fbpx
News

Latest News

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: A closer look

  • Archive

    McManus: Next two games are winnable

  • Archive

    McGhee: Next spell is pivotal

  • Archive

    Cook in the middle for Caley

  • Archive

    Festive ticket office opening hours

  • Archive

    Scottish Cup: Ticket Information

  • Archive

    Competition: Design Our Mascot

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

  • Archive

    Aberdeen defeat in pictures

  • Archive

    McGhee: We gifted goals

  • Archive

    Inverness CT: A closer look

    Motherwell travel to face Inverness Caley Thistle tomorrow as the two sides look to bounce back to winning ways after suffering defeats against Aberdeen and Rangers respectively.

    The Fir Parkers face an important double-header over the next few days – with Hamilton on Hogmanay following Wednesday’s league clash with the Northerners.

    For ‘Well boss Mark McGhee, tomorrow’s match and the final game of 2016 against Hamilton on Saturday are pivotal matches at this stage of the season.

    The manager said: “I think that this spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.

    “Regardless of whether we feel we’ve done well or not in some games – we probably should have won against Kilmarnock, should have won against St Johnstone and I don’t think we should have been beaten against Aberdeen but ultimately we’ve drawn two and lost one.

    He added: “I also see this next spell as an opportunity; it’s a chance to make that step up in to a position where you’re able to challenge seriously for the top six.

    “If we don’t get enough from these games we may not be able to sit here realistically and say we’re a top six team, but if we do get results then I will be sitting here saying that.”

    The manager also feels that as well as pushing his team up the table, points on the board will boost spirits in the dressing room.

    He said: “It’s more important about how much belief it can give us. For instance, if we were to go out and beat Inverness and Hamilton, I think we’d come back here with no fears.”

    On tomorrow’s opponents, the manager said: “I always think Inverness are difficult and we’ve struggled to play against them at times. Their shape, the way they play, physically they’re a good size, their three midfield players are 6 foot plus so even that’s a challenge.

    [pullquote]This spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.[/pullquote]

    “Inverness can mix it up – they have that physical challenge but they have players in good positions, they have players who can score goals and they’re a threat from set plays and if you go behind against them you can find it difficult.”

    He added: “We should have no fears physically when we face Inverness because we have become a team that is robust and can scrap our way out of it as well.”

    Tomorrow’s match will be an important fixture for both sides, as the Fir Parkers sit just one point ahead of Richie Foran’s Inverness.

    A win for the Steelmen could put some breathing space between the two sides and will bring confidence to the ‘Well ahead of Saturday’s derby clash too.

    The Caley Jags are now without a win in eight matches, but the last time Foran’s side picked up a win was in the shape of an emphatic 3-0 win over the Steelmen back in October.

    The Fir Parkers could be without skipper Keith Lasley, who faces a late fitness test after injuring his shoulder against Aberdeen on Friday forcing him to be substituted at half time.

     

    ‘Well defender Stephen McManus wants to go in to the winter break in a positive frame of mind – starting with a good result tomorrow night.

    And during the busy schedule, the centre-back focussed on the positives of being able to put the loss against Aberdeen right tomorrow.

    Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “The games are coming thick and fast which is great as a player, you want to play in the games and you don’t mind when it goes Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Tuesday because there’s not a lot of training to be done and it’s just about recovery.

    “We’re coming in to a break as well so we’ve got two games to go and it’s two games that we feel are winnable.”

    Inverness find themselves in a similar position to the Steelmen – hungry to bounce back to winning ways – and McManus admits that the Caley Jags will be up for tomorrows match.

    He said: “It’s going to be difficult and Inverness will be feeling the same, Hamilton will be feeling the same too but in the past few weeks our performances have been fine.

    [pullquote]The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw, you seem to be moving position in the table.[/pullquote]

    “We’ve just been missing that wee bit of quality, that wee bit of something different in the final third to turn the draws in to wins, and the defeats like on Friday night in to draws.”

