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Motherwell failed to follow up on last week’s victory and keep their momentum as they suffered a 3-2 loss away to Dunfermline this afternoon.

And despite an enjoyable opening 30 minutes for the onlookers at New Central Park, the game had next to no talking points in a dull second half.

An early setback was turned around when Jacob Blyth thundered the travelling Steelmen level after ten minutes, before Davie Turnbull gave Stephen Craigan’s youngsters the lead.

But a wonder strike from full back Conner Duthie in the 30th minute was ultimately the winning strike and secured all three points for the hosts.

Stephen Craigan included four senior players in his side in Russell Griffiths, Lee Lucas, Lionel Ainsworth and Jacob Blyth, and despite falling behind after just five minutes, the Steelmen responded well.

Dunfermline forward Callum Smith capitalised on a mix up in the Motherwell defence to stride through a grab an earlylead for the home side

However, the Steelmen responded terrifically and were on the front foot for the majority of the opening exchanges despite being a goal down.

However, Craigan’s youngsters didn’t take too long to draw level when Blyth thundered a strike past the helpless Dunfermline keeper in the tenth minute.

Three minutes later and they led thanks to Davie Turnbull when Tom Fry’s cross found the midfielder who stabbed it home.

Much like the ‘Well responded positively, the home side found a new gear and clawed their way back in to the lead.

Terrific work from full back Conner Duthie allowed forward David Hopkirk to get a shot away from a tight angle. Despite getting a hand to it, Griffiths couldn’t quite turn it round his post and it nestled in the bottom, far corner.

On the half hour mark, the hosts took the lead and it was a wonder goal too. Duthie, who’d been lively from the off, cut inside from left back on to his right foot and fired an unstoppable strike in to the top corner.

There weren’t many chances in the remainder of the half until the ball dropped for Adam Livingstone 25 yards out, but his effort spun off target.

The second half was much the same, with substitute Dylan Mackin’s speculative curling effort from range in the 88th minute the only time Motherwell went close to equalising.

It was an opportunity to keep pace with league leaders Hibernian missed for the youngsters, who face Celtic next in the Development League on Monday night at the Excelsior Stadium.

Stephen Craigan’s Under 20s side face two big games in the next seven days as they battle it out for the Development League title.

The young Steelmen will take on Dunfermline Atheltic at Kelty Hearts’ New Central Park this Tuesday (21st February) afternoon – kick-off is 2pm.

They will then face Celtic next Monday (27th February) night at the Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie. Kick-off for that one is 6pm.

>> Under 20s Fixtures & Results

Motherwell FC is today delighted to confirm Northern Irishman Stephen Robinson has returned to the club as First-Team Coach.

Robinson was assistant to both Ian Baraclough and Mark McGhee, firstly helping guide ‘Well to safety in 2014/15 before playing a huge part in getting the side back into the top six the following year.

His sterling reputation as a coach prompted Oldham Athletic to offer him the manager’s position during the summer and he was reluctantly allowed to depart.

Unfortunately, things didn’t quite work out as planned at Latics despite a complete overhaul in the playing staff. He left his position at Boundary Park back in January.

[pullquote]It’s good to be back. I took the first training session this morning and it was good to see everyone.[/pullquote]

However, that has allowed the seven-times capped former Spurs, Bouremouth and Luton winger to return home to Motherwell, where he will work alongside both McGhee and his assistant, James McFadden.

Lisburn-born Robinson has also been involved with the Northern Irish FA set-up, holding posts at both youth and senior squad level.

Speaking of his return to North Lanarkshire, the 42-year old told MFC TV: “It’s good to be back. I took the first training session this morning and it was good to see everyone.

“There were a lot of familiar faces obviously and of the new boys that have come in they’ve impressed me as well, so it’s great to be back involved in it again.”

Aberdeen are offering reduced rates for the Ladbrokes Premiership game on Saturday 11th March 2017.

