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[tab:Match report]

 Phil McGhee at Ibrox

Motherwell were denied a thoroughly deserved share of the spoils at Ibrox when Kenny Miller snatched a last-gasp winner.

After Scott McDonald had given the Fir Parkers a lead early in the first half, Mark McGhee’s men performed admirably throughout the team.

And although Harry Forrester grabbed the equaliser 18 minutes into the second half to fire up the home crowd, Motherwell looked equally likely to find a winner on the second consecutive time at Ibrox.

Mark McGhee fielded an unchanged side from last week as Motherwell looked to emulate their performance and memorable 3-1 victory on their last visit in the league play-offs 16 months ago.

In the early stages ‘Gers seemed determined to ensure there would be no repeat of that result as the dominated possession. The pressure on the visitor’s goal during the opening fifteen minutes was often self-inflicted as the Fir Park players conceded possession around the box allowing drives from Miller and Forrrester to blaze over the bar.

The best opening came at the other end in seventeen minute. McDonald’s head-flick sent Lionel Ainsworth racing through the centre of the home defence, only for him to pull his left shot well wide of goal.

Rangers ignored that warning and a minute later lost the opening goal. Marvin Johnson dragged the ball back on the far side of the penalty area and when his right foot cross trundled across the six yard box, McDonald popped at the back post to prod the ball home and stun the Ibrox crowd.

A couple of minutes later it could have been 2-0 after a swift Motherwell move. Chris Cadden robbed Joey Barton on the half-way line, McDonald found Johnson and his head-flick set the ball up nicely for Craig Clay but from 18 yards the thundered his volley a couple of metres wide of the post.

With Craig Samson yet to make a save his opposite number was almost caught out after 26 minutes. James Tavernier rolled the ball towards his own goal but with Johnson bearing down on Foderingham, the ‘keeper rattled the ball off the ‘Well man inside the six yard box and was relieved to see the ball deflect narrowly over his bar.

Not unexpectedly, Rangers started the second half on the front foot and when Miller sent a low cross into the six yard box it took a brilliant tackle and block by Joe Chalmers, who had an impressive ninety minutes, to deny Harry Forrester a certain equaliser.

However, it took an equally impressive stop at the other end to prevent ‘Well from doubling their lead. Scott McDonald turned Danny Wilson in the box and from an acute angle his flashing drive was heading for the top corner until Foderingham threw himself across his goal to palm the ball round his post.

That kept Rangers’ hopes of an equaliser alive. And in the 63rd it arrived. Samson did well to block Miller’s effort at the edge of his six yard box but the ball rolled kindly for Forrester who calmly steered the ball between Stephen McManus and Ben Heneghan to make it 1-1.

As the Ibrox side pushed for the winner, ‘Well came close to claiming all three points when Johnson strike from 20 yards was a good height for Foderingham to dive and push away.

With four minutes remaining and ‘Well comfortably holding out for a share of the points striker Jacob Blyth came on for Craig Clay who had a commanding 86 minutes in midfield before running himself into the ground.

That forced Scott McDonand to drop deeper for the remainder of the game and it proved costly in the final minute as the ‘Well striker lost possession wide on the right.

As the ball was whipped into the box Gers’ first attempt was well blocked on the six yard line but the ball rolled along the box to Miller who slammed it back across Samson and into the corner for the cruellest of winners.

‘Well still had time for a deserved equaliser but from a McManus cutback Johnson curler from 18 yards dipped narrowly over the bar.

[tab:As it happened]

 Lewis Irons at Ibrox

’93 | 2-1
It’s all over at Ibrox and it’s a tough one to take for the travelling ‘Well fans.

’91 | 2-1
Rangers snatch the lead in the dying minutes. Miller curls low past Samson after it came back out to the forward

’90 | 1-1
3 minutes added on here at Ibrox

’87 | 1-1
Sub: Craig Clay is replaced by Jacob Blyth

’82 | 1-1
Dodoo works himself some space and hits one at the near post, but it’s off target

’78 | 1-1
Johnson unleashes a brilliant effort on goal from outside the box, but Foderingham saves in dramatic fashion

’76 | 1-1
Heneghan slides in to stop Miller in the box and clear the danger

’70 | 1-1
Rangers win a corner and Miller tries to latch onto it at the near post, but Tait is there to block

’65 | 1-1
Rangers sub: O’Halloran replaces Forrester

’63 | 1-1
Rangers pull level. Samson does well to save Miller’s shot but it falls to Forrester who strokes it through the crowd.

