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Motherwell winger Darren Smith today paid tribute to the ‘Well fans as his eight years at Fir Park came to an end.

Local boy Smith, 22, made his debut for the Steelmen as a fresh-faced sixteen-year-old back in the autumn of 2004 as an 88th minute substitute for Scott McDonald against Inverness CT at Pittodrie.

Since then, the winger has gone on to appear 71 times in Claret and Amber and scored some vital goals along the way. However, as a former East Stand Season Ticket holder, Smith wanted to thank the fans before he left the club for the last time.

Speaking to motherwellfc.co.uk, Smith said, “It’s quite sad and emotional for me as my time at Motherwell has come to an end.

“I’ve had a great time here and I have nothing but fond memories. Not many people get the opportunity to come and play for the team they supported when they were younger. I used to sit in the East Stand with my friends when I was at school and a couple of years later I was out on the pitch playing which was a great honour and privilege for me.

“It’s really been great and I am really thankful to everybody, particularly the fans who have always been fantastic with me. I’ve always been treated so well; people in the street or outside the club, after games, have always chatted away, gave me a lot of respect and supported me and for that I am extremely grateful and appreciative.”

After his contract expiring at Fir Park, Smith’s main focus is to find a new club and put the last twelve-months behind him.

And, with 8 goals from 19 starts including appearances in the UEFA Cup, it’s little wonder there’s already a great deal of interest in the former Scotland U21 star.

“I look back with some pride at what I managed to achieve,” he said.

“I scored some important goals, I seemed to pop up at the right time; thinking back to the last-minute goal to get a draw against Celtic and the goal against Aberdeen in the game we secured third spot under Mark McGhee.

“But I’ve had a bad season with injuries which has been particularly disappointing. It is all about getting my career back on track, playing regular first-team football, scoring goals and enjoying it again.

“It’s been a frustrating time lately but I am still very thankful to do the job that I do. Sometimes though, in this sport, you need to take one step back to go two forward. If that has to be the case now then so be it. I just want to get back playing; I know I can do it. I know I have the ability, I have scored goals here and played at the highest level (SPL and UEFA Cup) so I just need someone to take a chance on me.

“In the meantime, I’ll keep myself fit over the summer so if I do get a shot, I will give myself the best possible chance.”

Hot prospect Peter Innes has crowned an excellent season by being named the first ever Under 19’s Player of the Year.

The youth Captain picked up the inaugural Gordon Russell Trophy, named in honour of a late fan who appreciated the Steelmen’s record of producing young Scottish talent, at last Wednesday’s amazing 6-6 draw with Hibs at Fir Park.

And Gordon Young, Motherwell’s Head of Youth Development, explained how the award came about and how the winner was chosen.

“Firstly, I want to say how pleased I am that we now have a trophy to present to the Under 19’s team,” he said.

“We only have two senior teams at the club and we rightly recognise the cream of our first-team players. I think it is also right we acknowledge the best of our youth team players.

“Peter has won it for the first time and I think few would argue with the result. The process of choosing the winner was pretty in-depth.

“Every week the Under 19’s play, the opposition coach and I nominate our best player and their best player.  I decided I would contact the SPL and get a list of all the coaches’ picks. I then gave every player and every member of staff, who watch the games on a regular basis, a vote.

“Peter was, by far and away, the winner and came out on top on all polls that were taken.”

Young also reflected on the role of Innes who has turned his career and his life around in the last twelve months to become the influential figure in the youth side.

He said: “It must be very pleasing for Peter to be recognised as he is often asked to do the less glamorous side of the game that is so vital but often unnoticed. Having said that, his game has came on so much that we’ve asked him not to be just a sitting midfield player at the age of eighteen – he can be that when he’s thirty.

“We encourage him to get forward; I’d still like him to score more goals. We don’t want to stereotype him but he is a genuine linchpin; he’s got a real talent for passing the ball. But what we’ve really worked on with him is his ability to get over the ground quicker.

“His attitude, which I must say, in the space of two years, has improved a 100%. I am not afraid to say that he was losing his way a wee bit; I genuinely think he’s turned his life around. His attitude to training, his commitment in games and the fact that he has taken the captain’s armband following Steven Meechan’s promotion to the first team have been exemplary. He’s led by example and I think he’s been a credit to himself and his family.

