Latest News

With Hearts travelling to Fir Park tomorrow night to take on Mark McGhee’s men in the Ladbroke’s Premiership, we take a look back at the last time the two sides met.

As the 2015/16 season was drawing to a close, Hearts arrived at Fir Park hoping to catch Aberdeen in second place.

But any hopes for the Jambo’s were shattered and instead the Steelmen continued their scintillating run and recorded their sixth win in seven matches.

Lionel Ainsworth fired beyond Alexander from the edge of the box and gave the Fir Parkers all three points to push them towards their fifth place finish, on an afternoon when Craig Samson made his Motherwell debut.

Jamie Walker, Prince Buaben and Arnaud Djoum wasted chances for the visitors, and Louis Moult and Scott McDonald could have added to Ainsworth’s opener.

[pullquote]We would have liked another goal just to give us breathing space, because 1-0 is always a dangerous score and they came on to us in the last 10 minutes, but I thought it was a very good performance.[/pullquote]

Moult had an effort ricochet off the post and McDonald blasted a great opportunity over the cross bar.

Hearts have not won at Fir Park since 2011 and as the game was coming towards an end back in April, Neilson’s side could not find a way past Samson and a sturdy Motherwell side.

And it was the polar opposite from the match prior to the big win for McGhee’s side, as in the fixture before Hearts put six past the Steelmen with no reply at Tynecastle back in January.

After the match, ‘Well boss Mark McGhee spoke to MFC TV and admitted he felt his team looked sharp and were worth the three points.

He said: “We would have liked another goal just to give us breathing space, because 1-0 is always a dangerous score and they came on to us in the last 10 minutes, but I thought it was a very good performance.”

The sixth issue of the Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale ahead of Friday night’s league clash with Hearts at Fir Park.

Here, we take a look at what can be found inside the 68-page programme.

Summer signing Richard Tait has quickly established himself as a trusty, consistent performer in Mark McGhee’s side – slotting in to the back four seamlessly alongside fellow new signing Ben Heneghan and veteran defenders Stephen McManus and Stevie Hammell. The 26-year-old turned provider for Scott McDonald’s equaliser last weekend and he talks about his aims for the season ahead and much more in the magazine’s feature interview.

Regular pieces including the pre-match column from manager Mark McGhee and club captain Keith Lasley, along with ‘Goal Zone’, ‘5 Fast Facts’ and ‘Getting to Know You’ – where defender Stephen McManus is profiled – all remain in the sixth issue.

But there is also an all-new feature exclusive to the programme called ‘Future Steel’ – an inside look at the next generation of players waiting patiently to break in to the first team. This week, 19-year-old Ross MacLean is profiled.

As part of the clubs aims to work closely with the Motherwell FC Community Trust and The ‘Well Society, regular updates are included in the programme.

This week’s main features include a look at opponents Hearts and a continuation of last season’s A-Z piece, where we combine letters W, X, Y and Z for the final instalment from Andy Paterson.

Our match reports section looks back on the Fir Parkers draw with Partick Thistle last weekend, when a Scott McDonald header secured an important point at Firhill.

An update on Stephen Craigan’s table topping U20s side is included too, reporting on the youngster’s results against Hamilton and Kilmarnock.

Get all the latest from the Ticket Office as well as an in-depth look at tomorrow’s match-officials.

All this and more is available for £3 and is on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers, Curtis-Sports – CLICK HERE.

An intriguing evening fixture awaits the Steelmen tomorrow, with visitors Heart of Midlothian making the trip to Lanarkshire.

Mark McGhee’s men could extend their unbeaten run to five matches but face tough opposition in the shape of Hearts.

Both sides come in to the game on the back of draws last weekend, with the ‘Well two points behind Robbie Neilson’s team.

Despite Motherwell’s positive start, McGhee feels there is a lot more to come from his squad even though a win tomorrow could see the Steelmen surge to second place in the table.

The manager said: “I think we’re still fishing to find our best formula but we could be second on Friday night for a few hours so that would be lovely.”

The ‘Well boss knows that Hearts are a big test for his side though, admitting: “That’s why it’s still a long way from being second, because Hearts are arguably one of the top three clubs and they established themselves last season. They’re physical but they can play as well and they can mix it up enough to keep you on your toes so we know it’s going to be difficult.”

[pullquote]I think we’re still fishing to find our best formula but we could be second on Friday night for a few hours so that would be lovely.[/pullquote]

The last time the two sides clashed, a first half strike from Lionel Ainsworth was enough for the Fir Parkers to claim all three points.

The win was all the more important and impressive due to Hearts aims to overtake Aberdeen in second place, and the ‘Well continuing a run of form that saw McGhee’s side record six wins in seven fixtures.

Both sides have been impressive on their home patch in recent seasons in this fixture, with neither side winning away from home last term.

Hearts last won at Fir Park back in 2011 and Motherwell recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Tynecastle in January 2014.

After celebrating his 37th birthday last week, club captain Keith Lasley isn’t showing signs of slowing down.

Instead, the experienced midfielder is enjoying his football “more than ever” and can’t wait for tomorrow’s big match.

The skipper feels Motherwell will be going in to the match in a good frame of mind – now that they’re unbeaten in five.

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 and with the potential to move second in the table is something Lasley admits is motivation for the Steelmen.

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.

“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]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.[/pullquote]

The veteran captain 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.”

For manager Robbie Neilson and his squad, it’s been a good start to the 2016/17 season, with the Jambo’s currently occupying third spot after seven games.

The positive start makes for an exciting season ahead for Hearts fans, as their side look to improve on last season’s third placed finish, where they finished six points behind second-placed Aberdeen.

And it was an incredible feat for the newly promoted Edinburgh outfit, who returned to the top-flight after a stellar campaign in the Championship, where they stormed to the title with seven games remaining.

Last weekend, Neilson’s side failed to find the breakthrough against a resolute Ross County side, drawing 0-0 at Tynecastle.

And if Aberdeen hadn’t grabbed a late winner against Rangers on Sunday afternoon, Hearts would’ve been sitting second.

The Jambo’s had chances to win the game though, with County stopper Scott Fox making saves to deny Watt and Sammon before the interval.

The keeper had to be on his best form, producing top-class saves to keep the game goalless.

Hearts have picked up just one point in their last two games and arrive at Fir Park tonight hungry to bounce back to winning ways.

And with the best defensive record in the league so far this term, the Jambo’s will be an incredibly tough opponent for Mark McGhee’s side to break down at Fir Park.

19-year-old John Souttar looks as though he could be a doubt for the visitors tomorrow night, limping off after half an hour last weekend.

But with Alim Ozturk waiting in the wings to replace the youngster, Hearts were no short of options and were still able to hold on to the clean sheet.

Going forward Hearts have plenty of options too, with familiar names like Conor Sammon and Tony Watt obvious threats for the visitors.

But so far this term, it’s been midfielder Sam Nicholson who has been the main outlet for goals, with three goals and three assists in seven appearances.

Boss Robbie Neilson is a familiar name in Scottish football, having managed Hearts since 2014.

It’s his first job in management since he retired from playing and it’s been a brilliant spell for the 36-year-old, guiding the club to the Championship title in 2014/15 followed by third place last term.

In his first season as a manager, Hearts won 29 of their 36 league games, scoring 96 and conceding just 26.

In a tightly contested league this season, Hearts will be hopeful to compete and improve on last season’s impressive finish.

But the Steelmen will want to extend their unbeaten run to five matches, and turn draws into victories, making for a very interesting encounter at Fir Park tomorrow evening.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee is looking forward to a Friday night fixture when his side take on Hearts.

The manager admitted that he feels there is a lot more to come from his squad yet, despite the fact that a win against Robbie Neilson’s side could see the Steelmen surge to second place in the table.

Speaking to the press earlier today, McGhee said: “I like Friday night football actually; I like any night football to be honest because night kick-offs are a nice backdrop with the floodlights, it’s a good time of year for evening games too.

“I keep saying this but I feel like we’re just about to get started and we haven’t fully got going yet.”

[pullquote]I think we’re still fishing to find our best formula but we could be second on Friday night for a few hours so that would be lovely.[/pullquote]

He added: “Our first half performance against Hamilton was in a sense our perfect performance so far, but we didn’t sustain it.

“I think we’re still fishing to find our best formula but we could be second on Friday night for a few hours so that would be lovely.”

But McGhee knows that Hearts are a big test for his side, after the Edinburgh club drew last week and find themselves third in the table, two points above Motherwell.

The boss said: “That’s why it’s still a long way from being second though, because Hearts are arguably one of the top three clubs and they established themselves last season. They’re physical but they can play as well and they can mix it up enough to keep you on your toes so we know it’s going to be difficult.”

Tony Watt completed a loan move to Hearts in the summer and McGhee knows he is just one of the threats Friday’s opponents boast, but the manager admits he is a fan of the attacker.

[pullquote]After the Thistle game I said I had to give consideration to playing the three strikers because it’s not easy to do and the three strikers themselves have got to make it work.[/pullquote]

He said: “I would’ve jumped at the chance to bring Tony Watt here, I’m a big fan of his, and I spoke to Craig recently about how they’re handling him and I think they’re definitely getting good things out of him so he’ll leave Hearts when he goes back down south in the summer a far better player.”

McGhee’s favoured 4-3-3 has been taking good shape in recent weeks with Bowman, McDonald and Moult linking particularly well against Hamilton a couple of weeks ago.

The manager said: “After the Thistle game I said I had to give consideration to playing the three strikers because it’s not easy to do and the three strikers themselves have got to make it work.

“They are all different – Ryan’s a big guy, he wins balls and he holds it up; we know what Scotty does and Moulty’s a goal-scorer – so we have to find the right way of putting them together.”

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