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Jake Carroll’s pinpoint free-kick gave Motherwell the deserved three points against Kilmarnock to put the team third in the league for Christmas.

The full-back’s set piece from just outside the area deceived the home ‘keeper and brought the decisive goal to claim victory.

Peter Hartley, Mark O’Hara and James Scott came into the team after last weekend’s defeat to Rangers, replacing Bevis Mugabi, Liam Polworth and Devante Cole.

Manager Stephen Robinson had asked for a more positive and disciplined performance and got it in good measure, with a strong defensive showing and desire to create chances.

The first big chance of the opening exchanges fell to Allan Campbell. Jermaine Hylton’s knock into the path of the onrushing midfielder was stopped from going in only through the late block from Johnson.

A fairly tepid first half was in contrast to the second.

It was the visitors who looked more threatening early on. Polworth, on for the injured Liam Donnelly, laid off Jermaine Hylton to hit a shot which deflected into the path of Christopher Long.

The striker took the invitation to turn the ball into the net, but he did so from an offside position and no goal was given.

Soon after, Carroll took his chance. With a central free-kick 25 yards out, he put the ball to the left of the wall and wrong footed the goalkeeper to put the Steelmen ahead.

Mark Gillespie was called to the rescue several times as the hosts fought to get back into the match, denying Brophy on a number of occasions with some massive saves.

At the other end, Polworth could have put the game to bed when clean through, but could only fire straight at Branescu.

With three minutes added at the end, Motherwell saw the game out well to take all three points and leapfrog Aberdeen back into third.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Grimshaw, Gallagher, Hartley, Carroll, Donnelly (Polworth), Campbell, O’Hara, Scott, Hylton (Seedorf), Long (Cole).

Subs not used: Carson, Tait, Mugabi, Semple.

Stephen Robinson spoke about the trip to Rugby Park, the importance of the next three games and facing a side who are without a manager on Friday.

Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.

On the festive run-in

“It’s a huge, huge three games for us. Three games I think we can take points out of. We have to be at our best again.

“There were bits in the Rangers game that reminded me of our game against Hearts at home in the cup when we lost. We just got into little habits of not doing the things we have been doing. Forward thinking, putting balls into areas, into the box, forward runs. Playing with that energy and positivity.

“That might have been the level of team we were playing against. But I think it was more our mindset on the day. And we have to make sure we get back to being positive, trying to take the game to Kilmarnock and obviously Ross County and Hamilton,

“So three huge games that we are very much looking forward to that we can really leave our year on a high.”

On the difference to last year

“We’ve got a couple of doubts for Saturday. Christopher Long has not trained for the last 48 hours. Christy Manzinga won’t play for two or three weeks with a hamstring injury again.

“I think this time last year we had 10 to 13 injuries. All boys that were in and around the first team out of a squad like Motherwell, any squad, it takes its toll.

“So the good thing is we are in a better place injury wise. We are in a better position league wise, so it takes a little bit of pressure off you. The only pressure we’re really under is what we’re trying to achieve and trying to continue to take the football club forward.”

On Kilmarnock

“They’ve still got the squad that performed so well last year and they’re in a position in the league  that’s still a very high position. So they are always going to be a very tough team to play against.

“They do play deeper. They do let you have a lot of the ball and they do it well. Organised and disciplined. Alex [Dyer] played a massive part in that under Steve.

“So I’m sure they’ll be exactly the same. So we have to have our forward player better than we had last Sunday. More aggressive in terms of going at people. Better decision making, more positivity, not plan with a wee bit of fear, which I felt we did on Sunday.

“We have to make sure we’re positive because they’re a tough, tough team to break down.”

On success at Motherwell

“I’m a very lucky position that I have a lot of backing from the board. The fans are incredibly good to me.

“I think most people at Motherwell know the parameters that we work under. What we try and achieve and how are we trying to achieve it. We will go up and down. We will have bad games and stages of the season, due to the personnel that we’ve got and the age of our team.

“It makes you appreciate what you’ve got. You’ve got people that are loyalty and the are very, very supportive. Everyone can be supportive when you’re doing well.

“You know, at the minute we’re all great, but it’s when you’re not doing well. And this time last year I had the full backing of the board and the vast majority of fans as well.

“Unfortunately in life, only the negative people are heard. On the internet sites and all that, you don’t really hear the positive stuff. For some reason, it’s only the negative stuff that’s heard.

“So we’ve got a lot of positive people around Motherwell. We’ve got a lot of supportive individuals, and as a group, as a whole, being very supportive to me. When you do hit that bad patch, you just hope people stick by you.

On looking ahead

“We’ve got a good group of young players. We’re trying to add players already for next season. We can look at people on pre-contracts now already and we’re looking at that.

