| 7 | Hibernian | 35 | 10 | 12 | 13 | -6 | 42 |
| 8 | Aberdeen | 35 | 10 | 11 | 14 | -12 | 41 |
| 9 | Motherwell | 35 | 9 | 13 | 13 | -3 | 40 |
| 10 | Ross County | 35 | 8 | 9 | 18 | -25 | 33 |
| 11 | St Johnstone | 35 | 7 | 10 | 18 | -25 | 31 |
| 12 | Livingston | 35 | 4 | 9 | 22 | -38 | 21 |
Connor Shields says Motherwell are well aware of the significance of the final cinch Premiership pre-split crunch match against Livingston.
There are just four points between fourth and 10th in the table, but a win will secure a top six finish for Motherwell regardless of results elsewhere.
Kevin Van Veen is your Paycare player of the month for March.
Beating Liam Kelly, Ricki Lamie and Joe Efford in the public vote, Van Veen picks up his second player of the month trophy at Motherwell.
The striker, who scored his tenth goal of the season against St Johnstone after a mazy run, started in all four fixtures in March against Ross County, St Johnstone, Dundee and Hibernian in the Scottish Cup.
It’s time to pick your Paycare Motherwell FC player of the month for March
To vote, head to our Facebook page and pick your favourite.
Kevin Van Veen, Liam Kelly, Joe Efford and Ricki Lamie are all in contention.
Livingston are the opposition in the cinch Premiership on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3pm at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Tickets for Motherwell fans can be purchased online now directly from Livingston. Fans should purchase tickets in section L of East Stand.
Prices are:
The match is available to buy on pay-per-view from Livingston in the UK and Ireland for £20.
To buy, head to ppv.livingstonfc.co.uk.
Motherwell picked up a valuable three points against St Mirren last Saturday, which was their first league win of 2022.
Livi have been in good form since the start of December, but have lost their last three games, failing to score in their last two.
Motherwell have won the last two meetings at the Tony Macaroni, and have also won both games this season.
Last time at Livingston, the Steelmen won 2-1 in what was a memorable day for Liam Grimshaw, who’s winning strike was his first ever professional goal.
Motherwell go into Saturday’s game knowing a win will secure top six status.
A draw will also be enough but not if Hibernian (v Hearts) and Ross County (v Aberdeen) both win.
A Motherwell defeat makes things more complicated. It would require Hibernian to lose to Hearts, Aberdeen v Ross County to end in a draw and St Mirren not to beat Rangers by enough to better Motherwell’s goal difference.
Livingston can also make the top six. A win would see them leapfrog Motherwell onto 40 points which will be enough provided Livi better Ross County’s scoreline or Hibs fail to win.
“I’m proud of the players. We didn’t stop believing in each other. We now have to follow it up to make it count.”
Motherwell put a top six finish in their own hands after coming out on top in a topsy-turvy affair with St Mirren.
Eammon Brophy’s opener for the Saints was cancelled out by a quickfire double from Sean Goss and Connor Shields.
Conor McCarthy’s controversial leveller brought St Mirren level, before Dean Cornelius’ cool finish put ‘Well ahead at the break.
With the game finely poised, Richard Tait’s own goal late on sealed a vital three points, a first league win of 2022 and a shot at finishing in the top half of the cinch Premiership table.
After an international break to reflect and react to a last-minute loss at St Johnstone, Graham Alexander made three changes from the last outing.
Juhani Ojala, Jake Carroll and Liam Donnelly all dropped to the bench, with Bevis Mugabi, Callum Slattery and Sean Goss coming into the side.
Motherwell were dominant in the opening spell, looking to carve out chances to take the early initiative.
But they were to come unstuck on the 15 minute mark. A ball into the box was headed by O’Donnell and unfortunately ricocheted off Solholm, with the ball falling kindly to Brophy in the six-yard box to lash home.
Given their recent misfortune, Motherwell could have crumbled but rallied in spectacular style five minutes later.
The industrious Shields got free down the right and fired low to the edge of the area, where Goss was waiting to rush in and steer a perfect right-footed effort into the bottom corner of the net.
Within 60 seconds, it was two. Van Veen’s flick allowed Shields to ghost in behind Shaughnessy and, bearing down on goal, expertly clipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.
Brophy shot a warning 10 minutes from the interval. Spinning Lamie on the edge of the box, he fired low past Kelly but only found the left post.
The equaliser would come six minutes from the interval. A corner from the left saw Kelly have his shirt clearly pulled as he came for the ball. McCarthy got in and stabbed home but, despite the protests, the leveller stood.
Motherwell though would make sure they went in at the break ahead.
Efford’s burst down the left saw him get free and fire low into the box. Cornelius timed his run perfectly, taking a touch to set himself before placing the ball into the corner.
The second half was a far calmer, arguably nervous affair with both sides having plenty on the line.
Slattery saw a spectacular effort from distance tapped onto the bar which Efford just couldn’t then poke home, while Fraser should have tapped home for the visitors but couldn’t react to the ball quick enough to find an empty net.