    With a mere four points separating sixth placed Ross County from 12th placed Inverness, matches like tomorrow and the upcoming Lanarkshire Derby can prove to be hugely important.

    McManus said: “The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw you seem to be moving position in the table.

    “You want to go in to the break with your form being decent and psychologically you want to look at the table and, now that it’s taking shape, you want to go in with a few more points on the board to give you that bit more belief coming back in to the Rangers games towards the end of January.”

    Ahead of tomorrow night, the defender added: “We’ll do our video analysis on Inverness in their last few matches and we’ve already looked at our own performance against Aberdeen and looked at the aspects which were positive and negative too.

    “At this period of time when the games are coming thick and fast if you have a bad result you don’t need to wait a week or ten days to put it right.”

     

    Inverness Caley Thistle currently sit at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership, but are only one point behind the Fir Parkers in tenth.

    For both sides, tomorrow presents an opportunity to bounce back to form and move up the table in the penultimate match of 2016.

    For manager Richie Foran, who took over in May following the departure of John Hughes, tomorrow marks the challenge of a club he knows well.

    Foran spent three seasons in Claret and Amber, making 90 appearances and scoring 23 goals, and as a manager it is his second meeting with his former employers following the 3-0 win at Fir Park back in October

    His side arrive on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat against Rangers at Ibrox and are now without a win since October.

    Foran got off to a good start in his new role at the helm of the Caley Jags, securing some important signings over the summer.

    Billy King arrived on a season-long loan deal from Hearts, Kevin McNaughton came in from Wigan, Jake Mulraney arrived from QPR and Scott Boden signed from Newport County.

    And it all looked good for Caley Thistle, as Foran managed to get off to a winning start at the helm with a 2-1 away win to Cowdenbeath in the League Cup. In their group, Inverness drew with Dundee United at home and lost the bonus point penalty shoot-out, but things turned around as they won 5-1 away against Dunfermline and then registered a 7-0 thrashing of Arbroath to end July on a positive note.

    In August, the Inverness boss lost his first league game in charge in the shape of a 2-0 away loss to Partick Thistle.

    Things didn’t get better for the club as that result was followed by a shock 1-0 away loss to Alloa, knocking Caley out of the League Cup.

    Foran then lost his first Highland derby as a manager when his side slumped to a 3-2 home defeat to Ross County.

    Things went from bad to worse when a trip to Tynecastle ended in a 5-1 defeat to Hearts.

    After the first International break of the season, Foran’s side sparked into life as they managed their first win of the season in early September with a hard-fought 2-1 home win against St Johnstone thanks to a late goal from Josh Meekings – who scrambled the ball over the line from a corner to seal the three points.

    The next weekend the North derby away at Aberdeen ended in a 1-1 draw and was a big point for the Caley Jags. Ex-Well midfielder Iain Vigurs scored a great strike from 25-yards to level the score-line.

    Foran also managed to record another impressive result, a 2-2 draw with Scottish Champions Celtic, being the first team, and currently only team, to take points away from Brendan Rodgers side in the league this season.

    But as the season has surged on, the northerners have started to drop some important points and have picked up just three points in their last eight matches.

    But with the ability to challenge every team in the league, and the incredibly tight nature of the top flight, Inverness will be confident ahead of every match and will be keen to bring the year to a strong conclusion.

    It’s an important match for both sides, postponed due to the Dons progression in the League Cup, where they got all the way to the final but lost 3-0 against Celtic.

    With the chance to move in to the top six, it is enough inspiration for Mark McGhee’s side and will be an intriguing encounter at Fir Park tomorrow night.

     

  • Archive

    McManus: Next two games are winnable

    ‘Well defender Stephen McManus wants to go in to the winter break in a positive frame of mind – starting with a good result tomorrow night.

    And during the busy schedule, the centre-back focussed on the positives of being able to put the loss against Aberdeen right tomorrow.

    Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “The games are coming thick and fast which is great as a player, you want to play in the games and you don’t mind when it goes Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Tuesday because there’s not a lot of training to be done and it’s just about recovery.

    “It’s also about putting the right things in your body and that’s the biggest problem when you need to walk past the Lindor chocolates!”

    He added: “It’s a great time though to spend with your family, the fans enjoy it too and the Christmas period is always that wee bit special I feel.

    [pullquote]The games are coming thick and fast which is great as a player, you want to play in the games and you don’t mind when it goes Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Tuesday.[/pullquote]

    “We’re coming in to a break as well so we’ve got two games to go and it’s two games that we feel are winnable.”

    Tomorrow’s opponents find themselves in a similar position to the Steelmen – hungry to bounce back to winning ways – and McManus admits that the Caley Jags will be up for tomorrows match.

    He said: “It’s going to be difficult and Inverness will be feeling the same, Hamilton will be feeling the same too but in the past few weeks our performances have been fine.

    “We’ve just been missing that wee bit of quality, that wee bit of something different in the final third to turn the draws in to wins, and the defeats like on Friday night in to draws.”

    With a mere four points separating sixth placed Ross County from 12th placed Inverness, matches like tomorrow and the upcoming Lanarkshire Derby can prove to be hugely important.

    [pullquote]The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw, you seem to be moving position in the table.[/pullquote]

    McManus said: “The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw you seem to be moving position in the table.

    “You want to go in to the break with your form being decent and psychologically you want to look at the table and, now that it’s taking shape, you want to go in with a few more points on the board to give you that bit more belief coming back in to the Rangers games towards the end of January.”

    Ahead of tomorrow night, the defender added: “We’ll do our video analysis on Inverness in their last few matches and we’ve already looked at our own performance against Aberdeen and looked at the aspects which were positive and negative too.

    “At this period of time when the games are coming thick and fast if you have a bad result you don’t need to wait a week or ten days to put it right.”

  • Archive

    McGhee: Next spell is pivotal

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee believes the next few days are “pivotal” in the Steelmen’s hunt for a top six finish this season.

    Inverness Caley Thistle await the Fir Parkers tomorrow night before a trip to local rivals Hamilton will wrap up the calendar year.

    And with his sights set on another top half finish, Mark McGhee admitted that positive results could give his side belief for the remainder of the season.

    Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “We had the break over the weekend after the game on Friday and then of course we’ve only got two games then we have a lot of time to recover.

    “I think that this spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.

    “And then if we don’t I think we have to roll up our sleeves and accept that we’re in a bit of a scrap.”

    [pullquote]This spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.[/pullquote]

    He added: “Regardless of whether we feel we’ve done well or not in some games – we probably should have won against Kilmarnock, should have won against St Johnstone and I don’t think we should have been beaten against Aberdeen but ultimately we’ve drawn two and lost one.

    “I also see this next spell as an opportunity; it’s a chance to make that step up in to a position where you’re able to challenge seriously for the top six.

    “If we don’t get enough from these games we may not be able to sit here realistically and say we’re a top six team, but if we do get results then I will be sitting here saying that.”

    The manager also feels that as well as pushing his team up the table, points on the board will boost spirits in the dressing room.

    He said: “It’s more important about how much belief it can give us. For instance, if we were to go out and beat Inverness and Hamilton, I think we’d come back here with no fears.”

    It won’t be an easy couple of games for the ‘Well though, with the manager admitting that Inverness pose a particularly physical challenge for his side.

    It is one he thinks they are more than ready for though.

    [pullquote]We should have no fears physically when we face Inverness because we have become a team that is robust and can scrap our way out of it as well.[/pullquote]

    He said: “I always think Inverness are difficult and we’ve struggled to play against them at times. Their shape, the way they play, physically they’re a good size, their three midfield players are 6 foot plus so even that’s a challenge.

    “But one of the compliments for me is that when Derek McInnes came here on Friday he played his strongest physical team because he knows that we are physically capable.”

