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On a week for disguises, Motherwell were unrecognisable from the team that lost to Inverness CT just days before overcoming Ross County 4-1 earlier this season.

Two goals in each half and a couple of efforts off the cross bar earned ‘Well an emphatic victory over strugglers Ross County, who found themselves near the foot of the table before the match back in October.

And after the let down in midweek, the experienced players responded brilliantly. Scott McDonald and a rejuvenated Lionel Ainsworth were rewarded with a goal each, along with a first for the hard working Richard Tait. County full back Kenny Van Der Weg, who will have recurring nightmares of Chris Cadden powering past him, also had the misfortune of claiming an own goal.

Facing their second Highland visitors in four days Mark McGhee made three changes from the midweek defeat to Inverness. McDonald returned to partner Louis Moult with Ainsworth, in his first start since August, aiming to support the front two and claim a permanent place in the team.

Keith Lasley’s broken toe meant a league debut for Lee Lucas who had to wait patiently for a starting place after being injured in the cup tie at Annan in July. However, his partnership with Craig Clay in the middle of the park was impressive.

Following the disappointing performance and lack of fire power in midweek Motherwell set out to test a County side with the poorest goal difference in the league.

And it took Motherwell only seven minutes to breach the leaky Staggies defence.

Chris Cadden, who had the measure of Kenny Van Der Weg throughout the game, burst past the County fullback only to be tripped 10 yards from the goal-line. Ainsworth’s measured free kick was perfect for the unmarked McDonald to stoop and nod the ball home for his 3^rd of the season.

Suddenly ‘Well’s passing was crisp and accurate as the visitors were left chasing the ball and the game.

Van Der Weg was still chasing Cadden and another burst from the ‘Well midfielder took him to the opposition box. His pass found Moult who laid the ball off for McDonald but he dragged his shot agonisingly beyond the post from 10 yards.

There was no respite for the over worked Dingwall defence and after stretching to reach Ainsworth’s cross, Moult’s touch carried the ball just over the bar.

Scott McDonald was next for a strike at goal, turning at the corner of the penalty box before driving the ball over the bar.

A second goal was overdue and it arrived on the half hour mark. McDonald fed in Moult and he cleverly worked his way along the goal line before cutting the ball back for the waiting Cadden only for Van Der Weg’s touch to deflect the ball over his own goal line.

Local lad Ian McShane gave notice that County weren’t out of it with a 20-yard drive that skimmed narrowly past with Craig Samson at full stretch.

The visitors were soon on the back foot again and Van Der Weg’s first half got worse when he was cautioned after yet again tripping Cadden.

On the stroke of half-time and with County gaining in possession around the home box, Ben Heneghan’s brave and timely block prevented Michael Gardyne’s shot hitting the target.

Jim McIntyre’s thoughts that his team might stage a second half fightback were erased seven minutes after the restart.

Richard Tait’s trademark race down the right carried him into the box but rather than cutting the ball back the full back elected to unleash a thumping drive which Scott Fox could only parry inside his left hand post.

It was then a question of whether Motherwell had an appetite for more goals and Ainsworth proved he was in the mood two minutes later with an audacious free kick from fully 35 yards, casually curling the ball off the top of the cross bar.

The ‘Well wide man was not to be denied though, and after 63 minutes claimed the goal his performance earned. McDonald did well to hold off former teammate Paul Quinn before slipping the ball inside. With Fox advancing from his goal Ainsworth sped past the ‘keeper before calmly stroking the ball over the goal line.

Two minutes later Ainsworth came within inches of adding another, volleying Cadden’s cutback across the face of the goal and just beyond the far post.

Craig Samson then produced his first save of the game rising to his right to push Alex Shalk’s stinging drive away from his goal.

The Fir Park men looked the more likely to add to the scoring add after carrying the ball from his own half Ainsworth’s drive from the middle of the box was deflected over the cross bar.

The Staggies continued to chase a goal and were rewarded 13 minutes from time when Schalk whipped a low shot past Samson to make it 4-1.

‘Well hadn’t given up thoughts of making it five and Lee Lucas almost capped an very impressive league debut setting himself up 20 yards from goal before curling a fabulous effort which Fox touched onto his bar.

