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Josh Law has spoke of the dressing room determination to have a run in this season’s William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Fir Parkers haven’t managed past the fourth round for four years, knocked out by Aberdeen, Albion Rovers and Dundee Utd at the first hurdle during the last three seasons.

However, in what will be the 25th anniversary season of Motherwell’s now famous 4-3 win over Dundee Utd in 1991, the right-back says the players are desperate to progress and will take the challenge and threat of Cove extremely seriously.

Speaking to the gathered media, he said: “We’ll be making sure we’re right at it on Saturday to get a good result and obviously get to the next round of the cup,” he added.

“Cove will have players that can hurt you, like any team.

“We have heard that they’re a good side and anyone left in the cup at this stage is obviously doing something right.

“We’ve got to approach it with massive respect for them and obviously the focus from ourselves is to get the game won.

“The experienced boys have been saying that they came unstuck against Albion Rovers a couple of years ago. It just shows that if you’re not at it on the day and not on your mettle, you can come unstuck against any side.”

[pullquote]We’ll be making sure we’re right at it on Saturday to get a good result and obviously get to the next round of the cup.[/pullquote]

Law also hailed the work being done by boss Mark McGhee, who yesterday collected the Ladbrokes Premiership Manager of the Month award.

‘Well are now five unbeaten, with wins over Celtic, St Johnstone and Dundee and draws with Hearts and Hamilton Accies.

And Law was full of praise for his contribution, “When a new manager comes in I think unconsciously the players maybe, in training and games, give that 10 or 20 per cent more.

“You are obviously trying to impress your new manager, you’re trying to get your place in the team and you’re trying to stay there.

“So I think, maybe a combination of that and the manager bringing his own methods and training style have helped us.

“The squad take massive pride from the manager getting this award. He has done really well and we’ve helped him along the way which is good.

“The award is a nice way to mark the upturn in form since the manager’s come in.”

Tickets for Saturday’s match are available on the gate priced at £12 for adults and £5 for concessions. Season Tickets are not valid for the match.

Mark McGhee insists his team will give Cove Rangers every respect ahead of Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Fir Park.

Although the bookmakers will make the Steelmen the strong favourites for the match, there will be no one at Fir Park underestimating the challenge posed by the Highlanders.

So much so, McGhee has put additional resource into learning about John Sheran’s side, having them watched on several occasions and pouring over DVDs of their recent fixtures.

The former Scotland striker has asked his players not to look any further that Saturday’s game, urging them to play their normal game.

He told the Broadcast press at ‘Well’s pre-match news conference: “We’ve got to play in the present and not play on the ‘if’s and buts’ such as what are the consequences or if we win, who we might get.

“It sounds silly, but what we’ve got to do is play against Cove. We have and will prepare for the match on Saturday, as we would do a game against Celtic or any other team in our league.

[pullquote]“Then, when the whistle goes, it’s about getting after that ball, keeping it and trying to score as quickly as we can. Play that professional way and I am confident we can get a good result.”[/pullquote]

McGhee chatted to the media at a conference also hosted to announce his December Ladbrokes Manager of the Month award.

It’s the third time the 58-year old has got his hands on the trophy whilst Motherwell boss, and he paid tribute to his players.

“It’s a great award,” McGhee continued.

“I think it’s something we all try to win. We are delighted to win it. This has my name on it but it’s a team effort.

“The players have worked really hard in training to gain an intensity going into games and it’s got us better results. To beat Celtic at Parkhead is always a big thing for any Scottish club. At the moment they’re the ones to beat.

“We now have to focus on January though. I want to be sitting here at the beginning of February picking up the January award and then we’ll really have achieved something.

“We have got to use this as an incentive and not something where we just sit on our laurels.”

Tickets for Saturday’s match are available on the gate priced at £12 for adults and £5 for concessions. Season Tickets are not valid for the match.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee has scooped the Ladbrokes Premiership Manager of the Month award for December.

