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‘Well boss Stuart McCall admits he will have to be more cautious in his approach to tonight’s match that he perhaps would want.

The Steelmen are missing a number of senior players for the return leg which will be played in the boiling Levante head this evening.

That said, the Fir Park boss still intends to go with two up-front in search of netting that all important first goal.

“Had personnel being different we might have approached the game slightly different,” he said.

“We are without Hutchinson, Ramsden and Hateley – three of what you would probably call our first-choice defenders. Then you add Nicky Law and we are missing a fair deal of experience.

“I look at the match and we obviously need to be careful. We have a lot of young players in the squad and sure, people might expect us to go gung-ho and forget the consequences, but we need to protect those players or it wouldn’t be this great experience people are talking about.

“That said, we’ll still go with two up in search of the first goal and hopefully we will but on a performance that our fans and people can be proud.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

The Steelmen face La Liga side Levante UD in the Europa League Play-off, second leg this Thursday and there are still a few seats left on the charter.

We believe everyone who had shown interest in travelling with us to Levante has been contacted, if not then please get in touch as soon as possible as we have a small number of seats left.

The price for the trip which will include flights, transfers and accommodation, will be £650 – leaving Fir Park on Wednesday morning and returning to Scotland immediately after the match.

We still have a handful of places left. If you are interested in joining us, please contact Jennifer on 01698 338062 or jennifer.reston@motherwellfc.co.uk.

We are looking for additional staff to work in the ticket office on Saturdays, other match days and on occasion during busy sales periods.

This could be a great opportunity for Motherwell fans to get more involved with the club

The job will entail dealing face to face with customers, making cash and credit card sales, processing ticket sales through a computerised ticketing system and ticket office administrative duties.

Applicants should have the following attributes:

• Strong numeracy skills, ideally with experience in dealing with cash and credit cards sales.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer literacy with the ability to pick up new systems quickly.
• Good organisational skills with ability to prioritise tasks.
• Ability to work in a  busy environment.
• Good attention to detail.

Hourly rate of pay £6.00

PLEASE NOTE THIS POSITION HAS NOW CLOSED.

A Thomas Reilly leveller in the third minute of injury time give St Mirren a share of the spoils after Michael Higdon had put the Steelmen in front in the opening minute.

-WATCH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS ON MFC TV-

Young midfielder Stevie Hetherington was left deflated after his full debut was tainted by a late St Mirren equaliser.

The English midfielder was making his first competitive start in Motherwell colours, getting the nod to sit at the bottom of a midfield diamond.

And the former Rangers youngster acquitted himself very well, battling hard for the full ninety minutes in the face of some talented St Mirren midfielders.

Just when it looked as if he could celebrate with all three points, Saints sub Thomas Reilly popped up with a leveller just seconds before the full-time whistle.

[pullquote]We were on the back foot for most of the second half. We all dug in and worked for each other and it took a lot out of us.[/pullquote]

“It feels like a defeat,” the 19-year old said.

“We were on the back foot for most of the second half. We all dug in and worked for each other and it took a lot out of us.

“They’re a decent side and may have deserved a draw for how they played their football

“It was a very young side and I thought everyone did well. You come to training on a Monday morning and work hard hoping you’ll be involved at the weekend.

“The two appearances I’ve made this season made me hungry and the gaffer gave me my first start today and I hope I haven’t let him down with my performance.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

‘Well boss Stuart McCall has challenged his players to bounce back from midweek regret to build on encouraging early-season domestic form.

Despite an unbeaten run in the league, including a good draw in the Highlands and an excellent showing at Rugby Park, ‘Well have not been able to make inroads in continental competitions.

Back to back defeats by Greek giants Panathinaikos was followed by a disappointing 2-0 reverse at the hands of La Liga side Lavente leaving McCall’s men with it all to do if they are to extend their Euro adventure.

The 40-timse capped former Scotland International is glad his side have a game so soon after Thursday’s defeat and has called for a reaction from his players.

[pullquote]Speaking from experience, when you’ve had a poor game, you just can’t wait for the next one to get it out of your system and we’ve got that with the game on Sunday.[/pullquote]

“I’m looking for a reaction and a positive one,” he told MFC TV.

“Speaking from experience, when you’ve had a poor game, you just can’t wait for the next one to get it out of your system and we’ve got that with the game on Sunday.

“Looking back (at the games between the sides last season) and talking from our point of view, Samson has had a couple of great games against us with some outstanding saves.