The prices are reduced in phases as follows and are available now from the Fir Park ticket office.

The brand new Motherwell mascot has been selected from hundreds of design entries and is set to be revealed soon.

The winning design, which is currently being drawn up professionally, was created by a lucky young ‘Well fan who is set to receive the following prizes:

• The mascot will be your best buddy for life.
• You will be the first ever fan to meet them.
• You will be the first fan to walk out the tunnel with the new mascot at a game
• You will meet the first team
• You will meet the first team manager
• You will be invited by the mascot here for your next birthday VIP style
• You will receive a full Motherwell Kit
• A signed ball from the team
• A visit by a first team player and the mascot to your school
• One adult and one child ticket for the remaining games of the 2016/17 season.
• Hero status amongst all of your friends!

Everyone who entered the competition will receive a complimentary match ticket.

We will be visiting the winning designers school to reveal the design and congratulate the lucky supporter in the coming weeks, before the new Fir Park mascot will be revealed to all!

Marketing and Fan Engagement Manager Ryan Murrant said: “We would like to thank everyone who entered this exciting competition – you will all be receiving a complimentary match ticket.

“But of course, the winner has been picked, and we can’t wait to reveal the fantastic design with you all.”

He added: “The whole competition was a wonderful example of the importance of engaging with the supporters.

“The club is very unique in that we involve the fans so much, and once more we would like to thank you all for entering, as well as the MFC Community Trust for their support.”

Motherwell FC is today saddened to learn of the passing of former manager Roger Hynd, aged 75.

Roger, the nephew of Liverpool legend Bill Shankly, had a fine playing career, most notably for Rangers with whom he had played in a European Final, and Birmingham City in the English top flight.

He arrived at Fir Park in 1977 following a spell in which John Hagart had acted as caretaker following Willie McLean’s departure.

The traditional new manager “bounce” was certainly visible. His first seven games in charge saw five wins against Partick Thistle, Celtic, St. Mirren, Ayr United and Arboath, with two draws, against Dundee United and Aberdeen, with the loss of a solitary goal at Tannadice.

This form had brought a new found belief to Fir Park as the Champions elect Rangers came to North Lanarkshire in February 1978. The atmosphere generated by the 20,000 crowd had the old stadium crackling with anticipation as the Steelmen and Light Blues took to the field.

Within minutes the ‘Well fans were in dreamland as the hosts raced into a two goal lead through strikes from Jimmy O’Rourke and Vic Davidson.

As the teams settled to restart the game, there appeared to be an “exchange” between Home defender, Willie McVie and a section of Rangers fans. Within seconds, thousands of visiting fans invaded were on the pitch, leaving the referee with no option but to take the players back to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms.

Around half an hour had passed before order was restored, allowing Rangers to finally kick off again. The break had allowed the then Rangers boss, Jock Wallace, to settle and rearrange things from Motherwell’s whirlwind start, and the visitors clicked into gear, eventually running out 5-3 winners in a truly titanic struggle.

The final four league games of 1977/78 season saw four defeats, all without troubling the opposing goalkeeper. And whilst everybody else in the country was settling down that summer to watch Scotland having a crack at winning the World Cup in Argentina, Roger was hatching a plan to make the his first full season in charge at Fir Park an improvement on the sixth place finish the club had just earned.

And he appeared to have bought shrewdly that close season with ‘keeper, Dave Latchford, defender Alan Mackin and strikers John Clifford and Mike Larnach all arriving from Birmingham City, Queen’s Park, Celtic and Newcastle United respectively.

The first game of the new campaign would see West Bromwich Albion at Fir Park for Joe Wark’s Testimonial, only the second such game sanctioned by the club after Charlie Aitken’s, twenty-one years earlier. It’s fair to say Motherwell with, Roger’s new recruits involved, couldn’t cope with winger Laurie Cunningham, who’d go on to star for Real Madrid, as the English aces romped to an 8-1 win.

