Liam Grimshaw says Wednesday night’s trip to face Kilmarnock presents an opportunity to show Motherwell have what it takes to take a top six spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Latest News
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First team
Liam Grimshaw outlines top six ambitions
Tuesday 26 February 2019 -
First team
Setting the scene on Kilmarnock
Tuesday 26 February 2019
Kilmarnock lie in wait on Wednesday night, as Motherwell head to Rugby Park looking to end their winless run against the Ayrshire club.
Here’s an early look ahead to the match.
Head to head
Motherwell’s six-game winning run ended at Celtic on Sunday, but their performance showed that there’s plenty potential to get back to form on Wednesday night.
Kilmarnock sit fourth in the Premiership but their form has taken a dip of late.
Steve Clarke’s men are without a win in their last seven in all competitions, drawing three and losing four.
The Kilmarnock manager has a 100% record over the Steelmen, winning all four encounters.
Ticket information
Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Cash gates will also be in operation on the night.
Kick off at Rugby Park is at 7.45pm.
Adult £22 Over 65s / Under 21s / Student £17 Under 16s £5 Turnstiles will open around one hour before kick off. Entry is at the Rugby Road entrances.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
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First team
Ticket information for Kilmarnock
Monday 25 February 2019
Motherwell are straight back to action on Wednesday night, as they travel to take on Kilmarnock.
Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Cash gates will also be in operation on the night.
Kick off at Rugby Park is at 7.45pm.
Adult £22 Over 65s / Under 21s / Student £17 Under 16s £5 Turnstiles will open around one hour before kick off. Entry is at the Rugby Road entrances.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
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First team
Story of the Match from Celtic
Monday 25 February 2019It was just another quiet Sunday afternoon in Glasgow. This is the Story of the Match from the trip to face Celtic.
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First team
Highlights as Motherwell lose to Celtic
Monday 25 February 2019Watch the highlights as Motherwell’s winning streak comes to an end with a 4-1 defeat to Celtic in Glasgow.
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First team
Players react to Celtic loss
Sunday 24 February 2019Richard Tait, Allan Campbell and goalscorer Gboly Ariyibi speak after the loss at Celtic.
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First team
Manager happy with performance in defeat
Sunday 24 February 2019Stephen Robinson says Motherwell should be happy with their performance in defeat at Celtic, having dominated large spells of the second half and showing many positive signs.
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First team
Celtic defeat a dogged Motherwell
Sunday 24 February 2019
Motherwell put on a stellar showing at the home of the league leaders, but ultimately succumbed 4-1 to Celtic.
A quick first-half double from Scott Sinclair and Odsonne Edouard put the league champions in the driving seat before Gboly Ariyibi pulled one back in controversial circumstances at the start of the second half.
And although Motherwell had chances to punish Celtic as they dwelled on the perceived injustice, the home side rounded off the match with two late strikes from Edouard and Oliver Burke to end ‘Well’s impressive run of wins.
With the Premiership’s two in form teams boasting identical runs of six consecutive wins, something had to give at Celtic Park.
The Fir Park men aiming to emulate a 86 year old club record of seven successive league wins, kicked off with four teenagers in their line-up. In the absence of an injured Curtis Main, 18 year old James Scott was given his first start leading the visitor’s attack.
It was a tough ask for the young ‘Well striker facing a Celtic side still to concede a domestic goal this year.
However, Motherwell made a confident start and created a couple of half chances. After six minutes Gboly Ariyibi’s run was halted at the edge of the box but Allan Campbell latched on to the loose ball only to see his powerful strike blocked by a Celtic defender.
Campbell then picked out the forward run of Jake Hastie and when his charge was blunted 20 yards from goal Ariyibi’s lofted his effort high over.
For all Celtic’s possession and intricate passing there was little getting through the tightly organised ‘Well defence. That was set to change after 21 minutes when an accidental clash of heads between Tom Alded and Edouard left the Fir Park defender bleeding and led off the pitch and replaced by Carl McHugh.
Five minutes later Mark Gillespie was finally called into action when he was required to routinely catch Edouard’s cross towards goal.
