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Motherwell face the hard task of an away trip to face St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership tomorrow afternoon. 

However, following a hard-fought win on Wednesday night in the Betfred Cup last 16, the Fir Parkers head in to the clash with confidence at an early high.

Add in to the mix a positive performance against Rangers in the opening league match, and Stephen Robinson and his side can have a sense of optimism as they prepare to travel to take on a side with European aspirations.

It has been a positive start to the 2017/18 campaign for the ‘Well, with the 2-1 defeat against Rangers the only blemish on an otherwise perfect start to the season.

But with a run of tough fixtures just around the corner, manager Stephen Robinson is aware it’s not going to be easy for his team, who are in the middle of a six-day run with three games.

Despite the problems that may pose physically, the Fir Park boss is confident in his players ahead of tomorrow’s league encounter.

“The spirits are high,” he said. “The boys have had two days to recover and start to prepare for the St Johnstone game and our minds are now switched to trying to get three points.

“It was a long trip on Wednesday night and the game went on a lot longer than we wanted it to but the buzz you get from winning that game will out-do any kind of tiredness.”

He added: “The boys are really looking forward to Saturday, there’s a lot of confidence in the team and in the camp.

“We’ve won five games out of six since the start of the season so there’s some belief.

“When you get belief you can start to build a real team spirit and fans start to believe in what the players are doing as well so there’s a good feeling around the place at the moment.”

[pullquote]When you get belief you can start to build a real team spirit and fans start to believe in what the players are doing as well so there’s a good feeling around the place.[/pullquote]

For right-back Richard Tait, tomorrow will be another tough task – but one that he believes Motherwell are ready for.

“It will be another tough game, it always is against St Johnstone,” he said. “They’re a tough side to play against, they battle and they scrap and that’s what it will be again on Saturday.

“If we can win most of the second balls and battle harder than them then we’ll win the game.”

He added: “You approach every game wanting to win it, whether it’s a cup game or a league match.

“Not winning the first game of the season in the league adds a little bit of pressure for us to get points on the board – so we’ll be going out there on Saturday to win the match.”

If Motherwell have motivation to win a league game married with the confidence of a cup win, tomorrow’s opponents St Johnstone come in to the match on the completely opposite boat.

Having won their first league game, the Saint’s were knocked out of the Betfred Cup on Tuesday night by Partick Thistle.

But Tommy Wright’s men will be buoyed by a positive start in the league, where a 2-1 win away to Kilmarnock gave the Perthshire side an ideal start to their season.

The Saints have had a relatively quiet summer window when compared with a number of other clubs in the top flight, but it has been a positive one for Tommy Wright.

Last season’s top scorer Danny Swanson departed for Hibs but was swiftly replaced by Michael O’Halloran. Along with the likes of Stefan Scougall, Aaron Comrie and Scott Tanser – it’s been a productive window for St Johnstone.

The last time ‘Well made the trip north they came back down the road with a point. But following Wednesday night’s victory in Dingwall, there is an air of confidence, and an ever present hunger to win, ahead of tomorrow’s league encounter.

	St Johnstone V Motherwell
	Saturday 12th August 2017
	3.00pm
	McDiarmid Park, Perth
	Available on the gate

Admission prices are as follows: 

• *Free when accompanied by an adult
• Motherwell fans located in the North Stand
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Darren  on 07722 912666 or email darren@mfcdsa.com.

If you can’t make it to tomorrow, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

Richard Tait is prepared to battle-harder than the opposition as Motherwell face St Johnstone this weekend.

The tireless right-back spoke to the broadcast media this morning ahead of the ‘Well’s third game in six days and believes it will be another tough test.

However, the 27-year-old believes the key to victory lies in work-rate – and, with the momentum from Wednesday nights victory, the Fir Parkers are well prepared.

[pullquote]It will be another tough game, it always is against St Johnstone. They’re a tough side to play against, they battle and they scrap and that’s what it will be again on Saturday.[/pullquote]

He said: “It was a good result for us and it was a hard-fought match. To come out on top gives us an extra boost and if we can take that in to the weekend that would be great as well.”

“It will be another tough game, it always is against St Johnstone,” he added. “They’re a tough side to play against, they battle and they scrap and that’s what it will be again on Saturday.

“If we can win most of the second balls and battle harder than them then we’ll win the game.”

Stephen Robinson believes there are “high spirits” among the squad as the Steelmen prepare to face St Johnstone this weekend.

And the Northern Irishman believes that winning on Wednesday night against Ross County in the Betfred Cup will help push the players through a hard, busy run of games.

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, Robinson looked ahead to the second fixture of the Premiership campaign.

[pullquote]The boys have had two days to recover and start to prepare for the St Johnstone game and our minds are now switched to trying to get three points.[/pullquote]

“The spirits are high,” he said. “The boys have had two days to recover and start to prepare for the St Johnstone game and our minds are now switched to trying to get three points.

