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‘Well boss Stuart McCall reckons his squad are in good shape ahead of Sunday’s ESPN live clash with St Johnstone.

The Fir Parkers faced another early start to the campaign with gruelling matches in the heat of Athens and Valencia during the summer months.

It’s for that reason McCall welcomed the opportunity for his side to rest over the last few weeks and has lauded the standard in training in recent days.

[pullquote]We came back earlier than everyone else in the summer, with the Champions League and the Europa League and the majority of our side have played in every game so for most of them a little break has done them the world of good.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s terrific to be back and the lads have trained really well.

“We played Celtic on the Wednesday and we gave them off until the following Friday so they’ve had a good chance to rest.

“We’ve obviously lose Jamie (Murphy) and Jonathan Page has gone to Accies but we’ve brought in Kallum Higginbotham and Fraser Kerr has extended his loan and that is the squad we’ve got.

“It’s a tight knit squad but one I’m happy with and looking forward to the remaining part of the season and the focus now is finishing as high as we can.

“We came back earlier than everyone else in the summer, with the Champions League and the Europa League and the majority of our side have played in every game so for most of them a little break has done them the world of good. We had an Under 20’s game midweek and we picked up a couple of knocks but everyone is back and raring to go for Sunday’s game.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

‘Well defender Simon Ramsden says he can’t wait to get back into action after almost three weeks without a game.

The former Bradford City defender has had a stop-start season after a number of niggling injuries.

Frustratingly for the 30-year old, just as he was putting together a consistent run of matches, the SPL shut down for a its winter break.

Feeling refreshed, the Bishop Auckland-born centre back is now looking forward to getting back in the mix when St Johnstone visit Fir Park on Sunday.

[pullquote]The Celtic game seems ages ago now; the lads have had some relaxation for a few days and it’s back to hard training.[/pullquote]

He told the broadcast press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference, “The Celtic game seems ages ago now; the lads have had some relaxation for a few days and it’s back to hard training.

“It’s a game we’re definitely looking forward to. I’ve never had a winter break in my career and it’s been good and bad from my point of view.

“I’ve had four or five games in a row and was just getting back into the swing of things so for me I’d maybe liked to have continued playing but for the lads in general it’s came at a good time. They can get their legs back and be raring to go again.

“St Johnstone is going to be a tough game. I’ve played in both games against them this season. The game at home was a very tight affair that could have gone either way but away from home our start provided us with the momentum to go on and win the game.

“They are a big threat going forward, which I can vouch for having went up against their frontmen but obviously we think we can test them ourselves.”

-WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE IN FULL ON MFC TV-

Antigua and Barbuda International Zaine Francis-Angol has today signed a new two-and-a-half year contract with the club.

The 19-year old broke into the first-team at the start of the campaign, making his full debut in the UEFA Champions League against Panathinaikos in Athens.

At the end of August Francis-Angol received a call up to the Benna Boys World Cup Qualifying matches against Guatemala.

Starting both games, Zaine earned praise from Antigua coach Tom Curtis and looks set to have a long international career ahead of him – having won four caps already.

[pullquote]I love it here. It’s a lot slower paced than in London and I think I prefer that. Everybody wants to play; that includes me and hopefully I can be a regular.[/pullquote]

The Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate has subsequently impressed when filling in for the established Stevie Hammell where his pace and trickery going forward can be powerful weapon for Stuart McCall’s side towards the latter part of a match.

He has turned out seventeen times in Claret and Amber, six as a starter and eleven from the substitutes bench.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, the 19-year old said: “I’m delighted and can’t wait to carry on with the rest of the season.

“The financial side of Scottish Football  isn’t the same as down south so obviously clubs have to give their youth an opportunity and hopefully I can be a part of that. I love it here. It’s a lot slower paced than in London and I think I prefer that. Everybody wants to play; that includes me and hopefully I can be a regular.

“Motherwell is a great foundation and hopefully I can play on from here and see where I end up.”

-WATCH THE INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

In November 2012, Motherwell FC and Cash Converters produced special ‘Tash Converters’ shirts that were worn by the players to help promote the Movember appeal.

These shirts are now available for sale in an effort to raise much needed funds for this great cause.

To buy your bespoke Tash Converters shirt CLICK HERE.

Cash Converters is working hard to support the Movember appeal, raising funds for prostate and testicular cancer research. Since 1997, 25,000 supporters have contributed nearly £12 million through the appeal towards our mission to make the discoveries that defeat cancer.

All monies raised after costs will be donated to the Movember appeal to help raise more funds.  Both Cash Converters and Motherwell FC are avid supporters of local and national charities and will continue to participate in new and innovative ideas to help raise cash for good causes.

Another bumper edition of the 68-page Steelmen Matchday Magazine returns against St Johnstone this weekend.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall and Captain Keith Lasley both return with the regular columns. The gaffer talks about the challenges posed by Saints, the winter break and building on recent decent home form.

