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Ian Baraclough admits he relishes the tag of underdog as he prepares his side to face Celtic in Glasgow tomorrow night.

The Steelmen travel to Parkhead on the back of three straight defeats and couldn’t face a tougher task than an away trip to the home of the reigning champions to curb that run of form.

However, the Englishman admits he doesn’t mind going into the game as underdogs and called on his players to take positives from their 1-1 draw in September.

‘For a player, manager or anyone involved in the game, to go and pit your wits against the bigger clubs is a challenge and one that you relish.’ Baraclough told the broadcast media at today’s pre-match news conference

[pullquote]Most people will be expecting a Celtic win but I don’t mind being the underdog. I don’t mind going there with the mindset of we will give it our all and see what we get from it.[/pullquote]

“As long as we work hard, stay compact and work as a unit, then I think we will have chances to break and cause them problems.

“You remind the players of the fact they went to Celtic Park a few months ago and got a point. It took a late penalty to equalise and you have to draw on those experiences.

“There is no inferiority complex and we are not going there to be a walk over. If we go there and give our all then who knows what we can achieve.”

Motherwell FC is tonight pleased to confirm the signing of midfielder Stephen Pearson until the end of the current season.

The 10-times capped former Scotland International started his career at Fir Park and was involved in a group of exciting young players including James McFadden, Stevie Hammell, Paul Quinn and David Clarkson.

He eventually moved to Celtic in January 2004 before spells south of the border with Derby County, Stoke City and Bristol City.

During that run he was famed for scoring the “£60 million” Playoff Final goal for the Rams against West Brom back in 2007, taking his then side to the Barclay’s Premier League.

He trained with Motherwell during the summer but signed for Indian Premier League side Kerala Blasters, playing 17 games, before the season finished last month.

[pullquote]I am delighted to be back, I’ve got great memories of this place from the past.[/pullquote]

He has signed a deal until the end of the current season and subject to international clearance, will go straight into the squad for Wednesday night’s game at Celtic Park.

Stephen, who will wear squad number 48 for the next four months, told motherwellfc.co.uk: “I am delighted to be back, I’ve got great memories of this place from the past.

“It’s a great club and I am thrilled to rejoin and hopefully help the club push up the table.

“I’ve been playing regularly for the last few months and feel fit.

“I have trained with the lads not only during the summer but over the last week and I am just desperate to get involved now.”

Motherwell club sponsor Cash Converters is delighted to announce that Estonian Striker Henrik Ojamaa has won the Player of the Month award for December.

The Steelmen picked up seven points in December and Henrik scored one in the two-two draw with Ross County and was instrumental in John Sutton’s winning goal against St Mirren.

The Player of the Month is voted for by the ‘Well fans on Cash Converters’ official SPFL Facebook page and Henrik was handed the trophy by Martin Morris and his friend, Dale Johnston .

Look out for the next vote at the end of December to be in with a chance of presenting the award to the winner. Simply visit our Cash Converters SPL Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

Tickets for Wednesday’s SPFL Premiership match at Celtic Park will be on sale from the Ticket Office this weekend.

The Ticket Office in the Chapman Building will be open from 10am – 1pm.

Tickets are priced at:

• Concessions are listed as Under 16s and over Over 65s. Please note there are no student concession tickets.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 13s.
• The cheaper price ticket is for restricted view.
• If you are planning to make the trip to Glasgow, visit our handy ‘Guide to Celtic Park’.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 01555 870122 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Celtic will not be selling tickets from the ground on the day of the match.

Motherwell FC’s SPFL Premiership match with Kilmarnock has been postponed due to storm damage at Fir Park Stadium.

Recent heavy winds have made several areas unsafe and after agreement with the SPFL and Saturday’s opponents, the game will be rearranged for later in the season.

Safety and Facilities Manager Alan Marshall said: “Some of the aluminium facings on the side of the East Stand have been blown off by the wind, making the adjacent panels unsecure.

“Should any others come detached whilst people are in the Stadium, it could pose a real threat to the safety of not only the players and officials on the park, but the spectators inside the ground.

“We have tried everything we can to rectify the issue but have been thwarted by either more high winds or snow. Sadly, it would be impossible to not only secure the panels that are visibly hanging loose, but also to check all others in the same area in time for kick-off on Saturday. If another fell and hit someone, the consequences would be unthinkable.

“Regretfully, I have had to insist on the match being postponed to allow us sufficient time to make safe that particular concern, and other areas of more minor storm damage to both the Davie Cooper and Maxim Office Park Stands too.”

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “It’s frustrating but at the same time, the health and safety of everyone inside the ground has got to be the number one consideration.

“We’ll have the players in training tomorrow and work has already begun preparing for this Wednesday night’s match against Celtic.”

