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At just 19 years of age, Zak Jules looks destined to go on to big things in the game.

Standing at 6ft 3in and developing as a teenager under the guidance of Jaap Stam at Reading – Zak has already racked up 12 appearances for the Scottish national team at different age groups.

But for the young central defender, his spell so far in Lanarkshire has been integral to developing his experience as a player.

“I’ve settled in really well,” the teen admitted. “The players, coaching staff and everyone around the club have been really welcoming which has made it easier for me to get my head down and focus on what’s important – football matches.

[pullquote]The players, coaching staff and everyone around the club have been really welcoming which has made it easier for me to get my head down and focus on what’s important – football matches.[/pullquote]

“I feel this spell here at Motherwell is what I’ve needed to improve myself as a player.”

He added: “One thing that young players don’t have is experience and luckily enough for me I’ve come up here to get that.”

Ahead of Saturday’s crucial encounter with St Johnstone, Zak looked back on what he admitted was a hard loss to take against Aberdeen on Saturday.

He said: “You’ve got to take the positives from the game – we had a game plan and we stuck to it really well, we made it very hard for Aberdeen.

“But against a good side like Aberdeen if you give them an inch they’ll punish you and unfortunately we gave them a little bit too much room in the last two minutes of the game.”

He added: “That makes it hurt a lot more than the 7-2 defeat when you’ve gone a whole 90 minutes without conceding a goal.

“But looking forward, as long as we stick to our game plan I think results will come.”

Returning to Fir Park after consecutive trips on the road, the Reading loanee touched on the significance of bouncing back to winning ways this weekend.

[pullquote]It’s very important on Saturday. We need to start getting those points on the board and climb up the table to get as far away from the bottom two as much as possible.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s very important on Saturday. We need to start getting those points on the board and climb up the table to get as far away from the bottom two as much as possible.

“I feel our squad is strong enough to do so and I believe in the teammates that I have, as well as believe in myself, to do just that.

“We’ve got to take each game as it comes and hopefully we’ll find ourselves picking up more points than we’ll be dropping.”

Don’t miss Zak’s full interview in the 16th issue of ‘Steelmen’ – Motherwell FC’s official matchday programme – available for £3 this weekend.

Voting has opened for Motherwell’s Player of the Month for February – sponsored by Motorpoint.

Every month, ‘Well fans have the opportunity to cast their vote for who they think has put in the best performances.

February was packed full of tough encounters for the Steelmen, who took on Hearts, Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee; who did enough to get your vote?

Thanks to club sponsors Motorpoint, the decision is up to the fans, so cast your vote now.

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The next home fixture of the campaign pits the Steelmen against St Johnstone in the Ladbrokes Premiership, and don’t miss out on the chance to experience our matchday hospitality.

There is now limited availability for the vastly popular packages, tailored to suit all budgets and needs.

Choose from our Centenary Suite, Millennium Suite and South Stand Boxes – where you can have a celebration in a box or a day out with friends with our new reduced packages.

[pullquote]It’s a fantastic way to experience a match here at Fir Park, and we look forward to what will be a big day on and off the pitch.[/pullquote]

Head of Commercial and Marketing Suzanne Reid said: “With the St Johnstone game just over a week away, now is the time to secure one of our hospitality packages, which are already selling out fast.

“It’s a fantastic way to experience a match here at Fir Park, and we look forward to what will be a big day on and off the pitch.”

There is also Match Sponsorship options available, but be quick, with all the hospitality packages selling out fast.

For more information, please contact hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk or phone 01698 33 33 33.

A top Motherwell fan is set to attend this weekend’s Premiership clash against St Johnstone as a mascot.

And for nine year-old Zak MacFarlane, who turns ten on March 27, the upcoming match is extra-special after a tough spell over Christmas for him and his family.

Zak spent the festive period in Wishaw General Children’s Ward suffering from pneumonia.

But the spirited youngster was given a boost when he got the chance to meet a group of Motherwell stars.

Kitted in his beloved ‘Well top, Zak requested to be rushed through his x-ray’s so he didn’t miss out on meeting Chris Cadden, Louis Moult, Keith Lasley, Stevie Hammell, Richard Tait and Lionel Ainsworth.

And Zak’s proud mum Ailsa expressed just how excited her son is for the weekend.

[pullquote]He’s been asking me ‘I wonder what it’ll feel like walking out the tunnel and walking on to the pitch?’ and he’s been counting down the days.[/pullquote]

She said: “He absolutely loved it when the players visited the hospital, it was all he talked about and it was a really nice day.

“He was suffering from pneumonia but he has epilepsy as well so that means there’s spells which are not so good for his health.”

She added: “We’re all ecstatic for him, he’s so excited and this is giving him something to look forward to.

“He’s been asking me ‘I wonder what it’ll feel like walking out the tunnel and walking on to the pitch?’ and he’s been counting down the days.”

Marketing and Fan Engagement manager Ryan Murrant said: “This is exactly what the club is about. We’re a community driven club that can help create magic moments like this.”

He added: “We’re all so glad to hear that Zak is doing better and we’re delighted to have him come to the club for the game.

