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Carl McHugh has won the Motorpoint Player of the Month award for February, decided by you, the fans.

The summer signing, who has missed a large chunk of the season due to concussion, has established himself as one of the most important members of the squad since his return just before the turn of the year.

And that was reflected by the fans votes, who selected Carl as their star Steelman for February.

[pullquote]I’m delighted to pick up this award and it means a lot for me that it was voted for by the fans.[/pullquote]

The midfielder, who has dropped in to central defence in recent weeks, was proud to pick up the award – sponsored by Motorpoint.

Carl said: “I’m delighted to pick up this award and it means a lot for me that it was voted for by the fans.

“But to be honest, the most important thing is Saturday, and it’s not about the individual it’s about making sure we perform as a team and hopefully we can take something from Ibrox.”

Carl McHugh admits he can’t wait to get back to action after the international break.

And with Rangers up next for the Steelmen, the ‘Well number 8 insisted the club face a big week ahead – not just a big match this weekend.

Speaking to the press this morning, the Irishman reflected on the past few weeks under manager Stephen Robinson.

[pullquote]I just can’t wait to get going now because it was disappointing that we didn’t get something from the St Johnstone game cause I felt we deserved something.[/pullquote]

He said: “I just can’t wait to get going now because it was disappointing that we didn’t get something from the St Johnstone game cause I felt we deserved something.

“We need to crack on now for an important three games in a week so it’s massive for us.

It’s been a good spell because we’ve had three good performances in the main since the gaffer took over so we’ll be very organised and with a clear plan going in to the game.

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‘Well Boss Stephen Robinson believes that the weekend break has been beneficial for his side as they prepare for a trip to Ibrox this weekend.

The Northern Irishman spoke to the press this morning and admitted that he has been working hard with his side over the past few weeks to bring about belief.

Robinson said: “It’s been good because we’ve been able to rest a bit in terms of injuries and last week we took that opportunity to try and get the squad together again fitness wise.

[pullquote]We’ve had a good week from Monday, we’ve been in everyday preparing for the game against Rangers so it does give us a wee bit more time to work.[/pullquote]

“We’ve had a good week from Monday, we’ve been in everyday preparing for the game against Rangers so it does give us a wee bit more time to work.”

He added: “I can’t change personnel, that’s not something I can do at this stage of the season, but we’ve just tried to get more organisation in to the team and more of a belief in to the team.”

You can watch the Fir Park boss speak to the press in full on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Scott McDonald has made a career out of scoring goals, but unfortunately for the Aussie forward, and the rest of the Steelmen, his strike against St Johnstone two weeks ago wasn’t enough as Motherwell lost 2-1 at home.

But McDonald remains optimistic – and he believes that there will be plenty more goals to come this season for Stephen Robinson’s side ahead of this weekend’s clash with Rangers.

That sense of optimism is reflected in the Aussie forwards goal against Tommy Wright’s St Johnstone last time out at Fir Park.

Having missed a golden opportunity to equalise just minutes before, the forward made no mistake on the stroke of half time, firing the Fir Parkers back in to the match.

“I missed a clear sitter just before this so I was delighted to get the chance straight after that,” McDonald admitted; “Moulty did ever so well in the build up, then Craig follows in with the shot which rebounds for me.

[pullquote]Without realising how many players are between myself and the goal, I just turn, swivel and it’s more of a natural sort of finish for a striker on the half turn, I just had to hit it as clean as I could.[/pullquote]

“I’m on the half turn and, due to the chance I missed before that, I wanted to make sure I could make up for that and make amends.”

He added: “Without realising how many players are between myself and the goal, I just turn, swivel and it’s more of a natural sort of finish for a striker on the half turn, I just had to hit it as clean as I could.

“It’s amazing how many times as a centre forward in these sorts of moments where the ball goes through defenders legs.

“So for me, in this moment, it was best to just buy a ticket and hope I win the prize.”

The equaliser from Motherwell’s number 77 was his eighth in the league, and the Australian, who is equally keen to turn provider, hopes for more celebrations this weekend.

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The referee for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Rangers at Ibrox is Steven McLean.

It will be McLean’s fifth match in charge this season and his second since the turn of the year, following a midweek away win to Ross County in February.

Prior to that, the official took charge of the goalless draw with Killie at Fir Park in December, the 1-3 home loss to Hearts in September and the Rangers League Cup group match in July, when the ‘Well lost 2-0.

That all-important away win against the Staggies last month broke the run of losses whilst McLean has been in charge – and the Fir Parkers will be keen to follow that up this weekend.

Now one of Scotland’s most recognisable whistlers, ‘Well fans will be familiar with the 35-year old, who will be on the Ibrox turf for this weekends game as he celebrates his 36th birthday.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads sixteen wins, eight defeats and five draws from twenty-nine matches.

