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  • Archive

    Officials named for United clash

  • Archive

    ‘Well net award hat-trick

  • Archive

    Voting open for monthly awards

  • Archive

    Cup Final tickets go on sale

  • Archive

    McCall ‘embarrassed’ by poor showing

  • Archive

    Rangers defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 5 Rangers

  • Archive

    Season Tickets: 2011/2012

  • Archive

    Cup Final Ticket Information

  • Archive

    McCall keen on ‘Kingmaker’ role

  • Archive

    Officials named for United clash

    Referee for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee United at Tannadice is Brian Winter.

    Brian will be handling his first ‘Well game of the current season; indeed, his last time in charge of the Steelmen was almost exactly a year ago, when he was the man in the middle for Motherwell dramatic final-day 3-3 draw with Rangers at Ibrox.

    It’ll be his eleventh SPL game of the campaign, his most recent being Dundee Utd’s 4-2 win over Kilmarnock two weeks ago.

    Strangely, despite being a category 1 official for nearly ten years and officiating in the SPL for six, the 43-year old has only ever taken charge of four Motherwell games in that time.

    The Steelmen have won two, drawn one and lost one of those games; nine goals have been scored whilst seven have been conceded. Eight players have been cautioned, five of them wearing Claret and Amber, and three have been ordered off (two from ‘Well – David Clarkson and Jim Paterson – in the same game versus Kilmarnock at Rugby Park four seasons ago).

    Brian will be ably assisted by Gordon Middleton and Alastair Mather with Willie Collum on fourth official duty.

  • Archive

    ‘Well net award hat-trick

    Motherwell scooped the Best Club Media Relations gong for the third successive year at the Clydesdale Bank SPL Awards last night.

    After previously winning the award in 08/09 and 09/10, the organisers made the voting structure more stringent and the Scottish media were asked to rate each club on a number of areas including facilities, player accessibility and helpfulness of club staff, to give an all round view.

    The club once again came out on top and collected the award at the ceremony, held in the Old Fruitmarket in Glasgow, last night.

    Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows said, “It’s fantastic for Motherwell to win any award but three in succession is a brilliant achievement.

    “Any media department of any club is only as good as the manager and players allow it to be. In that regard, I can’t speak highly enough of Stuart McCall and all the lads for their help and cooperation throughout the season.

    “We will continue to try and improve year-on-year and 2011/2012 will be no different. Hopefully we’ll start it in the best possible way; as Scottish Cup winners.”

    The full list of winners is:

    Manager of the Season – Mixu Paatelainen, Kilmarnock FC

    Player of the Season – Emilio Izaguirre, Celtic FC

    Young Player of the Season – David Goodwillie, Dundee United FC

    Goal of the Season – Derek Riordan, Hibernian FC

    Save of the Season – Marian Kello, Heart of Midlothian FC

    Under 19 League Player of the Season – Jason Holt, Heart of Midlothian FC

    Best Club Media Relations – Motherwell FC

    Best Community Initiative – St Mirren FC

    SPL Family Champions – Rangers FC

  • Archive

    Voting open for monthly awards

    It’s time to decide who you think deserves to win the Clydesdale Bank SPL Manager, Player & Young Player of the Month for April.

    Has someone in our team caught your eye with their performances over the month? Although Saturday was a letdown, we’ve had a tremendous April. Has Stuart McCall suitably impressed you? Could the free-scoring John Sutton be in with a shout of the Player of the Month? Is Jamie Murphy a contender for the Young Player of the Month?

    Vote and you could be in with a chance to win a pair of hospitality tickets to one of our upcoming fixtures!

    Fans can vote by visiting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League website www.cbfootball.co.uk and the top three fans nominations will be put forward to the shortlist for the panel of Scottish football experts to choose the winners.

    And to give you something back for voting, a lucky fan whose votes for the three categories match that of the judging panel will be picked at random to win hospitality tickets for a Clydesdale Bank Premier League team of their choice (subject to availability).

    Voting is open now and closes at 4pm on Thursday 5th May 2011.