Minutes later Lucas left the field to the applause of the home fans as 18-year-old Allan Campbell made his first team debut.

And shortly after that, Ainsworth left the park to a similar reception from the jubilant home support.

It was just the response that Motherwell fans would be hoping for, and they were treated to a good afternoon of football too at Fir Park.

The referee for tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium is Steven McLean.

It will be McLean’s fourth match in charge this season, after the goalless draw with Killie at Fir Park, the 1-3 home loss to Hearts and the Rangers League Cup group match in July, when the ‘Well lost 2-0.

The Steelmen will be keen to break the duct of going three matches without a win when McLean has been in the middle this season.

Last season however, McGhee’s men had better luck when Steven took charge of three league fixture at Fir Park, going unbeaten in those matches.

The first of the season arrived in August, when the Steelmen took on Kilmarnock. On that day a first half penalty from Louis Moult sealed a narrow 1-0 victory.

The second was another narrow victory – the 2-1 success against Partick Thistle when an own goal and a Scott McDonald header gave ‘Well all three points.

The final league game for McLean in the 2015/16 season was a 2-2 draw with Hearts in late November, when the Steelmen were twice pegged back to draw despite goals from Moult and Marvin Johnson.

Now one of Scotland’s most recognisable whistlers, ‘Well fans will be familiar with the 35-year old.

His overall record in charge of Motherwell reads fifteen wins, eight defeats and five draws from twenty-eight matches.

In those games, ‘Well have scored 51 and conceded 46. 82 cautions have been dished out, 46 flashed at those wearing Claret and Amber.

Four players have been sent off, two for ‘Well (Fraser Kerr and Keith Lasley in the same match against Killie in February 2013).

McLean will be assisted by Frank Connor and Ralph Gordon; with Gavin Ross on fourth official duties.

New signing Elliott Frear believes he’s up to the challenge of playing in the Premiership after getting a brief taste at the weekend.

After arriving from Forest Green Rovers last week, the winger was introduced to the action at Fir Park on Saturday.

Despite admitting the pace was something he hasn’t experienced yet, the 26-year-old insisted he was up to the challenge.

Speaking to the press this morning, Frear said: “It was a good experience and the pace of the game was a lot different from what I’m used to.

“Hopefully I can get a few weeks of training under my belt because I feel like I’m a little bit behind in terms of sharpness because I haven’t had a game in about three weeks now so I just want to get a few training sessions in me then I’ll be ready to go.”

He added: “I’m ready to step up to the challenge and I just think if I have a few more days of training to get up to speed I’ll be good to go.”

[pullquote]I’m ready to step up to the challenge and I just think if I have a few more days of training to get up to speed I’ll be good to go.[/pullquote]

Louis Moult, Richard Tait and Craig Clay are just a few of the players who have made the jump from the English National League to the top flight of Scottish football, and the Englishman admitted he was encouraged by the success of both current and past stars who have come to Lanarkshire.

Elliott said: “The players that have come up from National League level have gone on to do really well, so that was a big part of the decision I made to come up here.

“I was interested in moving up to Scotland anyway, it seems like a nice place to be and while it’s a bit of a change I’m looking forward to it up here.”

He added: “I played with Louis Moult at England C level and I’ve obviously played against Marvin Johnson when he was at Kidderminster.

“Those players went on to do really well here of course and seeing that was part of the reason I made the decision to come up here.”

The close-knit spirit of the squad is something Elliott has found encouraging so far, and he admits he feels extremely welcome already.

[pullquote]I played with Louis Moult at England C level and I’ve obviously played against Marvin Johnson when he was at Kidderminster. Those players went on to do really well here of course and seeing that was part of the reason I made the decision to come up here.[/pullquote]

He said: “I want to get in with the group and start feeling more comfortable around the lads – the more I do that the better I’ll become I think.

“I nearly joined in the summer so I was always keeping an eye on the results and how the team were getting on. I watched the Aberdeen and Rangers games and I got an idea how the team set up and it was hugely encouraging and something I wanted to be a part of.”

