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    Celtic 4 – 0 Motherwell

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    Latest eBay items up for auction

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    Celtic Tickets and Travel

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    Officials appointed for Celtic clash

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    Murphy has final dream

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    McCall looks ahead to Celtic finale

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    Murphy nets Young Player gong

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    Social Care training scheme celebrated

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    Player Sponsor’s Evening

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    McCall content with home point

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    Celtic 4 – 0 Motherwell

    [tab:Match report]

    A much-changed Motherwell side went down 4-0 to Celtic yesterday in the final SPL match of the 2010/11 campaign.

    ‘Well, without the likes of Randolph, Craigan, Lasley, Jennings, Murphy and Sutton, battled hard for ninety minutes but were little match for a Celtic side looking to win the league Championship.

    Goals from Hooper, Samaras, McGeady and McCourt helped the home side to a comfortable win, but their efforts were in vein as Rangers put five past Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

    Celtic Park was bouncing at kick-off but it was almost brought to an immediate hush when Steve Jones came within an inch of putting the Steelmen ahead inside the opening minute. The Northern Irishman picked up the ball inside the area after good work from Chris Humphrey on the flank but his first time effort hit the ground and bounced just wide of Forster’s right-hand post.

    It was a wake-up call, if they needed it, for Lennon’s men and they gave Lee Hollis his first test as a Motherwell goalkeeper on the seventh minute when Samaras raced clear of the defence, but the former Airdrie United man did excellently to beat away his shot.

    Forrest followed that with an effort from distance which flew over before Hollis was again called into action. Gary Hooper collected after industrious play on the flank by Honduran Izaguire and the England U21 international sent a curling effort towards goal – but Motherwell’s number two stopper was on top form yet again, turning it away with some aplomb.

    Down the other end and Shaun Hutchinson passed up a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead with a header from close range. Tom Hateley’s whipped corner kick landed perfectly for the big Geordie, who out-jumped giant Swede Daniel Majstorović, but his bullet header from just three years out went over when a goal seemed certain.

    Play was swinging from end-to-end in a pulsating opening to the match and both Hooper and Scott Brown passed up opportunities to put the hosts ahead. Hooper, Celtic’s top scorer, did well to outstrip Gavin Gunning but he was again frustrated by Hollis, the 25-year-old getting down low to spread himself and block. The rebound fell kindly for Scotland international Scott Brown but the he could only drive wide with the goal at his mercy.

    Celtic were beginning to turn the screw and Hutchinson twice had to make last-ditch interventions to prevent the opening goal. The first, a header from a Ki Sung-Yeung cross, the second a clearance from Samaras’ cross that was heading for Hooper at the far post.

    The pressure finally paid off, though, as Celtic got their noses in-front thanks to Hooper, the prolific striker getting his first against the Steelmen this term. The former Scunthorpe hitman turned smartly inside the area but his initial shot was blocked by a crowded Motherwell rearguard. However, Hooper was first to react to the rebound and he poked it past an outstretched Hollis for 1-0; the celebrations were slightly subdued as news from Rugby Park was that Rangers were already 3-0 ahead and cruising to the title.

    In spite of results not going for them elsewhere, Celtic continued to attack and the Fir Parkers had debutant Hollis to thank for a string of excellent saves that kept things respectable. A superb double save from Ki looked to be the last of the first half opportunities, but Georgios Samaras had other ideas.

    A matter of minutes before the break the Greek international combined with Charlie Mulgrew on the edge of the area, and when he got the return ball from the former Aberdeen man he was afforded the freedom of the eighteen-yard box to slot past a helpless Hollis to effectively kill the game as a contest.

    Indeed, the same player almost made it three on the stroke of half-time but was again denied by some brilliant Hollis goalkeeping; the ‘Well stopper getting back on to his line to turn a lob over the bar and out for a corner.

    Celtic introduced Shaun Maloney at the interval, in place of Emilio Izaguirre and the striker didn’t have to wait long to get involved, scoring the third just six minutes into the second half.

    The former Aston Villa man drove at the ‘Well rearguard, skipped past two defenders, before smashing a shot high past Hollis from just inside the area.

    The worry then, for ‘Well, was that Celtic could go on to record a hammering but, to their credit, Stuart McCall’s men managed to shut-up-shop, somewhat.

