ok and Friday night, a home game against them, it just adds a little bit more and we hope we can carry on the momentum that we’ve built up.”

He added: “We’ve got off to a better start and we’re in a better frame of mind than we were at this time last year.

“Any time in recent history that we’ve had a good season it’s probably been built off a good start. There’s been times in the past when we’ve been scambling about to get some points on the board and that puts pressure on you, so to get some points nice and early and giving us something to build on and work off as you go through is important and that’s what we’ll continue to try and do in this early part of the season.”

[pullquote]It will be a good atmosphere and it’s on the tele as well – for me personally it’s these things that I probably appreciate and enjoy more than I ever have, more than I did earlier in my career.[/pullquote]

The 37-year-old, who celebrated his birthday last week, believes age is just a number and it’s something that won’t slow his game down at all this term.

He said: “I had another birthday last week, so that’s me 21 plus VAT according to the club, but no I’m enjoying my football more than ever.

“Even a game like Friday night, under the floodlights here at Fir Park, the pitch is looking fantastic, it will be a good atmosphere and it’s on the tele as well – for me personally it’s these things that I probably appreciate and enjoy more than I ever have, more than I did earlier in my career.”

He added: “I’m loving it – I love still making a contribution and that’s the most important thing, I’m not just here to make up numbers. As long as I’m making a contribution and I’m still hungry to do that and I believe I’m still doing that, and more importantly the manager believes I’m still doing that, then I’ll keep on going.”

Hearts visit Fir Park on Friday 30th September and we’ve a fantastic dinner menu available.

It’s a 7:45pm kick-off, so why not combine a curry night with a competitive Ladbrokes Premiership game in one of our atmospheric hospitality suites.

All our keenly priced hospitality packages include a ticket, match programme, team-sheet and half time refreshments.

On the menu will be:

Starter
Spiced Carrot & Coriander Soup
served with crusty bread roll

Main
Chicken Tikka Masala
served with pilau rice & pita bread

Sweet
Double Cholcolate fudge cake
with fresh cream and cherry coulis

You can choose from three packages:

Centenary Claret: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 5:30pm. Full, four-course table service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under-16.

Centenary Amber: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 5:30pm. Full four-course table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now for £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under-16.

Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite pre-match and at half time with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post-match.

Book now for £70 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

01698 333333 | hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

The referee for Friday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Hearts at Fir Park will be Steven McLean.

It’s McLean’s second match in charge this season, after the Rangers League Cup group match in July, when the ‘Well lost 2-0.

Last season, Steven took charge of four ‘Well fixtures at Fir Park – three league fixtures and a Scottish Cup clash.

The first of the season arrived in August, when Louis Moult’s first half penalty gave the Steelmen a narrow 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

The second was another narrow victory – the 2-1 success against Partick Thistle when an own goal and a Scott McDonald header gave ‘Well all three points.

The final league game for McLean was a 2-2 draw with Hearts in late November, when the Steelmen were twice pegged back to draw despite goals from Moult and Marvin Johnson.

And the last time McLean took to the pitch at Fir Park was in the Scottish Cup 5th Round, when a late wonder-strike sent the Steelmen crashing out of the competition.

Now one of Scotland’s most recognisable whistlers, ‘Well fans will be familiar with the 35-year old.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads fifteen wins, seven defeats and four draws from twenty-six matches.

In those games, ‘Well have scored 50 and conceded 43. 76 cautions have been dished out, 44 flashed at those wearing Claret and Amber.

Four players have been sent off, two for ‘Well (Fraser Kerr and Keith Lasley in the same match against Killie in February 2013).

McLean will be assisted by Michael Banks and Sean Carr; with Greg Aitken on fourth official duties.

Highlights from Excelsior Stadium where Dylan Mackin’s second half strike is enough to hand the Under 20s three points over Kilmarnock.

U20s manager Stephen Craigan felt his side deserved the win tonight after watching his side secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock. 

Speaking to MFC TV at the Excelsior stadium after the match, Craigan praised his side for seeing out the victory.

But it wasn’t plain sailing, with Craigan admitting the match got nervy towards the end.

