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U20s boss Stephen Craigan admitted he was disappointed with his sides performance this afternoon, after they lost 3-0 at home to Hibs U20s.

But despite the result, the manager touched on the positive start to the season the youngsters have enjoyed.

Craigan said: “I’m disappointed but that’s the highs and lows of an under-20s manager. We’ve probably lost two of our most influential players in Jack McMillan and Ross MacLean.

[pullquote]I’m disappointed but that’s the highs and lows of an under-20s manager. We’ve probably lost two of our most influential players in Jack McMillan and Ross MacLean.[/pullquote]

“Ultimately that’s the aim though, to go to the first team, so it’s about people taking opportunities and filling gaps and they haven’t done that today, but I’m not pointing the finger at the boys who came in because they have to wait a little bit of time to settle and try and put some consistency in to the game.”

He added: “I didn’t think it was a 3-0 game to be honest but we tried to open up and chase the game but we lacked that bit of penetration in the final third. Our wide players maybe didn’t have enough movement or involvement at times but that can happen so we won’t over analyse it.”

The 20s came into the game on the back of a five match unbeaten run, but couldn’t find their rhythm and suffered their first loss at home this season.

[pullquote]We felt that we were in good shape coming in to the game but we fielded a young team as well so putting all of those things together it was always going to be a difficult task for us.[/pullquote]

He said: “We felt that we were in good shape coming in to the game but we fielded a young team as well so putting all of those things together it was always going to be a difficult task for us.

“At times I just expected a little bit more because they have set the standards this season.”

He added: “It’s been a strong start though, so it’s about them trying to push on now. I’ve said it before but I feel physically we’re at our max, we’re covering good distance, we’re getting good sprint distance and our fitness is good, it’s just now about what we do with the ball and it comes down to the individuals improving what they do with the ball.”

Motherwell U20s suffered just their second loss of the season, falling 3-0 to Hibs at the Excelsior Stadium this afternoon.

A brace from Jamie Murray and a first-half Liam Fontaine strike wrapped up the points for the visitors, on an afternoon when Stephen Craigan’s side failed to hit their usual heights.

Hibs had some experience in the squad with the likes of Alex Harris, Liam Fontaine, Neal Eardley and Otso Virtanen in their eleven.

Jake Hastie and David Ferguson were included in the starting line-up as the Northern Irishman looked to extend his sides unbeaten run and finally record a victory over Hibs.

But the manager was without Ross MacLean and Jack McMillan, who started for the first team at Parkhead on Saturday. They were replaced in the starting eleven by the returning Luke Watt and Dylan Falconer.

And it was those two who combined for the game’s first chance; a stinging cross from Watt flicked narrowly over the crossbar by the head of front man Falconer.

Fraser Murray had the visitor’s first chance in the 20^th minute, looping a header high and wide at the back post.

Ollie Shaw tested PJ Morrison three minutes later, turning and smashing a low, hard shot on target from just inside the box, but the ‘Well stopper got down quickly to gather it with ease.

And they soon had the lead after some good play down the right from Alex Harris. The speedy winger charged past Armstrong in to the box and played a low ball across the face of goal. Murray collected it and squared it back across to Fontaine, who made no mistake from eight yards.

Searching to get a quick leveller, David Ferguson forced a good save from Virtanen on the half hour mark, controlling the ball in the box from a corner and lacing a powerful shot at goal, but the keeper did well to palm it away from danger. Then, shortly after, Davie Turnbull flashed a shot wide of the post when it fell to him on the edge of the box.

The amber clad youngsters looked bright at the start of the second half, playing some neat attacking football, particularly in the wide areas.

Dylan Falconer showed off his blistering pace and agility down the right flank, but was unlucky to lose the ball on the edge of the opposition box.

Hibs made the first change of the afternoon, replacing Liam Fontaine with Jamie Gillen. And just a couple of minutes later, the substitute got on the end of a good cut-back, but his side-footed effort soared over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Dylan Falconer sent in a good, curling deep cross towards the back post, but neither Mackin or Hastie could make it count. Down the other end, Fraser Murray sent a shot from the edge of the box off target in what was a big chance for the visitors to double their lead.

With little over 15 minutes left to play, Davie Turnbull nearly pulled the Steelmen level, taking a touch after Hibs failed to clear it and sending a left footed effort from just outside the box agonisingly over the crossbar.

The Hibs stopper then produced a cracking save to deny Turnbull from a free kick, getting down well to his left to turn the youngsters set-piece wide of the post.