    The only breach in the last thirty-five minutes came from another substitute, Paddy McCourt. Maloney was again involved, whipping in a dangerous ball from the left for Samaras who was well tackled by Gunning. The ball fell kindly for the Northern Irishman who lashed past Hollis to complete the scoring.

    The closing stages of the game were played at a snail’s pace, McCall content to throw on three changes to further freshen up the side.

    ‘Well now face their biggest match in two decades at Hampden next Sunday. The excitement is already building.

    [tab:As it happened]

    91mins – FULL TIME – The referee blows for the end of the match.

    89mins – The referee blows for offside against Esteban Casagolda. Free kick taken by Daniel Majstorovic.

    88mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes the free kick.

    88mins – Booking Stuart Carswell is booked.

    88mins – Stuart Carswell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Scott Brown.

    87mins – Tom Hateley fouled by Gary Hooper, the ref awards a free kick. Tom Hateley takes the direct free kick.

    87mins – Shaun Maloney has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

    86mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Hooper.

    83mins – Corner from the right by-line taken by Tom Hateley, Close range header by Steven Saunders goes over the bar.

    83mins – Free kick awarded for a foul by Sung-Yeung Ki on Stewart Carswell. Stevie Hammell restarts play with the free kick.

    81mins – Patrick McCourt produces a cross, save by Lee Hollis.

    79mins – Free kick awarded for a foul by Stewart Carswell on Scott Brown. Shaun Maloney shoots direct from the free kick.

    78mins – Sung-Yeung Ki fouled by Jonathan Page, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Mulgrew takes the free kick.

    77mins – Steve Jones produces a cross, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Majstorovic by Esteban Casagolda. Fraser Forster restarts play with the free kick.

    74mins – Substitution Georgios Samaras leaves the field to be replaced by Efrain Juarez.

    73mins – Substitution Esteban Casagolda is brought on as a substitute for Francis Jeffers.

    73mins – The ball is crossed by Steve Jones.

    73mins – Patrick McCourt takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

    70mins – Georgios Samaras provided the assist for the goal.

    70mins –  GOAL – Patrick McCourt: Celtic 4 – 0 Motherwell Patrick McCourt scores a goal from inside the penalty area low into the middle of the goal.

    69mins – Daniel Majstorovic takes the free kick.

    69mins – Substitution Robert McHugh is brought on as a substitute for Chris Humphrey.

    69mins – Foul by Ross Forbes on Gary Hooper, free kick awarded.

    69mins – The ball is delivered by Tom Hateley.

    67mins – Free kick awarded for a foul by Stewart Carswell on Scott Brown. Direct free kick taken by Mark Wilson.

    65mins – Substitution James Forrest goes off and Patrick McCourt comes on.

    65mins – Substitution Jonathan Page on for Shaun Hutchinson.

    64mins – Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki from the right by-line played to the near post, Daniel Majstorovic produces a header from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

    63mins – Gary Hooper takes a shot. Stewart Carswell gets a block in.

    62mins – Francis Jeffers is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the indirect free kick.

    58mins – Centre by Tom Hateley, blocked by Daniel Majstorovic.

    57mins – Foul by Sung-Yeung Ki on Ross Forbes, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Steven Saunders.

    56mins – The referee blows for offside against Sung-Yeung Ki. Indirect free kick taken by Lee Hollis.

    55mins – The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Hooper. Lee Hollis restarts play with the free kick.

    52mins – GOAL – Shaun Maloney: Celtic 3 – 0 Motherwell Shaun Maloney gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal.

    50mins – The ball is swung over by Ross Forbes, Daniel Majstorovic makes a clearance.

    45mins – Shot by Shaun Maloney from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

    45mins – The referee gets the second half started.

    45mins –  Substitution Shaun Maloney on for Emilio Izaguirre.

    45+2mins – HALF TIME – The ref blows to signal half-time.

    45mins – Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

    45mins – Steve Jones crosses the ball, Glenn Loovens manages to make a clearance.

    44mins – The ball is sent over by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

    42mins – Centre by Charlie Mulgrew, Stewart Carswell manages to make a clearance.

    42mins – Georgios Samaras fouled by Shaun Hutchinson, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Sung-Yeung Ki.