“He must now kick-on. He must continue to show the improvement and his own personal development will be the key to whether he makes it to the top.”

Innes himself was magnanimous with the gong and praised his team-mates who have played alongside the East Kilbride-born youngster in a successful campaign.

“I am honoured to pick up the award, particularly as it will be the first, but it could’ve been any number of the boys in the Under 19’s squad.

“We’ve had a good season, finishing second to Celtic who have spent massive amounts on their team, and scoring a barrel load of goals.

“It shows that nine of the regular eleven players for the Under 19’s have been given contracts to stay beyond this summer and its credit to all the guys. Gordon Young has also been brilliant and the big challenge for me and all the other lads is how far can we progress at Motherwell?”

The diggers moved into Fir Park this morning as work began on shoring up the Fir Park pitch.

The contractors will remove an inch and install an area of fibresand that will be worked into the pitch, making it much more durable.

It is expected the work will take approximately five days with the reseeding process due to begin on Thursday of next week.

Head Groundsman Ian Wilson said, “It’s a relief to get the season finished and the work started on the upgrades.

“The fibre sand that is being installed will shore up the pitch, making it hold together much better. It will slow down the peculation rates but that will help us keep the moisture in the soil for longer.

“We also have a fantastic drainage system, the best rootzone and everything is sand banded so we are hopefully this fibresand layer will give us what we need next season.”

Lukas Jutkiewicz hailed his dramatic late equaliser against Hibs as his best goal ever – and then admitted he almost wasn’t on the pitch to score it.

The talented young striker chased down a John Sutton punt forward deep into injury time and held off the challenge of Paul Hanlon before lashing home a devastating half-volley, belying the niggling knee injury he has suffered with recently…an injury that almost saw him subbed before his moment of glory.

“It felt like I hit it pretty sweet, so I knew it had a chance – it was one of my better ones!” The Everton loan star smiled.

“At that stage in the game I didn’t think I had the legs to run the defender, and there was no-one near me, so I thought ‘why not’ and luckily for me it found the corner.

“The gaffer was thinking about bringing me off, they were talking about it on the bench. So I think I was pretty close to being hooked to save my knee for Sunday. I was hurting but I felt like there was still something in the game for me, as mad as it sounds I didn’t think the game was dead because it was so open.”

The Steelmen had to come back from being 4-1 down ten minutes into the second period, and 6-2 down with just 25 minutes left on the clock. What followed was a comeback nobody in attendance at Fir Park will ever forget, and the hero of the encounter was full of praise for the character of the ‘Well squad.

A beaming Jutkiewicz said: “We gave ourselves an awful lot to do, but that makes it all the sweeter when we finally did come back.”

“Tonight was a really special night. We felt like we could score every time we went forward, but it was unbelievable that we could come back from 6-2 down with 25 minutes left. With the way we came back, and the character we showed to score such a late and dramatic goal it was probably the most exciting game of my career.”

Motherwell now head to Ibrox knowing the must at least match John Hughes’ side’s result at Tannadice. ‘Well will be looking for a more positive result than last time they visited the home of the Champions, when coincidentally they also conceded six goals.

When asked the difference between the Motherwell team that shifted six at Ibrox earlier in the season and the Motherwell team that will take the field on Sunday Lukas joked: “After tonight? No difference!”

Regardless of the match earlier in the season Jutkiewicz is feeling confident ahead of the trip to Govan, and believes Europa Cup football will be enough of an incentive to get ‘Well across the line.

“Rangers will be really up for the game. They are getting the trophy and there will be a big crowd, so we know that it will be a really difficult match,” Lukas acknowledged. “But the last time we played Rangers we were terrific and really unlucky not to win, so we will go there with the confidence that we can get a result.”

“We’ve got experienced heads now, and players who know what it’s like to play in matches like this. So hopefully they will help us through and get the result.

“European football is something every player strives for and it’s something we are desperate to achieve and if we can achieve fourth place then that would be job done.”

Motherwell may have suffered a heavy defeat at the weekend but Mark Reynolds insists confidence is still sky high and the players can’t wait to face Hibs.