He added: “I lived in Cheltenham when the potential move came about on deadline day in the summer, so it was a bit tough to get up to Glasgow in four hours and obviously Marvin Johnson’s move was a bit touch and go at that stage so it was all a bit too late.

“I’m a little bit different to Marvin – I’m a winger who likes to cross the ball really and I may be a bit of a replacement but I’m a different style.”

Assistant manager James McFadden is happy to have a game so soon after Saturday’s loss against Rangers, and insists the Steelmen must be ready.

Motherwell travel north to face Ross County tomorrow night and ahead of the clash, McFadden admitted it is a positive to get back to action straight away.

Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “We were bitterly disappointed with the outcome of the game on Saturday but we have another game tomorrow and we have to be ready and prepared properly to get it out our system.

“In that sense it’s probably a good thing that the game is so close after the last game.”

The assistant also revealed that the club plan to appeal Scott McDonald’s red card, following the Aussie’s foul on Gers forward Kenny Miller which led to Willie Collum sending the forward for an early shower.

[pullquote]We were bitterly disappointed with the outcome of the game on Saturday but we have another game tomorrow and we have to be ready and prepared properly to get it out our system.[/pullquote]

McFadden said: “We’re going to appeal the decision so Scotty should be available tomorrow. He didn’t go in to harm Kenny Miller, he went in to win the ball and he actually pulled out a wee bit.

“The contact happens so fast because they were so close together that we feel it was undeserved and he shouldn’t have been sent off for it.”

He added: “Scotty is a big player for us, and if we look at the way we started the game on Saturday we started the game well and we had a couple of chances that funnily enough Scott should have taken.

“We feel that the team is better off with him in it but first and foremost we don’t believe it was a red card.”

With the transfer window nearing it’s countdown, McGhee’s number two responded to questions about potential signings before the close of play tomorrow.

[pullquote]It’ll be tough, we know what Ross County are like and they’re similar every week so we know what we’re up against.[/pullquote]

He said: “There could be a couple of signings, we’re still working away on that but obviously we don’t have a decision or answers from the people we’re speaking to at the moment so we’ll just need to see how it goes.”

And on the new boys who arrived last week, McFadden added: “Elliott Frear trained on Friday then came on in a difficult game under difficult circumstances.

Russell and Zak trained yesterday and I got a little bit of a look at them then, they look good so time will tell because it’s difficult to tell so far cause it’s only been a short period of time that we’ve had them.

“We’re not bringing these boys in to carry them along – we’ve brought them in to challenge the boys that are here just now.”

He added: “We’re always looking to improve and if the boys coming in can improve us we’ll definitely play them.”

Looking at tomorrow’s opponents, McFadden said: “It’ll be tough, we know what Ross County are like and they’re similar every week so we know what we’re up against.”

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell lose 0-2 to Rangers with both sides down to ten men.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee believes his side are not far away from hitting their stride and took a number of positives from his sides performance against Rangers this afternoon.

A well-drilled Motherwell side looked set to take advantage of an early Rangers red card, but after McDonald was sent off too, the game was played out between ten men.

Speaking to MFC TV at full-time, McGhee reflected on the match and picked out both positive and negatives from the action at Fir Park.

He said: “When we went to ten men we just didn’t create enough chances, we didn’t get up the park enough in mass and create clear cut chances, so that would be the disappointment to take from it.

“With eleven men each on the park I felt we looked the more likely to score, we made a lot of chances in terms of balls across the face and then we went down to ten men of course.

“We had that advantage there and then the levelling up of numbers made the game even again.”

[pullquote]When we went to ten men we just didn’t create enough chances, we didn’t get up the park enough in mass and create clear cut chances, so that would be the disappointment to take from it.[/pullquote]

He added: “Although they had a lot of possession at times in the second half across the front of us, it was only after they scored really and before they went two in front that they looked a little bit more open.”

Picking out the positives to take in to Tuesday’s trip to Ross County, McGhee said: “There’s a lot of good, there was good spirit, we started the game really well, we passed the ball well enough, we got the ball in wide areas, switched the play, got in behind them and we got balls across the face – we did everything you want apart from get the ball in the back of the net.