    41mins – James Forrest delivers the ball, clearance made by Gavin Gunning.

    39mins – Assist on the goal came from Charlie Mulgrew.

    39mins – GOAL – Georgios Samaras: Celtic 2 – 0 Motherwell Georgios Samaras fires in a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal.

    39mins – Charlie Mulgrew sends in a cross,

    38mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

    37mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the right by-line to the near post, Stewart Carswell makes a clearance.

    37mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

    36mins – Corner taken short by Sung-Yeung Ki. Charlie Mulgrew produces a cross, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance.

    35mins – Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on James Forrest by Shaun Hutchinson. Glenn Loovens takes the free kick.

    34mins – Corner from the right by-line taken by Tom Hateley, Scott Brown manages to make a clearance.

    34mins – Shaun Hutchinson takes the direct free kick.

    34mins – Booking James Forrest is booked.

    33mins – Unfair challenge on Gavin Gunning by James Forrest results in a free kick.

    32mins – Steven Saunders crosses the ball, blocked by Charlie Mulgrew.

    32mins – James Forrest sends in a cross, Shaun Hutchinson manages to make a clearance.

    31mins – The ball is swung over by Charlie Mulgrew, clearance by Steve Jones.

    31mins – Francis Jeffers is ruled offside. Fraser Forster takes the free kick.

    29mins – Mark Wilson provided the assist for the goal.

    29mins – GOAL – Gary Hooper: Celtic 1 – 0 Motherwell A goal is scored by Gary Hooper from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal.

    28mins – The ball is delivered by Mark Wilson.

    28mins – Sung-Yeung Ki takes a inswinging corner.

    27mins – Corner taken by Sung-Yeung Ki, clearance made by Chris Humphrey.

    26mins – A cross is delivered by Georgios Samaras, clearance made by Shaun Hutchinson.

    26mins – Tom Hateley takes a shot. Save by Fraser Forster.

    23mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki.

    23mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the left by-line, Shaun Hutchinson makes a clearance.

    23mins – Daniel Majstorovic takes a shot. Blocked by Shaun Hutchinson.

    22mins – Unfair challenge on James Forrest by Ross Forbes results in a free kick. Sung-Yeung Ki takes the direct free kick.

    22mins – Francis Jeffers concedes a free kick for a foul on Glenn Loovens. Free kick taken by Daniel Majstorovic.

    21mins – James Forrest takes a shot. Shaun Hutchinson gets a block in.

    21mins – Francis Jeffers has an effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the target.

    19mins – Scott Brown has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

    18mins – Tom Hateley takes the outswinging corner, Shaun Hutchinson produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

    17mins – Daniel Majstorovic concedes a free kick for a foul on Francis Jeffers. Free kick crossed left-footed by Ross Forbes, clearance by Daniel Majstorovic.

    16mins – Francis Jeffers concedes a free kick for a foul on Emilio Izaguirre. Daniel Majstorovic takes the direct free kick.

    15mins – Corner taken right-footed by Sung-Yeung Ki from the left by-line, Scott Brown takes a shot. Steven Saunders gets a block in.

    14mins – James Forrest delivers the ball, clearance made by Gavin Gunning.

    14mins – A cross is delivered by Gary Hooper.

    13mins – Georgios Samaras challenges Stevie Hammell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Lee Hollis takes the free kick.

    11mins – Gavin Gunning concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Hooper. Mark Wilson restarts play with the free kick.

    10mins – Ross Forbes has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the target.

    9mins – Gary Hooper takes a shot. Save made by Lee Hollis.

    8mins – Shot from just outside the area by James Forrest goes over the bar.

    8mins – Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Save by Lee Hollis.

    6mins – The ball is crossed by Mark Wilson.

    5mins – Scott Brown challenges Ross Forbes unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ross Forbes delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance by Sung-Yeung Ki.

    2mins – Shaun Hutchinson challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. A cross is delivered by Sung-Yeung Ki, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Daniel Majstorovic misses to the left of the goal.

    1min – Steve Jones produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the left of the target.

    1min – KICK OFF

    [tab:Reaction]

    Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

    “I am not complaining to be a tactical genius or wizard but I am sure Neil (Lennon) will know that wasn’t our strongest side today. We did have a couple of niggles today and there was no point in taking any risks. It will be different personnel and, hopefully, a different performance next week.