But soon enough, Hibs had two, and it was a cheap goal to concede. Alex Harris got away from Allan Campbell in midfield to get to the by-line and cut it back to Fraser Murray, who turned it in from two yards on the second attempt.

16-year old Ghanian-born Italian Alfredo Agyeman was introduced to the action in the 86^th minute, replacing Dylan Falconer and a minute later it was 15-year-old Jamie Semple’s turn to come on – he replaced Jake Hastie.

However, they were powerless to stop the tide of the match as Hibs wrapped the game up with a third goal in the last minute, with Fraser Murray grabbing his second of the game, lashing a loose ball into the roof of the net from eight yards out.

Motherwell: Morrison, Watt, Armstrong, Maguire, Ferguson, Campbell, Falconer (Agyeman – 85mins), Turnbull, Mackin (Scott – 81mins), Hastie (Semple – 87mins), Fry

Subs Not Used: Pettigrew (GK), Watters, Livingstone, MacDonald

 

Motherwell FC is working with Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire to raise awareness of one of the biggest killers of men in the community.

First team and youth players sat through a group talk yesterday, highlighting the issues people face on a daily basis and what the club can do to help tackle the problem.

Craig Samson believes that anything the club and players can do to help is a huge step forward.

[pullquote]Suicide is something that has touched me and my family and all you can say is that there is people you can talk to, there’s people there that will talk to you.[/pullquote]

The ‘keeper said: “Suicide is something that has touched me and my family and all you can say is that there is people you can talk to, there’s people there that will talk to you.

“Don’t ever feel as if you are alone and people are judging you. You can always speak to somebody, whether it’s in your family or outwith, there will always be someone there to help you out.”

He added: “I think that’s an important message to the people that are listening as well, you can’t just dismiss it if someone does come to you. Hopefully you can help them but if not you can pass it on to people who will know what they’re talking about.”

Fans and people in the community now have the chance to raise their own awareness, with the same course available from next month.

[pullquote]We are asking the fans to come in and do the same training on 22nd November to make sure that they are aware and so they know that their club is very much suicide aware as well.[/pullquote]

The Club will be holding the first Suicide Prevention Awareness Training at Fir Park on Tuesday 22nd November, starting at 6.30pm.

To register your attendance, please call 0800 073 0918 or go online at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/safer

Lynne Cruickshank, who is running the course, is urging anyone to attend.

She said: “We are asking the fans to come in and do the same training on 22nd November to make sure that they are aware and so they know that their club is very much suicide aware as well.”

If you need support right now, call the Samaritans on 116123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.

U20s boss Stephen Craigan believes his side are in better shape going in to tomorrows Development League clash with Hibs than the last time they faced.

A 3-1 loss away to the Edinburgh side at the start of September is the only loss the U20s have suffered this season, and a good run of form has followed.

Speaking to MFC TV earlier today, Craigan said: “We felt we were in good shape the last time we played Hibs. They were good on the day and we didn’t reach the levels that we’re used to, but our run of form has been good since then so it’s really about the players maintaining that.

[pullquote]We always talk about working hard for consistency and that’s probably how consistency comes, by working hard and by replicating what we do.[/pullquote]

“We always talk about working hard for consistency and that’s probably how consistency comes, by working hard and by replicating what we do.”

He added: “We’ve got to make sure that continues tomorrow. We don’t want to be slipping up or being poor in possession and sometimes we might come up against a better side or better individuals and that’s fine we can deal with that, but I just want the players to try to continue and maintain their form of how we’re trying to play, the intensity we’re playing with, the way we’re playing in the final third, the way we’re creating chances and the way we’ve defended recently as well.

“I’m convinced if we keep that going we’ll get a positive result. We have good players, we have a few missing because they started for the first team on Saturday, so that gives some boys an opportunity because some have been waiting a while now for their chance.”

[pullquote]There has to be an opportunity for progress and we saw that in the under-20s dressing room last season with Chris Cadden and Ben Hall and that gave the others a bit if a lift, they supported them as if it was one of their own going to play for the first team.[/pullquote]

Craigan will be without a number of his first choice players after Ross MacLean, Jake Hastie, Jack McMillan and regular U20s starter David Ferguson all got game time at Parkhead, and the manager knows this will benefit the entire squad.

He said: “More than anything it gives the young players a lift in the under-20s dressing room because a few of them went along when some tickets became available a little later on on Saturday and they went to Parkhead to watch their team-mates and that’s the kind of bond we want to build.

