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Motherwell FC has formed an innovative new partnership with Breathing Space – the helpline and website for people in Scotland who are feeling low or depressed.

The new football season kicked-off with the club’s first team players displaying the Breathing Space logo on their jerseys, highlighting the Steelmen’s passion and commitment to raising awareness of the importance of good mental health.

Breathing Space messages will be displayed on home match days and key players and representatives of the club, including Scottish cup winning legend Stevie Kirk, will be ambassadors for the service.

Two games will also be dedicated to Breathing Space, with the players wearing Breathing Space T-shirts in warm-up sessions, announcements made within Fir Park Stadium, and information and promotional materials given out to supporters.

[pullquote]This new partnership is testament to the commitment of Motherwell Football Club in addressing mental health issues both in Lanarkshire and all over Scotland.[/pullquote]

Motherwell FC has, over the years, taken an active role in promoting mental health issues, as the club itself has been touched by suicide.

“Research shows that 70% of people who complete suicide haven’t been in contact with any support services and a significant number of those who complete suicide are men,” said Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator.

“Breathing Space is a crucial service for Scotland, which has double the suicide rate of England and Wales per 100,000 of the population. This new partnership is testament to the commitment of Motherwell Football Club in addressing mental health issues both in Lanarkshire and all over Scotland,” explained Tony.

As a club, Motherwell has been involved in a number of important mental health initiatives, including partnerships with ‘See me’, ‘Choose Life’ and ‘Steps for Stress’, in addition to a wide range of community programmes, to establish itself as Scotland’s premier Community Club.

“We are delighted to be in partnership with Breathing Space, which is such an important service for individuals affected by low mood or depression. Using our profile to raise awareness of this service is a positive step towards improving the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland,” said Stuart McCall, Motherwell Manager.

Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone and web based service for any individual who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to. Calls to the service exceed 7,000 each month, with calls relating to a wide range of issues including relationship difficulties, stress at work, bereavement, isolation, loneliness and suicide.

Because many people suffering from low mood and depression feel particularly bad in the evenings, the lines are open from 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday and 6pm on Friday to Monday 6am. For emotional support, talk in confidence with trained advisors by calling Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or visit www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk.

A British Sign Language service can be accessed from the website.

Breathing Space is also partnered with Macmillan Cancer Support, Scottish Huntington’s Association and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Craig Thomson is the man in charge for Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers at Fir Park.

39-year old Thomson, considered to be one of the best officials on the FIFA list, has yet to officiate a Motherwell match this season although he has already handled Celtic’s 5-1 demolishing of Dundee United at Celtic Park last weekend.

He will be a familiar face to Fir Park fans having been a top-flight official for almost a decade and taking charge of three league matches last season.

Thomson was the man in the middle for the SPL opener against Hibs when goals from John Sutton and Jamie Murphy wasn’t enough as Hibs ran out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Antony Stokes, Paul Hanlon and Liam Miller.

His next appointment was the 1-0 home defeat by Hamilton Accies in the Lanarkshire derby. Then Accies striker Nigel Hasselbaink separated the sides with a 15th minute curler from the edge of the box.

Most recently, he took charge of the 0-0 draw with Hearts last April when an unfamiliar ‘Well side did well to take a point at Tynecastle.

His record in charge of the Steelmen is mixed with nine wins, fourteen defeats and seven draws from 30 matches

Not included in that list was the 2007/08 Scottish Cup fourth round replay win against Hearts at Fir Park, when he replaced the injured Stuart Dougal midway through the second-half.

In those games, Motherwell have scored 39 and conceded 40. 107 players have gone into the book, 51 were wearing claret and amber, while four players, including Stephen Craigan, have been dismissed. The skipper saw red in the 2-0 Scottish Cup defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park six years ago.

Thomson will be ably assisted by Andy Tait and Raymond White with George Salmond on fourth official duties. Referee Observer will be Brian Cassidy with George Douglas as SPL delegate.

Good evening ‘Well fans – I hope you are enjoying your night after another good win from the team.

Firstly, can I apologise for not sending you any emails until now. It has been one thing after another and I’ve been rushed off my feet after matches but it is something I very much intend to continue throughout the season – win, lose or draw.

Obviously, it has been a positive start both in terms of results, but also performances. We’ve had a bit of everything so far from style to flair but also hard work, grit and determination and no praise is high enough for the players at the moment.

Their attitude, application, work rate and dedication is fantastic and you, as fans, should be proud of the team you have at present. We won’t always win, I’ve said that to you all before and each and every one of you will, I am sure, understand that.

However, to a man, these guys would run through brick walls for the cause and there are fewer pleasing things to see as a manager than a team with that sort of attitude.

I would also like to pay tribute to you too. The support and backing we have received since I arrived at the club, but in particularly this season, has been terrific and again today, I head constant noise and support from the stands. I am so pleased you got your rewards and hopefully the journey along the new M74 was a joy.

In the same regard, we now have a massive, massive game next Sunday against Rangers. We really need you, our fans, to turn up in as much numbers as you can to encourage the team on. Without wanting to tempt fate, we’ve only lost one competitive match at Fir Park since February and our fans play just as big a part in that as the players do.

Encourage everyone you can. Friends, family, colleagues, everyone; we need a loud, noisy and vociferous Motherwell support and hopefully we can continue to build on our good start.

All the best,

Stuart McCall was delighted to finally break St Mirren’s resistance in Paisley – but admits he didn’t expect to see Tom Hateley’s spectacular effort find the net.

In fact, if the gaffer had his way the former Reading man wouldn’t even have been hitting the free-kick which saw the Steelmen hold on to their position at the top of the SPL pile.