    “One or two good things to come out of it, the young boy Carswell at 17 stuck to his role well against a Scottish International in Scott Brown. The keeper, Lee Hollis, also did exceptionally well as he needed to do.

    “Pleased it’s over and we can look forward to a game that in my time as a manager which is the biggest of my career. It is the same for some of the lads in the dressing room. If you have been through the town of Motherwell you will see that everyone is up for it.

    “We have to bring our best game to the final next week, all the pressure and expectation levels are all on Celtic. Sometimes being the underdog isn’t a bad thing, and we will be looking to upset the apple cart.”

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon:

    “A lot of them can take a great amount of pride from their contribution to the season.

    “There’s been a big progression, but at a club like this we desperately wanted to win the championship.

    “To accumulate 92 points, and lose by a point is sore to take. We’ve been tremendously consistent over the season.

    “You could maybe look back at the three home draws in November / December that have came back to hurt us. That was a wee rocky spell that we went through but we came out of that very, very well at the turn of the year.”

    [tab:Man-of-the-match]

    [poll id=”55″]

  • Archive

    Latest eBay items up for auction

    The club’s official eBay store is full of claret and amber goodies you won’t find anywhere else!

    From signed merchandise to hospitality packages and money can’t buy experiences, fans have the chance to get their hands on some exclusive Motherwell memorabilia.

    Previous auctions have included match-worn shirts, signed footballs, programmes, tickets, and even sponsor rights. Right now, we have a Jamie Murphy signed Breidablik (away programme), a Steve Jones match-worn Co-operative Insurance Cup Semi Final top, a signed 1991 Scottish Cup Final programme and Darren Randolph’s Co-operative Insurance Cup Semi Final top.

    CLICK HERE to browse everything at our official eBay store.

    The club also run charity auctions from time to time where all proceeds go towards one of the many local charities we support.

    If you wish to donate an item please contact us on 01698 333 333 or email bid@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    Standard eBay terms and conditions apply to any purchases

  • Archive

    Celtic Tickets and Travel

    Information for Motherwell supporters making the short journey along the M74 to Celtic Park tomorrow.

    The Steelmen travel to Glasgow tomorrow for the final SPL game of the 2010/2011 season.

    And it couldn’t be bigger as Neil Lennon’s men need all three points, and hope that Rangers slip-up at Rugby Park, to clinch the title.

    Stuart McCall’s men will, understandably, have one eye on the Scottish Cup Final six days later but it will still be an important preparation as ‘Well come up against the side they will have to overcome at Hampden if they want to bring the trophy back to Lanarkshire for the first time in two decades.

    Tickets have been on sale from Fir Park all week but they will not be available on the day of the game either from Fir Park or at Celtic Park itself.

    Tickets are priced at:

     ADULTS:    £25  
     CONCESSION:                                                    £16
    • Concessions are applicable to Under 16s, Over 65s.
    • Fans requiring disabled access should contact Elaine MacDonald at Fir Park on 01698 338068 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.
    • Fans planning on making the trip to Glasgow can check our handy “Away Day Guide” to Celtic Park.

    FAN INFORMATION & TRAFFIC UPDATE

    Please note that Celtic will now allow surfing flags into Celtic Park.

    Fans should also be aware of road works on the M74 and on London Road which may increase journey times.

    SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION COACHES

    There is one combined Supporters Association coach making the journey to the match:

    Due to lack of numbers for the game on Sunday, the Supporters Association are running the bus to Parkhead on Sunday. It will pick up at Kenilworth Ave, Wishaw at 1100 and the Bentley at Motherwell at 1115.

    To book seats please contact any of the usual bus contacts for Wishaw and Central branches.

    TRAVEL

    BY CAR

    The stadium is located in the East End of Glasgow and it is one of the easiest to find in the SPL.

    Simply follow the M74 until its end and then continue into the city on the A74 (London Road). The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.

    If travelling from the East, leave the M8 at Junction 8 and follow the M73 South on to the M74 northbound. Stay on the M74 until its end and then continue into Glasgow on the A74 (London Road). The stadium will be clearly visible ahead.