“But most importantly there has to be an opportunity for progress and we saw that in the under-20s dressing room last season with Chris Cadden and Ben Hall and that gave the others a bit if a lift, they supported them as if it was one of their own going to play for the first team.”

Dougie Arnott may be small in stature, but he was always up for the fight as a player. It was that determination and pride in the claret and amber jersey that saw him carve out a wonderful career with Motherwell.

Having previously played with amateur sides Motherwell Miners and Pollok Juniors, Dougie was a relatively late arrival to senior football, approaching his mid-twenties when he was snapped up by Tommy McLean in October 1986.

However, Arnott would have to bide his time before fully establishing himself in the side. In the latter part of the 1988/89 season, he earned his first sustained run in the team and scored his first goal for the club against Celtic in a 2-2 draw.

The striker would go on to develop quite the habit of netting against Rangers and Celtic earning the moniker ‘The Hammer of the Old Firm’. Indeed, one-time Motherwell manager Terry Butcher reflected woefully on more than one occasion about how much of a nuisance Dougie was to play against.

Arnott of course played his part in helping Motherwell win the Scottish Cup in 1991, memorably netting twice in the 4-2 Semi Final victory over Celtic. That season would perhaps be the pinnacle of his time in claret and amber, netting 18 goals across all competitions and scoring doubles against both Rangers and Celtic.

Across his twelve seasons at Fir Park, Dougie played with a variety of quality strikers such as Nick Cusack, Iain Ferguson and Paul McGrillen but it was his partnership with Tommy Coyne that perhaps lingers longest in the memory as the two combined to great effect, securing 3^rd and 2^nd place finishes and Motherwell’s first ever European qualification through the league.

Eventually, age and an increasing number of niggling injuries caught up with Dougie, limiting his appearances in later seasons culminating in his release in 1998. But still well capable of playing to good effect at a high level his affection for Motherwell was such that he declined all offers and chose to retire from football.

Dougie’s sterling service was later rewarded with a belated, but richly deserved testimonial match.

Extended highlights from Celtic Park as Motherwell lose 2-0 to Celtic.

Images from today’s 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”celtic151016″]

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said his side put in a decent display despite losing 2-0 at Celtic Park this afternoon.

An impressive strike from Scott Sinclair and a late penalty was enough for the hosts on an afternoon when an organised, resolute Motherwell frustrated Brendan Rodgers side for long spells, leaving the Fir Park boss with positives to take from the match.

And whilst the manager admitted it is never nice to lose, no matter the standard of opposition, he focused on the encouraging aspects of his team, including the youngsters.

Speaking to MFC TV after the game, McGhee said: “I felt that today we tried as hard as we could to find a way of playing that gave us a chance of winning the game and I think although we’ve ended up losing, we did give ourselves a chance.

“Tactically we gave them problems and we nullified what we know they’re good at, we were prepared to let the full backs have the ball and that’s what we did and I think it worked out pretty well for us.”

He added: “For the first goal defensively it looked open to me but good individuals are going to undo you if tactically they can’t undo you as a team in a good place like this with the players they have, so it happens.

“But otherwise, what can we say, I think Chris Cadden was the best player on the park, he was fantastic, and Ross MacLean, David Ferguson, Jack McMillan and Jake Hastie acquitted themselves brilliantly.”

[pullquote]It’s such an exciting thing for us having these young players, and imagine in a years time or 18 months time, and there’s others of course in the pipeline as well, we’ve got to keep getting them out in places like this.[/pullquote]

One of the positives for McGhee was the involvement of the youngsters, something that is exciting looking forward.

He said: “It’s such an exciting thing for us having these young players, and imagine in a years time or 18 months time, and there’s others of course in the pipeline as well, we’ve got to keep getting them out in places like this.”

As a team overall, the ‘Well boss was happy and pleased with the way his team stuck to their game plan, but they were ultimately unlucky to concede two.

He said: “We set up with a 4-2-2-2 formation with two strikers, two midfield players sitting deeper who would help the full-backs and then two midfield players who would play directly with their midfielders who sit deeper.”

[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at Celtic Park

A brave, well-drilled Motherwell went down 0-2 to table-toppers Celtic in Glasgow this afternoon.

Despite the defeat, the Steelmen will take a lot of credit from the game, both in terms of their positive play and the fact that three teenagers were blooded in front of big crowd at Celtic Park.