“He rushed the doctors to speed through his x-ray so he couldn’t miss out seeing the players, and on Saturday he gets an even better experience.”

Motherwell under 20s face Partick Thistle tomorrow evening in the Development League – looking to bounce back to winning ways.

The youngsters slumped to a 1-0 loss away to Ross County last week and face the Jags at the Excelsior Stadium tomorrow, hopeful of bouncing back from the disappointment last Tuesday.

It is the third encounter between the two sides this term, after a narrow 2-1 league win and a dramatic 4-3 Scottish FA Youth Cup victory back in January.

Among the options available for Stephen Craigan are Allan Campbell and Shea Gordon – who were on the bench for the first teams trip to Pittodrie at the weekend.

The game, which kicks off at 6pm, is the under 20s 26th league game of the season.

You can follow all the action live on twitter @MotherwellFC as well as catch the match highlights and post match reaction on MFC TV’s YouTube channel.

On Tuesday, April 4th, CreditFix are going to bring a team of specialist advisors to Fir Park for a free debt advice day that’s available to all.

The purpose of this event is to provide the opportunity for the local community to speak with an advisor about debt and financial issues in a private setting.

Anyone who attends this event is automatically entered into a draw to win hospitality for the Lanarkshire Derby on April 5^th, courtesy of Creditfix.

This prize includes a 3-course meal served for you and a friend, a complimentary bar pre and post-match and half-time refreshments.

[pullquote]Our debt advice day will present people in and around the Motherwell area with the perfect opportunity to speak about their debts in a private and confidential setting.[/pullquote]

Creditfix Marketing Director Andy Taylor said: “We have chosen to host our first debt advice day in Motherwell as our stats show that in every 10,000 people living in the area, 33.4 are seeking help from Creditfix.

“An increase in the number of people seeking help shouldn’t instantly be considered a negative thing, it could reflect how many people are willing to open up and talk about their personal finance issues.

He added: “Tackling problems such as debt head on is always the best course of action, as simply ignoring them can often result in finances spiralling out of control.

“Our debt advice day will present people in and around the Motherwell area with the perfect opportunity to speak about their debts in a private and confidential setting.”

If you need some help with debts, you can arrange an appointment with Creditfix by clicking here: Subscribe

Highlights from Pittodrie as Motherwell lose 1-0 through an injury-time Niall McGinn goal.

Images from today’s 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Pittodrie.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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Caretaker ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson admitted that he could not question the desire of his squad “in any shape or form” as they lost 1-0 away to Aberdeen today.

A hard-fought performance from the Steelmen was undone by a 92nd minute winner from Niall McGinn, leaving the Northern Irishman deflated at full time.

Speaking to MFC TV, Robinson confirmed his disappointment with the result but made sure to praise the performance of his side.

He said: “The result is bitterly disappointing and in terms of the energy and desire the boys gave me and the football club today I can’t question that in any shape or form.

[pullquote]The result is bitterly disappointing and in terms of the energy and desire the boys gave me and the football club today I can’t question that in any shape or form.[/pullquote]

“We’ve had to make an enforced change with Hammy coming off and it leaves us a little bit short at the back and we get punished for it, but we have to deal with it, I can’t ask for any more.”

He added: “They’ve shown that they want to play for Motherwell, they’ve run themselves in to the ground and they’re in the dressing room just now shattered.

“Now we have to pick them up and that’s the standard they have to set for every single game.”

You can watch Robinson’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s YouTube channel.

[tab:Match report]

A stoppage-time strike from Niall McGinn denied Motherwell a hard-earned point away to Aberdeen today as they lost 1-0 in the Ladbrokes Premiership. 

The Steelmen looked set to hold on to a goalless draw on an afternoon when Craig Samson and the ‘Well defence put in spirited performances for over 90 minutes.

However, in the second minute of injury time, McGinn stroked home a Jonny Hayes cutback to send the Dons nine points clear of third placed Rangers.

Stephen Robinson took charge of his second game as caretaker ‘Well boss and made three changes to the side which secured victory over Kilmarnock last weekend.

Two of those alterations were forced upon the Northern Irishman, who brought in Ryan Bowman and David Ferguson for the suspended Louis Moult and the injured Richard Tait. Skipper Keith Lasley was dropped to the bench and was replaced by Craig Clay.

Aberdeen were forced in to changes as well, with Peter Pawlett and Andrew Considine swapped for Anthony O’Connor and Ryan Jack, as Derek McInnes reshuffled from his favoured 4-2-3-1.

Neither side really threatened the opposing goalkeeper in the opening exchanges, but in the eighth minute, top goalscorer Adam Rooney got on the end of a dangerous Kenny McLean cross – but the Dons number nine watched on as his powerful header flew narrowly over the bar.

It took more than twenty minutes for the Steelmen to have a real pop at goal, and it came from a throw in deep in Aberdeen territory. Scott McDonald offered Stevie Hammell the option and, letting the ball run across his body, unleashed a right footed strike towards goal on the spin, but it soared over the bar.

Ben Heneghan, strapped with a head bandage after an earlier collision, went closer just minutes later, but his towering header hit the side netting following a freekick.