“What I’ve said to them is that I don’t think we’re far away – we’ve got a lot going for us that we can take positively in to the up and coming games.”

He added: “Tuesday night can’t come quick enough for me because I think we’ve got the makings of something good.”

With the recent arrivals of Elliott Frear, Russell Griffiths and Zak Jules, the Fir Park boss highlighted to depth he feels he has in his squad.

[pullquote]In terms of squad I think we’re the strongest we’ve been all season so I don’t think we should worry and I think we’ll win more games than we’ll lose if we approach them like that.[/pullquote]

He said: “We have the new boys who have come in, we’ve got boys coming back too like Jacob Blyth and Lee Lucas.

“In terms of squad I think we’re the strongest we’ve been all season so I don’t think we should worry and I think we’ll win more games than we’ll lose if we approach them like that.”

He added: “ We wanted to mix it up a little bit today and with two players on the park like Scotty and Moulty you can do that, when it goes down to one of them it becomes more difficult because their two centre backs are decent so Moulty found things difficult but he works tirelessly and his attitude is just phenomenal.

“In terms of the game up until that stage when we went down to ten, was ok. We were well in the game and I would say we were equally as well in the second half up until the goal and to be honest I felt like it was whoever got the first goal would win the game.”

[tab:Match report]

Two second half goals earned Rangers a 2-0 win over Motherwell this afternoon. But it was two red cards in the first half that shaped the game. 

The fourth minute dismissal of Michael O’Halloran gave the Fir Park men the ascendancy for twenty minutes until Scott McDonald, perhaps rather harshly, was also shown a straight red card.

Ultimately, the loss of the ‘Well striker who had been a constant threat from the first minute proved more costly as Rangers made the most of it after both sides were reduced to ten men. The visitors could count themselves lucky too after defender Rob Kiernan escaped a red card for a challenge which was arguably worse than McDonald’s.

There was a significant change in the home line-up, both in terms of personnel and tactics with McDonald lining up alongside Louis Moult and Keith Lasley dropping to the bench. The ‘Well captain was joined in the dugout with the three midweek signings; Elliot Frear, Zak Jules and ‘keeper Russell Griffiths.

The weather was a complete contrast from the previous Saturday, as the game kicked-off in mid-day mist and rain. And ‘Well’s approach was also transformed from last week, taking the game to the Ibrox side from the start.

Even against 11 men ‘Well had threatened with a couple of half chances falling McDonald’s way. With only four minutes played though, Rangers were reduced to ten men when O’Halloran’s high boot caught McHugh in the thigh and was shown a straight red by Willie Collum.

That gave Chris Cadden a free reign in the middle of the park and from the first of his many powerful runs down the right his low ball across the face of goal was just too far in front of McDonald.

The Rangers’ defence was unsettled but it might have been worse when Rob Kiernan’s sliding follow through caught Stevie Hammell and the Ibrox defender was fortunate to escape with a yellow card.

Wes Foderingham was under increasing pressure and Carl McHugh, then McDonald, had shots saved by the ‘keeper.

In the 20^th minute Moult set up McDonald but his rising shot sailed over the bar. Two minutes later the ‘Well striker just failed to force another tempting cross from Cadden over the goal line.

Unfortunately, that was his last chance to get on the scoresheet. As he took a heavy touch on the ball, McDonald invited a tackle from Kenny Miller and as he tried to retrieve the situation he caught the Rangers’ striker on the ankle, forcing Collum to produce a second red card inside the opening 25 minutes.

That not only dented ‘Well’s attacking threat but also gave Gers the initiative and minutes later Craig Samson produced his first save beating away Emerson Hyndman’s angled drive.

With no McDonald in the middle Cadden decided to go on a solo run before steering his shot wide of goal.

At the other end Miller thought he had opened the scoring but his powerful drive was superbly palmed wide by Samson at full stretch.

Having survived the first half Rangers started the second on the first foot and within a minute could have been in front. Lee Wallace cut in from the left and when Samson partially blocked his effort Tait and Hammell popped up on the goal line to clear the danger.

Apart from a Moult drive which was deflected over the bar the bulk of the action was around the home goal with Samson by far the busier ‘keeper.