    There is a large car park at the ground but this is for pass holders only. Street parking is available on the side streets around the ground, although traffic is always very busy before and after the game.

    BY BUS

    Several operators run buses which will take you within a five to 10 minute walk of the ground, including First service 240.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.firstgroup.com/glasgow.

    BY TRAIN

    Glasgow Central and Queens Street stations are around a 30 minute walk away from the ground. Dalmarnock and Bridgeton stations are closer and both are served by trains from Motherwell.

    Further information and timetables are available online at www.scotrail.co.uk.

    MAP

    [mappress]

  • Archive

    Officials appointed for Celtic clash

    Referee for tomorrow’s Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash with Celtic is Alan Muir.

    It will be Muir’s fourth ‘Well game of the season, having overseen the 1-1 draw with St Mirren in Paisley last November, January’s 2-0 win over Hibs at Fir Park and February’s 6-0 capitulation at Ibrox.

    He’ll be a familiar face to Motherwell fans having taken charge of three games last term too.

    The most recent was certainly one to forget though; a 4-0 defeat by Celtic in Glasgow one year ago.

    He took charge of the 3-2 extra-time with over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Fourth Round and the lively 2-2 draw against Dundee United back in late November 2009.

    The latter was infamous for two red cards, shown to Prince Bauben and Danny Swanson, and a missed red card for Jennison Myrie-Williams which prompted the then United boss Craig Levein to remove him from the game almost immediately.

    The season before last, Muir was the man in the middle for the 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in October, the 0-0 draw with St Mirren at Love Street in January and the 3-0 victory over Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park in May.

    In all those games he has produced 31 yellow cards, fourteen of which were shown to a player in claret and amber, and two red card, the first given to former defender Paul Quinn for a professional foul on David Fernandez in the 1-0 defeat to Killie and the most recent to Michael Higdon in that game with St Mirren two months ago.

    The 35-year-old has taken charge of fifteen SPL games in this campaign, including Celtic’s 9-0 annihilation of Aberdeen which produced three yellow cards, two red cards and three penalty kicks.

    He will be ably assisted on the day by Billy Baxter and Steve Pullar, with Crawford Allan on fourth official duties.

  • Archive

    Murphy has final dream

    ‘I’d trade it all for the Scottish Cup!’ That’s the view of Motherwell starlet Jamie Murphy, after the gifted forward picked up yet another award in a splendid season.

    Murphy added the Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month award for April to his consecutive Player of the Round awards in the Scottish Cup. Indeed, as a hectic season draws to a close there are few players that are impressing as much as young Jamie.

    And, while the accolades are pleasing and the player believes he is becoming a better player, he admits that the success will be hollow without a winners’ medal on the 21st May.

    A typically modest Murphy said: “It’s great to get recognised for playing well, I must be doing something right. It’s good to get that but I would trade it in for the Scottish Cup.

    “The start of the season seems so long ago, but I feel like a better player now. I hope I can continue to impress, my aim is to be the best player I possibly can.”

    Hampden Park looms large in the mind of players, staff and fans alike at the moment, but there is still the matter of a trip to Celtic Park on Sunday to contend with.

    The Scotland under-21 international is of the same opinion as his gaffer; concentrate on the SPL encounter with Celtic – then start to think about the final.

    “You always want to be involved in big games and Sunday is definitely a big game.” He enthused. “You want to go to places like Parkhead and Ibrox and win, so we`re going to do everything we can to do that.

    “I’m sure it will be a completely different game [from the Cup final]. The final will be different altogether so we’re just focusing on this game. We’re not thinking after Sunday and we’re just focused on trying to get a win. We want to win for ourselves so we can show we can play well against Celtic before the final.”

    The gifted 21-year old also dismissed any suggestion that he needs a rest as the Cup final ticks ever-closer. Murphy has played a major part in the vast majority of ‘Well’s 51 games this season, but he insists that he is ready to feature in number 52 if McCall gives him the call.

    “A few of the boys were a bit tired today and I came in and I was all right.” Murphy, who was rested during the midweek draw with Kilmarnock, smiled.

    “But when I was watching the game I was just desperate to be on the park. The manager named the squad and I wasn’t in it, it’s completely up to the manager what happens. I’m sure he’ll do the best for the team against Celtic too.”

  • Archive

    McCall looks ahead to Celtic finale

    Stuart McCall admits he won’t risk any players with niggles or knocks ahead of the trip to Celtic Park – but insists he is still heading to Glasgow with three points in mind.

    With Celtic requiring a win to clinch the title – if Rangers slip up – it is somewhat inevitable that some people will be paying close attention to the Steelmen’s starting line-up in the East End of Glasgow.

    But with a Cup final six days later, McCall is only thinking about looking after his own charges for ‘Well’s 52nd match of a marathon season.

    Speaking as Motherwell helped to re-launch Lanarkshire’s Mental Health and well-being Information website www.elament.org.uk, McCall said: “If we could have beaten Kilmarnock in the week then it might have been a different story.

    “You have to look at every angle, and we now can’t finish fifth – that’s not to say we won’t try and win the match; we absolutely will.

    “It’s been a long season and we have lads who are carrying little knocks and niggles which have cropped up in the last couple of days, so if there is any doubt whatsoever over any players’ fitness then they will not play.

    “But we approach this match like we approach any other game; we want to put in a committed display and hopefully win the match. We’re under no illusions just how tough that will be. There will be a full house there and they’ve bounced back very well from the defeat in Inverness.”

    The gaffer has admitted that one of those players who may miss out is Darren Randolph. The big Irish stopper has been a fantastic acquisition for the Steelmen, but could miss out on Sunday with a slight strain. It couple potentially mean a debut for former Airdrie United keeper Lee Hollis.

    The 46-year old continued: “We’ll just have to wait and see with Darren. It’s not an ideal situation, but if there is any doubt then we simply won’t risk him.”

    The Motherwell boss has dismissed any suggestions that nerves could afflict Neil Lennon’s men as a thrilling SPL title race reaches a culmination with another ‘Helicopter Sunday’ – a term coined after the heriocs of Scott McDonald for Motherwell, against Celtic, back in 2005.

    This time McCall reckons the majority of the pressure is actually on his old club, Rangers.

    “I think, now, people are expecting Rangers to go and win the title,” McCall said. “Celtic still need to try and do the job, so there is a little pressure, but the majority is on Rangers.

    “The major benefit, going there, is there is no pressure on ourselves.”

  • Archive

    Murphy nets Young Player gong

    Jamie Murphy has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Young Player of the Month for April.

    Murphy has been on excellent form throughout April as he helped Motherwell secure their top six position in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

    Murphy played a key role in his side’s 2-1 win over Dundee United in which he scored the opener as well as helping his side to a win over Aberdeen and two draws against Hearts, including a superb fight back from 3 goals down.  It was Murphy’s attacking threat and pace that led the panel to vote him their Clydesdale Bank Young Player of the Month.

    A panel of Scottish football experts chose the award winners from a shortlist which included the top three fans’ nominations from Clydesdale Bank’s football website, www.cbfootball.co.uk

    Football fans can vote for their Manager, Player and Young Player of the Month during the last week of each month, and one fan who correctly votes for the three winners will be selected to win a prize.

  • Archive

    Social Care training scheme celebrated

    A group of young people in North Lanarkshire recently celebrated their success at an event at Motherwell Football Club, after completing a pilot project for The Prince’s Trust Scotland.

    Get in Social Care, which was run in partnership with the North Lanarkshire’s More Choices More Chances Partnership and social care charity Quarriers at Motherwell Football Club, gave the group the opportunity to complete certification including epilepsy awareness, emergency first aid, food hygiene, safe handling, introduction to autism and SCIP (Strategies for Crisis Intervention and Prevention), as well as completing work experience placements with local employers.

    The celebration event was hosted at Motherwell Football Club where the young people had the chance to demonstrate the skills they had learned over the six weeks through a series of interactive information stations covering First Aid demonstrations and sensory tasks, as well as presenting their thoughts and experiences of social care to an audience of family, friends and supporters. 

    Geraldine Gammell, Director at The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said: “Get into Social Care is a fantastic initiative for the young people The Prince’s Trust supports and I am delighted we have been able to introduce it to our core programmes.

    “The programme provides a very practical and direct route into training and employment and with social care identified as an area young people have a very keen interest, I am confident that they will make a real difference while building a positive future.

