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Morgan Hunter believes the women of steel are ready to show their mettle, when they travel to K-Park to face Celtic on Friday evening.

After opening their SWPL1 campaign with a win over Stirling University, ‘Well have suffered two successive league defeats.

Last weekend’s 4-0 loss at home to Hibs was harsh on Donald Jennow’s side, but Hunter says all their focus is on bouncing back in East Kilbride.

“Last week was tough, but I think we held our own very well in the first half,” the ‘Well keeper said. “We need to take that confidence into the game on Friday.

“There’s been lots of changes to most teams in SWPL 1 this season so it’s hard to predict how things will go.

“Celtic will definitely be a tough opposition but we are more than ready to show we are too.”

Friday evening’s clash will see Motherwell come up against Eddie Wolecki Black for the first time since the former ‘Well gaffer joined Celtic in the summer of 2018.

It’s another element that will add to the intrigue of an important league fixture, though Hunter insists all that matters is the end result.

“The only thing mentioned has been that we must fight to win and get three points,” she added. “There’s no personal feelings when that whistle goes on Friday.

“It’s always important to get points on the board early and build momentum.

“We won’t focus on the league table too early. It’s important that we take it game by game.”

Morgan has enjoyed a solid start to life at Fir Park.

She kept a clean sheet on her debut and in the SWPL Cup win over Hutchison Vale.

On Sunday, the 25-year-old made a number of good stops, before suffering the misfortune of seeing Kirsten Reilly’s free kick slip through her grasp for Hibernian’s fourth.

“That final goal was a massive disappointment and it’s a horrible feeling conceding a goal like that,” she admitted. ”It’s so important not to go into your own head after that happens.

“It can’t be changed, so you focus on the next one, which was a shot on target that I managed to push round the post.

“If I’d let my head drop, that would’ve been another goal.

“I’m really enjoying it here, as I said it’s my first taste of SWPL1 and it’s challenging but I’m learning everyday.

“The girls have made it so easy settling in and theres so much quality about this team. I’m excited to see how the season goes.”

Motherwell head to Hibernian on Saturday, as the race to finish in the top half of the Ladbrokes Premiership continues.

Here’s the game previewed in numbers.

Six

This weekend’s match is all about sixth spot, and the two sides slugging it out to finish in the top half of the table come the split.

Hibernian currently have the upper hand, sitting two points ahead of the ‘Well.

The Steelmen haven’t been higher than seventh all campaign, but can jump to sixth with a win at Easter Road.

Seven

From Motherwell’s last 10 games, Stephen Robinson’s men have won seven.

Wins over Hamilton, Hibernian, Dundee, Livingston, St Mirren, Hearts and then Hamilton again last time out have contributed to a fantastic run.

Hibs, in contrast, have also picked up some wins. Five victories from 10 games, including a four-game winning run in February, have kept them in top six contention.

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It’s been over half a year since Motherwell last ventured through to Easter Road.

The 2018/19 Ladbrokes Premiership season was opened with an away game at Hibs, which the hosts won 3-0.

The drive to get a place in the top six continues with a huge match at Hibernian on Saturday.

Here’s an early look ahead to the match.

The battle for top six

Motherwell sit just two points behind Hibernian with four games to go before the Ladbrokes Premiership splits into two groups.

A win on Saturday would take Stephen Robinson’s men into the top six for the first time this season, and put us in pole position to secure a place.

Head to head

You have to go back five games for the last Motherwell victory at Easter Road, which came in August 2013.

Henri Anier scored late to give the Steelmen all three points that day in a 1-0 victory.

Since then, Motherwell drew two on the bounce, but have lost in their last two visits.

Get your tickets in advance or at the stadium

Tickets are available online now to collect from the Fir Park ticket office.

Alternatively, sales pods will be open at the south stand at Easter Road to purchase tickets before going to the turnstiles.

Prices are as follows:

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Liam Grimshaw has extended his contract with the club for an additional year.

The Burnley-born fan favourite has solidified his spot in the team at right back in recent months, turning in consistent, all-action performances and embarking on countless of his trademark runs.

Having already featured 62 times as a Steelman, Grimshaw’s new deal will expire in the summer of 2020.

“We’re delighted Liam has signed on again at the club for next season,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He has been a huge part of our recent success, playing in his new role of right-back.

“He’s exactly the type of character you want about your football club. He’s the consummate professional and is extremely enthusiastic about this club, and it shows in his performances.”

The 24-year-old came through the youth ranks at Manchester United, captaining their Under 23s. He got his first taste of competitive first-team football whilst on loan at Fir Park back in the first half of the 2015/16 season.

His performances in claret and amber persuaded Preston North End to buy him from United in January 2016. He spent 18 months at Deepdale, before returning to ‘Well, via a short loan spell at Chesterfield.

Grimshaw added: “I’m delighted to have signed on for another year. I feel at home here and it was an easy decision to stay.