Following heavy defeats on their last two visits to Parkhead, ‘Well boss Mark McGhee changed his formation and line-up, bringing in teenagers Jack McMillan and Ross McLean to make their first team debut.

And the ‘Well under 20 left back McMillan, facing the tricky James Forrest was under attack from the start as Celtic played their high pressing game.

That produced a couple of early openings for the home side with shots racing past Craig Samson’s posts.

However, Motherwell’s lineup with Chris Cadden and Ross McLean deployed in front of Keith Lasley and Craig Clay had more of an attacking threat than on recent visits.

An early indication of that intent came after six minutes when Louis Moult’s snapshot was deflected for a corner. From the resultant flag kick Stephen McManus climbed highest at the back post, nodding the ball down and forcing Craig Gordon to gather.

After that the Fir Parkers enjoyed spells of possession around the home box.

But it was Samson who produced the first of a handful of quality saves in the sixteenth minute, rising high to his left to push a curling shot from Moussa Dembele round his post. When Erick Sviatchenko met the resultant corner Samson was alert to palm his header over the bar.

The ‘Well ‘keeper had no chance two minutes later when Celtic took the lead. Forrest was again the provider from the right but when Dembele took a fresh-air swing in front of goal the ball rolled favourably for Scott Sinclair who guided the ball high past Samson.

Motherwell might have crumbled after that blow but the side kept its shape and composure.

A quick exchange between Lasley and Scott McDonald sent Moult racing through on Gordon but the pace on the ball carried it through to the ‘keeper.

Another series of passes at the involving Cadden and McDonald invited Richard Tait to have a go from the corner of the box and his left drive forced Gordon to save low at his left hand post.

For all of ‘Well’s possession in the home half, Celtic’s pace always carried a threat. A loose pass from Clay left Samson exposed as Dembele curled the ball beyond the ‘keeper and off the face of the post.

Minutes from the break the Parkhead men rattled the goal frame again when Kieran Tierney’s shot cannoned off the crossbar after a fine solo run.

Still only a goal behind and with a real chance of taking something from the game, ‘Well started the second half with Ryan Bowman replacing McDonald in attack.

It required a fabulous double save from Samson, though, to keep the goal margin to one. Getting down low to his left the ‘keeper did exceptionally well to palm Scott Brown’ s deflected drive along his goal line. Samson then reacted swiftly to get across his goal and block Dembele’s follow up.

That was the first of some stunning second half saves but the next chance came ‘Well’s way. Lasley’s free kick into a packed box wasn’t cleared and at the third attempt Ben Heneghan’s header found Moult but his nod on was comfortably held by Gordon.

As Celtic broke to the other end McMillan over stretched and his notable debut was over as he handed the left back berth to David Ferguson.

In the 63^rd minute the Motherwell’s top marksman passed up the best chance. A quick break saw the ever improving Cadden play Moult into the box but caught in two minds his ball across goal was smothered by Gordon.

Ten minutes later Samson had another impressive save rising to touch Sinclair’s angled drive over the bar.

Celtic were desperate to grab the second goal and added Leigh Griffiths to their attack but it was the Steelmen who passed up another opening when Bowman fired McLean’s deep cross wide of target.

After an impressive debut McLean made way for another teenager, 17-year old Jake Hastie getting a taste of first team action.

With five minutes remaining and still holding hopes of  an equaliser Lasley’s free kick found Moult but his header drifted wide of Gordon’s post.

A minute later though Celtic made sure of the game, when Dembele nipped in between McManus and the ‘Well keeper before being tripped to the ground. It was the Frenchman himself who slammed the resultant penalty into the corner of the goal to secure the points for the home side.

[tab:As it happened]

 Lewis Irons at Celtic Park

FT | 2-0

A solid performance from Motherwell, undone by a brilliant strike and a penalty late on. Match report and reaction to follow.

’90 | 2-0

Three minutes of added time here at Parkhead

’87 | 2-0

Goal for Celtic. Dembele sends Samson the wrong way

’86 | 1-0

Penalty to Celtic. Samson has to rush out to collect but Dembele knicks past him

’84 | 1-0

Celtic make their final sub, a defensive switch replacing Forrest with Kolo Toure

’82 | 1-0

Louis Moult sends a header just wide of the post, rising up above everyone to head at goal from a free-kick

’80 | 1-0

Lasley send a cross in from a free-kick, won by Hastie, but Gordon comes out and collects it

’79 | 1-0

Motherwell sub: Youngster Jake Hastie has a moment to remember here, coming on to replace MacLean who has had a great afternoon

’78 | 1-0

Moult goes in to the book for a late tackle on Henderson

’75 | 1-0

MacLean charges down the line and puts in a cross to Bowman at the back post, the forward tries a volley – it’s narrowly over

’73 | 1-0

Samson with yet another stunning save. He tips Sinclair’s close range shot over the bar. Incredible from the stopper!!

