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“The games are going to come thick and fast now. We will be prepared and ready to go.”

Allan Campbell previews Saturday’s return to action away to St Johnstone.

There’s various ways to watch St Johnstone v Motherwell on Saturday.

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 from St Johnstone, priced at £17.50.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell return to action on Saturday with a trip to face St Johnstone in Perth.

Here’s the storylines going into the match.

The start of a long journey

The 2020/21 season has been broken up by international breaks so far, but it’s about to embark on a long run of matches which will take us through to the next stoppage in March.

With no winter break, Motherwell now have a minimum of 19 games before the next interruption. That starts at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

Internationals back with a spring in their step

Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell have become history makers since the last time they pulled on claret and amber.

Starting Scotland’s UEFA Euro 2020 play-off final in Serbia, they performed outstandingly to be part of the team which ended the national side’s 23-year wait to be at a major final.

Familiar foes

Saturday’s game marks a double header between the two sides.

St Johnstone play host on Saturday in the league, before travelling down to ML1 in the Betfred Cup last 16 a week later.

Mixed fortunes at McDiarmid

The fixture has seen mixed fortunes for both teams when the game is contested at McDiarmid Park.

The Saints were 90th minute 2-1 winners last time we met back in February. Before that, Motherwell won two, drew one and lost one in Perth.

Motherwell’s goalkeeper coach Craig Hinchliffe has had plenty of challenges of the 2020/21 season so far.

Having started the season with Trevor Carson as number one and Scott Fox as his deputy, the team have had to contend with injury to both, as well as trying to get vital experience for youngsters PJ Morrison and Matty Connelly.

A trip to St Johnstone kicks off a run of games which takes us through to the close of 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 from St Johnstone for £17.50.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

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

Tale of the tape

Motherwell have won three of the last five encounters between the two sides, with St Johnstone winning the other two.

An early Allan Campbell goal was the difference in the last meeting in September this year.

At McDiarmid Park last time out, a last-minute Chris Kane goal broke Motherwell hearts in a 2-1 victory.

Form guide

Motherwell have won three of their last five Scottish Premiership fixtures, with defeats coming against Celtic and Rangers.

St Johnstone were in Betfred Cup action during the international break, drawing with Dundee United and then winning 3-1 at Peterhead to top their group, and set up a last 16 clash with the Steelmen.

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 from St Johnstone for £17.50.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell will face St Johnstone in the second round of the 2020/21 Betfred Cup.

The last 16 of the competition will see the Steelmen host the Perth side.

‘Well were seeded for the draw, with our opponents topping their group.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 28 and 29 November.

Motherwell pair Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell made history with the Scotland national team on Thursday night.

A penalty shootout victory in their play-off final away to Serbia clinched qualification for UEFA Euro 2020, ending the country’s 23-year wait to participate at a major tournament.

Both players started the match in Belgrade, in which Scotland took a second-half lead through Ryan Christie.

Luka Jovic’s 90th minute equaliser looked to have put the nation on a predictable path to glorious failure but Steve Clarke’s men held firm, and then prevailed 5-4 in the shootout.

Both Motherwell men were at the heart of the action in a dogged, outstanding performance, with Gallagher in particular coping brilliantly up against £22m Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrović.

Skipper Gallagher now has six Scotland caps whilst playing in claret and amber, drawing him level with Andy Weir as the joint fourth in Motherwell history, with only Hall of Famer George Stevenson (12), Willie Redpath (9) and Ian St John (7) ahead of him. Stephen O’Donnell has earned four (from a 15 cap haul) whilst at Fir Park, drawing him level with Tom Boyd, Pat Quinn and James McFadden.

Scotland will face Croatia, Czech Republic and England in UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021.

This is the last month in ML1.

There have been many challenges for Motherwell to overcome in recent weeks.

October started with a second late cancellation of a Premiership match, with our game with St Mirren being called off with just hours to go. That meant for a dramatic last-minute change of plans – and a month-long wait for a match.

Another man without playing time recently is Liam Donnelly. The influential midfielder was sidelined with a meniscus injury early in the season, leaving him on the sidelines for months. It also meant he missed the club’s UEFA Europa League fixtures, as well as Northern Ireland’s crucial UEFA Euro 2020 play-off ties.

The return to action would eventually come on 24 October, as Ross County visited Fir Park. With Motherwell eager to get points on board after a slow start to the season, it would be a test of character against a team who won when the two faced on the opening day of the campaign.

That home fixture would also see the loss of a second goalkeeper from the original squad which started 2020/21. Another meniscus injury, this time to Trevor Carson, would see him join Scott Fox on the sidelines.

Aaron Chapman and Jordan Archer have been added, with young goalkeepers PJ Morrison and Matty Connelly also developing under the coaching of Craig Hinchliffe.

A trip to Livingston ended the month and it also marked the 50th appearance of club captain Declan Gallagher.

The central defender suffered a blip when he was sent off in the UEFA Europa League match away to Hapoel Beer-Sheva. But he has responded well to be part of the Scotland team which stands on the brink of qualification to UEFA Euro 2020.

Tony Watt has signed a new deal with Motherwell FC.

The in-form striker has extended his contract until the summer of 2022.

“I’m delighted to have signed another deal,” said the 26-year-old.

“The club have been great with me and I was really keen to stay longer. I’m settled and I feel like I am getting better and better here.

“It’s home – and I’m ready to kick on even more.”

Watt joined the club in February 2020 on an initial short-term deal, before extending his stay for the 2020/21 season in the summer.

This campaign, he has netted four times to add to his six club goals in 20 appearances to date, becoming an integral part of the team.

“Tony has been fantastic since he came to the club,” said manager Stephen Robinson.

“He has worked his way to fitness to show us the player he is capable of being. He deserves this recognition.

“We will keep pushing Tony to be the best he can be, and I am sure he also will continue to work hard now he sees what he’s capable of.”

“The scoreline suggests it was a doing. It wasn’t. We created opportunities but we have to defend better.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the home loss to Celtic.