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  • Archive

    Calendar signing a hit with fans

  • Archive

    Scottish Cup 4th Round draw

  • Archive

    Don’t miss tonight’s signing event

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tynecastle

  • Archive

    Hearts defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    McGhee: We lost fair and square

  • Archive

    Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell

  • Archive

    Moult and McDonald chat to MFCTV

  • Archive

    Suicide Awareness courses continue

  • Archive

    Hearts: A closer look at Tynecastle clash

  • Archive

    Calendar signing a hit with fans

    The club’s official calendar signing event saw hundreds of fans meet their favourite stars at the Fir Park Centenary Suite last night. 

    And it was a successful night for everyone who attended, with people of all ages able to meet the squad, get their new 2017 calendars signed and pose for a selfie or two.

    If you missed the event but would like to buy a calendar, you can buy yours at the Well Shop.

  • Archive

    Scottish Cup 4th Round draw

    Motherwell have been drawn to face Rangers at Ibrox in the Fourth Round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

    The tie is due to be played on 21st January 2017.

    Full draw:

    Ross County vs Dundee United

    St Johnstone vs Forres Mechanics or Stenhousemuir

    Albion Rovers or Queen of the South vs Celtic

    Livingston vs East Fife or Edinburgh City

    Rangers vs Motherwell

    Aberdeen vs Stranraer or East Kilbride

    Elgin City vs Inverness CT

    Raith Rovers vs Hearts

    Kilmarnock vs Hamilton

    Bonnyrigg Rose or Dumbarton vs Hibs

    Brechin City or Ayr United vs Queen’s Park or Montrose

    Partick Thistle vs Formartine United or Annan Athletic

    Stirling Albion or Wick Academy vs Clyde or Arbroath

    Alloa vs Dunfermline

    Dundee vs St Mirren or Spartans

    Beith Juniors or Greenock Morton vs Falkirk

  • Archive

    Don’t miss tonight’s signing event

    ‘Well fans have the chance to meet their favourite first team players at tonight’s open calendar signing in the Centenary Suite. 

    The whole squad will be available between 6pm and 7.30pm tonight to sign the newly released calendar – available here on motherwelldirect.co.uk  – and pose for pictures with the guys.

    You can purchase the calendar prior to the event at the ‘Well Shop and take it along with you or you can buy one at the event on the evening.

    After the Calendar signing there will be a Quiz event, supported by the Well Society, which you can find more details about here: www.thewellsociety.co.uk

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Tynecastle

    Highlights from Tynecastle as Motherwell lose 3-0 against Hearts.

  • Archive

    Hearts defeat in pictures

    Images from today’s 3-0 loss to Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”hearts261116″]

  • Archive

    McGhee: We lost fair and square

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee admitted his side were beaten “fair and square” away to Hearts this afternoon.

    A brace from Bjorn Johnsen and a neat finish by Jamie Walker secured all three points for the Jambos but Motherwell had a number of chances cleared off the line during a frustrating ninety minutes.

    Speaking to MFC TV after the match, the manager admitted his side were second best.

    He said: “We lost the game fair and square. They were better on the ball they were more aggressive. As a team they were more effective and I felt we never really got it going at any point even although we ended up forcing a few chances from set plays and from longer, deeper free kicks.

    “They were determined in defence to get to clear those balls and get them off the line so you have to give them credit for that, we have to get it over the line that’s our job and we didn’t manage it.”

    [pullquote]“I was disappointed with the nature of the goals. The first one down the side of us when we have three centre-halves and the second one a header from a corner kick.”[/pullquote]

    Despite the loss, the Steelmen remain in the top six, however McGhee knows that it is too early in the season to judge the table.

    He said: “The relevance of being in the top six at this stage is irrelevant, I think the important thing is the points between us and the bottom which I think is only two points.

    He added: “So that’s the important thing, we have to put points on the board to open up some distance between us and the teams at the bottom.

    “Next week we have a very difficult game at home to Celtic and then we’ve got a big December after that too.”