“I’m completely focused now on helping get the team into the top six, and seeing how we can continue to build.”

With the split getting nearer, Motherwell have a great chance to break into the top six when we travel to face Hibernian on Saturday.

Stephen Robinson’s men have won seven of their last nine games, putting them within touching distance of the weekend’s opponents.

We want as big a crowd as possible to get behind the team at Easter Road. The team speak about the impact a large travelling support can have on them, and this is one of the games we need it most.

Sales pods will be open at the south stand at Easter Road to purchase tickets before going to the turnstiles. No further ticket sales are available at Fir Park.

Prices are as follows:

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

George Newell and Peter Morrison played their part as Albion Rovers secured what could be a vital win in their fight to stay in League Two.

Rovers, who earlier in the day received a huge boost in the shape of an annulled result against Clyde leading to an unexpected three points, made it one to remember by beating Stirling Albion 1-0 at Forthbank.

Gregor Fotheringham got the game’s only goal, after great work by Newell in the build-up.

Morrison would play a big part himself, making an excellent save in the dying seconds, ensuring his team are now within two points of Berwick Rangers at the foot of the League 2 table. Neil McLaughlin was an unused sub for the Binos.

Elsewhere, Broque Watson started for East Fife, as they kept themselves in the promotion hunt with a 3-1 win over Stranraer.

Barry Maguire, Shea Gordon and Aaron Taylor-Sinclair never featured for Queen of the South, Partick Thistle and Crewe respectively,

Another win as the push for the top six continues.

This is the Story of the Match from the Lanarkshire derby.

Motherwell’s SWPL1 match with Celtic on Friday will no longer be broadcast live on BBC ALBA.

The match will still be played on Friday, 15 March at K-Park for a 7.45pm kick-off.

Due to unforeseen circumstances at K-Park, the host venue, the broadcaster says it can no longer show the match.

“Whilst we are disappointed the match won’t be shown on Alba, it will not impact on our preparations,” ‘Well boss Donald Jennow said of the news.

“As far as we’re concerned, it’s business as usual as we look to bounce back following Sunday’s defeat.”

Motherwell’s reserve side suffered a late equaliser to draw 2-2 away at Ross County on Monday.

Maurice Ross’ side led through James Scott’s double, but were pegged back by goals from Joel MacBeath.

The County player’s second came three minutes into stoppage time, just as the young Steelmen looked to have taken all three points.

A youthful claret and amber contingent made the trip north, albeit with three players – Adam Livingstone, Liam Brown and Scott – already having picked up first team minutes.

With 25 minutes played, the visitors had the lead. Scott fired for goal just inside the box, and found the net to open the scoring.

On the stroke of half time, he doubled his advantage, nodding home from close range.

The Staggies didn’t give in, however, and reduced the deficit on the hour mark. MacBeath found room from close range to put the ball past Ferguson.

As County pushed, it looked like Motherwell would still take the win back down the road, despite Ferguson having to come to the rescue in stoppage time and Tony Dingwall hitting the post.

Their final chance got them the equaliser, MacBeath firing home to make their pressure pay.

“We’ve definitely got the technical and tactical side going in the right direction,” Ross said after the game.

“But we need to maybe be a bit more streetwise to win football matches.

“We were in full control in the first half. We had great movement, great play and scored two great goals.

“Ross County were physical and we struggled to handle that in the second half.

“Afterwards in the dressing room, we spoke about game management. In the last minute we had the ball down in their corner, but instead of holding on to it, we lost it and they went up the park and scored.”

Motherwell: Ferguson, Bowers (MacDonald), Livingstone, Devine, Hussain, Brown (Kettings), Rehman, McAlear (Starrs), Scott, Semple, Cornelius.

Subs not used: Hemfrey.

Motherwell fans have formed an unlikely brotherhood with Argentine side Estudiantes, after a chance encounter led them all the way to meeting legendary player Juan Sebastián Verón.

‘Well followers Iain MacLeod and Andrew Jack, together with their non-Steelmen supporting friend Steve McGurk, are on a football holiday in Argentina, and originally contacted La Plata-based ‘Well fan Bubi Blurtago about getting tickets for their derby match with Gimnasia on Sunday.

Like all good tales, one thing led to another and the trio found themselves this weekend in the company of club president Verón, who stood on a table and introduced them as the “official representatives of Estudiantes in Scotland”.

With a link now firmly in place between supporters of both clubs, the former Lazio, Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder then presented them with an official shirt at the club’s training ground. The favour was returned, with Verón pictured with the claret and amber jersey that’s his to keep.

Also on the visit were Bubi’s wife, Natalia Arecha, their son Jeremias Gomez, and Luis Alvarez Gelvez, who organised the meeting for the group.

Motherwell have a brief history in Argentina, having played in the country as part of a nine-game South American tour in 1928, which included a 3-0 win over the Argentina national team and a defeat to Boca Juniors, as well as a match against the Brazilian national side.