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Motherwell travel to Edinburgh to face Hibernian this weekend for just their second away game of the league season so far. 

Following three consecutive home games, the Steelmen will look to extend their impressive run of form and make it four wins on the bounce.

But one of the biggest challenges facing Stephen Robinson’s men will be replicating their home form on the road.

And tomorrow’s opponents Hibernian will be a difficult clash – with ‘Well travelling to face the Edinburgh outfit for the first time since 2014.

The last league meeting between the two sides was a memorable one too – with a dramatic six-goal encounter ending in a 3-3 stalemate.

One point and one place separates the Fir Parkers in 5th from the Hibees in 6th, and with the ‘Well on a three-game winning streak and Neil Lennon’s men now three games without a win – an interesting encounter awaits in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And Stephen Robinson admits he is preparing for a “tough” afternoon in Edinburgh.

Speaking to the broadcast press, he said: “Everything’s positive but we’re obviously not getting too carried away with things because we know it’s only a start – but it’s been a decent start and as long as we continue to do the simple things well then we’ll be ok.

[pullquote]Hibs are a big, big club and Lennon has done brilliantly with them [Saturday] is a game when you’re in football that you really look forward to – it’s a nice stadium, there will be a big crowd there as well.[/pullquote]

“Hibs are a big, big club and Lennon has done brilliantly with them [Saturday] is a game when you’re in football that you really look forward to – it’s a nice stadium, there will be a big crowd there as well.”

He added: “But it’s a tough game for us, we’re well aware of that. They’re a well-organised, good team who get the ball on the ground and play as well so it’ll be a tough game for us.”

With a number of attacking threats, one of the key men for the Fir Park boss will be the ever impressive Cédric Kipré, who has settled in to the game in Scotland in style.

The 20-year-old is loving his football at Fir Park and reflected on what has been a positive few months in Scotland when he spoke to the broadcast press this week.

Following a string of impressive displays, the centre-back admitted he was “surprised” to be offered a new deal with the Steelmen but he never hesitated to sign.

And with Hibs up next for the Fir Parkers, Kipré looked ahead to the match as well as looking back over his stint in Lanarkshire so far.

He said: “I’m loving it here – I’ve only been here two or three months but I’m really liking things.

“I was surprised to be offered a new contract so soon after signing but it can only be good for me because it gives me a bit of security now. I was already focussing on my football but having one more year is always good.”

He added: “It’s really good here because I’ve felt very welcome with the fans and the support they show us every weekend is really good – at the end of a game they sing a song for me which I like.”

	Hibernian V Motherwell
	Saturday 16th September 2017
	3.00pm
	Easter Road, Edinburgh
	Pre-purchase available from the Fir Park Ticket Office.

Admission prices are as follows: 

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is preparing for a “tough” afternoon in Edinburgh when his side take on Hibernian this weekend.

The Steelmen, who head in to the match on the back of three consecutive victories, will be hungry to maintain their fine run of form.

But Saturday’s opponents sit just one point behind the Fir Parkers, and Robinson knows his side will be in for a hard match.

[pullquote]Everything’s positive but we’re obviously not getting too carried away with things because we know it’s only a start – but it’s been a decent start.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, he said: “Everything’s positive but we’re obviously not getting too carried away with things because we know it’s only a start – but it’s been a decent start and as long as we continue to do the simple things well then we’ll be ok.

“Hibs are a big, big club and Lennon has done brilliantly with them [Saturday] is a game when you’re in football that you really look forward to – it’s a nice stadium, there will be a big crowd there as well.”

He added: “But it’s a tough game for us, we’re well aware of that. They’re a well-organised, good team who get the ball on the ground and play as well so it’ll be a tough game for us.”

Cédric Kipré is loving his football at Fir Park and reflected on what has been a positive few months in Scotland as he spoke to the broadcast press this morning.

Following a string of impressive displays, the 20-year-old admitted he was “surprised” to be offered a new deal with the Steelmen but defender never hesitated to sign.

And with Hibs up next for the Fir Parkers, Kipré looked ahead to the match as well as looking back over his stint in Lanarkshire so far.

[pullquote]I’ve felt very welcome with the fans and the support they show us every weekend is really good – at the end of a game they sing a song for me which I like.[/pullquote]

He said: “I’m loving it here – I’ve only been here two or three months but I’m really liking things.

“I was surprised to be offered a new contract so soon after signing but it can only be good for me because it gives me a bit of security now. I was already focussing on my football but having one more year is always good.”

He added: “It’s really good here because I’ve felt very welcome with the fans and the support they show us every weekend is really good – at the end of a game they sing a song for me which I like.”

Barry Cook will take charge of his third Motherwell match on Saturday when the Fir Parkers travel to face Hibernian in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

And the official will oversee the first meeting between the Edinburgh side and the Steelmen since 2014, when a dramatic clash ended 3-3.

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

The first time Cook took charge of a Motherwell fixture was their trip to Firhill back in February 2016.

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.

Youngster Jamie Semple has been named in the Scotland U17s squad for a two-game fixture round against Wales.

Semple, who played a significant part in the last Victory Shield squad, was also a prominent figure when the Under 17s last played together in the International Tournament at St George’s Park last month, which featured the likes of England, Italy and Turkey.

He has once again been named in Brian McLaughlin’s 20-man squad for games against Wales in Llanelli on the 20th and 22nd of September.