He said: “It gets to that stage when you don’t put the game to bed, we felt first half that we had two or three good chances where in recent weeks we probably would have been more clinical.

“It became a little bit sticky, the pitch became a little bit dry and we didn’t get to move the ball as quickly as we would’ve liked and some of the boys were taking too many touches when they were trying to get the ball under control.”

[pullquote]I’m pleased with a number of aspects of the game – we were dominating the ball and dictating the game. Kilmarnock are a young side like ourselves and they were tough to break down at points.[/pullquote]

He added: “I’m pleased with a number of aspects of the game – we were dominating the ball and dictating the game. Kilmarnock are a young side like ourselves and they were tough to break down at points.”

Jake Hastie was included in the starting eleven and Craigan singled out the youngster for his impressive showing.

He said: “I said to the boys at half time ‘go out there and be the difference, someone stand up and be the difference’ and I felt that Jake Hastie did.

“For the goal Jake did really well for to get down the outside and as a wide player you’re judged on your delivery and your assist record.”

[pullquote]I said to the boys at half time ‘go out there and be the difference, someone stand up and be the difference’ and I felt that Jake Hastie did.[/pullquote]

He added: “It was a good assist for him especially when he’s been a little frustrated over recent weeks cause he’s not played a lot of minutes.

“It’s always important when you do play that you go out there and take your chance and I thought he did well.”

But it wasn’t just the young winger, with Craigan saying his whole team did well to secure the points that saw them move top of the development League.

He said: “Overall, I’m pleased with the result and yes it got a little bit nervy towards the end – they brought a few taller guys on and got the ball in the box – but it’s about finding different ways to win games and tonight we found a way to win a game that I felt we deserved.”

The Under 20s made it three wins on the bounce and went top of the Development League after beating Kilmarnock 1-0 tonight.

A second half goal from striker Dylan Mackin was enough for Stephen Craigan’s side on a night where they dominated the match for long spells but were holding on towards the end of the match and could have been punished for several missed chances.

Experienced James McFadden and Dean Brill were named in the starting eleven and youngster Jake Hastie was awarded a start too. The winger looked the most dangerous going forward too, terrorising Killie right-back Queen.

The youngsters got off to a bright start when Ross McLean found himself free down the right hand side, he looked up and played a dangerous low ball across goal into the path of McFadden, but the experienced star couldn’t quite get on the end of it.

Minutes later and McFadden had the ball in the back of the net, only for the linesman to chalk it off for offside. It came from a brilliant Dylan Mackin delivery towards the far post, with the former Scotland striker rising up to head towards goal, crashing off the post before ending up in the back of the Kilmarnock goalkeeper.

Despite all of the Steelmen’s chances and possession of the ball, the game was still goalless after 20 minutes when Craigan’s side won the first corner of the match.

Allan Campbell’s delivery went all the way to the back post where Hastie was lurking, but the young winger couldn’t make the right connection with it and scuffed it towards goal where it was cleared.

Just before the half hour mark, ‘Well were denied by a good save after Mackin turned one towards goal from a brilliant bit of play and cross from Hastie out on the left flank. Lyle save fell to the feet of McFadden who from a tight angle missed the target.

Brill’s first save to make arrived in the 30^th minute, when a long range strike from Lewis Morrison was straight at the Englishman, who gathered with ease.

Jack McMillan did well to block an effort on goal but it came at the expense of a corner and from the following delivery, Morrison got on the end of the cross but his strike looped well over the bar and Brill remained untested.

Five minutes later, Ross MacLean dinked a brilliant ball over the Killie defence to Hastie who managed to find McFadden. The ex-Everton man juggled the ball as he worked his way through the defence towards goal. Despite being hacked at, the 33-year old stayed on his feet and got the shot away, but Lyle saved.

Just minutes later and the visitors survived again, this time Aidan Wilson did well to get his foot on MacLean’s effort to turn it over the bar and keep the score at 0-0 going in to the half time break.

As the second half got underway, Mackin was afforded a glorious chance to give Craigan’s side the lead, rising highest to head towards goal from a corner, but he missed the target.