It took another fine save from the ‘Well ‘keeper to palm away Jon Toral’s low header.

Rangers made the breakthrough after 72 minutes when, after Samson’s efforts to deny Wallace, the ball rolled in front of the unmarked Miller after a lucky mis-hit from substitute Waghorn fell in to the Scotsman’s path and he duly slammed the ball into the net from four yards.

Mark McGhee immediately looked for a response and sent on striker Ryan Bowman and new winger Frear.

It was Samson who kept Fir Park hopes alive with another stunning save low to his left to palm Harry Forrster’s ground shot round his post.

The killer second came four minutes from time when Hyndman was given time and space to pick his spot past Samson, who managed to get a strong hand to the ball but couldn’t keep it out, and made it 2-0, wrapping up the points in the process.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Fir Park

FT: Motherwell 0 – 2 Rangers #MFCvRFC

87′ | 0-2
Goal – Hyndman finds plenty of time inside the box and powers it past Samson

79′ | 0-1
Hill booked for a tackle from behind on Moult

78′ | 0-1
Great save from Samson, diving low to his left to put Forrester’s shot wide of the post.

76′ | 0-1
Motherwell subs, Frear makes his debut, replacing Chris Cadden and Ryan Bowman is on for Tait.

75′ | 0-1
Rangers subs, McKay and Miller off for Windass and Forrester

74′ | 0-1
Moult tries his luck with a shot from range but it doen’t dip as required and flies over the bar.

71′ | 0-1
Goal – Waghorn’s mis-kick lands at the feet of Miller who finishes from 5 yards.

70′ | 0-0
Miller blasts just over the bar from 25 yards

68′ | 0-0
Rangers sub, Waghorn on for Toral

64′ | 0-0
Toral with a glancing header which Samson puts around the post.

61′ | 0-0
Halliday strikes right at Samson who comfortably makes the save.

55′ | 0-0
Moult wins a free-kick about 40 yards from goal….ball falls to Moult but it’s deflected over the bar. Ref gives a goal kick!

47′ | 0-0
A let off there as Wallace breaks clear down the left and his cross/shot deflects

Motherwell get the second half underway. COYW!!!!

50-50 | Today’s winning numbers are:
1st: 165643
2nd: 164661
3rd: 164563

HT: Motherwell 0 – 0 Rangers #MFCvRFC

There will be two minutes added on

39′ | 0-0
Miller and Hyndman combine of the edge of the box but Samson is equal to the Scot’s left footed effort

38′ | 0-0
Cadden drives at Hill, cuts on to his right foot and strikes one for the near post but it’s wide of the mark

34′ | 0-0
Wallace’s shot from range is deflected over the bar and from the resulting corner, ‘Well clear.

33′ | 0-0
Excellent defending by McManus. Showed McKay away from goal and got a great tackle in.

31′ | 0-0
Samson forced into action, parrying away a powerful McKay shot from inside the box,

26′ | 0-0
RED CARD! McDonald is sent walking for a tackle on Miller. Caught Miller right on the ankle

24′ | 0-0
Motherwell forced into a sub as Chalmers has a deep cut on his nose. McMillan will come on.

22′ | 0-0
What a chance!! Cadden puts in a great ball but McDonald’s connection from 5 yards goes wide of the post!

21′ | 0-0
Not a bad effort from McDonald, who shoots just over the bar from 25 yards

17′ | 0-0
Really good passage of patient passing leads to a Motherwell corner….low ball in eventually gathered by Foderingham

13′ | 0-0
Chance for McDonald! Played well onside by Tavernier and from a narrow angle, his left footed shot is gathered by Foderingham

11′ | 0-0
Kiernan booked for a really poor looking challenge on Hammell. Studs up but ref shows leniency.

10′ | 0-0
So close! Cadden clips in a great ball but it’s just half a yard away from McDonald who looked certain to score!

9′ | 0-0
Rangers break and Tavernier’s cross is put out for a corner, which Cadden heads clear

8′ | 0-0
Chalmers’ cross is deflected wide for a corner…..Tait delivers but Toral sweeps clear at the front post.

6′ | 0-0
Chance! Clay works some space in about 20 yards out but drags his shot just wide of the post!