“I’ve been down to England this week to watch other players that we feel can take the squad forward.

“So we’re just trying to keep building, trying to keep improving, trying to make the young boys better and educate them every day.”

Fans can buy tickets at Rugby Park on Saturday ahead of Kilmarnock v Motherwell.

Supporters are urged to buy early from the old Kilmarnock FC Fitness Centre on Rugby Road, directly across from the Chadwick Stand. Sales, which will be cash only, will start at 1pm.

There will also be a barrier entry system in place outside the Chadwick Stand turnstiles. Fans are advised to arrive early to avoid any unnecessary delays.

Motherwell fans who wish to purchase further in advance can buy from the Fir Park ticket office until 4pm on Friday.

There’s a live stream and live audio available from Kilmarnock v Motherwell this Saturday.

We’ve live video of the match available to viewers outside of the UK and Ireland for just £12 a month. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.

To subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland and can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ve also got live audio commentary of the match for just £5.99 a month.

Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to sign up. Just choose the UK/Ireland commentary option.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

Kilmarnock are our opponents on Saturday, with Stephen Robinson’s side travelling to Rugby Park.

Here’s a closer look at our weekend opponents.

The story so far

The unexpected departure of manager Angelo Alessio on Tuesday afternoon is the topic on everyone’s minds going into this weekend’s fixture.

The early season exit from the UEFA Europa League at the hands of minnows Connah’s Quay Nomads was a severe early blow. But Killie have rallied to fifth in the table, with an impressive home record to boot.

Form guide

One win in their last eight fixtures tells its own story.

A solitary 3-0 victory over at Hearts has come in between draws with Hamilton, Hibernian and St Johnstone, as well as defeats to Livingston, Ross County, Aberdeen and Motherwell.

Three to watch

Dario Del Fabro

Having swapped Juventus for Kilmarnock this season, Dario Del Fabro is thriving in the physical environment of the Scottish Premiership.

The Italian defender has spent much of his career out on loan, with his only previous spell outside of his homeland coming when he spent a season on loan with Leeds United in 2014/15 where he managed just one appearance.

Del Fabro was the last Killie player to find the net in the Scottish Premiership, opening his goal scoring account in Scotland as he netted a last-gasp equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Hibernian two weeks ago.

Chris Burke

At the age of 36, Chris Burke continues to play a starring role at Rugby Park, often proving to be the talisman for Kilmarnock.

Last month, the former Cardiff and Rangers winger rolled back the years to bag a brace in the 3-0 victory over Hearts at Rugby Park. He scored the opener with a superbly executed finish and he turned provider for the second goal, delivering for Eamonn Brophy to head home.

The third goal demonstrated Burke’s abilities to drive forward and torment defences – bursting past a number players in the helpless Hearts backline and drilling the ball into the net.

Eamonn Brophy

Much of Killie’s recent struggles in the Scottish Premiership have been owed to their inability to score goals.

The Rugby Park side have failed to find the net in each of their last three league fixtures and so far this season have averaged less than a goal a game. It’s therefore perhaps of little surprise that despite only having found the net three times in the league this season, Eamonn Brophy tops the club’s scoring charts.

The Scotland striker was on target in a number of big wins last season for the Rugby Park side including winning goals against Hibs and Rangers and caretaker boss Alex Dyer will be hoping the 23-year-old can rediscover his scoring touch to help guide them back to winning ways.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

Cash gates are currently not guaranteed to be available on the day, therefore pre-purchase is advised.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Kilmarnock v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

Adult tickets for our William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Dundee on Saturday, 18 January can be bought in advance for £15.

Fans have until 11 January to get a discounted price, with concession tickets priced at £10 and under 18s for just £5.

Tickets can be purchased now online and will be able to collect from Friday 20 December. Sales at the ticket office will also start on Friday.

From 12 January, ticket prices will increase to £20 for adults, £15 for concessions and £10 for under 18s.

Prices on the gate are £20 for adults and £15 for all concessions, including under 18s.

Kick-off in the tie is at 7.20pm. You can book a seat on our bus to Dens Park for £12 online now.

Motherwell take to the road for the first of two festive away fixtures, heading to take on Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Kick-off at Rugby Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

It’s fourth against fifth in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday, with Motherwell currently eight points ahead of their opponents in the table.

Stephen Robinson’s side lost at home to Rangers on Sunday past, ending a run of three successive victories and clean sheets earned in wins over St Johnstone, Hearts and St Mirren.

Kilmarnock meanwhile started their last batch of five matches with a 3-0 home win over Hearts. That was followed with draws with Hibernian and St Johnstone, before recent back-to-back defeats to Livingston and Ross County away from home.

They are, however, on an eight-game unbeaten run at home in the league, winning four and drawing four, conceding only three goals and keeping six clean sheets.