In those games, ‘Well have scored 53 and conceded 47. 86 cautions have been dished out, 48 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 Sean Carr and Jordon Stokoe; with Alan Newlands on fourth official duties.

Highlights from the Excelsior Stadium where the under 20s drew 0-0 with Dundee in the Development League.

U20s boss Stephen Craigan was pleased with his sides performance as they drew 0-0 against Dundee tonight.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the Northern Irishman admitted that the performance “lays down a marker” moving forward, but was just missing a goal.

Craigan said: “Sometimes that happens in football, there’s probably been games this season when we’ve won and thought ‘how did we win?’

[pullquote]We wanted to lay a marker down, get some good performances in, do some of the stuff we spoke about in the last week or so and implement it in the game.[/pullquote]

“What’s important tonight is the performance because we know we’ve got a big game on Monday night against Celtic in the Youth Cup.”

He added: “We wanted to lay a marker down, get some good performances in, do some of the stuff we spoke about in the last week or so and implement it in the game.

“We done that, some things we didn’t and we understand that but coming out of that I’m pleased with the performance.”

You can watch Craigan’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s YouTube channel.

Despite dominating for the majority of the match, Motherwell under-20s couldn’t find the breakthrough and drew 0-0 against Dundee tonight.

It was an encouraging performance for manager Stephen Craigan’s side which had everything apart from a crucial goal.

The Northern Irishman named a young starting eleven as his side hosted the Dee at the Excelsior Stadium in the 28th Development League of the season.

The visitors had two trialists in their side as they looked to bounce back from their 2-1 loss against Hearts but started poorly as they came across a lively Motherwell side.

The Steelmen had a number of efforts on goal but were mostly limited to efforts from distance in the first 20 minutes.

But when Jack McMillan sent in a fantastic cross for the head of James Scott in the 21^st minute, the youngster headed over the bar from close range and Dundee were lucky to not be behind.

It took the visitors half an hour before they really tested Ollie Pain, when the Tayside outfit hit Motherwell on the break.

Mark Smith, driving in to the box, cut back on to his left foot before striking low and hard at the near post, but Pain did well to get down to his left and collect the ball.

The second half started a lot slower than the first and the same ‘Well side who dominated much of the opening period looked a little off the pace as the second got underway.

Neither side made much happen though and the only talking points were two stoppages for both teams to send on physios just before the hour mark after a couple of knocks.

The Steelmen had a late flurry of chances in the final five minutes and in to injury time, but Dundee stopper Ferrie was the reason the visitors left with a point.

Firstly he denied Fry from a glorious one-on-one opportunity and minutes later got the slightest of touches to a low effort from substitute Dylan Mackin to tap the ball narrowly round the post.

In the third minute of injury time, Mackin was involved again but his terrific ball across the face of goal was ever so slightly out of reach for the lunging Fry who couldn’t tap it home.

The outcome was a goalless draw on a night when the Steelmen dominated proceedings but couldn’t make it count.

Motherwell U20s: Pain, McMillan, Livingstone, Maguire, Armstrong, Campbell, Fry, Turnbull, Scott (Mackin ’70), Hastie, Gordon

Unused subs: Pettigrew, Agyeman, Lasley

Supporters Direct Scotland has launched its annual Scottish Football Supporters Survey for 2017 – with a clear message to fans across the country: your voice is heard.

Officially recognised as the lead supporters group in Scotland by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) and the Scottish Football Association (Scottish FA), SD Scotland has established a formal means to engage with the game’s key decision makers and represent fans’ views.

Last year’s survey saw a record-breaking 14,000 ensured supporters who participated in last year’s survey are being heard.

Outcomes from 2016 were formally presented to the Scottish FA’s Professional Game Board and Congress, the latter of which which includes representatives from all areas of football in Scotland.

You can take part in the survey, here: www.scottishsupporters.net/survey

Matchday hospitality for the Lanarkshire Derby is one sale now – with a special £10 deal for children to attend.

The Ladbrokes Premiership fixture against Hamilton Accies takes place on Wednesday, April 5, and our fantastic hospitality packages are on sale now.

And, during the school break, children can attend and dine for just £10!

Choose from our Centenary Suite, Millennium Suite and South Stand Boxes – where you can have a celebration in a box or a night with friends with our new reduced packages.

Head of Commercial and Marketing Suzanne Reid said: “The Lanarkshire Derby is a match not to be missed and now is the time to secure one of our hospitality packages, which are already selling fast.

“It’s a fantastic way to experience a match here at Fir Park, and we look forward to what will be a big night on and off the pitch, with kick-off at 7:45pm.”

There is also Match Sponsorship options available, but be fast before they sell out.

For more information, please contact hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk or phone 01698 33 33 33.