Thankfully McHugh escapes injury and is fit to continue.

4′ | 0-0
RED CARD! O’Halloran send off for a horribly high challenge on McHugh!

Miller gets the action underway. COYW!!!

Out come the teams, usual colours for both sides #MFCvRFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Rangers manager Mark Warburton:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”307″]

Motherwell FC can tonight confirm the signing of defender Zak Jules from Reading on a six-month loan deal.

The nineteen-year old Scotland Under 21 international joins the Fir Parkers within 24 hours of the arrivals of Elliott Frear and Russell Griffiths from Forest Green Rovers and Everton respectively.

And under Reading boss Jaap Stam, the imposing 6ft 3 inch centreback has already gained valuable experience despite his years.

He will wear the number 21 shirt during his spell in North Lanarkshire and he was delighted to put pen to paper.

[pullquote]As soon as the offer came up I was really keen on getting up here as soon as possible and getting going.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “It’s great to be here, it’s a bit last minute but I’m glad to be here in the end.

“As soon as the offer came up I was really keen on getting up here as soon as possible and getting going.”

He added: “I’m left-footed and I like to get the ball down and play a bit, but of course if it needs to go in first team football it needs to go.”

On his career so far, the defender said: “I’ve been at Reading for four years and this is my second year as a pro.

“There are players here at Motherwell that I can really learn from, take advice and help me in my career.

[pullquote]We are really pleased to have Zak with us and he will add some real competition at the back for us. He’s 6ft 3, he’s left-sided, good in the air and is a powerful runner.[/pullquote]

“Mark McGhee of course played a big part in this and I hope to learn from as many people as possible at this club who have great experience.”

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “We are really pleased to have Zak with us and he will add some real competition at the back for us. He’s 6ft 3, he’s left-sided, good in the air and is a powerful runner.

“We have recieved some extremely positive feedback on him, as have those at the Scottish FA where he been involved with the Under 19s and the Under 21s.

“Along with Elliott and Russell, he’ll be in the squad for tomorrow’s game against Rangers. Our work isn’t done here though, we’re still looking to add more before the deadline next week.”

Motherwell take on Rangers this Saturday afternoon as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s Scottish Cup defeat.

And ‘Well boss Mark McGhee could be boosted by the recent signings of Elliott Frear and Russell Griffiths, who will both be available for selection tomorrow afternoon.

A late brace from Kenny Miller dragged the Ibrox side from behind to snatch a dramatic victory in Glasgow after Louis Moult had given the Steelmen a hard-earned lead with just 15 minutes remaining last weekend.

For many ‘Well fans, the arrival of the Gers to Lanarkshire tomorrow may appear to arrive at a good time, but for manager Mark McGhee, it is irrelevant who his side take on – he is just raring to go and get back in to league action.

Speaking to the press yesterday at Motorpoint’s Glasgow branch, the Fir Park gaffer looked ahead to the first league match of 2017.

He said: “We were back in yesterday and we’re over it. It was a huge disappointment but we’ve got another important game on Saturday, another opportunity, so we’ll start again.

“I’m experienced enough to get over it because it’s not the end of the world and I know there’s other games, but you just have to be honest in these situations and at that time that was how I felt.”

He added: “It was an opportunity missed in all sorts of ways because I was very ambitious about the cup this year – I had high expectations and I felt if we could get past that one and maybe get a little bit of luck in the draw then who knows what could have happened.”

The manager is under no illusions that playing Rangers so soon after will play any part on this weeks game – it is a fresh fixture and bears no relevance.

[pullquote]The fact it’s Rangers on Saturday isn’t all that important. We just move on, it’s about the three points and we’ve just got to get up the table.[/pullquote]

The boss said: “The fact it’s Rangers on Saturday isn’t all that important. We just move on, it’s about the three points and we’ve just got to get up the table.

“You can say all you like about revenge but it won’t be revenge – if we win on Saturday it won’t be revenge for last Saturday because that’s done – it’ll be three points that will contribute to our safety and our push for a top six spot.

“The fact it’s the same opposition is coincidental but they’ll have one or two back so their team might be slightly different.”