    Log onto www.cbfootball.co.uk to cast your vote and play our Score Selector game. You can also win tickets for our upcoming fixtures, take part in the weekly quiz and keep up to date with all Clydesdale Bank’s football activities.

  • Archive

    Cup Final tickets go on sale

    Scottish Cup Final tickets went on sale this morning and thousands have already been and gone in a frantic opening day.

    People queued from as early as 7am to get their tickets with both Fir Park and the Unit in Brandon Parade busy.

    Fans are reminded that Season Ticket Holders have until this Saturday to secure as much as four tickets per Voucher C at the rear of the book.

    After that, any remaining tickets will be subject to a ballot which you can register for here: CLICK HERE.

    Alternatively, if you want to certain of your Cup Final tickets, any new 2010/2011 Season Ticket holder can bypass the ballot and secure a seat at Hampden today – CLICK HERE for more information on buying a 2011/2012 Season Ticket.

    WHERE YOU CAN BUY TICKETS

    You can buy your tickets from three different locations:

    The Main Office @ The Chapman Building:

    You can purchase your Cup Final Tickets and 2011/2012 Season Tickets (ALL).

    The Ticket Office @ The Chapman Building:

    You can purchase your Cup Final Tickets and 2011/2012 Season Tickets (ALL).

    Unit 40 @ Brandon Parade (Motherwell Town Centre):

    The new unit is on the site of the old Birthdays / Thorntons (most recently an art store) – You can purchase your Cup Final Tickets and 2011/2012 Season Tickets (First Time / Lapsed ONLY).

    For Opening Times for the week beginning Monday May 2nd: CLICK HERE

    PRICES

     SOUTH STAND (SECTIONS P1 – P6)  £35
     WEST STAND (SECTIONS B1 – B8)  £28
     WEST STAND – FAMILY (SECTIONS A1 – A5)                 £25 / 10  
    • The Family Section will be located in the West Stand – Sections A1 to A5.
    • A Juvenile ticket in the Family Section is considered to be children aged fifteen and under. Any adult attempting to enter the Family Section without a child/children aged fifteen and under will be refused entry to that section.
    • At the request of a number of supporters, and similar to the Semi Final, Sections B1 to B5 in the West Stand has been designated as a “Singing Section” for like-minded fans wishing to back the team in their own unique and vocal style. Please ask for this Section when purchasing tickets if you wish to sit there.
    • No telephone orders can be taken and no refunds or exchanges can be given after purchase.
    • There will be a credit card charge of £2 per ticket and £1 per ticket for every debit card transaction. There will be no charge for any cash transactions.
    • Fans requiring disabled tickets should contact Elaine MacDonald at the club on 01698 338068 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.


    Click Stadium Plan to enlarge

  • Archive

    McCall ‘embarrassed’ by poor showing

    ‘Well boss Stuart McCall was far from happy after watching his ‘Well side crumble in the last thirty minutes at Fir Park.

    After a fairly even first forty-five minutes, ‘Well were never at the races in the second half which allowed Walter Smith’s men to cruise to a 5-0 victory.

    And the ‘Well boss was left scratching his head as to why his players couldn’t lift themselves in the same manner as last week at Tynecastle

    “I was disappointed with the second half,” said McCall. “If you come up against Rangers or Celtic at the top of their form they are hard to beat.”

    “First half we more than matched them and had 59% of the possession but didn’t do enough with it although (Allan) McGregor has had two outstanding saves.

    “I don’t think there was any way we deserved to be a goal down at half time; we restricted them to very little. I am not going to start moaning about decisions, when you get beaten five-nil you can’t look at decisions, although sometimes you say officials can be too close as (David) Weir had a hold of Sutton’s shirt and it should be a free kick, they go up the other end and score!

    “That didn’t change the game, what changed the game was the second goal. Last week when we went behind we looked as though we had the belief that we could come back; I didn’t see that today. I am really disappointed and the last thirty minutes were embarrassing.

    “They kicked on, we had said at half time the next goal was important, we should have been able to go out with no pressure; they would be edgy. But they got the goal and from then on they looked the stronger side.”

    The 46-year old former Bradford boss did reflect on an interval of opportunity, when, at half-time, he urged his troops to go at the SPL Champions.

    However, a combination of no breaks in the right areas and clinical finishing from the visitors meant ‘Well were sunk by the hour mark.

    McCall continued: “I thought it was an open game in the first half.”

    “The keeper’s had a great save from Jones, Jeffers had been through and tried to square it and McGregor got a touch, we had a free kick in a great position at the edge of the box which, on another day, might have been a penalty.

    “And we don’t want people sent off but Lafferty could have so easily have been shown a second yellow card. The whistle had gone; he carried on and had a shot.

    “But I can’t be too critical of the players as they have been fantastic since I came here. That said, you have lads who are playing for a new contract in front of a host of scouts, and others playing for Cup Final places but you wouldn’t have thought that in the last half an hour.

    “I don’t want to be over critical but, as I’ve said, it is embarrassing to lose five goals at home to anyone.

    “Rangers were clinical, I think they only had two other chances in the second half, if we could have been a bit more clinical in the first half and gone in level at half time it could have been a tense game but that was all taken from the game with the second goal.”

  • Archive

    Rangers defeat in pictures

    Pictures from the 5-0 defeat by Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

    These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

    [svgallery name=”rangers300411″]

  • Archive

    Motherwell 0 – 5 Rangers

    [tab:Match report]

    Motherwell suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of Rangers as the Ibrox side cruised to a 5-0 win at a sun-soaked Fir Park.

    Walter Smith’s men have taken maximum points of the Steelmen this side and have scored nineteen goals in the process – almost 40% of Motherwell’s entire goals conceded for the whole SPL season.

    Yet, in many ways, it was the old clichéd game of two halves with Motherwell very much in things and creating chances during the first forty-five, but crumbling in the second allowing the visitors to run away with the game.

    Stuart McCall made three changes to the side that drew 3-3 with Hearts seven days ago. Shaun Hutchinson, Steven Saunders and Tom Hateley dropped out and were replaced by Steven Hammell, Maurice Ross and Steve Jennings.

    Rangers remained unchanged from the Old Firm statement and came out the traps on the front foot after early chances for Maurice Edu and Kyle Lafferty both came and went.

    Motherwell were looking threatening too, particularly on the counter attack, and were perhaps denied what could’ve been a penalty when Majid Bougherra caught Keith Lasley on the edge of the area. Television pictures were inconclusive as to whether or not the foul was on the line or not. In the end, referee Mike Tumilty choose to award a free-kick which was blazed high over the bar.

    If Stuart McCall’s men felt hard done to with that decision, Kyle Lafferty’s opener after 18 minutes was bathed in controversy. John Sutton, trying to protect the ball in the corner, appeared to be pushed by Davie Weir but nothing was given either by the referee or his assistant Willie Conquer, who was standing just yards away.

    Rangers immediately broke up the park and, after getting clear of Gavin Gunning, the Northern Ireland international rounded Darren Randolph before slotting home despite the best efforts of Stevie Hammell on the line.

    The Fir Parkers have shown terrific resilience under Stuart McCall in his short period at the club and his side immediately looked to hit back. McCall’s first signing, Steve Jones, led the charge and almost brought his side level only to be denied by a wonderful stop by Scotland stopper Allan McGregor. The winger jinked inside and unleashed a shot that deflected crudely off Bougherra and looked to be heading in under the crossbar. McGregor was equal to it though and got a strong hand to turn it away for corner.

    Shortly after, Jamie Murphy sent a terrific pass through the middle allowing Francis Jeffers to race clear of the Rangers backline. However, in a rare moment of indecision, the former Everton and Arsenal striker got caught between shooting and teeing up strike partner John Sutton. In the end, McGregor was close enough to get the block and the chance was gone.

    On the stroke of the interval, Lafferty, already on a yellow card for a poor challenge on Gunning early in the match, was perhaps lucky not to receive a second caution after playing on and firing the ball into the net after the match had been stopped by the official.

    1-0 at the interval, the Steelmen perhaps a little unfortunate to be behind, but the second forty-five was certainly one to forget as Rangers scored another four and dominated the majority of the half.

    Steve Davis effectively ended the contest just six minutes in when he pounced on another break to make it 2-0. Steven Naismith got on the end of a Greg Wylde ball but his low shot was beaten away at his near post by Randolph. It couldn’t have fallen any kinder for the former Fulham man and he needed little invitation to tuck away from about fifteen yards out.

    Rangers went up another couple of gears and chances came and went for Davis and Nikica Jelavić but it remained 2-0 as the ‘Well goal led a bit of a charmed life.

    However, Rangers did make it three and, once again, referee Mike Tumilty caused anger amongst the home crowd. Francis Jeffers looked to have been body-checked on the edge of the visitor’s box, but the referee, who admittedly was right up with play, waved away protests and allowed the game to continue. Rangers wasted little time getting the ball up the park and Saša Papac’s deep cross towards the back post was gobbled up by Jelavić, who rose above Stephen Craigan to head home past a helpless Randolph.

    Twelve minutes later Steven Naismith made it four. Playing a neat one-two with Wylde on the edge of the area, the Scotland striker blasted a shot past Randolph before completing the scoring with virtually the last kick of the ball, a dipping half-volley again leaving the Republic of Ireland International stopper with little chance.

    It rounded off what was a miserable afternoon for Motherwell who certainly won’t mind seeing the back of the Ibrox side this term. Focus now turns to Dundee United next Saturday as the race to secure fifth place intensifies and preparations for the Scottish Cup Final continue.

    [tab:As it happened]

    Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

    Full Time: The whistle has now gone thankfully, that’s 19 goals Rangers have put past us in the League this season. 4,4,6 and now 5!

    91mins – GOAL – Too long right enough – 5-0 Naismith scores a spectacular shot from a right angle with the outside of his foot

    90mins – Two minutes stoppage time to go – too long in my opinion!!

    84mins – Wylde off and Kerkar on for his debut. The midfielder was on trial for a few weeks during last summer.

    85mins – Match sponsors have given the Motherwell Man of the Match to Jamie Murphy – fair enough I think.

    77mins – Hateley on for Lasley, Rangers should’ve made it five as Naismith fires wide from close range.

    76mins – GOAL – 0-4, Naismith given too much time and space at the edge of the box to pick his spot past Randolph leaving the keeper helpless.

    73mins – Rangers sub Diouf on for Lafferty.

    68mins – Jeffers replaced by Bob McHugh, frustration getting better of the former Everton man.

    64mins – GOAL – 3-0 Rangers, Jelavic back post header from a Papac cross, Jeffers shown yellow for protests for another foul not given in build up.

    62mins – Not much to report positively from a Well perspective as its all Rangers at the moment!

    60mins – Jelavic hits the bar, Jones gets a yellow and Jelavic nets but is given offside – what a minute that was!!

    58mins – Davis twists and turns at edge of box to get a shot away which is saved comfortably by Randolph low to his right

    55mins – Hutchinson on for Hammell, Gunning moves to left back

    50mins – GOAL – 2-0 Rangers, a cross field ball from the left picks out Naismith whose shot is blocked Randolph and falls kindly for Davis to roll in

    45mins – Second half underway, as we kick off, can we mount a comeback two weeks in a row?

    Interval: Humphrey not on the bench after all, he pulled out in the pre match warm up and has been replaced by Jamie Pollock.

    Half time: 1-0 Rangers, not much in it at this stage.

    44mins – Sutton not impressed with Mr Tumilty and is now getting a talking to from ref for taking his protest too far.

    38mins – Murphy cross field ball picks out Jeffers whose lay off is intercepted by McGregor denying a Sutton tap in.

    37mins – Rangers are getting 9 behind the ball quickly making them hard to break down, but then try to hit on the break. Sums up the goal really

    35mins – Well fans not happy with the performance of ref Tumilty so far….

    20mins – Steve Jones’s deflected effort almost levels things but McGregor makes a brilliant save.