The in the 31st minute and out of nothing the Parkhead men opened the scoring. Ryan Christie’s deep cross found Scott Sinclair at the rear of the six yard box and his cushioned volley sent the ball beyond the helpless Gillespie.
The ‘Well ‘keeper prevented Edouard doubling the lead bravely diving at the feet of the French striker. Pushing for a second goal it duly arrived after 36 minutes. Ewan Henderson whipped in a cross from the right and nobody in claret matched Edouard’s run as he raced in to bullet a header inside the post.
It could have been three before the interval when James Forrest drove towards the corner of the six yard box and his shot was flying into the top corner of the goal until Gillespie solidly palmed the ball over the bar.
Six minutes into the second half Motherwell pulled a goal back in highly controversial circumstances.
With Christie grounded Celtic played the ball out of play – expecting it to be returned to them. But when Liam Grimshaw’s throw in found Scott in space he turned and headed for the Celtic goal forcing Scot Bain to push the ball across his box.
While the Celtic players hesitated, Ariyibi drove the ball under the Celtic ‘keeper to spark furious scenes as the home players protested to referee Kevin Clancy.
Celtic fans were still airing their displeasure when David Turnbull struck a 25 yard drive which skipped a couple of feet wide of Bain’s right hand post.
As the home side pressed to regain their two goal advantage Gillespie dived across his goal to push Henderson’s curling free kick beyond his post.
After 64 minutes Stephen Robinson swapped youth for experience sending on Connor Sammon for James Scott whose every touch was booed by the home fans.
The Parkhead crowd still reserved some of their anger for the officials and as they screamed for offside against Campbell his cross picked out Turnbull beyond the back post but his header was easily claimed by Bain.
Motherwell were forced into another defensive substitution when McHugh landed heavily and following lengthy treatment was stretchered off, Liam Donnelly lining up along side Charles Dunne for the final 15 minutes or so.
Two minutes later Hastie collected a terrific cross field pass from Dunne but as he stepped inside Jonny Hayes was dumped to the ground. As ‘Well appealed for a penalty all eyes fell on the referee who elected to award the free kick to Celtic.
As the Steelmen pushed for a late equaliser. there was a degree of panic in Celtic’s play as Brendan Rodgers brought Oliver Burke off the bench.
But is was Edouard who calmed home nerves four minutes from time with a stunning 25 yard free kick which clipped the underside of the bar on its way past Gillespie at full stretch.
Then as the fourth official indicated nine minutes additional time Burke curled the ball past Gillespie to make it 4-1.
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First team
Need to Know: The lowdown on Celtic
Saturday 23 February 2019
Celtic lie in wait for Motherwell on Sunday, as the league leaders play host in Glasgow.
Here’s the lowdown on our weekend opponents.
In similar form
Both teams go into the match with six straight Ladbrokes Premiership victories under their belts.
Celtic are undefeated domestically through all of 2019, winning six league games and two Scottish Cup games, not conceding a single goal.
European blues
Valencia stood between Celtic and progression in the UEFA Europa League, with the Spaniards recording a 2-0 win in Glasgow last week before the second leg at the Mestalla.
Brendan Rodgers’ side put in a much-improved showing in Spain on Thursday, going close early on before losing Jeremy Toljan to a red card, before going on to lose 1-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.
New faces to contend with
Celtic were busy in the January window, adding fresh recruits in the forward areas and in defence.
Toljan has made the right back position his own since signing on from Borussia Dortmund.
Up top, Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke were brought in on loan from PSG and West Bromwich Albion, while Vakoun Bayo moved from Slovakia.
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First team
Watch a live stream of Celtic v Motherwell
Saturday 23 February 2019
Motherwell travel to Celtic on Sunday, as they look to win seven straight top flight league games for the first time in 86 years.
If you’re based outside of the UK/Ireland, you can watch a live stream of the game direct from Celtic Park. Kick off is at 3pm GMT.
To sign up for our service, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk and choose your package. Subscriptions to see live games start at just £12 a month.
Every league game between now and the split will be broadcast live on our service.
If you’re in the UK or Ireland but can’t make the game, there’s also live audio commentary available on our service. Our domestic subscriptions cost £6 a month and also get you full game replays.