McFadden went closer just a minute later when he got on the end of Tom Fry’s cross to head at goal, but Lyle did brilliantly well to tip it over the bar.

But just ten minutes in to the half, ‘Well took the lead and it was thanks top scorer Mackin who again netted. A great ball across the face of goal from Hastie allowed the striker the opportunity, and he made no mistake from six yards.

Just after the hour mark, Kilmarnock made two changes as Lidington and Queen made way for McLevy an d Wylie. And It wasn’t long after the substitutions that Killie tested Brill, forcing the Englishman’s first real save of the match. McLean cut on to his left and hit a good effort on goal, with the Motherwell stopper doing well to tip it over the crossbar.

James McFadden was replaced by Dylan Falconer on the 66^th minute and the club legend received a good reception from the crowd as he left the field of play. With fifteen minute remaining, Craigan made another change, replacing Jake Hastie with Jordan Armstrong to allow Allan Campbell to move into the middle of the park as the manager looked to see out the remainder of the match by bringing the composed midfielder into his natural central role.

Kilmarnock responded immediately with a substitute of their own, replacing Dempsie with Cameron.

Motherwell looked to be hanging on to the lead with just over five minutes remaining and Kilmarnock failing to test Brill and it could have been two when Mackin picked up the ball from Falconer on the edge of the box, but the striker’s effort went wide of the mark.

Kilmarnock squandered a very good chance to equalise in the dying minutes of the game when substitute Cameron passed wide when he was through on goal and in truth he should have done much better.

But there were no complaints from Motherwell as the referee blew the final whistle and Craigan’s U20s recorded their third straight victory to move top of the Development league table.

Motherwell: Brill, Campbell, McMillan, Maguire, Ferguson, Turnbull, MacLean (Scott – 88mins), McFadden (Falconer – 67mins), Mackin, Hastie (Armstrong – 76mins), Fry

Subs Not Used: Morrison, Scott, Falconer, Armstrong, Livingstone

U20s manager Stephen Craigan admits it is pleasing to see his side win games in different ways after a good run of results.

With Kilmarnock up next tomorrow night for the youngsters, Craigan admits that the opponents can be somewhat of an unknown quantity at 20s level, but his side are more than capable of adapting to any situation.

Speaking to MFC TV this afternoon, the Northern Irishman said: “Today’s been the only day where we’ve managed to get the whole squad together – with some training with the first team – so it can be frustrating at time to try and get the whole team together.

“The place has been good since last Monday after beating Hamilton which is always good, especially when it was a tough game.”

He added: “what’s pleased me over the last while is the fact we’re managing to win games in different ways against different sides who play in different ways.

“Our shape has to be good, our organisation has to be good and that’s pleased me over the last few games.”

With difficult and unknown opponents at u20s level, Craigan admits that his side have to be able to adapt, either in game or before depending on opposition team selection and shape.

Kilmarnock will be no different tomorrow, with Craigan expecting another tough match for his side.

He said: “we’ve given the boys some information on Kilmarnock and we know that they can potentially play two different shapes, so what I try to do is give them information on both, so when they arrive for the game and they play something different to what we expect then we can still adapt.”

He added: “that’s the rule for football in general: adapt as the game goes.

“It’s a learning curve for these young players, adapting how you play against your direct opponent how you play against the opposition as a team as well.

“But I think most importantly if we can impose ourselves on the game like we have in the last couple of weeks and get our front boys playing that bit better, when we work hard and our finishing is good, we’re a very decent side.”

The community trust are proud to announce that their October Camps are nearly upon us.

Following feedback from the community, the trust now have two options to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Wraparound Camps run from 8:30am – 5:30pm and are available for £100 or standard camps run from 9am-3pm and cost £50.

Running Monday to Friday from the 18th – 21^st October, each day will offer a different theme, culminating in a World Cup tournament on the Friday as well as a visit from a first-team player at some point through the week.

Booking is open now, so get in touch on 01698 239926 or visit www.motherwellsoccerschools.com

Highlights from Firhill where Scott McDonald’s header cancels out Chris Erskine’s first half strike to end the game 1-1.

Images from today’s 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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