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Motherwell have secured the signing of Irish defender Shane Blaney.

The 23-year-old joins from SSE Airtricity League Premier Division side Sligo Rovers, penning a two-and-a-half year contract.

Blaney will be a familiar name to Motherwell fans, scoring a spectacular opener at the Showgrounds as the Bit O’ Red saw off the Steelmen in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.

“Shane is someone who we have watched closely since that European tie where I felt he played very well in both legs,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“He has had an impressive season with Sligo and we think he can continue that upward trajectory with us at Fir Park. He will give us additional competition in defensive areas and will push the likes of Lamie, Solholm and Mugabi for a start.”

Blaney started his career with Finn Harps, making his debut in 2017, before moving across the water to sign for then EFL League 1 side Doncaster Rovers in January 2018.

The teenager couldn’t break into the Donny side, but did enjoy several development loans at Tamworth, Grantham Town and Blyth Spartans.

He returned back to Ireland in 2021, signing for Sligo where he has been a first-team regular since.

“This is a really exciting move for me,” Blaney added.

“I’ve loved my time at Sligo and want to continue to improve and add to my game here at Motherwell.

“There is a lot of really talented players in this squad already and I can’t wait to get going.”

Blaney will wear the number 20 this season and will not be able to feature in any matchday squads until January 1 2023.

“We were really prepared for this game. 

“But safety has to come first.”

Motherwell’s cinch Premiership match with St Mirren has been cancelled due to extensive stadium damage and flooding caused by recent cold weather.

With temperatures dipping to as low as -12 at Fir Park in recent days, three of the four stands have been without running water or heating in the spectator areas, with even toilets completely frozen.

Whilst most of the pipework remains frozen, many of those that have started to thaw have burst, leading to extensive flooding damage that would be impossible to fix and make safe, particularly with weather warnings for more freezing overnight temperatures, ahead of tomorrow’s match.

With that in mind, the club has notified the SPFL of our concerns and the match has been cancelled on stadium safety grounds.

Chief Executive Alan Burrows, “It is extremely frustrating for everyone involved to have this off, particularly with a sold out hospitality and a big crowd expected in both the home and away stands.

“The staff at the club have been working hard with contractors all week to try and get ahead of this issue. However, the damage that we’ve sustained, and will take when it thaws further, is extensive and it will take us some time to fix and clean up ahead of next weekend’s match against Kilmarnock.

“We would like to apologise to any supporter who is inconvenienced by this announcement.”

A date for the re-arranged match will be notified in due course. Fans who have bought tickets, but are unable to make the re-arranged match, will be reimbursed.

It’s his second season in the claret and amber and English midfielder Callum Slattery is continuing to control the heart of pitch with his progressive, forward thinking approach to the game.

Completing an impressive first season last term, the 23-year-old is developing into a fine, young, dynamic midfielder who has the vision capable of defence splitting passes, taking on opponents and even chipping in with a few goals himself.

With two goals and an assist already this season, he is on track for another successful campaign.

Motherwell take on title chasers Celtic in SWPL on Sunday at the Excelsior Stadium. 

Kick-off is 12:30pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the match are able to be purchased online.

Adult tickets cost £8, while under 16s go free. Proof of age may be required.

The deal is free entry for up to two under 16s with every adult ticket purchased.

Story of the match

Celtic currently occupy third in the table, three points off leaders Glasgow City.

The Hoops thumped Dundee United 7-0 previously after a 0-0 draw with rivals Rangers.

Motherwell come into this game unbeaten in their last three league matches.

They were held to a 1-1 draw by Partick Thistle in their last match, with defender Chelsie Watson’s second half strike giving Motherwell the lead before it was cancelled out by a Partick Thistle equaliser with 10 minutes to go.

We return to action after the World Cup break when St Mirren visit Fir Park on Saturday 17 December.

Kick off is 3pm

Tickets

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility

Away supporters can purchase tickets in the Tommy McLean stand from 2pm from the ticket booth up until kick-off (cash and card available)

Ticket office opening times
Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9-4pm, matchday 11am – kick-off.