A win on Wednesday will see ‘Well confirm European football for a third consecutive season, and Reynolds is in agreement with several others in the Motherwell squad that this fixture is the biggest game of the season.

“It was a bad result on Saturday, and now everyone just wants to put it right. Perhaps we needed some experienced heads on the pitch to tell us not to chase the game at the weekend.” He admitted.

“Now we know if we beat Hibs it secures fourth place and European place. It’s the biggest game of the season so far.

“We’ll go into the game with confidence. If you take the Celtic game out of the equation then we have been playing some really good football – even in games we have lost. We need to show the defensive discipline we had when Craig and Archie first came in, and if we can do that then we definitely believe we can score and get the win.”

This match is the culmination of an unbelievable spell of form since the management duo of Archie Knox and Craig Brown took over at the turn of the year when the club was in a pretty bad state, and Reynolds admits the situation the team now finds themselves in has exceeded his wildest expectations.

“There were wholesale changes at the club at the beginning of the season. So if you had offered us the chance for a winner-takes-all match to get in to Europe against Hibs we would have taken it. It’s a great game to be involved in for the players and the fans and I think everyone’s just looking forward to it.” The young defender said.

“European football is a great experience, and I think the lads that came in recently are sick of us telling them our tales of Europe!”

“I would be magic for us and for the fans if we can get more games in Europe next season.”

Hibs’ Europa Cup dream has been threatening to turn into a nightmare since the turn of the year and their woeful form has seen them concede third place to Dundee United, fourth place to Motherwell, and they are being caught by their Edinburgh rivals Hearts – to whom they suffered a last-minute defeat at home at the weekend.

Any statistician would make The Steelmen heavy favourites, but Motherwell’s talented young stopper doesn’t believe the two sides contrasting form in 2010 will have any bearing on the result:

“Results go against everybody once in a while. Especially in this league where every team has been on a good run and every team has been on a bad run.  It’s unfortunate for Hibs that their run of form has come at a bad time.” Reynolds insisted.

“Tomorrow is the type of game where form goes out the window. It comes down to 90 minutes, and whoever wins can just about secure Europe for their team.”

Rumours today suggested Reynolds may find himself in Europe – even if ‘Well don’t, after there were suggestions that a club on the continent have joined the swathes of clubs down south interested in Mark.

Craig Brown has admitted he would let the player go for the right price and last week declared it ‘astonishing’ that a player of Reynolds capabilities has not made a big-money move yet. However the player certainly isn’t desperate to manoeuvre a transfer.

“If a move to a club in Europe in a good league was to come up then it would definitely be something I would look at.” Reynolds said honestly. “But none of the players are looking past the end of the season and the match against Hibs.”

“I’ve achieved a lot at Motherwell and if I have to move on then so be it. However I’d have no problem staying here – it’s a great club and I know that under the current management team I would keep learning and keep progressing as a player. I’m in no hurry.”

Reynolds was speaking as Motherwell launched their support of the ‘see me’ campaign to raise awareness of mental health issues in the Lanarkshire area. A cause the 22 year-old was only too happy to back:

“We’re just looking to raise awareness for the metal health campaign. Anything we can do to help the campaign in Lanarkshire can only be a good thing. Hopefully we can get a little publicity for it by getting a couple of familiar faces to back the campaign.”

Saturday’s defeat against Celtic is already old news, and Motherwell are looking forward to the biggest game of their season on Wednesday night according to versatile midfielder Tom Hateley.

‘Well go into the match knowing a win against John Hughes’ men will guarantee a Europa Cup spot for The Steelmen next season, and Motherwell’s young player of the year is under no illusions about just how important the final home match of the season will be for the club.

“It’s all got to come down to Wednesday now.” Hateley said bluntly. “We came here believing that we could get something from this game but it wasn’t to be. We just need to look forward to the Hibs game now – it’s pretty much like cup final for us!

“Four points ahead of Hibs going into the last day would be just beautiful! Perfect! You can’t predict what the game will be like. Both teams will be going at it from the first whistle – it’s their cup final too. I’m sure it will be a great game to watch.”