Then, with 12 minutes left, the decider came.
Van Veen did all the work down the left, getting in behind and squaring it to the near post. Tait and Shields both went for it, with the former Motherwell man making the last connection to put through his own net and secure the three points for the Steelmen.
The story of supporter to player is a traditional one that automatically brings a sense of connection.
When they step out onto the pitch, you think you know them already. They know the trials and tribulations you’ve gone through watching your team, as they have done so themselves.
Without a win in the league in 2022 prior to this afternoon’s match, Dean Cornelius takes that emotion out with him every Saturday.
He doesn’t let it overwhelm him, but the midfielder allows it to give him an extra boost that is unique to him.
Other players at the club care greatly about what happens on the pitch, but Cornelius is a different type of care. It’s the team he supports, the colours he has worn in stands near and far.
It’s why this run of fixtures has hurt him so much. But with a top six spot in reach and European football not out of the question either, he knows there is time to make amends and make this season successful.
“I’ve sat and experienced the same emotions fans are feeling,” said Cornelius. “There’s nothing worse than watching your team and they get beaten. It ruins your weekend. It can affect your full week if your team loses.
“I’d say being a fan helps me as it gets my adrenaline up. But sometimes you need to dial it down as you don’t want to get caught up in the emotion of a game.
“It’s been difficult recently. I have come into the team a bit more recently and I have been enjoying that side of things, but the results have taken away most of that enjoyment.
“Ideally you want to be winning every game you can. That’s all you want to do, give back to the fans who are giving you everything. But it’s not gone that way recently. We still have time to turn things around.
“We are quite fortunate with the position we are in. During another season, we might have been punished for this run that we know just isn’t good enough.
“We probably should have been punished but now we have a bit of hope. We now hope we can rectify things and finish high in the table.
“You take each game as it comes and try to get three points. Looking at the league table and knowing you are still within touching distance of the top six, and then perhaps pushing for Europe, it does give your morale a boost.”
It was good for Cornelius to get away during the international break, a chance to recharge and pick himself off the floor after a last-minute defeat to St Johnstone last time out.
Some might have opted for a chilled few days in the house, kick back with some films or maybe just a couple of road trips. Not Cornelius or his dad’s bank account.
The midfielder jetted off to Italy for a few days to take in the sights of Milan. When the 20-year-old says sights of the famed Italian city, he really means the shops and malls it possesses.
He makes no secret of the fact he loves his fashion. Team-mate Liam Grimshaw hasn’t hit him up with any Genki attire, but there’s been room for other brands to fill in.
Stone Island, CP Company, Balenciaga, brands are a treat for Motherwell’s young engine room battler when he gets a chance to unwind.
A few items leave him a bit red in the face, but overall, his ability to save smart for the future means he’s quite content splashing out on the latest trends.
“The international break was decent,” Cornelius explained. “It was nice and chilled. Luckily enough I managed to get away to Milan for a few days to go and do some shopping.
“I took full advantage of the day we had. We had three days off. I’m quite into my Stone Island and things like that so I was in my glory over there!
“I picked up a few wee bits, all on my dad’s bank card! I’ve got the birthday coming up in a couple of weeks so I was lucky to be treated to a few things.
“I am quite sensible with my money and I am a good saver. But I do like my clothes. Whenever I get something delivered and it’s a top, my mum always tells me it is ridiculous as I can hardly fit it in.
“I’ve even moved my cupboards into other rooms around the house. I am taking up all the room! I’ve not got any Genki stuff yet though as Grimmy hasn’t managed to sort me out.
“I have no idea what my wardrobe is worth but I do look back on some of the things I’ve bought and wonder whether it was a bit stupid. But hey, you only live once.
“All of my stuff is mostly Stone Island CP Company. I have a few Balenciaga numbers and things like that in there too. I keep them for my good nights. I don’t know what the dress code will be for Player of the Year as it’ll be my first time going to something like that.”
Andy Boles – Motherwell’s head of sport science up until January this year – has been a big influence on Cornelius’ career and perhaps not one many will have noticed.
That’s because it’s what some may dub the ‘boring’ side of football. The midfielder realises how important things like diet is, and what a proper recovery after a game can do for you.
He’s far from a finished article but the youngster knows that Boles’ techniques will stand him in good stead for a long career in professional sport.
“I’ve done the first part of my career but I am nowhere near into my career yet,” explained the soon-to-be 21-year-old.
“But you do see the early stages and you sit back and realise what proper pros are about. It’s not just on the pitch, it’s things off the park as well.
“There is a lot you don’t realise coming into football. It’s not just about training well and getting results. It’s played off the park as well, how you live your life off it, how seriously you take it, your diet, how you recover after a game.
“It’s all massive in how football develops. It’s a lot more athletic now. You need to make sure you are staying on top of things. Andy Boles was straight on me when I came in.