Craig Samson pulled off a stunning save to deny Rooney just before the half hour mark, as the Irishman turned a deflected cross goalward and over the ‘Well keeper, who somehow managed to get finger tips to turn it narrowly over the bar.

He was called upon again just before half time, and it was an equally impressive save from Motherwell’s number one. Cutting in on to his right foot, McGinn fired a powerful effort towards the top corner, but was stunned to see Samson get his hand to it to palm it away from goal.

The second half got off to a quiet start, with Ryan Jack’s header from inside the area, which flashed passed Samson’s post in the 60^th minute, the first major opportunity of the second 45.

Bowman was forced the exit the action shortly after the hour mark, with Jacob Blyth entering the fray for his first appearance since the 2-1 league loss to Rangers at Ibrox.

Graeme Shinnie missed a glorious opportunity to give the hosts the lead when he latched on to a deep cross but turned it over the bar from close range.

The game really came to life just before 70 minutes, when Hammell’s corner was nodded on at the near post but was cleared from the goalmouth, setting Aberdeen on a fast paced dangerous break. McGinn threaded a ball through for the run of Hayes, only for Samson to burst off his line and stab it away on the stretch from the onrushing midfielder.

Aberdeen made a change – withdrawing Rooney and replacing him with on loan Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie just moments before Robinson made his second substitution of the afternoon – introducing Elliott Frear in place of Hammell.

Samson pulled off two saves in relatively quick succession when he turned away McGinn’s curling effort and then McLean’s low drive less than a minute later, but it was the 92nd minute of play when the stopper saw his clean sheet slip away.

Hayes, who had been relatively quiet, popped up with the ball down the left flank and cut the ball back for McGinn. The Reds number ten stepped on to it and struck what was a bit of a mishit towards Samson’s far post to snatch all three points for McInnes’ side.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Pittodrie

FT: Aberdeen 1 – 0 Motherwell

90′ + 2 | 1-0
Goal – McGinn gets on the end of Hayes’ low cross and pokes it into the net.

5 minutes added on.

90′ | 0-0
Cadden booked for holding to the ball. A dubious one as he looked then went down surrounded by three Aberdeen players.

86′ | 0-0
Pause in play as Stockley and Ferguson receive treatment following a headknock.

83′ | 0-0
Aberdeen sub, O’Connor off for Storey

82′ | 0-0
Stockley booked for a wild tackle on Jules.

77′ | 0-0
Another good save by Samson! Dives low to his left to beat away McGinn’s curler.

76′ | 0-0
Motherwell sub, Frear on for Hammell.

75′ | 0-0
Ferguson booked. A frustrating one as he was taking a throw-in but there were options. Ref says timewasting.

73′ | 0-0
Aberdeen sub, Rooney off for Christie.

72′ | 0-0
Hammell booked for a late foul on Hayes.

70′ | 0-0
Cadden wins a corner on the Motherwell right…..Aberdeen counter and it’s Samson to the rescue, sliding away from Hayes’ feet!

69′ | 0-0
Pearson booked for pulling down Hayes as he broke away from him.

66′ | 0-0
Great chance for Shinnie as he latches onto a deep ball into the box but he volleys well over the bar from close range.

…Motherwell sub, Blyth on for Bowman.

63′ | 0-0
Corner to Motherwell as play pauses so Ryan Bowman can get some treatment.

60′ | 0-0
Ball comes in from the left and thankfully Jack’s header flashes inches past the post.

Pearson gets the second 45 underway. COYW!!!

HT: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Motherwell #AFCvMFC

41′ | 0-0
Superb stop by Samson diving high to palm McGinn’s powerful effort over the bar.

…floated in by Hammell, headed goalwards by Jules but gathered by Lewis.

36′ | 0-0
Cadden does well and draws a foul about 25 yards out….

33′ | 0-0
Routine save for Samson there, denying McGinn whose 25 yard shot never looked like going in.

31′ | 0-0
Booking for Bowman. Bit of a nothing foul well inside the Aberdeen half but ref thinks otherwise and produces the yellow.

29′ | 0-0
Great save from Samson as Stockley’s driven shots deflects off the Irishman and is heading in but for the stretching hand of Sammy

22′ | 0-0
McHugh clips in a deep free-kick which finds the head of Heneghan but he heads into the side-netting. Close!

20′ | 0-0
Hammell with the throw-in to McDonald who drops the shoulder and volleys goalwards but it’s over the bar.

17′ | 0-0
Rooney intercepts and breaks away, taking on the shot with maybe better options. Drags it wide of the post.

13′ | 0-0
Heneghan has a blood injury, gets treated and comes back on but is then booked. Presumably ref hadn’t waved to let him on…..

9′ | 0-0
McDonald gets in behind but his cutback is knocked out for a corner. Set-play amounts to nothing.

8′ | 0-0
McLean turns his man and whips in a good ball to Rooney who heads powerfully over the bar.

2′ | 0-0
Hayes gets past Ferguson and on the cover, Cadden concedes a free-kick wide on the right…Samson punches clear.

Aberdeen get the game underway. COYW!!!!!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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