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Henrik Ojamaa has been included in the Estonia squad for their World Cup Qualifiers against the Netherlands and Andorra.

The 21-year old has once again been in excellent form for the Steelmen this campaign. Despite netting just twice in 2012/13, he sits top of the SPL’s assists table with twelve to his name.

The former Derby County and Fortuna Sittard front man will be hoping to win his tenth cap since making his debut against Croatia ten months ago.

Tarmo Rüütli’s side will face the Netherlands in the Amsterdam ArenA on 22 March. They will be back on home soil on 26 March to take on Andorra at the A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn.

With six games left of the campaign, Estonia need to take a minimum of four points from the double-header if they hope to make the play-offs for Brazil 2014.

The Sinisärgid currently sit six points behind both Hungary and Romania in joint second, both of whom trail the Dutch who have a 100% record thus far.

On-loan Birmingham defender Fraser Kerr has been included in the Scotland U21 squad for their match with Luxembourg.

Kerr re-joined ‘Well on loan from City back in August having previously came through the youth ranks at Fir Park. He has played sixteen times in Claret and Amber, including a Europa League start against Levante in the Ciutat de València.

Three-times capped defender Kerr is included in the 21-man squad picked by Billy Stark.

The youths will be looking to build on recent good friendly performances against Greece and Portugal as they attempt to qualify for the 2015 Championships to be held in Czech Republic.

The Scots are in Group 3 alongside Georgia, Netherlands, Slovakia and forthcoming opponents Luxembourg.

The match will take place at St Mirren Park on Monday 25^th March – kick-off 7.30pm.

Do you fancy a Friday night Curry when the Steelmen take on Hibs this week?

Remember hospitality starts at just £25 per person if you are a season ticket holder.

All hospitality packages include your match ticket, programme, team sheet and half time tea.

Stevie Kirk will be the host for the evening with your chance to meet first team players and club staff throughout the evening.

You have a choice of three packages:

Centenary Claret – join us from 5.30pm onwards to enjoy our tasty three course curry event. Full service with pay bar facilities in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. It is a great way to spend a Friday night and even better there is football too. All this for only £60 for an Adult and £45 for a child 16 or under.

Centenary Amber – join us from 5.30 onwards to enjoy our tasty 3 course curry event. Full service with full complimentary bar from 5.45pm till kick off and then again for an hour post match. All in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge with Stevie Kirk to keep us all company. All this for only £95 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16 (obviously no complimentary bar for the child!)

Maxim Office Park Stand Executive Box – if you prefer to behind glass then the Maxim Office Park Stand is for you. A delicious 5 course curry event with full complimentary bar service only £125 per person.

Watch the match in comfort from behind the goal with the modern facilities provided.

Four heated boxes with unrestricted views, named after some Motherwell heroes of yesteryear – John Martis, Wilson Humphries, Andrew Weir and Andy Paton.

Used for fully inclusive meal and drinks packages, each box is unique in layout and size, with hospitality areas to the rear of the box, including televisions.

And there is no need to make a sharp exit when the full-time whistle blows, as your private bar will remain open for post-match analysis.

if you would like to book, phone 01698 338 018, email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk or book online by clicking here.

Extended highlights from Pittodrie as Aberdeen and Motherwell share the spoils in a goalless encounter

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall admitted he was satisfied with a point after a battling performance at Pittodrie this afternoon.

The Steelmen weren’t at their fluid best by any means, finding good football difficult in the swirling wind and on a bumpy surface.

Aberdeen certainly had the better of the chances but were denied by the ever-impressive Darren Randolph.

At the other end, Nicky Law could’ve nicked it but was denied by the outrushing Langfield.

There was also a very strong claim for a penalty when substitute Francis-Angol was grounded inside the six-yard box by the sliding Shaugnessy, but referee Clancy waved away the protests.

Although slightly frustrated about the lack of a spot kick, McCall remained philosophical and was happy enough with his side’s stubborn defending.

[pullquote]Law has had a great opportunity and we possibly could have had a penalty but if you look at the game in general it was a hard-earned point.[/pullquote]

“In the grand scheme of things, we have to be happy with the point,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“As a spectacle, the first half was poor from both sides. The pitch was better than we expected but still bumpy and didn’t help either side play good football.

“In the second half they came on a little bit and they had to win today; you could see that from their subs. We’ve had a couple of decent chances on the break; Law has had a great opportunity and we possibly could have had a penalty but if you look at the game in general it was a hard-earned point.

“The lads are disappointed because they didn’t play particularly well, but I said to them that you go through a season and look back on games where you haven’t played great but you’ve ground out a point and those are important.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

[tab:Match report]

Alan Burrows at Pittodrie

Motherwell came away from Pittodrie with a hard-earned point as both teams served up a 0-0 draw.