The skipper looks forward to getting back into action, salutes recent departure Jamie Murphy and gives an insight into some recent off-field superstardom.

The feature interview is with fan-favourite Bob McHugh. The striker, who netted a quadruple for the U20s during the week, talks about filling the void left by Jamie Murphy, fan chants and finishing high in the SPL table.

But that’s not where the features stop!

There is a 13-page section dedicated to our visitors, St Johnstone.

Kris Jack goes through four players to watch from opponents, as we as a player-by-player breakdown of their squad, including three former Steelmen.

Nigel Hasselbaink is the man in the spotlight in our opposition Q&A and Kev Heller gives us a fans-eyed view of Saints’ season so far.

We also have a scout report from the Perth clubs’ last match as they beat Dundee 1-0 thanks to a Liam Craig goal.

The features and big names keep coming…

In our Interview Alumni section, we caught up with former Steelman striker and Saints manager Owen Coyle. The former Burnley and Bolton boss looks back fondly at his time at Fir Park and his almost telepathic partnership with the Cobra – Tommy Coyne. He also talks candidly about his disappointment at the way his time at Motherwell came to an end.

Press & Media Manager Alan Burrows adds his thoughts in ‘The Last Word’ near the back of the publication and examines the on-going debate of Scottish Football reconstruction.

Antiguan International Zaine Francis-Angol tells us his ‘First and Last’ and Graham Barnstaple’s Cult Heroes this week focuses on one of Motherwell’s greatest ever players – John Gahagan.

But wait, there’s more!

We take a look back at the 4-1 win over Aberdeen, the 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock and the narrow 1-0 defeat at Celtic Park. There are 10 tough questions in our Quiz, the latest news section as well as an in-depth statistical look at referee Willie Collum.

We have the latest from The Ticket Office, the Commercial Department, and update from the ‘Well Society.

The programme is available for £3 and is will be on sale from the Club Shop as well as the usual sellers located in and around the ground pre-match.

You can also order back editions or take a season-long subscription to the magazine by visiting the website of our publishers – Curtis-Sports –http://www.curtis-sport.com/

Willie Collum will take charge of Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League meeting with St Johnstone at Fir Park.

Regarded as one of Scotland’s best officials, it will be Willie’s fourth Motherwell game of the current campaign.

He took charge of both William Hill Scottish Cup clashes with Aberdeen, in the first meeting at Pittodrie, Niall McGinn headed home a late equaliser to cancel out Jamie Murphy’s opener 10 minutes from time and there was disappointment for the Steelmen in the replay as goals from Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy helped the Dons progress to the next round.

Motherwell were handed a lifeline in injury-time when Michael Higdon netted from the penalty spot, however Craig Brown’s side held firm in the final minutes.

Collum’s other match this season was the 1-0 defeat at Tynecastle in October when Danny Grainger’s long-range effort separated the sides.

He’ll be a familiar face to most ‘Well fans having officiated at the top level for many years now, including two Motherwell matches last term.

He took charge of the 0-0 draw with Rangers at Ibrox in early May, Rangers’ last SPL fixture at their own ground. The other match was Motherwell’s Scottish Communities League Cup defeat at home to Hibs; the Easter Road men progressing through on penalties.

Incredibly, Motherwell have never won a league game with Collum in charge. The only victories recorded whilst the Bellshill based whistler has been the man in the middle was the then CIS Cup win against Raith Rovers at the start of the 2007/08 season, a Scottish Cup success at Inverurie the following season and a 1-0 success over Dundee United in the League Cup – Alan Gow’s goal earning the Fir Park side a place in the last four.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads three wins, ten defeats and five draws from eighteen matches. In those games, Motherwell have scored 24 and conceded 33. 34 players have gone into the book, 15 wearing Claret and Amber, while three players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road a few years back, Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk four seasons ago and Paul Dixon at the end of 2009/10.

Martin Cryans and Willie Conquer will run the lines with Greg Aitken on fourth official duties.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as a Bob McHugh quadruple and a super Stevie Hetherington bullet gives Motherwell U20s a 5-1 win over St Johnstone.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-

Goal-getter Bob McHugh hopes his quadruple against St Johnstone U20s will help him play his way into a first-team start.

Jamie Murphy’s departure to Sheffield United has left an opening in the Steelmen’s attack.

21-year old McHugh will battle it out with Omar Daley and new signing Kallum Higginbotham for the nod and he did his chances no harm with a fabulous four against Saints.

[pullquote]There is definitely going to be a place in the team now with Jamie Murphy away so I’m hoping I can push forward and hopefully show the manager I can fill that gap.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “There is definitely going to be a place in the team now with Jamie Murphy away so I’m hoping I can push forward and hopefully show the manager I can fill that gap.