    “I would like to offer my congratulation to the young people who have made this pilot such a success and also thank Motherwell Football Club for hosting the event.”

    The Prince’s Trust runs a range of Get into programmes, giving young people a taster of industries where there are real career opportunities such as retail, catering and mechanics.

    Jane Liddell, Head of Education Quality and Development at North Lanarkshire Council added: “The Get Into programmes we have delivered this session have given unemployed young people within North Lanarkshire new qualifications, skills and employment experience which we know will assist in moving them into employment.

    “We are very proud of the young people who have been part of the Get Into Social Care programme as they have demonstrated commitment, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn – all important qualities in preparing our young people for life and work in the 21st century.”

    Paul Moore, Chief Executive at Quarriers said: “Quarriers is delighted to have delivered this successful training course.  We’re committed to getting young people involved in social care and firmly believe our diversity and skills make Quarriers an obvious choice to deliver this.”

    Delivery of the new programme is being supported by the North Lanarkshire Partnership, the Wood Family Trust, The European Social Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

  • Archive

    Player Sponsor’s Evening

    The Club’s annual Sponsors Event will take place in the Centenary Suite, Sunday 15th of May. 

    All Player Sponsors will have already received their invitation to this prestigious event.  A number of tickets have been released for public sale and are available at £30 per person. 

    A 3 course meal will be served followed by a short Q & A with the Management Team here at Fir Park.  The Presentation by players to the Sponsors will be followed by the Sponsor’s Player of the Season Award. 

    Your host for the evening will be Fir Park favourite, Tam Cowan, making this year’s event THE perfect prelude to the Cup Final with only 6 days to go until the big day.

    This year, you will be able to bring along any of your treasured Motherwell FC items to be signed by the players.  If there’s anything you’d like signed, please make our staff aware on arrival.  You’ll be able to collect your items at the end of the night.  

    For more information or to sponsor a player for 2011/2012 please contact 01698 338008 or email (including your contact telephone number) commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

    >> VIEW THE 2010/2011 PLAYER SPONSORS

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    McCall content with home point

    Stuart McCall was delighted to stop the rot of consecutive SPL defeats, and begin to build the momentum ahead of the Scottish Cup final.

    The Steelmen shipped nine goals in their previous two outings, but looked far more solid against the men from Ayrshire and also had several moments of incisive football going forward, particularly through the lively Steve Jones.

    And McCall has now set his sights on taking those positive traits into the weekend – and the Hampden showpiece beyond.

    “I would have loved to have won the last home game of the season,” the gaffer conceded. “But I thought we dealt well with a Kilmarnock team, who we have seen can play a bit this season.

    “I was pleased with our application and the way we played the game, although it would have been nice to win, especially after we scored and then Jenno [Jennings] has a goal disallowed. But it was a well-deserved point.

    “We have now got eleven days – obviously with the SPL match against Celtic in there – between us and the Cup final; the biggest game in many of the player’s and staff’s careers, really. We’ll approach Sunday in the correct manner, then we’ve got the big one.

    “It’s just a fantastic way to end the season. For these lads to have started playing in Europe back in July, considering the lack of numbers, is terrific and they deserve every credit.”

    McCall was particularly effusive in his praise for his defence, which had been through a tortuous couple of matches recently.

    Yet against a lively Kilmarnock attack – Eremenko scheming, Dayton buzzing down the flank and Bryson bursting from midfield – ‘Well defended well and constricted Killie to only a couple of truly clear-cut chances in the 90 minutes.

    The gaffer continued: “We tracked runners and were defensively much stronger. There were certain spells that Kilmarnock looked dangerous, but I thought when we were on top we had opportunities that just wouldn’t fall for us.

    “I thought Kilmarnock played well, though; in fact I thought it was a decent game.”

    The Motherwell boss, after the match, also sought to put Motherwell fans’ collective minds at ease regarding Jamie Murphy’s absence from the match squad.

    The ‘Well star, so often a stand-out during the Steelmen’s mammoth 51-game season so far, was left out against Killie altogether – but the Scottish Cup quarter-final and semi-final Player of the Round will be back in the team when 21st May rolls round.

    “He’s one of those players who has played a lot of football this season,” McCall conceded. “And I thought I should freshen things up a little bit.”