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Referee for Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Dundee United at Fir Park will be Steven McLean.

McLean, brother of former ‘Well and United defender Brian, will be handling his first ‘Well game of the current campaign and his first at the home of the Steelmen in almost two years.

That said, he is a very familiar face to most Motherwell fans having took charge of six matches last term.

His first was the exceptional 5-1 success over Inverness CT back 12 months ago. Henrik Ojamaa, Adam Cummins, Omar Daley and a Jamie Murphy double completed the rout.

His second was perhaps even more memorable as Motherwell came back from 2-0 down at Easter Road to win 3-2. A Doyle double had the home side in a commanding position but a Murphy brace and a late Bob McHugh winner handed the Steelmen all three points.

Third was the New Year fixture against Celtic when a brave ‘Well went down 1-0 after Tom Hateley had missed a second half penalty.

Fourth was the instantly forgettable 2-0 defeat at Rugby Park in February whereas the fifth was a comfortable 3-0 win at Dens Park – Michael Higdon heading home before a Nicky Law double sealed the three points.

His last was the season finale at McDiarmid Park as the Steelmen went down 2-0 to a Saints side that won the race for Europe ahead of Inverness and Ross County.

McLean began his refereeing career back in 1997, aged just 16, but had to wait six years before being promoted to the SFA Senior List.

It took him a further four years (June 2007) to get promoted to a Category 1 where he has spent the three years handling old SFL and Challenge Cup games as well as gaining experience as a fourth official at SPL matches. He is now regarded as one of the country’s top officials.

He has had an extremely busy start to the season already – handling nine SPFL Premiership matches in the first twelve weeks.

He has also had two League Cup matches, both at the Falkirk Stadium, and two Europa League Qualifiers – Omonia Nikosia’s 1-2 defeat by Romania’s Astra Giurgiu and Serbian side FK Vojvodina’s 2-2 draw with Bursaspor.

McLean will be ably assisted by George Drummond and Stuart Stevenson with Barry Cook on fourth official duties. Referee Observer is John Young and SPFL Delegate is George Douglas.

Extended highlights from Excelsior Stadium as Motherwell U20’s and Dundee Utd U20’s play out an uninspiring 0-0 draw. 

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Despite a 0-0 stalemate, Jonatan Johansson declared himself content with how his side performed against Dundee Utd tonight.

‘Well, who came into the match on the strength of six successive wins, couldn’t keep the run going against an organised and disciplined United side.

The visitors hit the post from distance in what was the games best moment. In truth, the only real fireworks were the ones being set off outside the Excelsior Stadium.

Johansson was fairly satisfied with how his side performed and was pleased to maintain his side’s unbeaten run that now stretches back over two months.

[pullquote]The second half was an much improved showing. We used the ball better, got into wide areas only for our final ball let us down on occasions.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I’m pretty pleased, particularly with the second half performance where I felt we were the better team.

“I came in at half-time a bit upset as I felt we were going through the motions a little bit. It was almost as if we were waiting for the game to start, looking around for someone to produce a little spark.

“The second half was an much improved showing. We used the ball better, got into wide areas only for our final ball let us down on occasions.

“It keeps the unbeaten run going and we look forward to our trip to Inverness in seven days time.”

-WATCH HIS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Motherwell U20s shared the spoils in a fairly uneventful 0-0 draw with Dundee United this evening.

The Fir Parkers were looking for their seventh consecutive win but were denied by a stubborn United side.

In truth, it was a fair result with both Ross Stewart and Joe McGovern rarely troubled between the sticks at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

Jonatan Johansson made two changes to the starting eleven that put five past Falkirk a fortnight ago. Steven Higgins and Adam Cummins dropped out, replaced by Morgyn Neill and Bob McHugh.

United were the first to threaten via Ali Coute but his long-range effort was fired straight at Stewart in the home goal. Eight minutes later, Aiden Connolly created a chance for Scott Fraser but he swept his shot over the bar after a decent pullback.

It took ‘Well sixteen minutes to get a shot off at the United goal but McHugh’s free-kick sailed high into the stand. Shortly after, Euan Murray almost broke the deadlock but his header from a Leitch corner was hooked off the line.

‘Well were starting to get the upper hand but it was Stevie Campbell’s side who almost took the lead.

Connolly collected twenty-five yards out after the Arabs had quickly turned defence into attack. He smashed a stinging effort off the post with Stewart at full stretch.

Down the other end, Motherwell quickly replied with their best effort of the half when Paul McCafferty got on the end of Dom Thomas’ hung up cross to the back post but his header cannoned into the ground and was comfortable for McGovern to clutch.

Just before the interval, Morgyn Neill almost turned a cross into his own net but was relieved to see his header drop just over the bar for a corner.

Six minutes into the second half and the Terrors passed up their best chance of the match. Euan Spark found space on the right flank and delivered a great ball into the middle for Mark Russell who could only head wide when a goal seemed certain.

Craig Moore, who has been in red-hot form for the Under 20s, might think he should have hit the target just before the hour as ‘Well cut United open.

Thomas and David Ferguson combined down the left. The former crossed it for McHugh whose shot hit Moore on route to goal. As it bounced loose, the little striker was on it in a flash, but could only turn his shot wide of the post.

As the game drew to a close, Dale Shirkie fired over when he perhaps had a better option in McHugh to his left. Shortly after, McHugh himself almost opened the scoring with a curling shot from distance but it dropped just over the bar with McGovern scrambling to get back.

The game eventually finished 0-0, ending Motherwell’s winning run but keeps the unbeaten streak going for at least another week.

Motherwell: Stewart, Cadden, Ferguson, Murray, Neill, Leitch, McCafferty (Higgins – 75mins), Shirkie, McHugh, Moore, Thomas

Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, Kellock, Mackin, Anderson

Scott Leitch has returned to Fir Park for a third time after being appointed the clubs’ Academy Director.