“He was always on to me about my protein intake, my diet, giving me challenges to ensure my weight was right. He helped me dig out my best performances as if you look after your body, it’ll look after you on the pitch.”
No matter how this season ends up for the team, in Cornelius’ own personal development, it will go down as one of the most important.
He netted his first goal for the club he loves, a fine strike from 20 yards against St Johnstone back in December. He has managed to amass his first Premiership start, back-to-back starting XI selections.
Overall he’s made 11 appearances so far and you would hazard a guess and says there will be many more to come over this season, the next and further on. Two key factors are the reason for this.
It all stems back to when Cornelius was a kid, and needed a lift to take him up and down the pitches at pro youth level. His parents sacrificed a lot for him to get to Fir Park, and his success is a family achievement.
“The manager picks the team at the end of the day and whatever team he picks, the boys will back his decision,” he added. “Even if you are on the bench, we try to help the team.
“But regular games are definitely something I need to push towards. I need to get as many of these matches under my belt as it will help me become a better player.
“We don’t have that experience in midfield where we have been and done it all in the game. We are still trying to learn, develop and take bits off each other. Sometimes that can be good as you can get a bit more youth in the midfield.
“It’s all part of helping us develop. I am taking things as they come. I am still a bit starstruck when I play as I have always dreamed of playing at Fir Park. I’ve always wanted it and now it’s come true.
“It’s nice to reward your family too. I have worked hard but the hours my mum and dad have done taking me to games up and down the country isn’t seen.
“They constantly worked around me so I could get to where I am now.”
Motherwell manager Graham Alexander believes his side are more than capable of coping with the pressure that sits on their shoulders going into the final two pre-split cinch Premiership fixtures.
He wants his team to focus on each game individually and forget about any thoughts about final league positions in the table.
Motherwell captain Stephen O’Donnell says that every player has the belief that they can turn results in the cinch Premiership around and that this squad are up for the fight.
Motherwell had six first team players and two academy players representing their respective countries across the world over the March international break.
A regular in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, O’Donnell featured in both Scotland friendly matches against Poland and Austria.
Coming off the bench in the 67th minute at Hampden against Poland, the full-back earned his 25th Cap for his country. He won the free kick which Scotland went on to score. However, Poland equalised late on from the penalty spot after the referee controversially pointed to the spot.
O’Donnell once again started the match from the bench in Scotland’s second game against Austria in Vienna.
However, he got 30 minutes on the park after coming on for Nathan Patterson. Scotland went on to draw the match 2-2 after Jack Hendry and John McGinn had the visitors ahead.
Earning his first call up since September 2021, Liam Kelly was named alongside Craig Gordon and late call up Zander Clark as Steve Clarke’s goalkeeping options.
Named on the bench for both games against Poland and Austria, the 26-year-old will continue to push Craig Gordon for the number one jersey.
Billy Stark’s Scotland Under 19 group had three games in the UEFA Euro Under 19 Championship in Hungary.
Max Johnston was an unused sub for their first encounter against Turkey, where the Scots came away with a 2-1 victory.
He was a starter in Scotland’s second match against Hungary where he played the full match.
The versatile full back was again named in the starting 11 for their third match against Israel where he played the first half of the game.
Bevis Mugabi was once again in the Uganda squad as they travelled to Uzbekistan to play in a mini tournament to warm up for AFCON 2023 Qualifiers.
The centre half played the full match against Tajikistan, where Uganda won 6-5 in a penalty shootout. Mugabi didn’t feature in Uganda’s second match against Uzbekistan.
Northern Ireland were in action twice during the international period, playing against Luxembourg and Hungary in two friendly matches.
Donnelly was an unused sub in both matches. Northern Ireland picked up a 3-1 win against Luxembourg and were defeated 1-0 by Hungary.
Tierney was named in the Republic of Ireland Under 21s squad for their vital UEFA European Under 21 Championship match against group leaders Sweden.
Going into the game, they were four points behind Sweden having played a game less. Tierney was named in the starting 11 and scored the opener in the game, rifling home after 12 minutes played.
The Irish went on to double their advantage in the second half with Tierney playing the full 90 minutes.
Motherwell academy player Bailey Rice played 90 minutes in all three of Scotland’s Under 17 matches.
The Scots found themselves two down at half time in their first game against Czech Republic however grabbed two goals in the second half and managed to secure a vital point.
They were beaten 4-0 by Germany in their second match, but came away with a 6-1 victory against Georgia in their final game.
As a result, Scotland qualified for the Uefa Euro Under 17 Finals as one of the best-placed runners-up.
Lennon Miller also got plenty game time for Scotland’s Under 17s matches as helped them reach the Uefa Euro Under 17 Finals.
He played the full 90 minutes in their 2-2 draw against Czech Republic.
He was in the starting lineup for their second game against Germany and played 70 minutes before being substituted.
The midfielder was named on the bench for their final game against Georgia but came on and played the full second half to round off his Scotland duty this month.