The home side had the bulk of the play, particularly in the second-half, and Darren Randolph had to look smart to deny both Niall McGinn and substitute Josh Magennis who both have chances inside the box.

At the other end, ‘Well’s best opportunity fell to Nicky Law whose attempted chip was impressively blocked by the outrushing Jamie Langfield.

Stuart McCall made two enforced changes to the side that beat Hearts at Tynecastle last weekend. Shaun Hutchinson (suspension) and Chris Humphrey (hamstring injury) were forced to sit it out; the returning Simon Ramsden and Stuart Carswell replaced them.

A bumpy surface combined with a swirling wind maybe fluent football a rarity throughout the ninety minutes, and in the opening exchanges, neither side really took control of the match.

Fifteen minutes had elapsed before the game sparked to life; McGinn’s shot from the edge of the area almost inadvertently playing in the sliding Jonny Hayes but it was a yard too far for the former Inverness winger.

Shortly after, neat interplay between Scott Vernon and McGinn, off a Shaugnessy throw-in, opened up space for Ryan Jack just inside the area but his left-footed effort flew high over the bar.

The Dons continued to threaten and only an excellent block by Randolph denied Vernon after the striker got on the end of a Hayes cross from the left. How much the Republic of Ireland International stopper knew of it is open for debate, but it was a terrific save none-the-less.

Motherwell had failed to register anything in the way of an attacking intent but James McFadden almost created an opening for Michael Higdon with some great feet on the flank and a delicious cross but it was just over the head of the 20-goal striker.

As the game headed towards the half-time interval, both teams had free-kick attempts, neither of which really made the goalkeepers work.

Hayes had an incredibly ambitious 40-yard strike flash well wide of the post and McGinn had rolled it back.

Down the other end, Tom Hateley, who had an excellent afternoon at right-back, curled a dead ball from the edge of the area which Langfield gathered without any real problems.

The second half was only two minutes old when McGinn brought out the best in Randolph with a fearsome strike.

The Northern Irish International had got on the end of a wind-assisted Langfield punt but his low effort was pushed away by the visitors ‘keeper. The rebound eventually fell to Hayes but his effort spun harmlessly wide of the post.

McFadden came close with a twenty-yard free-kick that dropped just wide before an audacious over-head kick attempt minutes later dropped wide of the post.

In what was arguably Motherwell’s best period of the match, Ojamaa also registered a shot on target but was denied by Langfield. The Dons keeper spilled what looked like a fairly routine shot but Higdon wasn’t close enough to the rebound to make him pay for the error.

Aberdeen introduced Josh Magennis with twenty minutes left on the clock and the Englishman almost made an immediate impact. He picked up on the edge, battered his way through the ‘Well rear guard but his shot was expertly turned away by Randolph again.

The home side were really turning the screw, forcing numerous corners, but the Motherwell defence held firm. In fact, on the counter, the Steelmen could and probably should have nicked the game.

Substitute Kallum Higginbotham played in Nicky Law and although he was through on Langfield, the Dons keeper was off his line quickly to block well.

It was to prove the last effort of the match but not the end of the action, or even the controversy.

Motherwell should have been awarded a penalty in the dying seconds when Shaughnessy tripped Zaine Francis-Angol inside the six-yard box. Referee Clancy was right up with play but waved away the protests.

Replays show it should have been a spot kick with the defender taking none of the ball.

That disappointment aside, McCall will have been satisfied with a point given how the afternoon went.

[tab:As it happened]

Ally Reilly at Pittodrie

FT: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Motherwell

91mins: Motherwell sub – Saunders on for Law.

89mins: Aberdeen sub – Fallon on for Jack

88mins: Penalty claims waved away as Francis-Angol goes down in the box, Looked a decent shout!

85mins: 3 corners in a row now for ‘Well….no chance emerges from any of them.

80mins: Motherwell sub – Francis-Angol on for Ojamaa

79mins: Glorious opportunity on the counter for Law though!!! only had Langfield to beat with Pittodrie silenced but he saves!

77mins: A spell of corners for the Dons. Sub Magennis heading just over. Ref gives another corner. And another…..

73mins: Motherwell sub – McFadden makes way for Higginbotham

70mins: Instantly tests Randolph from close range, then McGinn does the same from distance! Aberdeen turning the screw.

69mins: Aberdeen sub – Magennis on for Hayes.

66mins: Hateley booked for a tackle on McGinn. FK out wide swung in by Jack…Vernon hits it wide at the back post.