McGhee, who returned back to the Fir Park hot seat in mid October, was given the gong after his side won all of their matches during the month, including a memorable 1-2 victory over Celtic in Glasgow.

It’s the first time a Motherwell boss has picked up a monthly award for almost three years when Stuart McCall last won it in March 2013; however, it’s not the first time McGhee has had his hands on the trophy.

He did so in November of 2007 and again in February of 2009 during his first spell as boss in North Lanarkshire.

‘Well are currently preparing for Saturday’s Scottish Cup 4th Round clash with Highland side Cove Rangers at Fir Park.

‘Well duo David Ferguson and Dylan Mackin have joined Lanarkshire neighbours Airdrie on Development Loans until the end of the season.

Ferguson (19) played six times in the Motherwell first-team during the 2014/15 season and has spent the first half of the season on loan at Annan Athletic.

However, he has moved up a level to join Ed Wolecki Black’s side as they bid to gain promotion back to the Ladbrokes Championship.

It will be David’s third loan whilst at ‘Well, the versatile defender having also spent a short time at Ladbrokes Championship side Alloa Athletic.

Under 20s top scorer Mackin (18), who has hit 20 goals in the last 18 months for the Fir Park youngsters, will enjoy his first spell out on loan.

The 6ft 2-inch striker recently made his top-team debut, coming on as a late substitute in the 3-1 win over Dundee at Fir Park last month.

[pullquote]I firmly believe that youngsters playing competitive first-team football, in an environment where results really matter, is a huge benefit to them as they learn their trade.[/pullquote]

Both players are ‘Development Loans’ and therefore can still play, if required, for Stephen Craigan’s side between now and May.

They will join former ‘Well players Kevin McBride and Marc Fitzpatrick in the Diamonds’ squad.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee said: “I firmly believe that youngsters playing competitive first-team football, in an environment where results really matter, is a huge benefit to them as they learn their trade.

“Obviously, David has been out before and is aware of the benefits. He has moved from League Two up to League One, so that’ll be an notable jump in standard for him.

“Dylan is a striker who, much like Craig Moore, needs to be playing as often as possible. He’s scoring regular for the Under 20s and a spell in a team battling to get promoted will be so beneficial for him.

“We’ll continue to use the Development Loan system with a view to enhancing our young talent in preparation for a career in senior football.”

Motherwell start their William Hill Scottish Cup campaign this Saturday with a match against Cove Rangers on 9th January.

Our next Ladbrokes Premiership match here at Fir Park is against Ross County on the 23rd January and both games are a 3pm kick off.

All hospitality packages include a ticket, match programme, team-sheet and half time refreshments.

You can choose from three packages:

Centenary Claret: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full, four course table service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.

Centenary Amber: Arrive at our Centenary Suite for 1pm. Full four course table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post-match.

Book now for £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.

Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite pre-match and at half-time with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post-match.

Book now for £70 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

01698 333333 | hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

Craig Moore has extended his loan at League One side Ayr Utd until the end of the current campaign.

The forward, who netted six times in twelve appearances during the first half of the season for the Honest Men, will remain with Ian McCall’s side as they aim for promotion to the SPFL Championship.

21-year old Moore made his debut for the Steelmen back in August 2013 in the UEFA Europa League match against Kuban Krasnodar in Russia.

He made his SPFL Premiership bow two months later, against Hearts, and scored with his first touch, a stinging 25-yard drive into the top corner.

Since then he has found regular first-team football hard to come by, particularly after a cruciate ligament injury at the tail end of the 2013/14 season kept him side-lined for several months.

[pullquote]He is very much in our minds and we’ll closely monitor his weekly progress at Somerset Park[/pullquote]

He has spent time on loan prior to his spell in Ayrshire’ a successful period at then Championship side Cowdenbeath where he hit seven goals in 12 games for the Blue Brazil.