Important Information

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under.
– Family tickets would be one adult / senior citizen concession and x2 juveniles.

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The Story of the Match

Both sides return to action in the first meeting between the two since July.

At the time, Steven Hammell was caretaker manager and saw his side overcome Stephen Robinson’s men 0-1, courtesy of a Kevin van Veen penalty.

The Buddies’ visit to Fir Park is their seventh away game of the season and they have only won one of them.

On the slip side, this will be Motherwell’s eighth home league game and they have only won one of those With four points between the teams, a tight game looks to be in store.

Match Officials

• Referee: John Beaton
• AR1: Alastair Mather
• AR2: Gordon Crawford
• Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
• VAR: Euan Anderson
• AVAR: Andrew McWilliam

Motherwell took on Spurs in London as they stepped up their preparations ahead of their cinch Premiership return in eight days time. 

The hosts ran out 4-0 winners with goals coming from Dejan Kulusevski, Bryan Gil and a brace from Matt Doherty.

Steven Hammell named a strong starting eleven however made life difficult for themselves and found themselves one down after just three minutes.

A stray back pass from Stephen O’Donnell found Kulusevski who made no mistake and finished past Liam Kelly.

Connor Shields was unfortunate not to level the game when the Tottenham goalkeeper Brandon Austin saw his clearance blocked by the forward and the ball ricochet inches wide of the post.

Four minutes later however, it was 2-0. A move from back to front from Spurs ended with Docherty in space at the back post, he cut inside onto his right foot and finished past Liam Kelly.

Our skipper was called into action moments later when Gil’s effort was well saved by our number one.

It was a third for the hosts just before half time, when Gil had a tap in after good work from Kulusevski.

During the second period, Hammell made changes throughout the half which saw plenty Motherwell youth players get game time.

Despite pushing for a goal themselves, Docherty got his second of the game from a corner on 71 minutes to make it 4-0.

Sean Goss went close from a deflected free kick which went narrowly wide for a corner.

Ross Tierney was next to try his luck after good work from winger Josh Morris, who set the Irishman up but he couldn’t find the back of the net from inside the box.

Tottenham Hotspur- Austin (Whiteman 58), Tanganga (Dorrington 75), Sanchez (Fagan-Walcott 75), Sayers (Mundle 75), Spence (Paskotsi 75), Bissouma (John 75), Skipp (Devine 75), Doherty, Kulusevski (Lankshear 75), White (Donley 75), Bryan (Santiago 75). Substitutes (not used): Robson.

Motherwell- Kelly (c) (Oxborough 46), O’Donnell (Johnston 58), Lamie, Solholm (Maguire 24), Penney (Wilson 58), Slattery (Speirs 58), Goss (Miller 58), Spittal (Cornelius 58), Van Veen (Morris 58), McKinstry (Tierney 58), Shields (Ross 58). Substitutes (not used): Connelly.

“It was a top team we were playing against but we wanted it to be more than that.

“There is stuff we need to get better at but there was plenty of good things on show.”

With the cinch Premiership at a mid-season halt due to the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar, manager Steven Hammell has had time to reflect on the season thus far.

Starting from when he was asked to take interim charge of the first team, Hammell talks us through his thoughts of each game.

Analysing his team’s performance, refereeing controversy, the introduction of VAR and the plan for after the break, Hammell covers it all from start to finish.

Motherwell are in Friday night SWPL action as they take on Partick Thistle on Friday 9 December at K-Park. 

Kick-off is 8pm.

How to follow the match

Tickets for the game cost £8 for adults, with kids and concession tickets costing £3.

Card and cash are accepted on the turnstiles. Tickets are not available online.

Story of the match

Motherwell come into this game off the back of back-to-back wins.

A strong showing in the Lanarkshire derby seen the women of steel come away 3-1 victors, after defeating Aberdeen 4-1 the week prior.

Partick Thistle have two wins out of three, with their last game ending in a 4-1 defeat to Glasgow City.

It hasn’t been long since Motherwell and Thistle faced off, with The Jags coming away with a victory at the start of November.