Fourth place is now close enough to touch for Craig Brown’s men; an achievement which would have been dismissed as ridiculous when ‘Well stumbled into January – and Hateley is quick to point out what a massive effort the last few weeks have been from the players and new management team.

“At the start of the season we said top six was the aim. The new gaffer came in and we went on a great run to get into the top six. Now what we are all desperate and striving to do is get that fourth spot – which would be a magnificent achievement for the boys.” The 20 year old praised.

“It’s great to have it in our own hands. We don’t need to look elsewhere and it’s just down to the boys on the pitch.”

Goals from McGeady, O’Dea, Keane and James Forrest condemned the men from Fir Park to their heaviest defeat under the stewardship of Brown and Knox. But Hateley insists the score flattered the home side, and he has no doubts ‘Well will bounce back against Hibs.

“We had a couple of chances to maybe get a foothold in the game. There was a chance from a corner that hit the post and Saunders had a volley cleared off the line that would have gone in any other day.” Hateley reflected.

“It’s just one of those things. The game could have been different but we ended up getting battered 4-nil.

“We now just think about Wednesday.”

Motherwell fans would’ve been delighted to see John Ruddy make a shock return yesterday – but the big keeper admits it’s wasn’t exactly a dream comeback at Celtic Park.

The on-loan Everton stopper has been in stunning form this season with 15 clean sheets, but shipped four on his return from injury at Parkhead as Celtic punished a lacklustre performance from The Steelmen.

A visibly deflated Ruddy said: “It’s always a disappointment to concede goals, regardless of how many. But to capitulate like that in the second half was really disappointing for everyone involved.

“I thought we were good in the first half, so there was no indication that was going to happen.

“We just didn’t come out at the start of the second half. We were a bit sloppy and you just can’t afford to do that at places like this. We got punished.”

No-one would have foreseen such a heavy defeat for Motherwell as the teams left the pitch at half time. Celtic struggled to get a foothold in the match in the first period and ‘Well even hit the post just minutes before the break.

More of the same would have been the order of the day at half time from Brown and Knox, but Ruddy thinks they were made to rue a slack start in the second half.

“The first goal was a massive blow.” He admitted. “I wouldn’t say it was to blame for us losing 4-nil but if you lose a goal so early in the second half it is a big issue. If you can ride out the first ten or fifteen minutes then maybe the story will be different.  

“The talk in the dressing room before the game was that we could get points here. Celtic played a slightly weakened team…if you can call it that – so we fancied our chances. But when they can bring people like Robbie Keane and Diomansy Kamara off the bench it shows the quality in depth Celtic have got.

“We’ve got to bounce back – it’s a simple as that.” A determined Ruddy insisted.

Ruddy and Motherwell will now turn their attention to Wednesday night, and a massive game against Hibs in the battle for fourth spot. A win for ‘Well will see The Steelmen confirm the final definite Europa Cup berth for next season and the young keeper is in now doubt about just how vital the match will be:

“If we let Hibs beat us on Wednesday then it (fourth place) is well out of our hands. Wednesday is our biggest game of the season and we’ve got to turn up first and second half this time.”

Flying winger Jim O’Brien insists his only focus just now is helping Motherwell qualify for Europe for the third successive season.

Reports in one of today’s tabloids suggested that the former Celtic and Dundee United man had actually signed for Championship side Barnsley.

However, O’Brien, speaking exclusively to motherwellfc.co.uk, has confirmed that he hasn’t put pen to paper on anything and is concentrating on helping ‘Well through three massive games.

“Reports in today’s papers are somewhat premature; I haven’t signed anything.

“I have been down this week, on our day off, to speak with Mark Robins and to see the place at Barnsley and it has all been very positive. But, nothing has been finalised. I have had chats with other clubs since the turn of the year so nothing changes whatsoever.

“Whilst I am a Motherwell player, my 100% focus is doing my best for the team, the supporters and the manager. Every player in the dressing room knows what we have to do and that has my undivided attention.”

The Steelmen face a tricky trip to the East End of Glasgow to take on a Celtic side rejuvenated since Neil Lennon took up the reigns.

The teams met a few weeks ago with the Steelmen unlucky to run out 2-1 losers despite taking the lead through a Mark Reynolds goal.