’70 | 1-0

Scott Brown goes in to the book for petulance, throwing the ball against Cadden

’69 | 1-0

Sinclair receives the ball from a cut-back, and McManus puts in a brilliant sliding challenge to block the shot.

’66 | 1-0

Forrest cuts in and hits one at goal, but Samson produces a great save and is quick to his feet to gather it

’65 | 1-0

Ross MacLean cuts in and the youngster decides to have a go from 20 yards, but it’s wide of the target

’63 | 1-0

Cadden does brilliantly to drive through the middle and slip in Moult who is nearly 1v1, but the striker scuffs his shot

’61 | 1-0

Celtic double sub: Gamboa off for Griffiths and Armstrong off for Roberts

’58 | 1-0

Second ‘Well sub: Jack McMillan limps off and is replaced by David Ferguson.

’57 | 1-0

Lasley fires in a cross from a free-kick, it eventually lands on Moult’s head after a few attempted clearances, but Gordon saves

’55 | 1-0

Sinclair tries an ambitious shot from 25 yards but it doesn’t trouble Samson and it’s wide of the mark

’52 | 1-0

What a save Samson! Brown’s shot deflects but Samson does superb to stop with a strong hand, then denies Dembele on the follow up

’46 | 1-0

Tait goes in to the book for a foul on Sinclair

We’re back underway for the second half at Parkhead

Half time sub for the Fir Parkers, Bowman is on for McDonald

HT: Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell #CFCvMFC

’44 | 1-0

Kieran Tierney nearly scores a brilliant goal, The youngster dribbles and works a shot, crashing off the crossbar.

’43 | 1-0

Scott Brown has an effort deflected wide off another Celtic body

’37 | 1-0

Scott Sinclair threatens the Fir Parkers with his pace again, cutting inside and curling a low shot off the post.

’35 | 1-0

Tait, Cadden and McDonald work the ball brilliantly around Celtic box, Tait gets his shot away on his left foot, but Gordon saves

’28 | 1-0

Celtic win the ball in their own half and hit with pace on the break. Heneghan puts in a great sliding challenge on Sinclair

’23 | 1-0

Yellow card for Henderson who simply couldn’t get near the pace of Cadden, cynically pulling the ‘Well midfielder to ground

’20 | 1-0

McDonald slips a lovely through ball towards Moult but the striker can’t get to it and Gordon gathers

’18 | 1-0

Goal for Celtic. Scott Sinclair arrives on the end of James Forrest’s low cross to smash high past Samson.

’17 | 0-0

Two corners for Celtic, Samson tips the first Sviatchenko header over the bar and then comfortably holds the second.

’16 | 0-0

Dembele curls a good effort towards the far post but Samson does well to dive and palm it wide.

’14 | 0-0

Motherwell enjoy a good spell of possession, Cadden receives the ball down the right but his cross is collected by Gordon

’11 | 0-0

Great block from Lasley to deny Sinclair’s shot from testing Samson.

‘7 | 0-0

Moult has an effort blocked inside the box after a good delivery from Tait on the right flank.

5′ | 0-0

Another Celtic chance but Heneghan gets enough on it to put Armstrong’s shot wide of the post.

2′ | 0-0

First chance of the game and it goes Celtic’s way. Henderson with a low shot which hits the side-netting.

Dembele gets the game underway. COYW!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

 

Celtic  Manager  Brendan Rogers:

“I must give credit to Motherwell. Mark and his staff, in the last couple of times they have come here, it has been very difficult for them.

“It could have been a bit more today but they didn’t come and play safe. I felt they tried to play and showed good moments in the game, but we were able to get the job done.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Tickets for the Ladbrokes Premiership match with Celtic tomorrow at Parkhead (3.00pm KO) are now on sale from the Well Shop. 

And the club can today confirm that the shop will be selling tickets tomorrow between the hours of 10am and 1pm.

Ticket prices are as follows:

ADULTS:	£26
CONCESSIONS	£17
UNDER 13	£10

• Concessions are listed as 65 and over and 16 and under
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745 494631/ 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk