Latest News

The forward talks about being settled in ML1, the intensity of manager Stephen Robinson, and how he still has a lot more to achieve at the club and in his career.

St Mirren make their first trip of the season to ML1 on Saturday.

Here are the main topics going into the match.

Points to be gained

Nine points separate the two sides going into Saturday’s game, with Motherwell in fifth and St Mirren occupying the bottom spot in the table.

A win for the Steelmen would see them hold on to fifth spot, with Dundee United a point behind in sixth.

The Buddies could rise all the way to ninth if results go their way, with Livingston currently occupying the position with three more points and a six-goal better goal difference.

Bucking the trend

St Mirren are unbeaten in three against Motherwell in all competitions.

A 2-1 league win before the shutdown in 2019/20 came hot on the heels of a penalty shootout win in the Scottish Cup, after Stephen Robinson’s men came back from 4-1 down to level the scores. Before that, a 1-1 draw in Paisley in the same competition set up a replay.

Prior to that, it was Motherwell who had the upper hand, winning three and drawing one in succession.

The return of Richard Tait

The former Motherwell stalwart returns to Fir Park for the first time since his summer switch to Paisley.

Having made 142 appearances in claret and amber, the 31-year-old has impressed in defence, also netting two goals in his 16 appearances.

Our forthcoming home matches with Aberdeen and Kilmarnock will now kick off at 6.15pm.

The games, on 23 and 30 December respectively, have been brought forward by an hour and a half.

Both will be available to watch for free for season ticket holders, and on a pay-per-view basis for £12 for everyone else in the UK, at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Not everything has gone Motherwell’s way across November and early December.

Our behind-the-scenes series Inside Motherwell takes you to the heart of what has been doing on in ML1.

The month started with the last-minute news that key men Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire would have to miss two matches, having been in close contact with a player who contracted Covid-19 while on Scotland Under 21 duty.

Their absence coincided with a league draw away at St Johnstone, and then an untimely League Cup exit at the hands of the Saints.

Mark O’Hara has remained a bright spot for the Steelmen. The former Scotland youth international has performed superbly in defence and midfield, leading the way with goals.

First team coach Maurice Ross has had a nomadic journey to get to his current role with Motherwell. After managing in Norway and the Faroe Islands, the influential coach is now tasked with being an integral member of Stephen Robinson’s backroom staff.

December then began with a surprise awarding of six points, after Kilmarnock and St Mirren were ruled to have breached league rules when games against Motherwell got cancelled at the last minute due to Covid-19 issues.

The chance to make it nine points in a week would then come at home to Hibernian.

Motherwell v St Mirren is available to watch worldwide on Saturday 12 December 2020.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders and international-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Our next home Premiership match with Rangers has been moved back by a day.

The game, originally due to be played on Saturday 16 January 2021, will now be played on Sunday 17 January 2021.

Kick-off is at 12pm. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

We’re at home again on Saturday, as St Mirren come calling in the Scottish Premiership.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders and international-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off on Saturday at Fir Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

St Mirren are unbeaten in three against the Steelmen, after a purple patch towards the end of the 2019/20 season.

A 2-1 win at Fir Park came a week after a penalty shootout victory in the Scottish Cup replay, and a 1-1 draw in Paisley before.

Prior to that, Motherwell were unbeaten in four, winning three and drawing one.

Form guide

Motherwell’s long run without league defeat to non-Old Firm teams ended on Saturday, with Hibernian running out 3-0 winners at Fir Park.

A total of 106 days and seven matches had passed without loss in the Premiership, coupled with conceding no goals from open play.

St Mirren sit second bottom but are now eight games without defeat in all competitions. Five League Cup games and three Premiership matches have yielded four wins and four draws.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.

Season ticket holders and international-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

“It’s a tough one to take. Our defending had to be better but the key moments didn’t go for us.”

The manager reacts to the 3-0 loss to Hibernian.

A Martin Boyle goal early in the second half and a couple of late goals from Christian Doidge and Stephen McGinn was enough to give Hibs all three points.

It was a scoreline which flattered the Edinburgh side, as Motherwell saw a first half goal ruled out for an apparent push by Mark O’Hara.

For the second time this season, Motherwell carried no luck against the Easter Road side – although the main difference was the visitor’s ability to take their chances.