  • Archive

    Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

     Lewis Irons at Tynecastle

    Motherwell slumped to a 3-0 loss at Tynecastle this afternoon against a ruthless Hearts side who ultimately took their chances.

    The Steelmen were unlucky not to score though, with as much as FOUR goal-bound efforts cleared off the line in agonising fashion for the Fir Parkers.

    A brace from Bjorn Johnsen and a neat finish from Jamie Walker punished Motherwell on a cold and sunny afternoon in the capital.

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee named an unchanged line-up from the side that overcame Partick Thistle 2-0 at Fir Park last week, while Robbie Neilson on the other hand named four changes to his side after they drew 3-3 against Hamilton on Monday night.

    Tony Watt, Prince Buaben, Liam Smith and Alim Ozturk were replaced by Igor Rossi, Faycal Rherras, Arnaud Djoum and Robbie Muirhead – but it was top scorers Jamie Walker and Callum Paterson who looked the most dangerous in the opening exchanges of the match.

    The two looked to combine and cause problems down the right flank but it was a surging run from Walker which led to the midfielders first shot on target. Cutting in on to his right foot the Hearts number seven forced a routine save from Craig Samson after two minutes and proceeded to test the ‘Well keeper twice more in the following four minutes –  but almost identical strikes from the midfielder left Samson making comfortable saves.

    Motherwell failed to create anything in the opening fifteen minutes as Hearts peppered Samson’s goal and after 16 minutes the game came to a brief standstill.

    A head-knock between Ben Heneghan and Callum Paterson left both on the floor requiring treatment. The Hearts defender was allowed to stay on the pitch despite his gushing wound and nasty looking bump above his eye as Heneghan was bandaged up on the sidelines.

    But it was Paterson who was withdrawn from the action nine minutes later – Heneghan meanwhile was fine to carry on and play the full 90 minutes.

    Hearts deservedly took the lead but it came from a loose touch in the Motherwell midfield. Johnsen was quick to burst beyond the Claret and Amber defence and latch on to a neat through ball before the tall centre-forward rounded Craig Samson and rolled the ball into an empty net.

    Just two minutes later, Johnsen was celebrating again but the linesman’s flag cut the party short as the goal scorer had strayed offside before looping his header into the far corner.

    That scare seemed to spark the Steelmen in to life as a looping ball into the Jambos box was knocked on by Heneghan, but it flashed across the goalmouth untouched and out for a goal kick.

    The tall, bandaged centre-back was involved in front of Hearts goal just minutes later but this time his attempted header from a Richard Tait free kick soared over the bar.

    Louis Moult and Scott McDonald were allowed to link-up five minutes before the break after a slack John Souttar pass gifted Motherwell a chance. The recovering Jam Tarts defence did enough to put pressure on the attackers and block Moult’s effort at goal.

    On the stroke of half time Craig Samson produced a fine save to deny Hearts a second goal and keep the deficit down going in to the interval.

    McGhee made two changes as he brought off Jack McMillan and David Ferguson for Lionel Ainsworth and Stevie Hammell and matched the home side with a 4-4-2 shape.

    The break didn’t change things though as just four minutes in to the second half Hearts went two up.

    An in-swinging corner was headed low past Samson by Johnsen for his second of the game and it looked as though Motherwell’s hopes of a comeback were crushed.

    However, the Fir Parkers responded well and a strong 20-minute spell in the second half should have led to a goal for the visitors.

    A header on target from McDonald was cleared off the line by Rherras before the defender, still on the line, somehow denied Heneghan immediately after.

    Substitute Ainsworth fired an ambitious effort narrowly wide of the post from 30-yards as the Steelmen pushed to find a way back in to the game, but soon after Hearts made it three.

    Ainsworth’s free-kick was cleared and Hearts hit the Steelmen on the break, Walker providing the low neat finish to a swift Hearts counter as Robbie Neilson’s side all but secured the three points.

    In the final five minutes of the match, Motherwell were denied a further two times by goal-line clearances. The first a hooked Souttar clearance after Ainsworth’s dink bounced towards the line and the second a decent clearance from Rherras to deny Moult his seventh goal of the season.