Under 20s boss Stephen Craigan said: “We are delighted Jamie has been included in the squad again as this sort of International experience is fantastic for his development.

“It’ll be two competitive games for his country that I am sure will only make him hungry for more. We wish him well in the matches.”

After the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday, Motherwell face the tough task of taking on Hibernian at Easter Road.

So make sure you don’t miss next Saturday’s clash in Edinburgh, with tickets available to buy now from the Fir Park ticket office.

It marks the first competitive encounter with the Hibees since March 2014.

Under the guidance of Neil Lennon, the Edinburgh outfit have returned to the top flight and look set to have a strong campaign this time around.

Ticket prices are as follows:

	Hibernian V Motherwell
	Saturday 16th September 2017
	3.00pm
	Easter Road, Edinburgh
	Pre-purchase from the Fir Park ticket office / Away ticket booth at Easter Road

Admission prices are as follows: 

ADULTS	£22
CONCESSIONS	£12

• Concessions are listed as over 65, under-18s and students with a valid matriculation card
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07725917161

Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as the Under 20s remain top of the Development league with a 3-0 win over Partick Thistle.

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan praised his side after their 3-0 victory over Partick Thistle in the Development League.

The victory, which keeps the Steelmen top of the table, see’s the youngsters extend their unbeaten start to the league season to four games.

And Craigan reflected on the performance as he spoke to MFC TV at full time.

[pullquote]I thought there were so many good things about it tonight. We had five senior players playing which was the manager’s choice and that’s excellent.[/pullquote]

He said: “I thought there were so many good things about it tonight. We had five senior players playing which was the manager’s choice and that’s excellent.

“But I said to them back at Fir Park to go out there and set the tempo and do the young players justice who aren’t getting a game tonight.”

He added: “Go and do it by your application and by your attitude, not that we’ve ever had issues with people dropping down but just because it was boys who’ve never played 20s before you’re always wary if they want to be here or not.

“But I thought they were terrific, they really set the tone for us.”

Motherwell under-20s extended their unbeaten league start to four matches with a convincing win over Partick Thistle.

An Alex Fisher brace and a goal from Deimantas Petravičius secured the three points on a rainy Tuesday night.

Stephen Craigan named a strong starting line-up as the under-20s returned to a familiar venue in the Excelsior Stadium, with Fisher and Petravičius joined by Craig Tanner in an experienced and lively front three.

And the trio were heavily involved from the off, with Tanner’s neat flick forcing a foul on the edge of the Thistle box which he duly took – striking a low effort towards the oppositie corner, but the home side’s trialist keeper did well to turn it round his post.

The English midfielder was involved again just after the 15^th minute, this time receiving the ball from Petravičius, but he pulled his left-footed effort just wide of the near post.

Less than a minute later though, Motherwell took the lead and it was the Lithuanian who was at the heart of things again – performing some neat step-overs to beat his marker before sending in a perfect cross which Fisher powerfully headed beyond the Thistle stopper.

Ten minutes later it was the trickery and pace of Petravičius which won the Steelmen a penalty and led to their second of the game. Fisher stepped up and finished low and hard to the bottom right corner– sending the keeper the wrong way.

The second half got off to a fast start and Petravičius got himself the goal his performance deserved inside the opening five minutes, picking up the ball on the right hand side before bursting past Ross Fleming with ease and striking a low effort underneath the Jags keeper.

Fisher should have had his hattrick before the hour mark when Petravičius unselfishly squared for the Englishman to tap in to an empty net, but he somehow skewered his effort wide from six yards.

And he would miss out on his third goal too – with Craigan withdrawing the goalscorer and Tanner from the action just after the hour mark and brining on James Scott and Dylan Falconer.

The hosts grew in to the game in the final ten minutes and nearly bagged a consolation when a neat ball from Callum Wilson fed in striker Kevin Nisbet, but the youngsters powerful effort rattled the far post.

The danger wasn’t past though, and the Thistle number nine picked up the ball almost immediately after and, despite calls for offside from the ‘Well defence, he got his strike away, only to be denied by a strong hand from Morrison.

Motherwell FC has appointed Stuart Spiers as Assistant Groundsman to Paul Matthew.

Stuart joins the club after previous experience as an award-winning Head Groundsman at Livingston FC between 2009 and 2015.

Stuart qualified in 2007 and served his apprentice at the prestigious Dalmahoy in Edinburgh, before switching to Almondvale.

He left Livingston two years ago to take up a post at Kirkaldy Golf Club, but the lure of getting back into professional football and working with Paul Matthew was too much to turn down.

He has replaced Stuart Harker, who left back in late July the to take up a position outside professional football.

[pullquote]The commitment and buy in from the club and the skill and knowledge of the Head Groundsman convinced me that this was the right time to get back in to football. I’m excited to get started.”[/pullquote]

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, he said: “I am absolutely delighted to be at Motherwell and working with the team here, which has built a tremendous reputation over the past few years.

“The commitment and buy in from the club and the skill and knowledge of the Head Groundsman convinced me that this was the right time to get back in to football. I’m excited to get started.”

Head Groundsman Paul Matthew added: “It’s really important that we continue to build on what we’ve achieved so far, and a part of that is always looking to improve your team.

“We had a number of excellent candidates, but Stuart’s knowledge and experience of professional sports turf, and his willingness, love and desire for the post shone through and he was the outstanding candidate.

“I’m looking forward to working with him and expand on some of the success we’ve had with the pitch at Motherwell over the next few years.”