“It was a long trip on Wednesday night and the game went on a lot longer than we wanted it to but the buzz you get from winning that game will out-do any kind of tiredness.”

He added: “The boys are really looking forward to Saturday, there’s a lot of confidence in the team and in the camp.”

Motherwell and Aberdeen have agreed a special ticket deal for the forthcoming double-header in late September.

The Steelmen take on the Dons in the Quarter Final of the Betfred Cup on Thursday 21st September (7.45pm KO) before the two sides square up again on league business just three days later, Sunday 24th September (12.45pm KO).

And following discussions between both clubs this afternoon, admission prices (available on the turnstile on the night of the match) for the Cup game have been set at:

Adults: £10
Concessions: £5

• Concessions are listed as Under 18s, Over 60s and Full Time Students with a valid matriculation card.

In addition, the two clubs have agreed a reciprocal deal for Season Ticket holders for the SPFL Premiership games on Sunday 24th September at Fir Park, and the reverse fixture at Pittodrie on 18th November.

Dons Season Ticket holders can get into the game for £15 for adults and £10 for juveniles/concessions – full details on how visiting fans can obtain that reduced priced offer will be available on the AFC website.

In addition, ‘Well Season Ticket holders will receive an identical discount if they present ‘Special Voucher A’ from the back of their books when they visit Pittodrie in three months time, one voucher per fan.

‘Well Chief Operating Officer Alan Burrows: “We have been presented with an unusual anomaly with two games against Aberdeen in the space of four days, both live on BT Sport.

“After positive discussions yesterday, underlining the good relationship that exists between both clubs, we have agreed these various measures to try and make it as affordable for fans both at that double-header and the game at Pittodrie in November, which is the start of a fairly long run of away games for our supporters.

“It’s the first League Cup Quarter Final we’ve been involved in since 2013, so everyone is very much looking forward to the game and hopefully we can continue the positive vibe that is around the club at the moment with a big crowd on the night.”

Referee for Saturday’s league match against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park is Craig Thomson.

The 45-year old takes charge of his first Motherwell fixture of the season, after taking charge on four occasions last term.

That included both the first and last games of the season, starting with a win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and ending with a 3-2 loss away to Inverness.

In between those clashes, the official oversaw a 1-1 draw away to Partick Thistle in September and the crushing Scottish Cup defeat against Rangers at Ibrox.

One of the top Scottish referee’s in the game, Thomson has been in charge of fixtures at all levels of the game, including the UEFA Champions League and World Cup Qualifiers.

Of the three matches he refereed in Europe’s premier club competition last season, one match included 2015/16 finalists Atlético Madrid.

His record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mixed bag with 16 wins from 49 matches. There have been 23 defeats and ten draws too.

Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.

In those games, Motherwell have scored 69 and conceded 73.

168 players have gone into the book, 86 were wearing claret and amber, while seven players, including former captains Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed. The most recent was Stephen McManus in an away defeat to Inverness.

Craig will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Anthony Cooper; with Kevin Clancy on fourth official duties.

Motherwell’s clash with Aberdeen in the quarter final of the Betfred Cup has been confirmed for Thursday, 21st September.

The fixture, which kicks off at 7:45pm, comes just a few days before the Steelmen face the Dons in the Premiership, with both games live on BT Sport.

Ticket information will be announced in due course.

Motherwell have been drawn at home to Aberdeen in the quarter final of the Betfred Cup next month.

After overcoming Ross County 3-2 with ten-men at the Global Energy Stadium, Stephen Robinson’s men will face the tough task of hosting Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen as the cup whittles down to the last eight.

The tie will be played mid-week on either the 19th, 20th or 21st of September – in the same week Aberdeen come to Fir Park in the league on Sunday 24th.

The full draw is as follows:

Hibernian vs Livingston

Motherwell vs Aberdeen

Dundee vs Celtic

Partick Thistle vs Rangers

The best of the action from Dingwall where Ross MacLean’s extra-time strike fires the Steelmen into the quarter finals of the Betfred Cup.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson admitted that his players can be proud of themselves after they battled to a 3-2 victory with ten men tonight against Ross County.

A late winner from substitute Ross MacLean sealed the Steelmen’s progression to the quarter-finals on a dramatic evening in Dingwall.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the manager reflected on a hard-fought performance, as well as the draw for the next round.

[pullquote]The determination in the last fifteen minutes of the game was fantastic and the boys should be proud of themselves.[/pullquote]

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. We got the performance on Sunday but tonight we got the performance and the result too.

“The boys showed tremendous character to progress after going down to ten men against a team like Ross County, who are a strong, strong team.”

He added: “The determination in the last fifteen minutes of the game was fantastic and the boys should be proud of themselves.”

You can watch the manager’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Images from tonight’s 3-2 extra-time win over Ross County in the Betfred Cup.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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