’62 | 0-1
Chalmers blocks Tavernier’s cross and Rangers win a corner, but the ‘Well clear

’60 | 0-1
McDonald rises to head at goal from a corner, but it’s too high for him and he heads over

’58 | 0-1
Rossiter hacks down Johnson on the half-way line and the free-kick is given.

’55 | 0-1
Rangers double change: McKay and Halliday make way for Dodoo and Kranjcar

’55 | 0-1
Wilson heads over the bar from a corner after Chalmers put it behind to thwart the danger

’52 | 0-1
McDonald is denied his second by a wonder-save from Foderingham. The Aussie struck low from inside the box. #COYW

’48 | 0-1
Wallace crosses and Barton looks set to tap in from 4 yards, but Joe Chalmers puts in an incredible tackle to stop him

’47 | 0-1
A threatening ball in from Tavernier is headed over from close-range by Halliday

’46 | 0-1
We’re back underway at Ibrox

Half-time here at Ibrox and Motherwell lead 0-1 #COYW

’35 | 0-1
McDonald chips a lovely cross into the Rangers area and despite taking a clear deflection, the goal-kick is given.

’26 | 0-1
Tavernier dallies on the ball in his six-yard box and Johnson pounces. The keepers clearance deflects off Johnson and goes over.

’24 | 0-1
Wilson has a strike from all of 30-yards, but Samson watches on as it flies over.

’20 | 0-1

So nearly 2! McDonald dinks a lovely ball onto Johnson’s head who nods it into the path of Clay who strikes just wide. #COYW

’19 | 0-1
Johnson’s dangerous ball across goal is tapped in from a yard by Scott McDonald! #COYW

GOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!

’16 | 0-0
Rangers win two corners in quick succession, but the Steelmen defend well and clear the danger.

’13 | 0-0
Harry Forrester tries one from distance but again it is narrowly over the bar and doesn’t trouble Samson

’11 | 0-0
Ainsworth’s loose pass is latched on by Kenny Miller, but he fails to hit the target and it rises just over the bar.

’10 | 0-0
Ainsworth dinks in Johnson on the left, who strikes towards goal – but the effort rises high and wide.

‘5 | 0-0
McDonald is slipped through on goal but is halted by the offside flag – not too much in it

1 | 0-0
Johnson beats Tavernier on the left but is then brouight down. Free-kick to the Well who take it quickly and cross but it’s cleared

1 | 0-0
Scott McDonald gets us underway here at Ibrox #COYW

Motherwell subs: Brill, Lucas, Blyth, Thomas, McFadden, Ferguson, MacLean #RFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Rangers manager Mark Warburton:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Stephen Craigan’s U20s kick-off their Development League season with a trip north to face Inverness CT.

The ‘Well youngsters, who have played twice in the IRN-BRU Cup against Edinburgh City and Airdrie, will take on the Highlanders at Nairn County’s Station Park (kick-off is 7pm).

The youths’ first home game will be one week later at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie, when Aberdeen are the visitors.

Tuesday 23 August 2016
Inverness –v- Motherwell
Station Park, Nairn
Kick-off 7.00pm

Tuesday 30 August 2016
Motherwell –v- Aberdeen
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie
Kick-off 6.00pm

Motherwell travel to Ibrox in the Ladbrokes Premiership this weekend, looking to bounce back to form.

The Steelmen went down to a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to St Johnstone last weekend and face tough opponents in the form of Mark Warburton’s Rangers.

The two sides met earlier this season, as the Glaswegians left Fir Park with all three points in Group F of the Betfred Cup.

But in truth, it could have gone either way, with the Fir Parkers carving out a stack of chances and ultimately being undone by two wonder-strikes.

After a poor showing in Glasgow when McGhee’s men faced Celtic in the Betfred Cup, the club will be hoping for a more enjoyable afternoon in the city.

Striker Louis Moult will be the only guaranteed absentee for Mark McGhee to deal with going into Saturday’s match – Carl McHugh on the mend from a slight concussion and will be touch and go to make the game whilst Stevie Hammell trained this week.