65mins: Corner to Motherwell but again no opportunity emerges. Been a mediocre game so far.

61mins: Almost as disaster for Langfiled as he fumbles Ojamaa’s tame looking shot. Reynolds mops up.

57mins: Up the other end, McGinn gets the better of Cummins on the right wing and drills in a great ball. Hateley heads clear.

55mins: Corner to Motherwell……Faddy tries the spectacular overhead kick. Less said about it the better :p

53mins: McFadden curls it just past the post. To be fair, Langfield looked untroubled.

53mins: Free-kick right on the edge of the box for Motherwell!

48mins: McGinn forces a good stop from Randolph with an angled volley from 8 yards out! Seconds later, Hayes fires just past the post.

46mins: Second half underway.

HT: Motherwell back on the pitch after the break.

HT: Aberdeen 0 – 0 Motherwell

45mins: 2 minutes added on

41mins: Aberdeen sub – Robertson off for Naismith. Hobbled off after an awkward landing.

36mins: Aberdeen looking the most likely so far. Another scare there as Shaugnessy fires just over from the edge of the box.

32mins: Equally as ambitious from Hateley up the other end. Decent effort though as he forces Langfield into action from the dead ball.

30mins: Ambitious from Hayes. Must have been all of 30 yards he hit his free-kick from. Well wide.

28mins: Great footwork from McFadden down the left then he whips in a fantastic ball. Higdon just inches away from connecting with his head!

26mins: Either way, was probably the best chance of the game so far!

26mins: Hayes beats Hateley and swings in a great cross from the left. Not sure if Randolph got to it or Vernon miscued his header…..

22mins: Corner to Motherwell. Swung in by Law but eventually cleared from the feet of Cummins.

21mins: Jack tries his luck 20 yards out but his left footed shot slices off his boot and goes over the bar.

15mins: Scare there as Vernon fired a shot goalwards. Flashed just past with Hayes nearly getting a touch to it

13mins: Law goes down with a head-knock. Looks like he can carry on.

10mins: Hateley does really well to put McGinn’s cross over from yards out. From the corner, Vernon heads just over!

9mins: Good opening as Ojamaa burst through from deep and into the box. Only target was Higdon though and Aberdeen clear his cross.

7mins: Anderson clumsily heads the ball behind for a corner. Law delivers, McFadden loops a head over the bar.

5mins: Two quick throw-ins for ‘Well next to the right wing corner flag. Ball finally lumped in but headed away by Reynolds.

4mins: Aberdeen win corner number one of the day. Shaugnessy heads comfortably wide of the left hand post.

2mins: Scrappy start to the game as both sides adjust to the bare looking pitch.

1min: First half is underway. #COYW

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“In the second half I thought they were better than us. It looks like a penalty when you watch on the video afterwards, but we’re pleased with a point.

“It’s not often we get a clean sheet so we’re pleased with that. I think it had the makings of a scrappy 1-0 to either side so we just had to defend really well.”

“They’ve thrown Magennis on at the end. They’ve got Fallon, Vernon, McGinn, Hayes – they’ve got quality in the side and it’s surprising that they’ve had a lot of nil-nils at home.

“They’ve certainly had the better chances in the game and they’ll feel a little bit aggrieved, but to come up without big Shaun Hutchinson and Chris Humphrey – two key players for us – and go back down the road with a point is acceptable.”

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown:

“It’s the story of the season here. I can count six scoreless draws, and in all but one I think we were the better team. We know the problem, and if you know the problem, the remedy is there for you.

“As we’re past the transfer deadline it might take until next season to remedy the situation. Someone else to score goals would put us in a really good position. We’re missing chance upon chance, and it’s really disappointing.”

“We can see the team are playing well enough and defending well. I think Motherwell are the second best team in the country, and we’ve played well against them – that’s three draws against them here this season.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”141″]

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall hopes his side can hold tight tomorrow after being pegged back in the last two visits to Pittodrie.

The Fir Parkers were excellent when the teams clashed back in September and looked good for the three points, holding a 3-1 lead with just six minutes left to play.

But a spirited comeback from the home side was complete when Josh Magennis scrambled home a leveler with virtually the last kick of the ball.

‘Well were ahead and comfortable in the Scottish Cup tie in early December after a Jamie Murphy stunner looked to be putting the Steelmen on course for the next round.

But the always-impressive Niall McGinn had other ideas and headed home an equalizer in stoppage time and the Dons eventually won the replay at Fir Park.

So there’s plenty to motivate McCall’s men tomorrow afternoon when they face the Reds for the fifth time this campaign.