    18mins – Stuart McCall isn’t happy and is having a go at 4th Official Steve Conroy. ‘Well can feel hard done to there.

    18mins – GOAL 0-1, Sutton clearly fouled by Weir in corner but play goes on and Rangers score with Lafferty scoring after rounding Randolph.

    15mins – Late Lafferty challenge on Gunning sees the Rangers man pick up a yellow card.

    14mins – Direct free from Jamie Murphy blasted into the wall from 19 yards out, but was foul just in the box?

    5mins – Lafferty barges Ross off the ball but shoots at Randolph from acute angle

    1min – We’re off. Rangers kick off and we are shooting towards the South Stand end

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “Celtic supporters will look at the score and rightly think ‘what the hell is going on? .But anyone who is at the game today, you’ll see Rangers just got the better of us and just got stronger.”

    “I think some of the Rangers goals were outstanding. If their best players are at the top of of their game, they’re hard to live with.

    “In the first half, we more than matched them and we had better chances, but what was disappointing was the second-half performance.

    “There were a couple of key decisions that went against us, but it’s really disappointing because the lads have been great since I’ve been here.

    “But I’m gutted – everyone in that dressing-room is playing for a Cup final place, for other clubs who are watching them, or a new contract here – they’ve all got things to play for.”

    Rangers manager Walter Smith:

    “The second half was a terrific performance from us. We needed it, because in the first half we maybe allowed the conditions to dictate a bit too much to us.

    “We played a lot of balls back to front, never really got any rhythm. We managed to get a goal up. In the second half, I thought we were excellent.

    “Maurice Edu, whose been taking a bit of criticism recently, was excellent. I thought he played extremely well. We’re just delighted that we managed to win the game.

    “There were some terrific goals in the game, so we’re delighted by that aspect of it. We missed one or two chances as well from good moves.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”52″]

  • Archive

    Season Tickets: 2011/2012

    Motherwell Football Club are today delighted to announce full details of the 2011/2012 Season Ticket.

    Chief Executive Leeann Dempster issued the following update:

    Dear ‘Well fans,

    Thank you for supporting Motherwell FC in the last year as a season ticket holder. Everyone at the Club would like to thank you for your personal support and ask that you keep it up next year and do everything you can to deepen your relationship with the Club and to get your family, friends and colleagues involved.

    On the field it is fair to say that we have had a terrific season: a CIS League Cup Semi, top 6 in the league, 3 wonderful summer European rounds taking us literally a kick of the ball away from qualifying to the Europa League group stages. And then the small matter of a Cup Final to look forward to at the end of May. As the banner said ‘Time for New Heroes’. Stuart McCall and his team are building a superb spirit to match on the field talent and it is a real pleasure for all of us to work around Fir Park.

    New Club Ownership and Strategy

    As you will be aware our Chairman is handing on the Club at the end of the season. The Board are working hard on the best form of structure that will achieve 3 main goals:

    • To ensure we can secure the financial future of the Club so that we can put the best possible team on the park backed by the most professional training, coaching and development talent, facilities and resource.
    • To maximise engagement with our fans in a deeper relationship with the Club; this will mean a direct say in how the Club is run, what our strategy is and the ability to get more enjoyment from the Club than just the matchday itself. We are working to tailor this to suit all budgets so that every fan can play a part.
    • To invest in the service we provide our fans, sponsors and commercial supporters and crucially to the wider community.

    We mean what we say when we target being Scotland’s best Family and Community Club but we have a lot more work to do. We also have to think carefully around the major strategic decisions on issues like our Stadium, Training Facilities and Academy. This work is being done and we want to get it right.

    In the meantime these pages contain details of the offers we have created for next season which we hope will secure your support.

    Encouraging Families and Children to the Club

    As part of our ongoing commitment to families we are continuing to offer the fabulously successful Cooper deal where an adult or senior citizen also qualifies to bring along two children 16 or under for free (season ticket books will be issued). 

