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Mark McGhee is fully expecting a tough match against Hearts at the weekend.

But the ‘Well boss insists that the Steelmen must relish the challenge as they travel to face one of the top sides in the division.

Speaking to the press this morning, the manager said: “I think Hearts are firmly established as a top four side so when you come up against one of the top teams you obviously expect a game, especially at Tynecastle.”

He added: “The thing I would say is that I think it’s one of the best places to play, away from Celtic and Rangers, it was probably the place I enjoyed the most as a player.

“I have good memories of playing there, there’s always fantastic crowds, they’re a well supported side and their crowd is as good as any.”

[pullquote]I think it’s one of the best places to play, away from Celtic and Rangers, it was probably the place I enjoyed the most as a player.[/pullquote]

For a number of the young players in the ‘Well side, this marks the first trip to face the Jambos on their own patch, and for those who made the trip last time, McGhee admitted the previous result is nothing to go by.

He said: “Of course some of our boys haven’t been there like the younger boys and the ones that have come up from down South in the summer, so they’ve got that to look forward to.

“The last time we went to Tynecastle we had players injured and players missing, so I don’t even take it in to account to be honest.”

He added: “We’ve beat them since then so that’s more significant in terms of previous results, but I don’t consider that either – it’s all about Saturday and the head-to-head then.

[pullquote]It’s not a place we should have any fears of going, we should go there and really relish the challenge of hopefully starting on some sort of run.[/pullquote]

“It’s not a place we should have any fears of going, we should go there and really relish the challenge of hopefully starting on some sort of run.”

Against Partick at the weekend, McGhee brought youngsters David Ferguson and Jack McMillan in to the starting line-up and the duo impressed.

And when asked about the development of young players at the club, the ‘Well boss said: “I challenge any club in the top division in Scotland to show that they are playing more young players coming through their academy than we are.

“We are putting our money where our mouth is, we are putting players in the team.”

The Motherwell Community trust is stepping up its unique programme for people living with dementia and their families and carers.

Using football as a stimulus to trigger memories and spark conversation, the Memory Well Reminiscence programme is an innovative support initiative, supported by the Football Memories League and funded by the Bank of Scotland Foundation.

And since the launch of the programme, the Community Trust has already registered 12 staff members and 40 school pupils as dementia friends – allowing them to know and learn more about the disorder.

Partnering up with Alzheimer Scotland allowed the trust to deliver Dementia Friends training for staff and volunteers as well as the 40 sixth year pupils from Our Ladies High School in Motherwell – who will take on the role of buddies to those living with dementia.

They will be able to engage in conversation about like-minded subjects, allowing them to discuss past events and memories and pupils will create memory books as documentation of the project.

The training lasted for one hour and was delivered by Beau Nieuwenhuijs, who is part of the dementia friendly communities team at Alzheimer Scotland.

Beau said: “It was great to see such a large number of pupils interested in a project like this and being part of the dementia friendly community in Motherwell.”

Pupils described the training as “influential”, “engaging”, “encouraging”, “interesting” and “informative”.

Memory Well co-ordinator Carly Slamin said: “The Community Trust are really happy to be working with Our Ladies High School and creating a project that will benefit so many people in so many ways.”

For more information, get in touch with Carly at carly.slamin@motherwellfc.co.uk

As the winter freeze draws in, don’t miss your chance to grab yourself a limited edition scarf commemorating the clubs historic 1991 Scottish Cup win.

And if you order today, the piece of history can be yours in time for Christmas.

Having already sold out, the next batch will be quick to go so make sure you don’t miss out.

A fantastic gift for people of all ages, he 25^th anniversary scarves mark one of the most iconic moments of the clubs recent history.

They are 100% lambs wool and are fantastic quality, priced at £25.

When you pre-order, we will be issued with a voucher that can be redeemed from the ‘Well Shop.

Please contact the club directly on 01698 333333 or you can buy online from motherwellbuyonline.co.uk

The referee for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Hearts at Tynecastle is Bobby Madden.

The match will be Bobby’s first in charge of the Steelmen this campaign – after the 38-year-old took charge on five occasions last term.

The first was the second game of the season and the first at Fir Park which ended in a disappointing 2-0 loss to Dundee United.

The official then took charge of a further four matches in the 2015/16 season – all away from home.

The second match Madden oversaw was a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock, when a late strike from Louis Moult secured all three points for the Fir Parkers.

The ‘Well met Madden next at Celtic Park, on a memorable day for Mark McGhee’s men. Nir Bitton gave Celtic the lead before Moult equalised and then fired Motherwell in to the lead from the penalty spot.

The Enlgish striker enjoys scoring when Madden is in charge, as he bagged another goal the next time the Scot was in charge. His strike away to St Johnstone wasn’t enough for the Steelmen though, as the hosts won 2-1.

The last time Madden officiated a ‘Well match though ended with a disappointing 4-1 loss against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads six wins; eleven defeats and one draw from eighteen games. The Fir Parkers have netted 25 times, and conceded 36. In those eighteen games, he has booked 48 players, 23 of those cautions flashed at players wearing Claret and Amber.

Three players have been sent for an early shower, Anthony Stokes for a lunging tackle on Keith Lasley at Celtic Park last season, Stuart Carswell – who came off the bench against Partick and picked up two yellows – and Keith Lasley in the last match Madden was in charge for, after the skipper picked up a late red card for a late challenge on Kenny McLean.

Bobby will be ably assisted by Alastair Mather and Stuart Stevenson with Crawford Allan on fourth official duties.