He added: “They’ll have seen us up close on Saturday and learnt some things about us so there’s that as well, but we just have to see what we can learn from Saturday and perhaps even improve our performance.”

McGhee will be without Lee Lucas through suspension and Ross MacLean, who injured his shoulder whilst playing for the U20s.

Rangers will be boosted by the return of James Tavernier from suspension while Joe Garner, Joe Dodoo and Niko Kranjcar near their return to fitness.

Stephen McManus admits he can’t wait to get back to business on Saturday after last weekend’s Scottish Cup exit.

The defender doesn’t feel it matters that the Steelmen play Rangers again, insisting that the next game is always the most important one regardless of opposition.

And speaking to the press at Motorpoint this morning, the ex-Scotland captain revealed his heartbreak last weekend, but his desire to push past it.

McManus said: “It was good to get back in to training on Monday, that was the big thing because we were devastated as a group, really disappointed.

“That was probably the worst I’ve felt in my full career after a game.”

He added: “Saturday was tough, Saturday night was tough, Sunday was tough – so it was good to come in to work on Monday and get back to training.

“Some of us don’t always train on a Monday but for me it was a big, big thing to get back on the pitch, back among the boys in preparing for Saturday.”

Reflecting on the final five minutes of the match, McManus said: “When the second goal went in and as soon as the ball had left my boot I could see it happening that they were going to score so at that point of the game it was difficult.

“For me it was really disappointing and yes mistakes happen in the game so you have to put it behind you and move on – you need to face up to the music and that’s how it goes.”

He added: “I’ll make mistakes in the future and I’ve made mistakes in the past, everybody does, but it’s about how you react from it and that’s the biggest thing.

“At 34 you’re sitting there, you’ve experienced a lot in your career from the highs of winning leagues, losing leagues, losing cups and winning cups – pretty much everything, but for me Saturday was the toughest thing I’ve had to take.”

The 34-year-old admitted that it doesn’t matter who the Steelmen play this weekend, it’s just important to get back to action quickly.

[pullquote]I think everybody that comes to our place knows that they’ll be up against a side that will give their all for the manager, for the supporters and now it’s just about us finding that blend of consistency.[/pullquote]

He said: “For me it wouldn’t matter if we were playing Manchester United, Real Madrid or whoever – the next game is always the most important one.

“It’s good to get back to league business now, it’s good to have the winter break out the road and we know where we’re at as a squad.

“Hopefully we can get a couple of new faces in for the remainder of the season and we’ll look to kick on.”

He added: “We’ve not really hit top form consistently this season when you see how well we’ve played against Celtic – that’s the level we can play at and we know that.

“The manager has tinkered with his formation and his line-up at times and that’s just to try and find the right blend, the right style of play that suits us with the players we’ve got at our disposal.”

On Saturday’s opposition, McManus said: “Rangers are a good side, there’s no doubt about it and they have players that can hurt you.

“I think everybody that comes to our place knows that they’ll be up against a side that will give their all for the manager, for the supporters and now it’s just about us finding that blend of consistency.”

Rangers have slotted back in to the top flight of Scottish football seamlessly this season.

Despite sitting 19 points behind league leaders and arch-rivals Celtic, the Glaswegian side find themselves second in the Premiership table, midway through their first season back.

And while many won’t be surprised to see the club back around the summit of the table, it is still an impressive return to the top flight for the club after being away for four seasons.

Under manager Mark Warburton, the Gers have not only been busy in the transfer market but they have also found themselves playing an attacking brand of football.

New arrivals Joe Garner, Clint Hill, Joe Dodoo and Josh Windass have enjoyed good starts to their Rangers careers – and the recent arrivals of Jon Toral and Emerson Hyndman boost the Ibrox outfit further ahead of the second half of the campaign.

The two new arrivals both featured for the Gers last weekend, with the latter providing the all important assist for Miller’s winner – a perfectly weighted through ball.

The signings will be a welcome boost too, with Warburton’s side somewhat stuttering towards the end of 2016, ending the year with a single point from their final two fixtures.

A draw away to St Johnstone was followed up by a 2-1 loss at Ibrox to Celtic, leaving Rangers on 39 points after 21 matches.

