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  • First team

    Next up: Celtic

  • First team

    Jake Carroll banned for two matches

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Colts take on Spartans

  • Women

    Draw for Motherwell on return to SWPL1 action

  • First team

    Highlights as Motherwell draw at Livingston

  • First team

    Manager: We need to be braver on the ball

  • First team

    Motherwell start league season with a draw

  • First team

    Listen to live commentary from Livingston

  • First team

    Stephen Robinson speaks ahead of season opener

  • Women

    SWPL1 returns on Sunday with Spartans visit

  • First team

    Next up: Celtic

    Next up: Celtic

    The first Ladbrokes Premiership home game of 2019/20 arrives on Saturday, as Motherwell welcome Celtic to Fir Park.

    Having picked up four cup wins and a league draw from five fixtures this campaign, the Steelmen are on a high going into the fixture.

    Tickets are available to buy online now for Motherwell supporters. Celtic fans should contact their club direct.

    Kick off on Saturday is at 12pm. Our Cooper Bar is open from 11am and after the match.

    Tale of the tape

    Motherwell are unbeaten in six, winning four Betfred Cup matches, drawing at Livingston in the league opener and also defeating the Lions in the final game of the 2018/19 season.

    Celtic have won seven competitive games on the bounce. A 7-0 win over St Johnstone to open the league season came after four victories in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.

    Back-to-back wins over Hearts in the league and Scottish Cup final at the end of last season also contributed to the run.

    Head to head

    The previous three encounters between the clubs at Fir Park ended in draws.

    Danny Johnson was the scorer when the sides last met in ML1 back in December 2018, cancelling out Ryan Christie’s opener.

    A 0-0 draw came in March 2018, despite Cedric Kipré’s first half red card, and a 1-1 draw in November 2017.

    Ticket information

    Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office for Motherwell supporters. Celtic fans should contact their club direct.

    Adult £30 / £23
    Over 60s / 18 and under / full-time students £21 / £19
    Under 16s £3

    The cheaper price is for our John Hunter Stand. Celtic fans should contact their club direct for tickets.

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

    Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

    If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Motherwell v Celtic and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

    Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

    Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

  • First team

    Jake Carroll banned for two matches

    Jake Carroll banned for two matches

    Jake Carroll has accepted a two-match suspension from the Scottish Football Association.

    The Motherwell defender was accused by the compliance officer of committing an act of serious foul play, following a tackle in the match with Livingston on 3 August.

    The governing body offered an immediate two-match ban, or the opportunity to take the matter to a hearing on Thursday.

    Both the player and the club have decided to accept the suspension offered. Jake will now miss the matches with Celtic on 10 August and Hearts on 16 August.

  • Reserves & Under 18s

    Colts take on Spartans

    Colts take on Spartans

    A young Motherwell side will be in Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup action on Wednesday night, as they play host to Lowland League side Spartans.

    Having reached the quarter-finals of the competition last time, Maurice Ross’ side head into the game at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie with pedigree in the cup.

    Tale of the tape

    The young team are yet to play a competitive game so far this season for the Steelmen, although they have been ticking over with closed door matches and first team action for many across pre-season.

    Spartans have played two Lowland League matches so far. After losing 2-1 at home to BSC Glasgow in their first game, they then defeated Edinburgh University 2-0 at the weekend.

    Competition pedigree

    Both teams are just starting out in the competition for 2019/20 in the first round.

    Last season, Spartans fell at the first round stage to fellow Lowland League side East Kilbride.

    After a 1-1 draw at K-Park, Kilby progressed 5-4 on penalties.

    They’ve twice reached the second round of the competition, losing to Linfield and Stranraer respectively.

    Motherwell lost to eventual winners Ross County in the last eight at Fir Park, despite taking the then-Championship side all the way.

    Adam Livingstone’s remarkable free-kick gave hope, before the Staggies ran out 2-1 winners.

    Ticket information

    Kick off at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie is at 7.45pm. Fans can pay at the gate. Adult entry costs £10, with concessions going for £5.

    At stake

    The winners of the tie will face Clyde away on Tuesday, 13 August 2019.

  • Women

    Draw for Motherwell on return to SWPL1 action

    Draw for Motherwell on return to SWPL1 action

    Morgan Hunter saved a penalty as Motherwell returned to SWPL1 action with a 0-0 home draw with Spartans.

    The goalkeeper kept out Kaela McDonald-Nguah’s first half effort, diving low to her right to palm the spot kick away.

    That contentious award came in an even match at Ravenscraig, as the two teams returned after a two-month summer break.

    Head coach Donald Jennow welcomed a handful of new players into his side, as both teams had chances to take all three points.

    Motherwell also had a penalty shout later on in the match, only to be turned away by the referee.

    Next up for the women of steel is Partick Thistle in the SSE Scottish Cup. Kick off at Ravenscraig next Sunday is at 2.30pm.