    But Hearts held on for their clean sheet and Motherwell left feeling somewhat deflated, yet still sitting in the top six of a compact Ladbrokes Premiership.

    [tab:As it happened]

     Lewis Irons at Tynecastle

     

    FT: Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

    89′ | 3-0
    That’s now a fourth chance cleared off the line! Moult with a free header, swept away by Rherras

    86′ | 3-0
    Ainsworth is sent clear but Souttar manages to retreat and clear his chipped shot off the line.

    75′ | 3-0
    Hearts sub, Currie on for Cowie

    74′ | 3-0
    Sammon squanders a great chance to make it 4, dragging his shot wide of the target from 15 yards.

    68′ | 3-0
    Hearts sub, Johnsen makes way for Sammon

    66′ | 3-0
    Goal – Hearts breakaway and Walker finishes it off with a low shot past Samson.

    65′ | 2-0
    Motherwell sub, Hastie on for Cadden.

    64′ | 2-0
    Ainsworth’s powerful low shot from 30 yards fizzes inches wide of the post.

    51′ | 2-0
    McDonald’s header is cleared off the line by Rherras. Seconds later he is there again, this time denying Heneghan!!

    49′ | 2-0
    Goal – Hearts go two up, this time a header by Johnsen from a corner.

    Motherwell get the second 45 underway. COYW!!

    Double change at half-time for Motherwell, Hammell and Ainsworth on for Ferguson and McMillan.

    Seconds before the whistle blew, Samson had a great save from Rossi’s header, clawing it off the line!

    HT | Hearts 1 – 0 Motherwell #HMFCvMFC

    45+1′ | 1-0
    Souttar booked for a shirt pull on McDonald. Can have no complaints there.

    Three minutes added on.

    44′ | 1-0
    Ball over the top is squared by Johnsen to Djoum 12 yards out but he curls his shot over the bar.

    41′ | 1-0
    Great chance for Moult as a slack pass allows him and McDonald to combine on the edge of the box but the defence recover to block.

    38′ | 1-0
    Tait whips in a free-kick from the right which is met by Heneghan but he can’t get his header on target.

    35′ | 1-0
    Chance! Looping ball into the box is knock across goal by Heneghan but no takers!

    34′ | 1-0
    Johnsen has the ball in the net again with a fine looping header but the linesman’s flag is thankfully up!

    32′ | 1-0
    Goal – Johnsen is slid through and cooly rounds Samson before slotting into the empty net. 1-0 to Hearts.

    26′ | 0-0
    Hearts sub, Paterson off for Smith. Has quite a nasty looking bump just above his eye.

    25′ | 0-0
    Decent chance for Hearts there. Long throw into Johnsen whose flicked header is just wide of the post.

    23′ | 0-0
    Paterson fires wide of the post, seconds after being told to leave the pitch and get a blood injury attended to!

    21′ | 0-0
    ‘Well still down to ten men, and Hearts almost capitalise. Johnsen is slid in but blazes over from a narrow angle.

    Both will need further treatment on the sidelines. Heneghan will return wearing a bandage, no doubt.

    16′ | 0-0
    Hearts have the first corner of the game…Heneghan and Paterson compete and both go down with head knocks.

    From the free-kick, Walker drills it straight into the wall and Rherras fires well over the bar.

    9′ | 0-0
    Rherras shows good feet to get past Tait and the Motherwell man is booked for impeding his run into the box.

    6′ | 0-0
    Hearts work a throw-in from the left which releases Walker inside the box. His attempt on goal is again matched by Samson.

    2′ | 0-0
    Walker again tests Samson, with an effort very similar to the first, with the same outcome. Save Samson.

    1′ | 0-0
    Walker tests Samson almost immediately with a bouncing effort from distance. Probably going wide but Samson gathers anyway

    Djoum gets the action underway for the Jambos. COYW!!!