O’Brien, a former Celtic player, knows how tough tomorrow will be but reckons the side are travelling along the M74 in confident mood.

He said: “Going to Parkhead or Ibrox is always tough, no matter how the Old Firm are playing. The fact that Celtic have won the last five league games doesn’t make it any easier, that’s for sure.”

“In saying that, we done well at Tynecastle last weekend and will be looking to try and pick something up. Obviously, the fourth spot is still up for grabs and that could lead to European football for the club next season. That’s big and whilst that carrot is still there, we’ll be doing everything in our power to take as many points from the last three games as possible.”

A Robert McHugh hat-trick and Gary Smith’s seventeenth of the campaign ensured ‘Well finished the season with all three points against St Johnstone this afternoon.

A 28-minute treble from McHugh in the first-half gave Gordon Young’s men a commanding lead at the interval. The second-half was more even but Smith stole the show with a brilliant individual effort that added the exclamation point to an impressive win.

It means Rangers will now need to win both of their remaining games against Falkirk and St Mirren to overtake the Steelmen for the runners-up spot.

Young stuck with the same starting eleven that overcame Hearts on Tuesday and ‘Well started the better side. However, it took just over nine minutes to create the first decent chance at goal.

A quick-thinking Jamie Pollock wasted no time with a free-kick on the edge of the box, rolling in Robert McHugh. The striker took a touch before firing a fierce low effort that forced Saints keeper Zander Clark into a superb save from point-blank range.

However, just three minutes later, the same player wouldn’t be denied when he opened the scoring in spectacular style. Ross McKinnon was fouled on the edge of the area presenting ‘Well with a chance at goal. Pollock was again hovering over it, but it was McHugh who took the free-kick, curling a beautiful effort around the wall and in off the inside of the post with Clark at full-stretch.

Saints were creating little, if anything, in the way of a chances; only a trickling low shot at Ross Hyslop gave the young ‘keeper a touch of the ball in the first twenty minutes.

Down the other end though, Motherwell were creating problems and it was almost two when Pollock’s corner found Meechan at the back post, but the midfielder’s blistering low effort was somehow blocked for a corner by one of the melee of St Johnstone defenders inside the eighteen-yard-box.

The resulting kick from the quadrant again wasn’t cleared allowing Dan Parker to tee up McHugh who drilled a twenty-yard effort off the top of the bar.

It was turning into a one-sided affair and Clark, in the visitor’s goal, was keeping things respectable. On the half-hour, he made two fantastic saves in quick succession to deny Captain Peter Innes and full-back McKinnon.

Both players tried their luck from distance, Innes’ shot turned round the post and McKinnon’s dipping drive somehow turned over the bar as ‘Well turned the screw.

The pressure finally paid off as McHugh scored a quick fire double to not only win the game, but secure his hat-trick. The first, after 37 minutes, was a predator’s finish when the Scotland U19’s hitman was well-placed to prod home after a bit of a stramash inside the penalty area. The second, three minutes later, was another terrific goal. Picking up from a neat Meechan pass, he side-stepped the last defender before coolly slotting it past Clark for a 28-minute-treble.

Incredibly, he (McHugh) could’ve added his, and Motherwell’s, fourth just before half-time when he finished a fantastic sweeping move but the shot was again saved by Clark and Saints got in at half-time with the scoring just at three.

Bizarrely similar to Tuesday’s win at Hearts, the second half, compared to the first at least, was a bit of a non-event. Saints started the half with their first and only real effort at goal when Stephen Reynolds hit a low shot that was fairly easy for a well-positioned Hyslop to gather.

The only other thing of note in the second forty-five was Gary Smith’s goal on the hour mark which was arguably the best bit of play of the match.

The big striker picked up on the right flank and, hugging the by-line, danced round two challenges before somehow tucking it past Clark from the tightest of angles.

A brilliant individual strike from the former Queens Park man, and probably the pick of the seventeen he has netted for the Steelmen this term.

Young threw on three late subs with Sloan, Brown and McDonald all getting a run, but there wasn’t any change to the score with the game finishing 4-0.

It represents the final game of the 2009/2010 season for the Under 19’s and, sadly, the end of the road for a few in the ‘Well team. The likes of Ross Hyslop and Dan Parker will leave the club next Sunday and go with the best wishes of everyone at Fir Park.