    Motherwell: Hunter, Doran-Barr, Rolph, Rafferty, Knox, Adams, Crooks, Rice, Montgomery, Cairney, McEachran.

    Subs: Vincenti, Roberts, MacDonald, Arbuckle.

  • First team

    Highlights as Motherwell draw at Livingston

    See the best of the action as Motherwell open the Premiership season with a point gained at Livingston.

  • First team

    Manager: We need to be braver on the ball

    “We will take a point. We defended well but we weren’t brave enough in possession.”

    Stephen Robinson reflects on a point gained in a 0-0 opening day draw at Livingston.

  • First team

    Motherwell start league season with a draw

    Motherwell start league season with a draw

    Motherwell emerged from a very physical encounter at the Tony Macaroni Arena with their first point of the season.

    It was a hard shift for the Steelmen as Mark Gillespie extended his shut outs to five games.

    Motherwell kicked off the new Ladbrokes Premiership season where they signed off – facing Livingston.

    However, only five players which started against Livi back in May made Stephen Robinson’s starting team. That made way for five of the summer signing to make their league debut, with Declan Gallagher returning to his former ground.

    The first cheer from the 1400 ‘Well fans crowded in the away stand was for the appearance of David Turnbull, making his way on crutches to join the Fir Park contingent.

    On a perfect summer’s day for football, ‘Well kicked off the new campaign in their all white strip. Things looked promising as the Steelmen were on the front foot from the start.

    However, despite some long diagonal passes from Charles Dunne picking out Christian Ilic’s and Richard Tait’s runs on the right and James Scott pressing through the middle, finding a route to Ross Stewart’s goal was proving difficult.

    Although the artificial surface was perfect for keeping the ball on the deck the first half was littered with a series of aerial challenges, with Ilic collecting a booking after a couple of midfield tussles.

    The home side fared no better in its attempts to test Mark Gillespie’s goal.

    It was fully 30 minutes before the first shot at goal arrived – and even then Keaghan Jacobs dragged his drive wide of goal.

    Thankfully the action around both goals picked up in the 10 minutes before half time.

    Jermaine Hylton’s quick feet and smart pass found Ilic; who turned inside before testing the ‘keeper with a low left foot shot.

    A minute later Stewart had a more impressive stop beating away Jake Carroll’s thumping drive from a tight angle.

    It was finally Gillespie’s turn to get into the action when he leapt full length to turn Aymen Souda’s overhead kick round his post. From the resultant corner Gillespie was again the hero getting to his back post to push Alan Lithgow’s header over the bar.

    A minute from half-time the ‘Well ‘keeper had to thank his team mates to keep his goal intact. Having gone to ground to block Scott Pittman’s route to goal he chased the Livi midfielder to the edge of the box, leaving Gallagher to head Pittman’s lofted shot off the goal line.

    Having held on until the interval the Fir Park returned for the second 45 with Sherwin Seedorf replacing Ilic.

    And his first contribution came within minutes sending a tempting ball into the six yard area which Stewart claimed from Scott’s head.

    Livi’s Souda still posed a threat and latching on to Jacobs’ pass he fired into the side netting.

    After 52 minutes, Stephen Robinson made his second change, with Christopher Long taking over Scott’s striker’s role.

    And in his first challenge the ball broke to Alan Campbell, who in turn sent Hylton racing in behind the home defence but Stewart was quickly off his line to block the danger.

    At the other end a short free kick gave Lithgow the opening to strike a shot down the middle of the goal but it was easily collected by Gillespie.

    With Hylton and Seedorf threatening from both wings Motherwell started to find some openings and when Gallagher headed Carroll’s header towards goal, there was a scramble on the home goal line to clear the ball.

    The best chance arrived after 66 minutes when Campbell sent Tait into the box but having checked inside his marker the ‘Well captain’s finish with the outside of his right boot was easily saved by Stewart.

    As the game reverted to a midfield tussle, Devante Cole was given the final 10 minutes to make an impact.

    However, it was Gillespie who earned ‘Well a point standing up to ex Well man Nicky Devlin, to superbly block his drive from eight yards.

    In the closing minutes Declan Gallagher came close to making a winning return to Livingston when firstly he nodded on Liam Polworth’s cross forcing the ‘keeper to palm the dipping ball over his bar.

    Gallagher then met Carroll’s inswinging corner only to power his header narrowly over the top.
    In added time Gallagher had one final attempt from yet another Carroll corner but could only guide his header over the Livingston goal.

  • First team

    Listen to live commentary from Livingston

    Listen to live commentary from Livingston

    There’s live audio commentary available as Motherwell open the Ladbrokes Premiership season at Livingston on Saturday.

    The Steelmen head to West Lothian off the back of four straight wins in the Betfred Cup, and having defeated the Lions in the last game in 2018/19.

