| 7 | Livingston | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 30 |
| 8 | Hibernian | 21 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 29 |
| 9 | Motherwell | 21 | 6 | 3 | 12 | -13 | 21 |
| 10 | Hamilton | 21 | 4 | 2 | 15 | -28 | 14 |
| 11 | St Mirren | 21 | 3 | 3 | 15 | -23 | 12 |
Allan Campbell says he understands the reasons he’s been often rested in the early part of the 2018/19 season, but believes he’s ready to reach his previous heights again.
The young midfielder had a hectic 2018, barely having a summer break due to international commitments after being a club regular, and says he respects manager Stephen Robinson’s call to rotate him in order to avoid burnout.
Richard Tait has been an onlooker in Tenerife, but says watching from the sidelines has given him belief the mid-season break will serve as a catalyst for the second half of the campaign.
The defender is nursing an ankle knock sustained against Hamilton Academical and, when he’s not been working in the gym, says he’s seen plenty to give cause for optimism in 2019.
Manager Stephen Robinson says the ability to get away for a week of hard work in Tenerife can be beneficial in many ways.
A gruelling week has allowed players to get their fitness up, while also enjoying being able to train in warm weather and bond again, as the second half of the season looms.
Tom Aldred, Carl McHugh, Keith Lasley and Craig Hinchliffe try to come up with three answers on any given subject in just five seconds.
Peter Hartley says the mistakes made by Motherwell in the first half of the season can be rectified, starting with hard work in the mid-season camp.
The club captain says inconsistencies shown can be ironed out, based on encouraging performances in spells and the attitude of players in Tenerife.
January recruit Gboly Aribiyi says he will bring pace and flair to the Motherwell side.
The loan signing from Nottingham Forest, a former team-mate at Ross McCormack, has linked up with Stephen Robinson’s side for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.
Motherwell have taken Nottingham Forest’s United States Under 23 international Gboly Ariyibi on loan until the end of the current season.
The 23-year-old forward is the second addition of the January window, following the recent arrival of Ross McCormack from Aston Villa.
“I am delighted to join and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club and the league and as soon as I spoke with the manager, I knew this is where I wanted to come.”
Born in Arlington, Virginia to Nigerian parents, Ariyibi spent the majority of his life in England, but for a short time living in Lagos.
He came through the youth ranks at Southampton before moving to Leeds United, where he teamed with McCormack.
He made his Championship debut almost exactly five years ago against his current club, Nottingham Forest, before a short-term loan to Tranmere Rovers.
Following his release by Leeds in 2014, Ariyibi joined Chesterfield and turned out 96 times for the Spireites across two-and-a-half seasons, before being bought by Forest for an undisclosed fee in the January 2017 window.
Although he has yet to make his senior debut at the City Ground, he has clocked up another 40 matches in League One with loans at MK Dons and Northampton.
“We’ve been tracking the player for quite some time and I am really pleased to get this agreed and over the line,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.
“He’s a fast-footed, speedy forward player who can plays on either flank or through the middle. He fits the type of profile we were looking for and will hopefully provide a different dimension in the forward areas.
“Going into the window, we were keen to boost our attacking options and with Ross and Gboly, we’ve made a good start.”
Motherwell return to action after the winter break on Saturday, 19 January when Ross County visit in the William Hill Scottish Cup.
Stephen Robinson’s men are back at Fir Park to take another tilt at the competition, having reached the final last season.
Season ticket holders can guarantee their seat if they buy in advance. Your seat is being held for you until 9am on the day of the game.
You can buy your ticket in advance online right now.
A cash gate will also be in operation. Kick off is at 3pm.
| Adult | £15 |
| Over 60s / Under 18s / Students | £10 |
| 15 and under | £5 |
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
Fans can also take in the game with one of our hospitality offers.
Our Cooper Boxes allow you to watch from behind the goal in one of our executive boxes in our Davie Cooper stand.
With unrestricted views, each box is unique in layout and size and is the perfect place to see the action from. You’ll also have access to our Cooper Bar at half time.
To buy for £48 per person, or £40 if you’re upgrading your season ticket, give us a call on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.
Our Bois package is also available in the South Stand for the game.
Watch the game in comfort and in the warm behind the goal for just £70 per person, which includes a main meal, pie/cake at half time with unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks. You can also upgrade for another £20 per person to add spirits to package.
To book, give us a call on 01698 333333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.
Our Centenary Suite will also be open for main meals and a pay bar before the game on a walk-in basis.
Ross McCormack says he’s ready to “step it up” after making his return to Motherwell on loan for the rest of the 2018/19 season.
The striker, a prolific scorer throughout a career which has seen him rack up around £25m in transfer moves since leaving in 2008, has made the move back north from Aston Villa.
Motherwell Football Club are delighted to confirm striker Ross McCormack has returned to the club on a five-month loan from Aston Villa, subject to international clearance.
McCormack, 32, spent two years at Fir Park between 2006 and 2008, helping the club to a historic third-place SPL finish in his second season, striking up a lethal partnership with both Chris Porter and David Clarkson in the Steelmen attack.
It was around that time he won the first of his 13 Scotland caps, making his debut alongside Clarkson against Czech Republic.
He now returns to Fir Park to bolster manager Stephen Robinson’s striking options for the second half of the 2018/19 campaign.
“I am delighted to be back,” McCormack said.
“Although I was a youth player at Rangers, got a good education there and played some first team games, I feel like this was the club that helped launch my career and I will be forever grateful for that.
“I’ve had a frustrating few years and I am desperate to just get back on the pitch again and do what I do.
“I want to put something back in to Motherwell for what they did for me all those years ago. My aim is to come in and score goals, help the team and help develop some of the younger talent in the squad.”
His past form for ‘Well earned him a move to Cardiff City in June 2008. He spent three years in south Wales, notching an impressive 30 goals in 60 starts for the Championship side, prompting Leeds United to sign the player in the summer of 2010 for an undisclosed fee.
Four successful years at Elland Road, netting 58 goals in 130 starts, including winning the English Championship golden boot in 2013-14, persuaded the then-Fulham boss Felix Magath to spend a reported £11m to take him to Craven Cottege.
His red-hot scoring form continued in London when, over his two seasons with the Cottagers, he scored 42 goals in 97 starts.
Roberto Di Matteo then paid the second highest fee in Aston Villa history, at a reported £12m, to take him to Villa Park in August of 2016. However, he fell out of favour and was loaned out to fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest in his first campaign.
He was out on loan again last season, spending another goal-laden spell at Melbourne City where he hit 14 goals in 14 starts for the A-League club.
He was back down under again this term, at Central Coast Mariners, but has cut his time short to return home to Fir Park and line up in claret and amber once again.
“We are delighted to get a player of Ross’ quality at the club,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the move.
“This is a player who has earned over £25 million in transfer fees, is the all-time top scorer in the EFL Championship with a record better than one goal in three games and is experienced at international level.
“However, despite all that, what has impressed me most is his desire to be here, to contribute and put something back in and help us for the rest of this season.
“He has a slight knee injury, that we’ve looked at extensively, which means he will be out for the next few weeks. But we hope to have him involved with the first team come the games at the end of January, or beginning of February.”
Ross will be allotted squad number 44, with youngster Dean Cornelius promoted to number 38 following Alfredo Agyeman’s departure at the end of his contract.