[pullquote]Each game brings it’s own problems but it also brings it’s own challenges and the lads are looking forward to it.[/pullquote]

McCall said: “We’re all under no illusions that all the hard work is still to be done, either to secure a top six finish or to clinch a European place.

“We’re going into this game tomorrow on the back of two good wins; Celtic at home and Hearts away and with nine games left to go, it’s given us a solid base to work from and a confidence which is flowing through the team.

“We’ve managed to win at Pittodrie twice in my time. We were up 3-1 and only managed to draw and then performed really well with a young squad and only lost out to a last minute equaliser in the Cup.

“The league performances have been terrific and far more than we could have hoped for against a side that have a very strong squad.

“Each game brings it’s own problems but it also brings it’s own challenges and the lads are looking forward to it. We’ll have to battle and scrap and hope and bits of magic we can produce will create goals.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Tom Hateley hopes ‘Well can maintain their recent good run of form and put daylight between the Steelmen and the chasing pack.

Stuart McCall’s side sit just ahead of a cluster of clubs all battling for a spot in the top-six, including tomorrow’s opponents Aberdeen.

In what has been the tightest battle for the top half the SPL has ever seen, every point in precious as clubs battle each other with the split just weeks away.

23-year old Hateley has played 169 times in Claret and Amber but reckons the next few matches are amongst the most important in his four years at Fir Park.

[pullquote]We have worked hard all season, worked ourselves into a decent position so there’s a real determination to go on and finish the job.[/pullquote]

He told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference: “We are optimistic going into tomorrow’s match; we have had two good results beating Celtic at Fir Park and Hearts at Tynecastle.

“As always, we have approached this match with confidence and the aim is very much to try and get the three points and put distance between ourselves and the clubs behind us.

“We are still aiming for second, I am sure everyone in that pack have one eye on it. We have worked hard all season, worked ourselves into a decent position so there’s a real determination to go on and finish the job.

“We do face a difficult match against Aberdeen though; twice we’ve been up there and twice we’ve drawn late on. It’s a horrible feeling and there’s a willingness amongst the players to put that right if we can.

“They are a good side and have some excellent players. McGinn has been in tremendous form and Pittodrie is always a difficult place to play football.

“We have got to take care of ourselves though, prepare right and hopefully our quality going forward can do enough to win us the game.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Darren Randolph has been called-up by the Republic of Ireland for their 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria.

Randolph, who won his first cap earlier this season as a second-half substitute against Oman in London, is part of the provisional 29-man squad that will be shortened to 23 at some point next week.

The 25-year old has been outstanding for the Steelmen since joining in the summer of 2010, racking up 128 appearances in that time. He broke the clubs’ clean sheet record in his first season, with an incredible 19 shutouts.

The former Charlton stopper has been capped at every International level and will battle Kieren Westwood of Sunderland and David Forde of Millwall for the number one jersey.

The Republic take on Sweden on March 22^nd in the Friends Arena, Stockholm before returning to home soil to face Austria at the Aviva on the 26^th March.

Giovanni Trapattoni said: “Last month’s friendly game against Poland was a great opportunity to work with younger players, and I saw a lot of potential from them.

“We played very well during the game, and I intend on building from that performance this month. These two games against Sweden and Austria are very important, and we are focused on the task in hand.

“I am confident that these players can work together to produce the results we need. Sweden and Austria are two very strong teams, who have done very well in Group C to date.

“However, I believe that our players have the mentality and attitude necessary to qualify. I am looking forward to assembling the squad on March 17.”

Referee for Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie is Kevin Clancy.

It will be the second Motherwell match the 29-year old has taken charge of this campaign, his previous being the 2-1 away win at Dundee with Michael Higdon bagging a double.

His only other match in charge of the Steelmen came in last season’s Scottish Cup, where he was the man in the middle as Stuart McCall’s men demolished Queen’s Park 4-0, with a certain Henrik Ojamaa smashing home a debut goal.

Saturday will be the first time Kevin has officiated at Pittodrie at senior level, or even handled an Aberdeen match.

He has been busy this campaign though, including some high profile matches including Celtic’s recent 5-0 win over Dundee at Celtic Park, Spain U17s wins against Poland and Azerbaijan and the UEFA Europa League qualifier between Inter Baku and JK Trans Narva of Estonia.

He has been in action at Dens Park, Easter Road, Celtic Park, St Mirren Park and The Caledonian Stadium in the SPL this season, as well as seven SFL1 matches, The Scottish Cup tie between Falkirk and Forfar and the Scottish Communities League Cup tie at McDiarmid Park as St Johnstone entertained Queen’s Park.

Kevin will be ably assisted by Graham Chambers and Stuart Stevenson with Andrew Dallas on fourth official duties.