    He added: “So we should have no fears physically when we face Inverness because we have become a team that is robust and can scrap our way out of it as well.

    “Inverness can mix it up – they have that physical challenge but they have players in good positions, they have players who can score goals and they’re a threat from set plays and if you go behind against them you can find it difficult.”

    When asked about team news, McGhee said: “Keith Lasley is the only one who has picked up any form of injury – he hurt his shoulder so he’ll be going up to training today to try it out.

    “Las is a soldier, he’ll always try it out, but I’m not quite sure he’ll be quite right but he’s the only one.”

  • Archive

    Cook in the middle for Caley


    Barry Cook will take charge of his second Motherwell match on Wednesday when the Fir Parkers travel to face Inverness in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Inverness away is the penultimate match of 2016 and is the officials sixth top flight appointment – his third this season.

    The referee may be new to Premiership fixtures but has established himself as an experienced official in the lower divisions.

    The first time Cook took charge of a Steelmen fixture was their trip to Firhill back in February.

    A late, late goal cost ‘Well a point that day when ex-Fir Park man Steven Lawless’ deflected shot gave Thistle the win.

    On a miserable night for football, neither side deserved three points as both sets of fans must have wished the pitch had failed its late inspection.

    A stark statistic of only two saves, one in each half from Connor Ripley, summed up a match best forgotten – and especially from a Motherwell side which didn’t deserve to win, but certainly didn’t deserve to lose either.

    ‘Well fans will be hopeful of a more exciting match this time around.

    Barry will be assisted by Graham Chambers and Graeme Stewart, with Stephen Finnie on Fourth Official duties.

  • Archive

    Festive ticket office opening hours

    Fans should note the festive opening hours for the Chapman Building and Ticket Office.

    The Office will be open/closed on the following dates:

    Day Opening Times
    Saturday 24th December 9am – 12.00 noon
    Christmas Day Closed
    Boxing Day Closed
    Tuesday 27th December Closed
    Wednesday 28th December 9.15am – 4.30pm
    Thurday 29th December 9.15am – 7pm
    Friday 30th December 9.15am – 3.30pm
    Saturday 31st December Closed
    New Years Day Closed
    Monday 2nd January Closed
    Tuesday 3rd January Closed
    Wednesday 4th January 9.15am – 4.30pm

    If you have any enquiries, you can contact us on the following:

  • Archive

    Scottish Cup: Ticket Information

    Tickets for the William Hill Scottish Cup 4th Round clash with Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday 21st January have gone on sale.

    The Steelmen have been allocated just short of 2,000 tickets for the game and they will go on sale to 2016/17 Season Ticket holders and ‘Well Society members (please bring either Voucher C from your Season Book or Well Society membership card when purchasing) on Thursday 22nd December at 9.15am priced at:

    ADULTS:    £20 
    CONCESSIONS:                           £15
    UNDER 16s:                           £7

    * Concessions are listed as Over 65s and 16 and 17 year olds.

    Any remaining tickets will then go on full general sale from Monday 9th January 2017 up to the Friday (20th January) before the match.

    Additional Ticket Office opening hours throughout January will be announced shortly.

  • Archive

    Competition: Design Our Mascot

    Motherwell Football Club are sad to announce that mascots Claret and Amber are to go into semi-retirement after around 100,000 high fives and 16 years of service!  The loveable bears are to go into semi-hibernation and they will pass over the baton to a new cuddly favourite. Young fans may still see them out and about occasionally but they are all set for a much deserved retirement and we wish them well!

    This does now mean that we have THE most exciting competition EVER for the young people of Lanarkshire as we now need a new mascot!!!

    We are calling on our young supporters, the local community and the schools of Lanarkshire to design us a new mascot. That’s right we want you to be the brains behind our new club mascot who then could be your best buddy for life!

    Any child that enters the competition will receive one free ticket to a Motherwell FC game and the child who designs the winning entry will also receive this fantastic stack of prizes.