Kenny Miller gave his side the lead in the Hogmanay clash, tapping in from close range to send the Ibrox crowd in to an early frenzy.

But a thunderous effort from Moussa Dembele after half an hour drew the visitors level before Scott Sinclair’s tap in with 20 minutes remaining secured the win for Brendan Rodgers side and left Rangers with a long wait before returning to league action tomorrow afternoon.

Both sides will be more than prepared for tomorrow afternoon’s match as the Ladbrokes Premiership gets back underway.

Not only will the two clubs have been working hard over the winter break to get back to match fitness, but having clashed last Saturday in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, the two teams will be feeling familiar and will be more than prepared.

Neither sets of supporters will need reminding about last weekends match and ‘Well fans will be particularly hungry to witness revenge after suffering late heartbreak.

A Kenny Miller brace sealed a 2-1 win for the hosts on their own patch despite Louis Moult’s header which gave the visiting Fir Parkers a lead in the 74th minute and looked set to send them in to the fifth round and last years runner’s up out of the tournament.

But when Miller equalised in the 84th minute it seemed a replay would be in the offing.

A late lapse in concentration and a clinical finish from the Gers forward fired the Glaswegians in to a 2-1 lead and broke ‘Well hearts.

It will make McGhee’s men hungry for competitive action tomorrow afternoon at Fir Park.

Storming to the Championship title, lifting the Challenge Cup and finishing runners up in the Scottish Cup was a terrific first season for the newly appointed Warburton and his assistant David Weir last season.

This season though, while the league is starting to slide ever more in to Celtic’s grasp, Rangers will be keen to keep the gap between their rivals down, but in Motherwell they know they will face tough opposition tomorrow afternoon.

The winter break is over, the league is ready to get going again and the Fir Park faithful will be raring to go tomorrow.

It is a big match for the visitors, who will be keeping one eye over their shoulder on the results of Aberdeen who are breathing down the Light Blue’s neck in third.

The thirteenth issue of the Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale ahead of tomorrow’s league clash with Rangers at Fir Park.

Here, we take a look at what can be found inside the 68-page programme.

‘Well skipper Keith Lasley reflects on last weekend’s deflating cup loss and discusses the players and managers desire to get back to league action tomorrow afternoon. The captain also talks about the exciting crop of youngsters breaking in to the first team and the success of the U20s under Stephen Craigan, who Las assistant manages.

Regular pieces including the pre-match column from manager Mark McGhee and club captain Keith Lasley, along with ‘5 Fast Facts’ and ‘Getting to Know You’ – where midfielder Craig Clay is profiled – all remain in the latest issue of the 2016/17 season programme.

The interesting feature ‘Well in Numbers’, where feature writer Andrew Paterson looks at some of the key numbers in Motherwell history, continues in the first issue of 2017.

‘Future Steel’ is an inside look at the next generation of players waiting patiently to break in to the first team and this week’s star is Tom Fry, as he continues to put in sound displays for the U20s.

As part of the clubs aims to work closely with the Motherwell FC Community Trust and The ‘Well Society, regular updates are included in the programme.

This week’s main features on tomorrow’s opposition remain, including an in-depth look at Rangers as well as this season’s new ‘Tactics Board’, where we ponder a potential line-up for Mark Warburton as he looks to bounce back to winning ways in the league and after an important win over Motherwell last weekend. Rangers top stars are profiled in this section too.

Our match report section looks back on the hard fought Scottish Cup clash last weekend, when Rangers came from behind to win late on at Ibrox and break the spirited ‘Well fans.

An update on Stephen Craigan’s U20s side is included too, reporting on the youngster’s two matches so far this year in which they have a 100% record so far. The first was an important win over Partick which see’s the youngsters progress in to the semi final of the Scottish FA Youth Cup, the second was a Development League victory over Dundee United in Forfar and the young Steelmen now sit second in the table.

Get all the latest from the Ticket Office as well as an in-depth look at tomorrow’s match-officials.

All this and more is available for £3 and is on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a subscription to the magazine for the rest of the season by visiting the website of our publishers, Curtis-Sports.