Motherwell: Hyslop, Halsman (Sloan – 66mins), Quinn, Parker (Brown – 73mins), McKinnon, Meechan, Innes, McHugh, Smith, J.Pollock, Lawless (McDonald – 78mins)

Subs Not Used: Muir, G.Pollock

Motherwell’s on-loan striker Lukas Jutkiewicz reckons the Celtic Park fear factor has somewhat diminished for teams visiting the East End of Glasgow this season.

The Steelmen lost 2-1 the last time the teams met despite, arguably, having the better of the chances and the 21-year-old says ‘Well are heading to Parkhead in confident mood – and gunning for revenge:

“I think a lot of the fear of going to a place like Celtic Park has gone now, and we are confident,” said the optimistic on-loan Evertonian.

“Celtic have picked up lately and got a great result last time out at Dundee United, but we still believe we can go to there and get a good result. Our previous match against Celtic was a bit of an injustice in terms of the result because our performance was really good but we just let ourselves down in a couple of silly areas.

“I got a little bit of a kicking last time at Celtic Park, but I’d expect nothing less – that’s a centre backs job!”

Parkhead isn’t the only place where the big striker has felt like he’s been through the wars.

Jutkiewicz has been playing through the pain barrier of late, and has led the line admirably despite a persistent knee injury. A fact made all the more heroic given the fact he is only at the club on a year’s loan.

Not that the player feels like he is ‘only on loan’: “I don’t feel like I am here temporarily. I feel really comfortable here; I’m enjoying myself and it’s somewhere I’d like to be to play my football.” The player admitted.

“I’ve been carrying a knock for a few months now. The problem started at the beginning of February after the Rangers game here, so it’s been a long while and a frustrating couple of months. I’m assured it won’t be a long term injury so I’m happy to take painkillers and play whenever I can.”

‘Well fans everywhere will be delighted at the Englishman’s desire to stay at Fir Park, where he has enjoyed a run of matches and a rich vein of goal-scoring form before the injuries hit.

Unfortunately there is a suggestion the decision may be taken out of the hands of both Jutkiewicz and Motherwell as the striker’s contract with the Merseyside club peters out.

“If I have another years loan here next year then Everton risk losing me for nothing, so they might want to get some money for me,” he said solemnly, “but I’m really happy and if I could stay here it would be great.”

“If it was possible for myself, Steve (Jennings) and John (Ruddy) to all stay then that would be brilliant. We’ve all really enjoyed ourselves up here and would love to stay on.

“It would be a shame if Everton were to price me out of a move here. It wouldn’t make sense to ask too much because I’m obviously out of contract next year.

“So, as I’ve said; next year I’d love to see myself here. Fingers crossed that can happen. I expect I’ll be having a meeting with the manager (David Moyes) at the end of the season to see exactly what his plans are.”

Regardless of whether Lukas is still at Motherwell next season, he is determined to leave the club with the gift of European qualification to remember him by, saying: “Even if I’m not a part of it next season it would mean the World for me to leave here having helped the team to a place in Europe, but ideally it’s something I’d like to be a part of.”

The Steelmen’s terrific win at Tynecastle last week all but assured at least fifth place, which will mean a Europa Cup place should heavy favourites Dundee United win the Scottish Cup. However there is no suggestion that complacency could be a factor at the club.

“I would be a massive achievement to get a European spot, but the players don’t just want to finish fifth – we want fourth place. Partly because fifth place means the players are back two weeks earlier for the early stages of the Europa Cup whereas you go in a round later if we finish fourth, so the management team don’t need to give us any more added motivation than two weeks extra holiday!” He laughed.

“I’ve had some great European experiences just being in some Everton squads in the UEFA Cup runs, but haven’t managed to play. So I’m now keen to get some games from the start in Europe. It’s every player’s ambition and I know all the lads are desperate for another shot at it after not getting to the group stages this year.

“I’ve been to Fiorentina, Nuremburg in Germany was an amazing purpose built World Cup stadium, AZ Alkmaar was a great atmosphere – so it’s absolutely something I want more experiences of.”