Mark McGhee will monitor Moore’s progress during the loan with one eye on next season.

He said: “Craig has been a little unfortunate with injuries and almost as I arrived at Motherwell, he picked up a knock that ruled him out for most of October, November and December.

“He’s only now back to fitness and I want to see him in competitive action as we plan ahead. As a 21-year old striker who is still developing and learning his craft, he needs regular first-team football, week in and week out, and at the moment that couldn’t be guaranteed here.

“However, he is very much in our minds and we’ll closely monitor his weekly progress at Somerset Park. He’s one of a number of younger players we intend to loan out to get them more ready for future campaigns with Motherwell.”

Ahead of their 2016 SWFL1 campaign, the Ladies have signed striker Colette Fleming from local rivals Mill Utd.

Having secured promotion from SWFL2 in record-breaking style, the Fir Parkers are keen to make a big impression in the new season and Fleming is seen as a vital cog in the wheel.

Colette started her career with Hamilton Accies before joining Mill Utd, playing a big part in their drive towards promotion in 2014, including a brace against the Ladies of Steel in a tightly fought 2-1 victory that campaign. Since then, she has been a regular scorer and standout performer in SWFL1.

[pullquote]This is a top quality team with top quality players and I’m excited and looking forward to the new challenge this season will bring.[/pullquote]

Commenting on the signing, Ladies boss Graeme McArthur said: “This is another great signing for us; we only came to fully appreciate just how good a player Colette was when she played and scored against us for Mill Utd.

“We’ve tracked her progress since and when the opportunity arose to sign her, we made every effort possible despite intense competition from a number of SWPL clubs.

“From a football point of view, she is very good technically, has a great engine and is very much a team player. She is also extremely competitive and has experience playing in the league that we will compete. She is an ideal signing for us.”

Colette added: “I’m really delighted to have signed for Motherwell and can’t wait to get started. This is a top quality team with top quality players and I’m excited and looking forward to the new challenge this season will bring.”

Extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell and Hamilton Accies share the spoils in an entertaining 3-3 draw.

Mark McGhee cut a frustrated figure as a 94th minute penalty denied his side a fourth consecutive victory.

Goals from Louis Moult and a Scott McDonald double looked to have been enough for the Steelmen in what was a pulsating ninety minutes at Fir Park.

However, a late shot hit Keith Lasley’s hand on route, with Greg Aitken quickly pointing to the spot to ensure a share of the spoils in the second Lanarkshire derby of the season.

It was a bitter pill for McGhee’s men, who had again turned in another impressive performance, full of attacking threat and menace.

“It’s turned out to be a frustrating one to lose the lead so late in the game,” the Fir Park boss said.

“Even when we were two-one down, we still had opportunities to make chances, had one cleared off the line and I told the boys at the break that they should continue to push and we will make chances and score goals.

[pullquote]“We showed great character and desire to get into a 3-2 winning position and in the end, I felt we were a little unlucky, but I suppose you’ve got to give Accies credit for going to the very end.[/pullquote]

“It maintains our little run, the team looked the same and we’ll try and take the positives from it going forward. Onwards and upwards.”

McGhee felt a sense of injustice at the equalising goal, which came via Accies midfield Ali Crawford, who netted from the penalty spot.

The Fir Park boss conceded the penalty was probably a correct call, but questioned if Crawford should’ve been on the pitch to win and take it in the first place.

Asked if he thought the penalty was controversial, McGhee said: “I’ve not seen it on replay as yet, but at the time I thought it hit Las’ (Keith Lasley) hand, so it probably was a penalty.

“My point is the lad who wins and then scores the penalty should be off the park. Why the referee hasn’t sent him off for what was clearly a second bookable offence makes no sense.

“To compound it further, for Lasley to then be sent off for a handball, which I think we would all agree isn’t deliberate, is just ludicrous.”

Action images from today’s 3-3 draw with Hamilton Accies in the Ladbrokes Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix.

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