    • The mascot will be your best buddy for life.
    • You will be the first ever fan to meet them.
    • You will be the first fan to walk out the tunnel with the new mascot at a game
    • You will meet the first team
    • You will meet the first team manager
    • You will be invited by the mascot here for your next birthday VIP style
    • You will receive a full Motherwell Kit
    • A signed ball from the team
    • A visit by a first team player and the mascot to your school
    • One adult and one child ticket for the remaining games of the 2016/17 season.
    • Hero status amongst all of your friends!!!

    So here is what to do

    Get the form.

    Download the form, print it and draw your design.


    Terms and Conditions

    Where do I send my design?

    Please email your designs to us at MyMFCMascot@motherwellfc.co.uk , post them to My MFC Mascot,, Motherwell Football Club, The Chapman Building, ML1 2QN

    The deadline for all designs to be received by will be the 5pm on 7th January 2017.

    What happens next?

    We will have an internal judging panel who will look at all the designs and form a short list for each age group.

    • Under 7’s
    • 8 – 10
    • 11 –16

    A winner and a runner up from each age group will be selected and one winner from each age group will then go before a final judging panel. The winners in each age group will receive a signed ball. One of these winning designs will then become the Motherwell FC official mascot.

    T’s and C’s


    Terms and Conditions

  • Archive

    TV: Highlights from Fir Park

    Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell lose 1-3 to Aberdeen.

  • Archive

    Aberdeen defeat in pictures

    Images from today’s 1-3 defeat to Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

    Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

    [svgallery name=”aberdeen231216″]

  • Archive

    McGhee: We gifted goals

    ‘Well boss Mark McGhee felt his side “gifted” Aberdeen their goals tonight in their final clash before Christmas.

    On a blistering night at Fir Park, the manager was disappointed with some of the decisions from the match officials, but even more disappointed to see his side concede cheap goals.

    Speaking to MFC TV after the match, he said: “I think we gifted them tonight. The third goal is irrelevant because we’re pushing on trying to get an equaliser.

    “The two goals we concede are ridiculous, so ridiculous. We’re in control of the game, we’re looking like the more likely team to take the lead and then we concede the two goals like we did.”

    He added: “To equalise like that through a fantastic finish, to then go 2-1 down and then miss the penalty, which I don’t even think about, is disappointing.

    [pullquote]I think we gifted them tonight. The third goal is irrelevant because we’re pushing on trying to get an equaliser.[/pullquote]

    “I actually said to Moulty when I went in to the dressing room that I’d forgot about the penalty because it was the two goals that we’d conceded in the first half that were playing on my mind.”

    Aberdeen went 2-1 up through a controversial penalty when Adam Rooney appeared to tumble due to the slightest touch from Craig Samson.

    And the Fir Park boss admitted he was disappointed with the decisions from the officials.

    He said: “There was a bit of controversy about their penalty kick, he went down a bit easily and prior to that I think there should have been two free kicks against Scott McDonald.

    “I was disappointed with some of the decisions but overall, while I’m satisfied that we’re a decent team, I’m very disappointed with the nature of the goals.”

    [pullquote]When we went 2-1 down I still thought we were going to get something out the game, right through to when they scored the third goal I thought we were going to get something out the game.[/pullquote]

    He added: “Ryan Jack was about six yards inside the box when the penalty was taken and the referee didn’t see it but it’s his job to see it.”

    Looking ahead to his side’s clash with Inverness on Wednesday, the manager said: “I think we’ve got to play as well as we did tonight because there were long spells of the game and lots of aspects of the game which were really, really good, so we’ve just got to take that to Inverness and not make the mistakes that we made in the first half.

    “When we went 2-1 down I still thought we were going to get something out the game, right through to when they scored the third goal I thought we were going to get something out the game because we were in the game the whole time and if anything we did look like being the next team to score.”

    He added: “Overall, disappointed with the nature of the two goals but not too disappointed with the performance.”