Head to head

Motherwell won the first encounter between the two sides in 2019/20, with Liam Donnelly and Devante Cole netting in a 2-1 victory at Fir Park.

Kilmarnock have won three of the last five matches against the Steelmen, with the other result a 0-0 draw on our last visit to Rugby Park.

The last time Motherwell claimed victory in Ayrshire was in March 2017. Carl McHugh and Zak Jules scored, cancelling out Kris Boyd’s opener, to give a 2-1 away win.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

Cash gates are currently not guaranteed to be available on the day, therefore pre-purchase is advised.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Kilmarnock v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

Nikola Katic and Alfredo Morelos score the goals as the Steelmen lose in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

“Did we deserve anything out of the game? No. We didn’t play to the best of our abilities.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the defeat to Rangers.

Motherwell’s  long wait for a league win over Rangers continued after Steven Gerrard’s men deservedly came out on top of a tough encounter .

Having won five of their previous six home games, the Fir Park men went into the game confident that the timing was perfect to end their 17-year jinx against the Ibrox side.

However, a goal in either half from Nikola Katic and Alfredo Morelos meant that Rangers’ domination of this fixture continues. And despite the Columbian striker being sent off, the Fir Park men failed to make the most of their extra man for the final 20 minutes.

Stephen Robinson made only one change from the side which beat Hearts, Devante Cole swapping places with James Scott.

Indeed, in terms of a consistent starting line-up, there was only one change from the team which was unlucky not to take a point at Ibrox in October, the on-form Jermaine Hylton providing the home side with an additional attacking threat.

In the early stages the game was very open with play flowing from end to end – without either goal being under threat.

The first chance came ‘Well’s way after 10 minutes. Cole nodded Mark Gillespie’s measured ball into the path of Christopher Long.

His speed took him away from Connor Goldson and after carrying the ball beyond Allan McGregor his cut back was perfect for Cole six yards in front of goal. But James Tavernier nudged his foot in front of the striker to clear what might have been the opening goal.

At the opposite end Gillespie wasn’t really tested until the 19th minute when he elected to punch Joe Aribo’s cross straight to Glenn Kamara at the edge of the box. Thankfully for the ‘Well ‘keeper the former Dundee midfielder hoisted his effort high into the Davie Cooper stand.

Motherwell’s defence had given leading scorer Alfredo Morelos a lean time of it until the 25th minute. A quick break from Ryan Kent allowed him to set up the Columbian striker but his high drive was beaten away by Gillespie’s left hand.

A minute later the Rangers’ pair combined again and this time Morelos’ powerful low drive was sneaking in off the post until Gillespie got down to push the ball behind for a corner.

When Borna Barasic whipped the resultant flag kick into a packed box, Nikola Katic held off his marker to stoop and power a header high into the net and give Rangers the lead.

The Ibrox side might have extended their lead before the interval as they maintained the pressure on the home goal. Gillespie was again quick to dive to his right and push another low drive from Morelos round his post.

However, despite conceding a succession of corners, the Steelmen defended them solidly to trail by only one goal at the interval.

With McGregor untested in the first half, though, more was required from the ‘Well attack in the second 45.

It was Rangers who almost doubled their lead four minutes after the break when only another great block from Gillespie denied Morelos as the ‘Well defenders claimed offside.

As the goal threat was still around Gillespie’s goal, ‘Well made the first substitution after 57 minutes Scott replacing Hylton wide on the left.

Another fine save was needed from Gillespie this time to beat away Kent’s fierce drive – as the ‘Well ‘keeper was shaping up as man of the match.

Robinson’s second change came after 63 minutes, Sherwin Seedorf replacing Polworth just in time to see McGregor produce his first save. Jake Carroll’s long throw glanced off Goldson’ head and as the ball bounced two yards from goal Long reacted to nod the ball high towards goal but the Rangers’ ‘keeper reacted superbly to palm the ball away.

That encouraged the home support but their enthusiasm was soon curtailed when the Ibrox side made it 2-0 after 68 minutes.

Aribo’s ball across Gillespie’s box found Morelos’ but his turn and snapshot was blocked by Gallgher. At the second attempt the striker steered the ball inside Gillespie’s right hand post.

That was the last action for Morelos as after going to celebrate his goal in front of the ‘Well fans he was shown a second yellow card, leaving Rangers to defend their lead with 10 men for the last 20 minutes.

With 12 minutes remaining ‘Well looked to utilise the extra man, replacing central defender Bevis Mugabi with midfielder Mark O’Hara.

However, the Steelmen failed to threaten McGregor’s goal. And Rangers might have made it three in injury time when Barasic’s superb curling free kick rebounded off Gillespie’s left hand post.