Despite controlling the first half, the Steelmen couldn’t find a way past Ofir Marciano.

The Easter Road ‘keeper was fortunate, though, to see a Bevis Mugabi netted effort ruled out before the Ugandan centre half hammered a header off the post midway through the second half.

Incredibly, for only their third league game at Fir Park since September, Stephen Robinson freshened up his side with five changes.

Jordan Archer, the fifth ‘keeper on ‘Well’s books, was given his debut while Nathan McGinley was preferred on the left side of the defence.

The ‘Well boss welcomed the availability of Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire after both Scotland Under 21 players had to sit out two games due to Covid isolation protocols. Campbell’s inclusion in a three-man midfield meant that Devante Cole’s injury gave Christopher Long a starting place alongside Callum Lang and Tony Watt in the home attack.

Former Millwall ‘keeper Archer, signed as emergency cover following Trevor Carson’s injury, was anticipating some early action as efforts from Melker Hallberg and Joe Newell flashed wide of his goal.

After that, though, almost all of the play was towards the other goal.

In the 14th minute Liam Polworth sent Lang down the right and his low cross was met by the inrushing Watt but slightly impeded by Ryan Porteus he stumbled and knocked the ball wide from four yards.

A few minutes later after good work by McGinley on the left, Watt blazed his drive from the corner of the box over the bar.

The ‘Well ‘keeper meantime had to be content with vocally encouraging his defenders and some fine distribution with either foot off the deck. Archer’s only save came after 27 minutes when he comfortably held a flick from Hibs top scorer Kevin Nisbet.

Other than that all the play was towards and around Ofir Marciano’s goal. And the Hibs’ ‘keeper had a solid save to make when Campbell’s 20 yard drive had the ball moving in the air and Marciano was glad to punch the ball away as Watt chases in on a slip.

With 37 minutes played the ‘keeper was again in the thick of it scrambling the ball off his line, as Watt slid in front of him in an attempt to get a touch on Stephen O’Donnell’s low ball towards goal.

Hibs goal then had a narrow escape four minutes from the break. Polworth, who had been testing the visitor’s defence with a series of corners, found O’Hara in the six yard box. His downward header was immediately volleyed into the net by Bevis Mugabi, only for referee Andrew Dallas to award a free kick to Hibs for an alleged push on Paul Hanlon.

Despite having the upper hand in the first half, the Steelmen had nothing to show for their efforts as they kicked off the second forty-five knowing that Hibs would surely respond after the break.

And as the Edinburgh side stepped up their game,the first bit of work came Archer’s way after 10 minutes. The ‘keeper, though, perfectly lined up his wall to deflect a Nisbet free kick from 18 yards.

A minute later a lung bursting box to box run from O’Donnell set up Watt at the edge of the box but he fired the chance high over Marciano.

With 57 minutes on the clock Archer pulled off a terrific one handed save to beat away Martin Bolye’s shot from a couple of yards and keep the scores level.

The Hibs striker was not to be denied, however, and a minute later he latched on to Hallberg’s cross to smash the ball into the net and put the Easter Road men ahead.

The Fir Park men responded almost immediately and deserved to be on level terms again in the 64th minute. From yet another Polworth corner, Mugabi rose unchallenged and his thumping header rebounded from the inside of the post behind the static Marciano and across his goal to safety.

Three minutes later the home side had another opportunity to test the Hibs’ goal but from 20 yards O’Hara’s curling free kick sailed a couple of feet over the crossbar.

With 20 minutes remaining Sherwin Seedorf replaced Long as ‘Well searched for a deserved equaliser.

Jake Hastie was then given 10 minutes to make an impact but it was the Hibs’ sub Christian Doidge who wrapped up the points three minutes from time.

With ‘Well pushing forward until the final whistle Hibs found space and time for Newell to roll the ball in front of Doidge who stroked the ball low into the corner of the net and make certain that all three points were heading back to the capital.

In added on time, McGinn slipped the ball into the net to leave Hibs with a scoreline that was harsh on the home side.

It’s time to choose your Motherwell FC player of the month, in association with Paycare.

Tony Watt, Mark O’Hara, Robbie Crawford and Callum Lang are in the running for the prize.

To choose your favourite, just head to our Facebook page to vote.