    Out come the two sides at a packed Tynecastle. Usual colours for both teams…

     

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

     

    Hearts Manager Robbie Neilson:

     

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”297″]

  • Archive

    Moult and McDonald chat to MFCTV

    ‘Well forwards Louis Moult and Scott McDonald sat down with MFCTV today to chat all things Motherwell.

    The strike partners spoke about the season so far, the spirit around the dressing room and look ahead to tomorrow’s league clash with Hearts.

    Last weekend, both attackers were on target as the Steelmen overcame Partick Thistle 2-0 at Fir Park.

    It is the first time the two have scored in the same league fixture this season, a feat which has been stuttered by injury and league breaks.

    And with the Steelmen hitting form last weekend, ‘Well fans will be hoping to see more of the same from the close duo, who are most definitely enjoying their football in Claret and Amber.

    For more exclusive content, subscribe to the official Motherwell YouTube channel here.

  • Archive

    Suicide Awareness courses continue

    Motherwell FC and Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire are working together to raise awareness of one of the biggest killers of men in the community.

    And an inclusive Suicide Prevention awareness training course, which launched earlier this week, continues over the next two weeks at Fir Park – for those in the area to learn more about the issue.

    Motherwell FC Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows believes the courses are a crucial and beneficial way of spreading the message and raising awareness throughout the local community.

    He said: “Suicide has touched Motherwell Football Club as well as families all across Lanarkshire. These awareness classes are hugely beneficial in spreading an all important message and raising much needed awareness on suicide.”

    He added: “We truly believe in the work at Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire and seeing the players attend these classes really sums that up. Now, we want to give the same opportunity to people in our community.”

    Craig Samson believes that anything the club and players can do to help is a huge step forward and admits that tomorrow night would be beneficial course for those who attend.

    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.”

    To register your attendance, please call 0800 073 0918 or go online by CLICKING HERE. The courses are on November 29 and December 6, starting at 6:30pm on both dates.

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

  • Archive

    Hearts: A closer look at Tynecastle clash

    Motherwell take on Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership tomorrow as the Steelmen look to string together consecutive victories.

    An impressive 2-0 win over Partick Thistle last weekend saw the ‘Well surge in to the top six and bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 loss away to Dundee the week before.

    Hearts will prove to be a tough test, with Mark McGhee’s side five points off the Jambo’s who currently sit fourth in the league.

    Saturday will also be the second meeting between the two clubs after Hearts stormed to a 3-1 victory at Fir Park back in September.

    Second half strikes from Calum Paterson and Arnaud Djoum added to a fortunate deflected effort off Stephen McManus from the boot of Sam Nicholson to give Hearts a three goal lead before James McFadden produced a moment of magic, albeit consolation, in the dying moments of the match.

    But ‘Well boss Mark McGhee has made sure to not be distracted by previous results, including wins at Tynecastle, as his side prepare for an important fixture this weekend.

    Speaking to the press yesterday, the manager said: “The last time we went to Tynecastle we had players injured and players missing, so I don’t even take it in to account to be honest.”

    [pullquote]It’s not a place we should have any fears of going, we should go there and really relish the challenge of hopefully starting on some sort of run.[/pullquote]

    He added: “We’ve beat them since then so that’s more significant in terms of previous results, but I don’t consider that either – it’s all about Saturday and the head-to-head then.

    “It’s not a place we should have any fears of going, we should go there and really relish the challenge of hopefully starting on some sort of run.”

    Hearts, meanwhile, will be hopeful of returning to winning ways after they drew 3-3 against Hamilton on Monday night.

    Manager Robbie Neilson will be without young midfielder Sam Nicholson, who is out until January with a knee injury.

    Motherwell will remain without Carl McHugh and Joe Chalmers as the two sides search for an all-important three points in the capital.

     

    Midfielder Chris Cadden insists that the Steelmen go in to this weekends clash with Hearts “full of confidence”.

    The youngster admitted that it will be a tough task though, as they face a good, strong Hearts side who currently sit fourth in the table – five points above Motherwell.

    Speaking to the press yesterday, Cadden said: “Hearts are a good team, a big team as well, you can see they have quality players as well and they bring through a lot of quality young players.