Tickets for the match are available from the Fir Park Ticket Office now priced at:

• Juveniles are under 16s
• Concessions are over 65 and 16 & 17 year olds

The Ticket Office will be open on this Saturday (20th August) between 10am and 1pm. Please note there will be no sale of away tickets from Ibrox on the day of the game.

Playing either half of the Old Firm on their own turf is always difficult and if success is to be achieved, goals are a necessity.

So with last season’s most potent striker Louis Moult still recovering from a groin operation, the onus is on others to pitch in.

Thankfully for the Steelmen, talented midfielder Chris Cadden has stepped up with three goals already this campaign.

The 19-year old has been a standout since been given the nod by ‘Well boss Mark McGhee last winter. His performances were rewarded with a new 2.5-year deal last March and he has continued his elevation into a regular first-team starter.

The Bellshill-born player now has 34 appearances and five goals in Claret and Amber under his belt.

His drive, energy, enthusiasm and determination has been infectious and his importance to the team can’t be understated.

His late runs into the box, his ability to take his team up the park under pressure and his willingness to close down and harry opponents has made this exciting young prospect one of the first names on the Fir Parkers’ teamsheet. If ‘Well are to win at Ibrox, Cadden will need to be at the top of his form.

Rangers come in to the game on the back of an important first league win last weekend, when they beat Dundee 2-1 at Dens Park.

Goals from Kenny Millar and Harry Forrester were enough to claim all three points and get their season up and running after a sluggish 1-1 draw with Hamilton on the opening day.

But the Gers could be without last seasons top scorer Martyn Waghorn – who was absent from the Dundee win after going down in pain clutching his hamstring in the Accies draw.

The last time the two-sides met before this season was the memorable two-legged victory in the Premiership play-off when the Fir Parkers dominated and won 6-1 on aggregate.

But with a number of new faces arriving at Ibrox over the summer, Mark Warburton will have plenty of options at his disposal.

Niko Kranjcar, Josh Windass and Clint Hill are among the additions, but it was the signing of Joey Barton that quickened the pulse rates of the Gers fans the most though – after the midfielder swapped the English Championship winners Burnley for the Scottish Championship winners on a free transfer.

The Glaswegian’s are the bookmakers second favourites for the league title this season, so will certainly pose a threat to the Fir Parkers.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee admits he has had to pick his players up after a couple of disappointing defeats.

The Steelmen had won four on the bounce, qualifying out of the Betfred Cup games before an opening day victory at Rugby Park, giving the squad plenty of belief.

However, a heavy defeat at Parkhead and a 1-2 reverse against St Johnstone last Saturday has dented confidence.

And the Scotland Assistant says a part of training this week is trying to lift his players ahead of Saturday’s match at Ibrox.

He said: “We are coming off the back of two really disappointing results. I’ve gone on record already saying that the defeat at home to St Johnstone was worse than losing heavily at Celtic Park. You need only look at their (Celtic) result last night in a Champions League Play-off to know they’re a team who is flying at the moment.

[pullquote]We made a good start and looked as if, mentally, we were in a good place with a bit of momentum and belief. Those two results undermined that so this week has been about that, as much as it has been about coming up against Rangers.[/pullquote]

“So that was disappointing and it has burst our bubble a little bit.

“We’ve had to get ourselves right first and foremost and now I think we’re in the right frame of mind, we work on the game and the problems they may offer.

“It will be difficult, but when we played them here it was a clash of styles in a sense. It was a fairly even game and we felt a little unlucky to lose the game in the way we did so that has proven we can certainly cause they problems and that’s what we’ll take into this match at the weekend.”

Chris Cadden reckons Motherwell need to be more ruthless when they take on Rangers at Ibrox this weekend.

The teams locked horns in the Betfred Cup last month and ‘Well missed a hatful of chances before Mark Warburton’s men eventually ran out 0-2 winners.

Now, with the teams set to meet in the Scottish top-flight for the first time in over four years, Cadden, who has already scored three this term, hopes any chances created can be converted.

Speaking to the broadcast media at ‘Well’s pre-match news conference, the 19-year old said: “What we learned from that game (in July) is that we need to take our chances.

“If you recall, we had a lot of early opportunities and if we take one of them, I think the game is different.

[pullquote]We might not get as many chances when we’re at Ibrox so if something does come along, we’ve got to be ruthless and take it. If we do, hopefully we can get a result.”[/pullquote]

Cadden also hopes the side have learned lessons from their last visit to Glasgow, when they lost heavily to City rivals Celtic in the Cup.