“Personally I am happy with the four goals and that is what you are looking to do as a striker but the main thing is it’s a good win for the team and it gets us back on track. There’s certainly no point in just turning up and not working hard.

“I work on every type of finishing in training so when the chance comes along hopefully I can finish it.

“To score goals though you need you need service and I had some great service from the boys tonight.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was delighted his side got back to winning ways after a thumping 5-1 win over St Johnstone.

An experienced Steelmen side, containing no fewer than eight players with first-team experience along with new singing Kallum Higginbotham, proved too much for what was a young Saints line-up.

Bob McHugh demonstrated his quality with an impressive four-goal haul, including a super strike to secure his hat-trick.

Stevie Hetherington rounded off the win with a stunning long-range effort and completed what was a good run out for a lot of lads who haven’t had too much competitive football of late.

106-times capped Johansson was pleased his side started the second half of the campaign in positive fashion.

[pullquote]We were rusty in the first half and we were slow to start. The passing was poor and we were a bit fortunate to be 2-0 at half time but in saying that the second half  was very good and we scored some very good goals so that is pleasing.[/pullquote]

“I’m happy to be on a winning team again,” he told MFC TV after the match.

“We were rusty in the first half and we were slow to start. The passing was poor and we were a bit fortunate to be 2-0 at half time but in saying that the second half  was very good and we scored some very good goals so that is pleasing.

“I said before it’s very important to get the little break out of your system and it’s good for some of the first team to do it here and not under the pressure of a Saturday game. It was a bonus to all of  them to play in this game and get that winning mentality back.

“Bob is a fantastic finisher and it’s no surprise he scores for the first team when he comes on and it’s no surprise he scores four goals at this level. His all round game is very good and I’m pleased to have him in my side.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-

Bob McHugh struck four times as a strong Motherwell side romped to a 5-1 victory over St Johnstone at a freezing Fir Park.

‘Well were slightly fortuitous to lead 2-0 at half time thanks to McHugh’s bundled effort from a corner, and a penalty after Craig Moore had been wrangled to the ground by Saints keeper Clark.

Craig Thompson struck to halve the deficit for the visitors before McHugh grabbed his hat-trick from 12 yards after great work from Kallum Higginbotham.

The loanee from Huddersfield turned provider once more to set up his strike partner’s fourth, before Steven Hetherington sealed the win with a fine long range effort.

Higginbotham impressed on his first outing in Claret and Amber, as Jonathan Johansson’s fielded a number of first team regulars against the Perth side.

The experience showed from the off, but it was the visitors who should have gone ahead when Craig Thompson pulled his shot wide after Scott Gray picked up on a slack Hetherington pass to play him in.

The warning wasn’t heeded and again Thompson had the chance to put the Saints ahead against the run of play, after Zaine Francis-Angol failed to clear a ball in to the box. The number 9’s effort trundled along the six-yard box though with Hollis beaten.

While keeping the majority of possession, ‘Well failed to create many clear-cut chances, with Josh Watt and Higginbotham firing tamely at Clark. They did however make the breakthrough on 38 minutes, when a corner was knocked down in the six-yard box for McHugh to nudge over the line at the second time of asking.

Three minutes later he had the chance to double his tally, when Clark wrestled Craig Moore to the ground Greco-Roman style to concede a penalty. McHugh stepped up to fire it in to the bottom left corner, despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

The second half saw Saints briefly get back in to the match, when Thompson got his goal at the third time of asking, running through on Hollis before slotting it under the advancing goalie.

The two goal ‘Well lead was restored in style just two minutes later though, when Higginbotham turned is men inside out on the right, before driving a low cross on to the toe of McHugh, who fired high in to the net from ten yards. It was a great strike to cap his hat-trick, but he wasn’t done there, grabbing his fourth of the evening after more good work from Higginbotham.

The Huddersfield man spotted Bob’s run before weighting a great pass for him to roll under Clark to put the ‘Well 4-1 up. The win was made to look even more convincing when Steven Hetherington brought down a clearance 25 yards out, before crashing a powerful shot high in to the net to bring the scoring to an end.

The quality in Johansson’s team selection showed, and Stuart McCall and Kenny Black will have been pleased at the run out and performance of both Higginbotham and McHugh.

Steven Saunders got a solid 90 minutes under his belt as well, giving McCall a bit of a selection headache ahead of Sunday’s SPL match with Saints.

Motherwell: Hollis, Kerr (Murray – 46mins), Francis-Angol (Leitch – 46mins), Saunders, Cummins, Hetherington, Watt (Asghar – 66mins), Carswell, McHugh, Higginbotham, Moore

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Johnstone, McCafferty, Shirkie

Goals: McHugh (38), (42), (52), (73) Hetherington (81)

Bookings: Leitch