The start to the season wasn’t favourable though and after just a few months, Hynd had handed in his resignation. That ended his association with professional football and he spent a significant part of his career away from the game in teaching.

Although history won’t necessarily recall Hynd’s time in North Lanarkshire as a roaring success, his 14 wins, 19 defeats and only 3 draws, is not a record to be ashamed of whatsoever.

Everyone at Motherwell FC would like to express our sincere condolences to Roger’s wife Jane, along with the entire Hynd family at this very sad time.

Extended highlights from Celtic Park where despite a spirited performance Motherwell lose 2-0 to Celtic.

Images from today’s 2-0 loss to Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Celtic Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”celtic180217″]

Despite defeat, ‘Well boss Mark McGhee believes that confidence has been restored among the squad following his sides spirited performance against Celtic this afternoon.

Given Celtic’s recent form and on the back of Wednesday night’s defeat away to Aberdeen, the Steelmen’s showing this afternoon lifted the Fir Park gaffer’s spirits.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, McGhee said: “I think we can come out of here today with some sort of confidence, belief or positivity.

“Coming here today when they’re playing as well as they are and getting the results that they’re getting – I think that we can be happy with the performance, the second half in particular.”

[pullquote]Coming here today when they’re playing as well as they are and getting the results that they’re getting – I think that we can be happy with the performance, the second half in particular.[/pullquote]

He added: “We really raised our game and we’re pleased with that and I think we can look forward now to the next run of games with some sort of optimism.

“We’ve got Scotty back and I think he was excellent today, Craig Clay was fantastic, Moulty worked hard and the boys who came in like Jack McMillan and Joe Chalmers.

“Overall, I think we can be pleased given how poor we were on Wednesday.”

You can watch the manager’s full post match interview exclusively at MFC TV’s YouTube channel.

[tab:Match report]  

Despite an spirited performance, Motherwell lost 2-0 away to Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership this afternoon.

And while it was a stark contrast from Wednesday night’s bitterly disappointing performance, in the end, runway league-leaders Celtic were just too strong for the Steelmen.

Mark McGhee named three changes to the side which lost in midweek, with Scott McDonald returning from suspension and taking Elliott Frear’s place, Jack McMillan replacing the suspended Richard Tait and Craig Clay coming in for Lee Lucas.

However, the manager was forced in to further changes when Stevie Hammell pulled up in the pre-match warm-up, Joe Chalmers stepped in.

There was yet more chopping and changing required as Stephen McManus was forced off through injury after five minutes, Zak Jules was introduced to the action as the veteran defender limped off.

There were no chances in the opening 20 minutes, as Celtic were content to keep the ball and bed themselves in to the game, while Motherwell defended well and limited the home side to one real opportunity which came in the 25^th minute.

Some intricate passing and neat movement from Celtic’s front four nearly led to the breakthrough, but James Forrest’s shot was palmed away by Samson, only as far as Henderson, who turned his effort wide of the mark.

Brendan Rodgers side eventually found the breakthrough though, when Moussa Dembele stroked a penalty past Samson following Zak Jules’ foul in the box.

The Steelmen responded well and had two terrific chances in quick succession, a deep cross in to the box from Chalmers found Louis Moult at the back post but the forward headed narrowly wide from close range.

Two minutes later, it looked like Pearson had levelled the score. The ball broke to the midfielder 12 yards out but his low effort was saved by Craig Gordon low to his right.

However, the positive response from Motherwell was cut short when Celtic doubled their lead five minutes before the break.

Forrest picked the ball up on the right flank, twisted and turned and fired a low shot past Samson despite all of Motherwell’s positive play.

The Fir Parkers regrouped and got off to a positive start in the second half, and some good passing play down the left flank led to a decent opportunity for McDonald, but the Aussie scuffed his shot a little and was denied by the offside flag anyway.