Leitch, a former captain and assistant manager, will replace Gordon Young who left to take up a role with English League One side Sheffield United.

Scott, a product of the Motherwell youth system himself, enjoyed a successful playing career with Dunfermline, Hearts and Swindon Town before rejoining his hometown club in 2000.

He spent six productive years in North Lanarkshire, including as skipper through the choppy waters of administration before eventually leading the team out at the 2005 League Cup Final with the club back on a sound financial footing.

After his retirement in 2006, he went on to manage Ross County, winning the Challenge Cup, before returning to Motherwell again for a very successful two-year stint as Mark McGhee’s assistant, including a ‘best of the rest’ SPL finish in 2007/08.

After following McGhee to Pittodrie for a spell at Aberdeen, he most recently worked with another former Motherwell Head of Youth, Chris McCart, at Celtic’s Elite Academy.

Scott said: “I am delighted to be back at the club again and I am really looking forward to the role.

“All through history, this club has always enjoyed a reputation for producing quality footballers and that’s something I aim to continue.

“In the current climate, cultivating your own talent is paramount to the success of any club and that is my primary objective.”

Motherwell Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “It was important we filled this vital role with someone who has a wealth of experience as a player and is respected and known in the game as an excellent coach, particularly with younger players.

“The Youth Development department went under a major restructure a little over a year ago and we established the Motherwell Academy at Braidhurst.

“Scott’s role will to be take a fresh look at what we’ve done so far with the aim of getting young players from Lanarkshire and beyond through our system and into the first-team squad.

“He is a strong personality who knows this club inside out and has such a strong affinity with the place. We are really excited about this next phase for the football club.”

“We would also like to take another opportunity to thank Gordon Young for all his hard work and wish him every success in his new role.”

Motherwell have been drawn to face Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill in the Fourth Round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

It’s yet another away tie for the Steelmen in the 3rd/4th Round. Incredibly, ‘Well have drawn just one home fixture in the last fifteen years at this stage, that was a 4-0 win over Queen’s Park two years ago.

The Fir Parkers haven’t faced Rovers in competitive action for over 26 years – the last match was a League Cup tie back in 1987 with ‘Well running out 4-0 winners.

The tie is due to be played on 30th November / 1st December 2013.

The club will announce ticketing arrangements for this Lanarkshire derby as soon as they have been confirmed with Albion Rovers.

4th ROUND DRAW IN FULL:

Falkirk v Rangers
Albion Rovers v Motherwell
Culter or Berwick Rangers v Dumbarton
Clyde v Stranraer or Auchinleck Talbot
Dundee United v Kilmarnock
Queen of the South v St Mirren
Stenhousemuir or Annan v Fraserburgh
Brechin City v Forfar Athletic
Alloa Athletic v Stirling Albion
Ross County v Hibernian
Dundee v Raith Rovers
St Johnstone v Livingston
Partick Thistle v Aberdeen
Hearts v Celtic
Ayr United v Dunfermline
Inverness CT v Greenock Morton

Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s will be looking to make it a magnificent seven when they take on Dundee United tonight.

The young Steelmen side have won six matches on the bounce, the last of which being a 5-1 demolition of Falkirk two weeks ago.

That run has left ‘Well just five points off top with a game in hand against Hearts still to play.

United had a credible 2-2 draw with Rangers in their last match and will be keen to push themselves up the table after a slow start to the season.

The match will take place at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium with a 6pm kick-off. Entry is free of charge.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as a first-half goal from Stephen McManus gave ‘Well a vital 1-0 win over Hibs this afternoon.

-WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV–

Referee for Sunday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Hibernian will be the experienced Crawford Allan.

It will be Crawford’s first Motherwell match of the 2013/14 season.

Allan, one of the country’s best referees, will be a familiar face to ‘Well fans, having handled two matches last term and officiating in Scotland for over a decade.

His first was the goalless draw with Hearts last November, which will be remembered for the collision between Darren Randolph and Callum Paterson.

Randolph was later handed a two match suspension following an enquiry by SFA Compliance Officer Vincent Lunny, Motherwell did appeal the decision, however were unsuccessful in their attempts to have the ban overturned.

The second will be remembered for the on-field exploits as Motherwell and Kilmarnock shared a 2-2 draw just after Christmas last year.

Kenny Shiels’ Killie had raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Perez and Heffernan but a close-range goal from Jamie Murphy and a Henrik Ojamaa stunner levelled things up.

Tragically, Allan took charge of the ‘Well game on the 29th December 2007, forever etched in history as the date when Phil O’Donnell tragically passed away in the 5-3 victory over Dundee United.

Speaking publically, Allan admitted Phil’s death had a profound effect on the whistler but he won heartfelt praise for the way he handled what was an extremely difficult situation and his sensitive approach will be forever appreciated by everyone at Motherwell Football Club and is recognised each time he returns to Fir Park.

In another twist of fate, Crawford is only one of two referees to have ever taken charge of a Motherwell away game at Fir Park as the Steelmen faced hosts Gretna during the 2007/2008 campaign.

His record in charge of the ‘Well is a fairly decent one, with the Fir Parkers winning six, drawing six and losing four (which all came in the 2011/12 season) of the thirteen games in total. In those games, 45 players have seen yellow, 25 in Claret and Amber, whilst three have been sent for an early bath.

Allan will be ably assisted by Andrew McWilliam and Joseph Lawson with Iain Brines on fourth official duties. Referee Observer is Ray Morrison and SPFL Delegate is Kevin Collins.

Pictures from the 1-0 win over Hibernian in the SPFL Premiership at Fir Park.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix and Craig Foy Photography

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