“Although Celtic are a really good side, we perhaps gave them too much respect. We need to get closer to Rangers, get in their face, try and stop them playing a disrupt them.

“They’ve brought in some big names players like Joey Barton, Niko Kranjčar and Jordan Rossiter, which has obviously improved them a lot. That said, we can’t go into this match focusing solely on them.

“I don’t think you can do that. You have to also look at yourself too as every game is different. Our last opponents St Johnstone play in your face, fighting hard for second balls whereas Rangers are far more likely to want to keep the ball so we have to adapt.

“It’ll be a tough game, but we’ve been working on a plan all this week and we’re hopeful of coming away with a good result.”

Motherwell FC, in partnership with Police Scotland, will roll out an alternative Fan Egress Plan with a view to enhancing the experience at Category C matches.

Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows said: “Along with Motherwell FC Safety Officer Alan Marshall, I met with Police Scotland recently to discuss a number of topics, including the closing stages of the Betfred Cup match against Rangers last month.

“With the match nearing its conclusion and with the aim of minimising the risk of public disorder outside the stadium with two sets of fans exiting towards the same area at the same time, the call was made to ‘hold back’ the East Stand section closest to the South Stand, meaning fans who wished to leave either early or at full time were unable.

“This led to much frustration and anger, particularly for those unwittingly caught up and unable to exit the ground. For that, an apology is certainly due and we are sorry.

“Whilst I think everyone is in full agreement that fan safety either inside or outside the ground is absolutely the right thing and always should be the priority, there is a question around are there more effective, fan-friendly alternatives to the method adopted at this match?

“As a result, I have tasked Alan to work in partnership with Police Scotland to come up with a practical alternative when it comes to stadium egress at ‘Category C’ (i.e. highest risk) fixtures.

“The aim of this will be to ensure there is no need for a repeat at Fir Park whilst, at the same time, making it the safest possible environment for all supporters to enjoy.

“It should be reiterated that Motherwell FC is absolutely committed to identifying and punishing any individual who commits any act of unacceptable conduct either at Fir Park or elsewhere, but believe strongly that the focus should always be on dealing with individual perpetrator(s), rather than large groups of people, the vast majority of whom are often completely innocent.”

Tickets for the Ladbrokes Premiership match with Rangers on Saturday at Ibrox are still available from the Fir Park ticket office.

This is an all ticket match and tickets will not be available at Ibrox on the day of the game. Tickets are priced as follows:

• Juveniles are under 16s
• Concessions are over 65 and 16 & 17 year olds

The ticket office is open late on Thursday night the 18th August (until 7pm) and is also open till 1pm on the day of the game for fans wishing to purchase tickets.

Highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell’s Under 20s exit the Irn Bru cup after  a 1-2 defeat by Airdrie.

Images from today’s 1-2 loss to Airdrie in the Irn Bru Cup at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”airdrieU20s160816″]

It was mixed emotions for Stephen Craigan as he watched his U20s put on a brave showing against Airdrie, but ultimately exit the IRN-BRU Cup.

The young Steelmen, with an average age of just seventeen, went toe-to-toe with their senior opponents for the full game, but came up just short.

Former ‘Well striker Iain Russell put the Diamonds in front just before the break before Adam Brown doubled the advantage minutes after the restart.

Dylan Mackin pulled one back with a ferocious strike to set-up a grand stand finale, but despite creating chances, the youngsters couldn’t get level.

It brings to an end Motherwell’s run in the IRN-BRU Cup, but there were plenty of positives for Craigan, his team applauded off at the end by the 1,007 fans inside Fir Park.

[pullquote]They put so much into the game, they had a great appetite for it; I can’t praise their attitude enough. [/pullquote]

“Anytime you’re involved with the Under 20s you always come away with mixed emotions,” he sighed.

“They put so much into the game, they had a great appetite for it; I can’t praise their attitude enough. We maybe came up a little bit short and lacked that little bit of quality in the final third, particularly when coming up against an experienced defensive line, guys who have played a lot of first-team games.

“That’s why I enjoyed being a part of this tournament because it’s a great experience for our lads and a marker for where they’ve got to get to.

“Sometimes when you play against other Under 20s sides you don’t always learn things, but from both the Edinburgh City and this game tonight, it’s been a brilliant experience for all of us. We’re just gutted we’re out.”