McGhee made his second change of the afternoon when he decided to replace Chris Cadden with Ryan Bowman, shifting the shape of the team to accommodate the three forwards and push for a way back in to the game.

Much like the first half, neither side created too much in the first 20 minutes and Celtic, looking most threatening through Scott Sinclair down the left flank, skewered a few good opportunities off target.

The Steelmen started to peg Celtic back for a good spell and put increasing pressure on Nir Bitton, who’s slack passes afforded the visiting Fir Parkers a couple of half chances to create opportunities deep in Celtic’s half.

A surging run forward from Zak Jules saw the defender nearly burst in to the box, but a last ditch tackle by Simunovic denied the young defender at the expense of a corner.

From the set piece, Gordon came off his line well to pluck it out the air.

McGhee’s men looked increasingly impressive in the final ten minutes, and a golden opportunity fell to Stephen Pearson following a set piece. The ex-Celtic man fired over from six yards but it was a tough one for the midfielder.

Zak Jules took the opportunity to maraud forward again and looked comfortable on the ball, but Celtic, who had taken their foot off the gas, were too deep and crowded out the ‘Well attack.

Celtic held on to their clean sheet and despite a late surge and impressive end to the match, Motherwell couldn’t find what would have been a deserved goal.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Celtic Park    

FT: Celtic 2 – 0 Motherwell #CFCvMFC

90′ | 2-0
Two minutes added on.

83′ | 2-0
Celtic sub, McGregor on for Bitton.

82′ | 2-0
Another decent chance! Bowman flicks on a corner into the path of Pearson but he can’t get a good connection on it. Over the bar.

81′ | 2-0
Close! McDonald very nearly catches out Gordon at the front post with a sneaky cross/shot.

69′ | 2-0
Sinclair should have made it three but with all the goal to aim for, blazes it well over the bar.

60′ | 2-0
Good football again from Motherwell but this time Clay’s effort from 25 yards sails well over the bar.

57′ | 2-0
Free-kick to Celtic right on the edge of the box….Sinclair curls it over the bar.

56′ | 2-0
‘Well have the ball in a good area but Celtic steal it and break. Thankfully Dembele fires just wide of the post.

54′ | 2-0
Motherwell sub, Bowman on for Cadden

48′ | 2-0
Good start to the half from the Steelmen. Ball is knocked around well and slid into McDonald but he can’t test Gordon.

Celtic get the second 45 underway.

Half-time change for Celtic, Armstrong on for Henderson.

HT: Celtic 2 – 0 Motherwell #CFCvMFC

44′ | 2-0
Clay gets forward and into a good area but his cross/shot is plucked out the air by Gordon.

40′ | 2-0
Goal – despite a good spell, Forrest breaks down the right, twists and turns and fires low past Samson.

37′ | 1-0
What a chance! Ball breaks to Pearson 12 yards out but Gordon is equal to his low shot, palming it away to safety.

35′ | 1-0
Close!! Chalmers whips in a deep ball which Moult heads inches over the bar!

33′ | 1-0
Goal – Dembele steps up and sends Samson the wrong way.

32′ | 0-0
Moult tracks back but has to concede a corner….penalty to Celtic!

28′ | 0-0
Very few chances so far. Sinclair has a half-chance but scuffs it wide from a difficult angle.

25′ | 0-0
Corner Motherwell…..played short but Celtic defend it well.

24′ | 0-0
First chance of the game falls Celtic’s way. Forrest’s shot is beaten away then Henderson can’t convert from the rebound.

7′ | 0-0
Good little spell of passing there but McDonald is caught offside when on the end of a killer pass from Clay.

4′ | 0-0
Motherwell sub, McManus is forced off with that knock, so will be replaced by Jules.

Unfortunately we’re having some technical issues with mixlr so there will be no commentary this afternoon.

2′ | 0-0
McManus down injured, receiving treatment from physio @aileen_and

Lasley gets the game underway. COYW!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Celtic manager Brendan Rogers:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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