“There’s been a lot nil-nil’s and really tight results. They are probably similar to us in the fact they’ve got good experienced pros with a mixture of young talent. They have individual players who can open you up and we’ve got to be aware of that.

“It can go a couple of ways but we’ve just go to concentrate on ourselves and make sure we do the basics right.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Stuart McCall was left disappointed as a 93rd minute goal from sub Thomas Reilly denied ‘Well three points and a place at the summit of the SPL.

The Steelmen went ahead with just a minute of the game gone, Michael Higdon capitalising on some hesitancy in the Saints rearguard to nip in and score his first of the season.

In fairness, St Mirren dominated large periods of the match and a young ‘Well side, containing no fewer than five teenagers and eventually ten-men after Hutchinson’s red card, had to dig in and battle for everything during a rain-soaked ninety minutes.

Cruel then that a contentious refereeing decision and a late, later leveller would deny the youngsters what would have been a very hard-fought three points.

[pullquote]Our possession of the ball wasn’t good enough but the other side of it; the defending and the digging in, was excellent.[/pullquote]

“I’m really disappointed,” McCall admitted to MFC TV after the match.

“We haven’t played great today, there’s no doubt about it but there are lots of ways to win football matches. We’ve dug deep and had players out there who are not fully fit.

“Our possession of the ball wasn’t good enough but the other side of it; the defending and the digging in, was excellent.

“I think everybody in the ground could see it was our throw-in but unfortunately the referee has made a quick decision and ultimately without big Shaun in the centre of defence, we’ve lost the goal.

“There is no doubting St Mirren deserved a point for the possession they had but I thought that the grit, determination and defending; we did that part well.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Young defender Adam Cummins is adamant ‘Well must put Euro disappointment to one side and concentrating on domestic matters.

The Fir Parkers turned in a below-par performance and were comfortably beaten 2-0 at home by La Liga side Levante on Thursday, leaving the tie hanging by a thread.

But former Evertonian Cummins, who made his first-team debut late last season against Aberdeen, hopes the Steelmen can bounce back against Danny Lennon’s men whilst at the same time maintaining his own level of performance.

[pullquote]Tomorrow will be a different test to the European games but it’s a test I’m looking forward to[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “A win on Sunday would be a very good result and do-able if we play well.

“We’ve just got to put the European stuff to bed and concentrate on the league now. We had a great win at Kilmarnock last week and got a few of the younger lads on including myself so I think we’re playing well in the league and we’ve got to push on and get the three points tomorrow.

“Tomorrow will be a different test to the European games but it’s a test I’m looking forward to and hopefully I can perform as I did in the previous games and hope to do in the future games.

“I think I’ve had a bit of luck and a bit of the gaffer showing faith in me. I’ve been happy with the way I’ve been playing and hopefully I can keep going and push for a start every week.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Pictures from the 1-1 draw with St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at motherwellpics.com.

[svgallery name=”stmirren260812″]

Referee for this Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with St Mirren at Fir Park will be Euan Norris.

The 34-year old will be a familiar face to Fir Park fans having taken charge of four matches last season.

He started with the 4-2 away success against Dunfermline at East End Park in late August, the 1-0 win at Easter Road in October, the 3 – 0 defeat at Ibrox in January and, most recently, the 6-0 demolition of Saints’ big rivals Morton in the Scottish Cup in early February..

He also handled two games the previous season too…

The first, a 0-0 draw with Inverness was instantly forgettable. However, the other was one that will live long in the memory. Motherwell beat Championship-chasing Celtic 2-0 at Fir Park; former striker John Sutton netting a brace.

Going back a further year, Euan also handed two matches. He was the man in the middle when Motherwell edged out Falkirk 1-0 at Fir Park. Lukas Jutkiewicz got the only goal of the game, heading home a corner from the left after 18 minutes.

His other game that campaign was also at Fir Park; a stormy affair between Motherwell and Hibs.

The Steelmen won the game 1-0 thanks to a Jamie Murphy goal eight minutes from time but the game was marred by a red card for Liam Miller for a challenge on Jim O’Brien midway through the first forty-five.

Thankfully, FIFA referee Norris usually likes to keep his cards in his pocket with only twenty-two cautions handed out in all those games, with nine flashed at a ‘Well players.

Euan will be ably assisted by Stuart Stevenson and Gary Cheyne with Iain Brines on fourth official duties.