    We are also now launching a new offer to the Phil O’Donnell Stand and the East Stand targeted at the under 13’s:

    Many supporters tell us that they came to their first match at Fir Park with a relative and that they were ‘lifted over the gate’.  Youngsters are the life blood of any club, the supporters of the future so with a nod to the past, we have introduced our new “WELLevate” juvenile ticket.  This is an entirely new initiative whereby if you buy and adult or senior citizen season ticket, you can bring along any kid aged 12 or under for free all season (season ticket book will be issued).  We have also reduced the prices of ALL Juvenile and Young Adult season tickets throughout the stadium.

    New Discounts for Season Ticket Holders

    Motherwell season ticket holders will now benefit from over 20 discounts and offers from a range of companies such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway and Livingwell throughout Lanarkshire and beyond.  Full details, along with terms and conditions, will appear on the official site later today. 

    Being a season ticket holder at Fir Park is more than just a right to view games, it is being part of our Club. There are various ways to pay for your season ticket and at the request of supporters we have introduced an interest free option where you can pay by monthly standing order.  

    Everyone who knows and loves Motherwell will tell you it is a special Club. You need to be part of it to get that. So all of us need to do everything we can to get others involved so we can reach our full potential on and off the pitch.

    If you have any ideas then we would certainly love to hear them – you can send us an email at mfc@motherwellfc.co.uk

    Yours


     
    Leeann Dempster
    Chief Executive

    *CLICK HERE FOR 2011/2012 SEASON TICKET PRICES

  • Archive

    Cup Final Ticket Information

    Motherwell FC are today delighted to confirm ticketing arrangements for the forthcoming Scottish Cup Final versus Celtic on May 21st.

    HOW TO BUY

    CURRENT 2010/11 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

    Current 2010/11 Season Ticket holders will have priority for six days starting from Monday 2nd May 2011. A maximum of four tickets will be available at the Ticket Office and a unit in Brandon Parade on production of special voucher C from the back of the book.

    You can speed up the purchasing process by downloading and completing a Pre-Sale Application form, remembering to bring it with you when you are purchasing your Cup Final tickets:

      SEASON TICKET HOLDER PRE-SALE APPLICATION FORM

    NEW 2011/2012 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

    Any fan purchasing a season ticket for the 2011/2012 season will have the same privileges as current ticket holders i.e. the ability to purchase up to four Cup Final tickets on production of the sales receipt from the Ticket Office.

    It is worth noting that an adult and two juvenile’s ticket for the Davie Cooper Stand will cost just £290 – an incredible £637 saving from what you would pay if you attended every game paying at the gate.

    And new for 2011/2012, our new “WELLevate” scheme allows any adult in either the East or Phil O’Donnell Stand to claim a free juvenile ticket with any adult ticket! It’s not quite getting lifted over the turnstile, but in 2011, it’s the closest you’re going to get!

    And that’s not all… In an exciting new scheme, Motherwell Season Ticket holders will benefit from a range of discounts and offers from a range of companies such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway and Livingwell, throughout Lanarkshire and beyond.

    SUPPORTER BALLOT

    Any remaining tickets after Saturday 7th May will go into a Supporter Ballot/General Sale. This is where Motherwell fans can register for any additional tickets that are left after the initial season ticket holder priority period.

    Fans should CLICK HERE to register and the club will contact successful applications from Monday 9th May onwards.

    WHERE YOU CAN BUY TICKETS

    You can buy your tickets from three different locations:

    The Main Office @ The Chapman Building:

    You can purchase your Cup Final Tickets and 2011/2012 Season Tickets (ALL).

    The Ticket Office @ The Chapman Building:

    You can purchase your Cup Final Tickets and 2011/2012 Season Tickets (ALL).

    Unit 40 @ Brandon Parade (Motherwell Town Centre):

    The new unit is on the site of the old Birthdays / Thorntons (most recently an art store) – You can purchase your Cup Final Tickets and 2011/2012 Season Tickets (First Time / Lapsed ONLY).