The game will now be played on Saturday 7th March 2015 (3pm KO)

Motherwell FC are now recruiting for Football Fans in Training funded by The Scottish Government in partnership with The SPFL Trust.

FFIT is a 12-week course aimed at tackling men’s health problems across all the SPFL Premiership Clubs.

Each session combines dietary and healthy living advice through informative and interactive classroom sessions as well as taking part in planned and progressive physical activity at Motherwell FC.
The programme will begin with an information evening on Tuesday the 20th of January from 6pm to 730pm and will take place in the Davie Cooper Suite.

This is a great opportunity to get involved with your Football Club and help yourself live a healthier life. The programme is open to men aged between 35-65 who fit any of these criteria

• BMI of 28+
• Belly 40 inches +
• Trouser waist size of 38 inches +

If you meet any of the above criteria and are keen to get involved in this excellent project please register your interest by contacting graeme.mcarthur@motherwellfc.co.uk or call the Community Trust on (01698) 239926

Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Fir Park is John Beaton.

John will be handling his first Motherwell match of the campaign so far but will be a familiar face, being one of the up-and-coming elite referees and someone who handled four matches last term.

His first was the league game against Aberdeen, when they travelled to Fir Park back in August 2013; Derek McInnes side taking all three points in a 3-1 win.

The game wasn’t without controversy with Beaton, a late replacement for Kevin Clancy, awarding the Dons two spot kicks, although it was certainly a win the visitors deserved for their second half showing.

His next was also against the Dons, when ‘Well disappointingly crashed out the League Cup despite dominating for the majority of the match.

Next was almost exactly twelve months ago as ‘Well smashed four past St Johnstone without reply on New Years Day.

Most recently was a comprehensive 4-1 win over Hearts at Fir Park back in March as goals from Vigurs, Ainsworth, Sutton and McFadden secured the win.

The 32-year old also took charge of two Motherwell matches last term too. The first was a 1-1 draw with Dundee at Fir Park; Michael Higdon rescuing a point after Nicky Reilly had given the Dark Blues a surprise lead midway through the first half.

His other match that campaign was against Dundee United at Tannadice, the Steelmen running rampant in the City of Discovery, confirming second spot with a superb 3-1 win.

Not only did Michael Higdon open the scoring with a peach from distance, the big striker surpassed Willie Pettigrew’s post-war record for most top-league goals in a single season when he netted the third midway through the second half.

His overall record reads three wins, two defeats and a draw from six matches. ‘Well have scored thirteen and conceded eight. Twenty-two players have gone into the book, twelve of them wearing Claret and Amber, with just one red card (Joe Shaughnessy in that Dons League Cup tie last season).

John will be ably assisted by David McGeachie and Douglas Ross with Bobby Madden on Fourth Official duties. Referee observers are George Clyde and Tom Murphy, SPFL Delegate is Alan Dick.

The infamous Cash Converters “Convert for Cash” challenge is back for this weekend’s visit of Kilmarnock.

Faced by two giant inflatable footballs, fans must dribble the balls with their hands around a slalom course and, cross the goal-line to take home £150.

For your chance to take part and win this fantastic prize, enter your details at the Cash Converters Football Facebook page now: CLICK HERE.

The Facebook page will also give you the chance to Convert Your Seat and get within touching distance of the Well stars in the dugout. Simply “Like” the page, and get entering. CLICK HERE TO WIN SOME GREAT PRIZES.

Entries will close at midday on Thursday 15th January 2015.

*Please note: You must be aged over 18 to take part, and proof of age will be required on the day. You must also already possess a match ticket.

Today’s Under 20s match with Hearts at the Excelsior Stadium has been postponed due to the snow.

A flurry had left the pitch and surrounding areas covered and after an inspection today at 11.20am, it was deemed unlikely both areas could be cleared in time to make safe for both players and spectators.

No date has been set for the rearranged match.

Motherwell fans of all ages will be able to get ‘stuck in’ to the all-new 2015 Scottish Professional Football League Official Sticker Collection, which is on sale now and features all 42 clubs from all four leagues.

A 48-page album accompanies the brand new collection, which is packed with in-depth player stats, team information and all the biggest stars of the Scottish Professional Football League.

The Topps 2015 Scottish Professional Football League Official Sticker collection is available from supermarkets and all good local independent newsagents.

Rod Pearson, Marketing Director at Topps, adds: “This official collection celebrates the SPFL, players and teams from all four leagues. It’s packed with stars from everyone’s favourite clubs and offers fans a fun-filled and exciting way to support their team.”

Fans can kick start their collection in style with a Starter Pack (£2.00), which includes a 48-page album and 4 free packets of stickers, giving collectors everything they need to get straight into the action! Packets of stickers will be available for 50p each.

For further information about Topps Scottish Professional Football League Stickers, please visit www.toppsfootball.co.uk.