    Supporters anywhere in the world can listen in to the 3pm BST kickoff. To subscribe, head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

  • First team

    Stephen Robinson speaks ahead of season opener

    The Motherwell boss spoke about managing expectations and competition for places, ahead of the Ladbrokes Premiership starting at Livingston on Saturday.

    Here’s what Stephen Robinson said to the press on Friday morning.

    On the season’s aspirations

    “My aim is we try and win every single game. No matter who we are are playing, whether it’s Celtic, Livingston, St Mirren, it doesn’t matter.

    “It doesn’t always work out like that, of course. But I think we are positive.

    “I don’t set real targets. Yeah we do within the coaching staff, we do within the privacy of the dressing room.

    “We don’t go shouting our mouths off about what we want to achieve. I think you take it step by step, and then see where you can get to by Christmas time.”

    “You’ve seen what we’ve done early on when i was managing. Playing in a style that got us to two cup finals, which was putting balls into the box, getting down the sides of people.

    “It was physical at times but that suited the players we had and the players we were able to recruit.

    “We’ve done that differently since Christmas. We’ve brought in four wide players. We’ve got a lot of pace. A lot of energy.

    “A lot of good, good footballers in the team. We’ve got boys that supplement what we already had.

    “I think it will be an exciting brand of football. We will lose games as well, of course. But it will be by being positive.”

    On managing expectations

    “Expectation is the biggest thing to manage in football.

    “First and foremost, we have to stay in the division.That’s our primary aim.

    “Within the dressing room and coaching staff, we’ve got bigger aims than that. Much bigger aims than that.

    “But we just have to temper that slightly. Take each game as it comes. It’s an old saying. It bores the life out of all you press people, I know.

    “But we just have to try and win each game that we go onto the field with.”

    On competition for places

    “I think there’s a freshness about it. When I first took over, I had to shake it up a little bit. Then that season we got to the cup finals.

    “It gives a freshness. You’re not hearing the same thing every day or working with the same people. There’s a real freshness. There’s an energy.

    “It’s a young and enthusiastic squad. So it is something to be excited by.

    “They are all happy now because they’ve all had games and we’ve been able to move things about and give everybody equal game time.It’s worked well for us but I have to do that.

    “Any successful team and squad you have to rotate in modern football now.

    “The pace of it. We only go with 20/21 outfield players. So we don’t have a big squad.

    “You’re either in the squad or on the bench. Not many players miss out each week. Maybe a couple of the younger squad members.

    “So people just have to get used to that. You’re going to be at a football club where you are one of two people fighting for a position.

    “There’s not many clubs in the Premiership, or at any other level, where you are going to get that sort of guarantee.

    “We’ve got a good squad, a good mentality. People are well aware they are going  to have to fight for positions and I will pick who is playing well.”

    On Livingston

    ” I expect very similar [from Livingston]. I think Gary is doing a tremendous job.

    “They play to their strengths. They’ve had criticism for it  and I don’t think they should have done. I think it’s good management.

    “When you’ve got players who put a lot of balls into your box and make you run towards your own goal. They win second balls and are aggressive. And they play more football than people give them credit for.

    “So I think they will be the exact same this season. It’s been successful for them.

    “We have to match that enthusiasm and endeavour and physicality before we can start trying to play football.”

  • Women

    SWPL1 returns on Sunday with Spartans visit

    SWPL1 returns on Sunday with Spartans visit

    Motherwell return to SWPL1 action on Sunday after the summer break, with Spartans the visitors to Ravenscraig.

    With 11 games played so far in 2019, Donald Jennow’s side sit six in the eight-team table so far and have the chance to overtake Sunday’s opponents with a win.

    Tale of the tape

    Motherwell have won three, drawn two and lost six so far in the league 2019, scoring 15 and conceding 31 in the process.

    Two defeats came just before the break, with title-chasing Hibernian running out comfortable winners before a tight 2-1 defeat to Celtic in the final match.

    The women of steel have taken six points from a possible 18 so far at home, having defeated Stirling University and Forfar Farmington.

    Spartans sit two points further ahead in the SWPL1 table, and arrested a run of four straight defeats when they ended the first half of the campaign with a 4-0 home win over Stirling University.

    Of their five away league matches so far, they’ve won two and lost three.

    Head to head

    It’s the second league encounter between the two sides this season on Sunday, with Motherwell having lost 3-1 away from home in March.

    The two teams have also already met on cup business already in 2019. Spartans were convincing winners on that occasion, racking up five goals without reply at Ravenscraig.

    Manager positive going into second half

    “There have been changes to the squad over the summer, mainly with a view to bolstering our squad depth,” head coach Donald Jennow said going into the game.

    “It’s been a long break, but we are all positive and ready to return to action against an opponent we know we can stand up better against.”

    Watch the match

    Ravenscraig’s indoor facility is the venue for Sunday’s match, which kicks off at 2.30pm.