    PRICES

    SOUTH STAND (SECTIONS P1 – P6) £35
    WEST STAND (SECTIONS B1 – B8) £28
    WEST STAND  – FAMILY (SECTIONS A1 – A5) £25 / 10
    • The Family Section will be located in the West Stand – Sections A1 to A5.
    • A Juvenile ticket in the Family Section is considered to be children aged fifteen and under. Any adult attempting to enter the Family Section without a child/children aged fifteen and under will be refused entry to that section.
    • At the request of a number of supporters, and similar to the Semi Final, Sections B1 to B5 in the West Stand has been designated as a “Singing Section” for like-minded fans wishing to back the team in their own unique and vocal style. Please ask for this Section when purchasing tickets if you wish to sit there.
    • No telephone orders can be taken and no refunds or exchanges can be given after purchase.
    • Fans requiring disabled tickets should contact Elaine MacDonald at the club on 01698 338068 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.


    Click Stadium Plan to enlarge

  • Archive

    McCall keen on ‘Kingmaker’ role

    Stuart McCall has expressed his delight that Motherwell are in such a prominent position in the forthcoming race for the SPL title.

    Rangers visit Fir Park on Saturday afternoon knowing that a defeat to the in-form Steelmen could represent the end of their realistic title hopes, while ‘Well also travel to Celtic Park on the final day of the season.

    Among the intrigue is the fact that a title win for Celtic would actually guarantee Motherwell European football next season.

    And while McCall laughs off any conspiracy theories which suggest the Hoops could receive preferential treatment from the men in Claret and Amber, he does confess that the club is basking in being among the crème de la crème of the SPL.

    “It’s brilliant,” the Motherwell boss enthused. “I’m not going to lie about that. If we hadn’t finished in the top-six then we wouldn’t have had much to play for, with all respect to the sides involved down there. There are a lot of meaningless games, so we are just delighted to be involved in the title shake up.

    “And we still have plenty to play for in the SPL. We are still looking to catch Kilmarnock and we have a massive game against them as the second-last game of the season at Fir Park.

    “These are the games that everyone; the players, the fans and the staff all want to be involved in, and the players deserve it for the work they have done in recent weeks.”

    If the Steelmen are to damage the Gers’ title hopes then they will have to negate a winless run stretching nine years, all the way back to 2002, when James McFadden downed a Rangers side which included Ronald de Boer.

    Since then, it has been tale after tale of woe against the Ibrox side, but McCall is determined that every run has to come to an end – and he reckons his side are in the form to do it.

    Indeed, on the back of six matches unbeaten and four consecutive home wins, including a 2-0 win over Celtic, it is hard to argue against the boss.

    The 46-year old continues: “The disappointing thing about the three SPL matches against Rangers is that we have probably been at our poorest this season. We had been heavily beaten before I arrived here and then we went to Ibrox and were hammered.”

    “Having said that, the Co-operative Insurance Cup match gave us a lot of confidence and Rangers will know that they are in for a tough game here tomorrow. All the pressure is on them, and I expect an interesting afternoon.

    “It’s been a long, long time since we last beat Rangers, and it’s about time we redressed the balance.
     
    “We’re on a great run, especially at home as we’ve won our last four matches at Fir Park, and we go into the match with a fully fit squad, bar Stevie Saunders. So we will go into the match in high spirits and we have the added carrot of the cup final, which has kept everyone sharp and playing at the top of their game – so it’s a great situation.”

    McCall also addressed one of the main issues making the ‘Well faithful a tad pensive; contract negotiations. The club confirmed last week that John Sutton has been offered a new deal, intended to ward off interest in the 17-goal hit-man and keep him at Fir Park.

    And with players like Jennings, Craigan and Jeffers also expiring this Summer, the gaffer has confirmed he has started discussions with several other key players, with a view to keeping them in North Lanarkshire – and he expects a busy couple of weeks.

    “I’ve spoken to a couple of agents and I expect to carry on the discussions into next week. But sometimes the player is in the position of power when it comes to negotiations, especially when they are coming off the back of such a good season.

    “There’s a lot of work to be done between now and the end of the season, but we just have to hope that we get to where we want to be in terms of contracts. It will be a busy time, that’s for sure.”