    “It’ll be a tough task for us on Saturday but we’ll go there full of confidence after last week’s performance when I thought we were good, so hopefully we’ll nick something.”

    Cadden was part of the team who slumped to a disappointing defeat the last time the Fir Parkers travelled to Tynecastle, but the midfielder insists it will not play a part on Saturday.

    [pullquote]It’ll be a tough task for us on Saturday but we’ll go there full of confidence after last week’s performance when I thought we were good, so hopefully we’ll nick something.[/pullquote]

    He said: “I was on the bench so it was tough to watch. Hearts are tough to play when they hit top form but the last result at Tynecastle won’t have any bearing on this weekend because that was in January and it was two different sides – we had different players and so did they.”

    The Steelmen currently sit sixth in the Ladbrokes Premiership, but Cadden made sure to explain that the current table cannot be considered a reflection of how the season will pan out.

    He said: “With the league as tight as it is I don’t think you can look at it too much and it’s crazy how tight it is.

    Hearts are tough to play when they hit top form but the last result at Tynecastle won’t have any bearing on this weekend because that was in January and it was two different sides.

    “You can’t read in to it too much because every team is capable of beating each other. I don’t think it’s really settled yet other than perhaps Celtic because I think they’ll win the league, but I think there will be a few changes here and there before it settles by around February.”

     

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

    The positive start makes for an exciting season ahead for Hearts fans as competition for places at the top end of the table intensifies.

    Last season’s third placed finish, where they finished six points behind second-placed Aberdeen, was an incredible feat for the newly promoted Edinburgh outfit, who returned to the top-flight after a stellar campaign in the Championship.

    Down there they stormed to the title with seven games remaining as they bounced straight back in to the top flight and slotted back in seamlessly.

    Earlier this week, Neilson’s side drew 3-3 away to Hamilton, coming back from being 3-1 down.

    Callum Paterson’s late goal completed Hearts’ comeback to earn a point at New Douglas Park. Jamie Walker fired Hearts ahead after Bjorn Johnsen’s cross was not cleared, but Ali Crawford’s free-kick drew Accies level, before Rakish Bingham scored twice after half-time.

    Walker reduced the deficit with a penalty after Dan Seaborne clipped Don Cowie, then Paterson stabbed home to level. Hearts kept their spot in fourth, and now sit three points behind Rangers.

    Hearts are without a win in their last four matches though, having drawn their last three and lost to Kilmarnock last month.

    The clubs last win was against bottom side Dundee on October 15, so Robbie Neilson’s side will go in to tomorrow’s match in Edinburgh hungry to bounce back to winning ways.

    And with one of the best defensive records in the league so far this term, the Jambo’s will be a tough opponent for Mark McGhee’s side to break down.

    Hearts will be without Sam Nicholson tomorrow as the midfielder recovers from a knee injury, and it will be a big loss for the club.

    So far this term, the midfielder has been a main source of goals, with four to his name along with three assists.

    At just 21 years of age, Nicholson is one of the most exciting players in Robbie Neilson’s squad, after progressing through the youth set-up at the Edinburgh club.

    Jamie Walker and right-back Callum Paterson are the clubs top scorers this season on five and the Jambos will be boosted by the return of Igor Rossi, who is back from suspension having missed the draw away to Hamilton.

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

    Summer signing Conor Sammon returned to Scottish football in the summer after leaving Kilmarnock to head south of the border for Premier League side Wigan.

    The Irishman spent time with a number of English clubs including Derby and Sheffield United before signing for the Edinburgh club on a free transfer.

    In his final season with Kilmarnock, Sammon scored an impressive 15 goals in 23 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.

    As a player, Neilson made 200 appearances for Hearts and was part of the Scottish Cup winning side in 2006, toppling rampant Division Two side Gretna on penalties.

    After his ten-year spell with the Jambo’s, Neilson moved on to play for a number of big clubs, including Leicester City.

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

    But the Steelmen will be keen to follow up on last weeks big win over Partick Thistle, which makes for a very interesting encounter at Tynecastle tomorrow afternoon.