Dylan Mackin has a knack of scoring goals. This season, the centre-forward has bagged eight goals in eleven matches, including a brilliant hat-trick against Dunfermline Athletic.

At 19 years of age, the target man is strong, a threat in the air and has a great touch with the ball at his feet too.

His ability to find the back of the net isn’t limited to the penalty box, with the young Scot capable of the spectacular, as can be seen with his long range efforts against Edinburgh City in the Irn-Bru cup and Dunfermline in the Development League.

And manager Stephen Craigan knows that his centre-forward is capable of scoring bags of goals, but knows his link-up play will develop with experience.

Speaking to MFC TV, the U20s coach said: “Dylan is capable of a hat-trick like that and I’ve said to him before that I want his link-up play to improve.

“There’s been times in the past when he hasn’t had a great work-rate or hasn’t worked too hard, but I must stress that was in the past.”

He added: “He’s covering good distances, he’s covering good sprint distances on the GPS and he’s holding the ball up, so there’s lots of positives and he’s been playing brilliant stuff recently.”

With the recent call-up of Ross MacLean, Jack McMillan and Jake Hastie to the first team, the 6ft 2 forward can feel slightly unfortunate that he hasn’t had the chance to shine in Mark McGhee’s squad, but he knows it’s about opportunities arising.

He said: “Obviously things like injury or suspension to first-team players allows the U20s to get a chance in the first-team.

“There’s so many good forwards in the first team like Louis Moult, Scott McDonald and then the recent new signings Jacob Blyth and Ryan Bowman, so I understand that it’s about biding my time and waiting for my chance.”

He added: “I’m really enjoying my football at the moment and I just hope I can continue scoring goals.”

Chris Cadden was presented his Motorpoint Player of the Month award by Catherine and Jamie Watt on Saturday. 

The two ‘Well fans were the lucky winners to present the star with his trophy in front of the crowd at Fir Park ahead of kick off against Partick Thistle on Saturday.

And that chance could be yours ahead of the Celtic clash on December 3, as the player of the month for November will be selected and awarded.

For your chance to win, follow us on twitter @motherwellfc and keep an eye out on the competition opening after the Steelmen’s clash with Hearts this weekend.

Motherwell FC is working with Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire to raise awareness of one of the biggest killers of men in the community.

And tomorrow night marks the start of the Suicide Prevention Awareness Training at Fir Park for those in the area to learn more about the issue.

Lynne Cruickshank, who is running the course which starts at 6:30pm, is urging anyone to attend.

She said: “We are asking the fans to come in and do the same training that the players went through on 22nd November to make sure that they are aware and so they know that their club is very much suicide aware as well.”

[pullquote]We are asking the fans to come in and do the same training that the players went through on 22nd November to make sure that they are aware and so they know that their club is very much suicide aware as well.”[/pullquote]

First team and youth players sat in on the course last month, highlighting the issues people face on a daily basis and what the club can do to help tackle the problem.

Craig Samson believes that anything the club and players can do to help is a huge step forward and admits that tomorrow night would be beneficial course for those who attend.

The ‘keeper said: “Suicide is something that has touched me and my family and all you can say is that there is people you can talk to, there’s people there that will talk to you.

“Don’t ever feel as if you are alone and people are judging you. You can always speak to somebody, whether it’s in your family or outwith, there will always be someone there to help you out.”

He added: “I think that’s an important message to the people that are listening as well, you can’t just dismiss it if someone does come to you. Hopefully you can help them but if not you can pass it on to people who will know what they’re talking about.”

To register your attendance, please call 0800 073 0918 or go online by CLICKING HERE

If you need support right now, call the Samaritans on 116123 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87.

Highlights from Fir Park as first half goals from Louis Moult and Scott McDonald give the Steelmen all three points.

Images from today’s 2-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”thistle191116″]

‘Well boss Mark McGhee was pleased to see his side pick up a clean sheet as they overcame Partick Thistle 2-0 at Fir Park this afternoon.

Goals from strike partners Louis Moult and Scott McDonald in the first-half proved to be enough to seal the three points, but the manager made sure to touch on the job of his defence as the Steelmen bounced back to winning ways and surged in to the top six.

Speaking to MFC TV at full-time, the manager said: “The clean sheet was important because I think it’s about time we started keeping clean sheets. Craig Samson in particular deserves it because he’s been playing well all season but he hasn’t had the reward of those clean sheets, which goalkeepers crave.”

He added: “Keeping the clean-sheet gave us the platform to win the game so that was a great aspect of it and as good as the two goals.”

But the manager made sure to express his delight with the goals too as Louis Moult and Scott McDonald combined terrifically going forward.

McGhee said: “Their work rate was tremendous, I asked them before the game to work as a pair, to play together and not to play separate, to play on the same side of the park and be close to each other – and they did they played around each other and gave them problems all day long.”

He added: “Scotty held it up, Louis held it up – Moulty won every header and Scotty was turning his back and getting it wide.”

Thistle made three changes throughout the second period and Motherwell, playing in a changed shape, dealt with everything the visitors threw at them.

McGhee said: “I changed the shape because of Thistle, because they’ve been beating people and doing really well playing in their 3-5-2 and I saw them against Ross County where they should’ve won I think, and I thought they’d give us problems if we just played a standard 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 and they had an extra man in the midfield.”

He added: “So we matched them up and I asked the players to make sure they worked harder than them and I thought they did – they never gave them a minute or a yard of space anywhere on the pitch. Every single one of the boys worked hard to stop them and I was delighted with the performance.”