“I told him to shift it to the side,” McCall joked. “When Tom takes it I’m looking to ‘Row Z’; he’s living off that goal in Odense! I’ve told him: ‘from now on we’re going to shift it to the side and fire it in, especially in wet conditions’, but that’ll be his one for the season.”

“No, in all seriousness, It’s a brilliant finish. The keeper’s taken a wee step to the side and he’s found the corner really well. On the balance of chances we deserved it. In terms of play it was an even match.”

It was a goal befitting an excellent encounter, and probably the only way anyone was going to get past the excellent Craig Samson, who was the stand-out performer.

[pullquote]On the balance of chances we deserved it. In terms of play it was an even match.[/pullquote]

The former Scotland under-21 keeper made a series of super saves; the most spectacular of which coming as he parried a point-blank drive from Michael Higdon past the post with a sublime reflex stop.

But the on-form custodian could do nothing to stop Hateley’s late missile: “I thought St Mirren’s keeper pulled off some great saves,” McCall lauded. “Nicky Law’s been one-on-one, he’s made a brilliant save from Higdon, Murph’s had an effort; I don’t think we’ve really missed many chances, the keeper has made some great saves.

“If we’d come off at 0-0 then I’d have thought it was a hard fought draw, and maybe been a little bit disappointed that we didn’t take our chances. But we matched St Mirren and kept fighting and finally got the goal.”

The victory also means that ‘Well have now gone four matches without conceding a single goal; the only club in the SPL yet to concede.

Stuart McCall is understandably proud of this record, and insists that the Steelmen’s positive start is entirely built on his watertight backline.

“I don’t think I even had four clean sheets in a row when I was a player,” the ‘Well boss smiled. “I don’t think we were at our best from middle-to-front today, but we have competed well all the way through. I tough Craigan was outstanding today.

“We threw our bodies in and got blocks in all over the park. This is what our form so far has built on. I think we can play better, but if you come away from home and win and say that then you have to be happy.”

Pictures from the 1-0 win over St Mirren in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at St Mirren Park.

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

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[tab:Match report]

Alan Temple at St Mirren Park

A stunning Tom Hateley free-kick secured a last-gasp victory for Motherwell over St Mirren as they retained top spot in the SPL.

It’s a result which keeps the Steelmen above Celtic and McCall’s men are still to concede a single goal.

Craig Samson was the undoubted star of the show for the home side at New St Mirren Park, making a series of saves to deny the visitors and single-handedly ensuring the Buddies’ clean sheet stayed intact as long as it did. A first-half save from Michael Higdon was a particular highlight for the stopper, making a super reflex save to deny the striker from inside the box.

But in the end he was beaten by a sublime Hateley free-kick well into stoppage time.

St Mirren, while enjoying plenty of aesthetically pleasing possession, struggled to cut McCall’s watertight defence open and actually had their best chance a matter of minutes into the game, with Randolph saving from a clean-through Gary Teale.

Stuart McCall made two enforced changes from the side which defeated Hearts 1-0 last week to remain top of the SPL pile. Ross Forbes came in for the suspended Keith Lasley, facilitating a move into the centre of midfield for Nicky Law, while Shaun Hutchinson returned to take the place of Stevie Saunders who is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

St Mirren, also enjoying an excellent start to the SPL campaign, sitting in 4th place ahead of kick-off, made three changes. Darren McGregor, another player who has been brutally cut down by injury, with damaged knee ligaments keeping the gifted defender out for the season, was replaced by Marc McAusland.

Lennon also brought in Graham Carey to replace the suspended Nigel Hasselbaink, while Kenny McLean replaced veteran midfielder Steven Thomson.

The passing intentions of the hosts were illustrated before the kick-off, with New St Mirren Park’s sprinkler system kicking into action a matter of minutes before the game was due to take place. Yet, if anything, the zippy pitch sabotaged a glorious chance for the home side just minutes in. Steve Jennings’ short back pass was intercepted by Gary Teale, but the former Scotland international slipped slightly as he got his shot away, and Randolph was able to make a super low save.

It was indicative of a promising early start from the home side, with Graham Carey flashing a free-kick just wide and Steven Thompson proving to be a matter of inches away from getting on the end of a Carey corner.

It took until the 20th minute for the visitors to really kick into gear. A slick passing move culminated in Michael Higdon teeing up Jamie Murphy on the edge of the area, and the Scotland under-21 star’s shot had to be competently parried away by Craig Samson.

Samson had to be at his best again minutes later to deny Nicky Law from point-blank range. Jim Goodwin – the last man for the Buddies – dallied on the ball and was robbed by a tenacious combination of Murphy and Law, allowing the latter a clear run on goal, by the Saints’ keeper stood tall and made a marvelous block.

As a thoroughly entertaining half swung from end to end ‘Well had unadulterated good fortune to thank for not falling behind, as a devilish Gary Teale cross ricocheted off Shaun Hutchison six yards from goal and bounced a matter of inches wide, with Randolph stranded.

27-year old Craig Samson, St Mirren’s new number one keeper following the summer departure of Paul Gallacher, was doing his reputation no harm in an excellent first-half display – and he made a truly stunning save on the half-hour mark. Michael Higdon showed excellent strength and poise to swivel in the box, eight yards from goal, and fire in a super blistering strike which somehow the keeper parried wide. The respectful slap of the hand from Higdon towards his ex-teammate spoke volumes.

Gary Teale lashed a strike straight into the arms of Darren Randolph while Michael Higdon glanced a header inches wide from six yards out, as an excellent half of football somehow ended with the scoresheet untroubled.

Given the verve and endevour of the first half, the second half opened in somewhat underwhelming fashion. Indeed, a couple of scrambles inside the Motherwell penalty area were the only moments of note in the early stages of the second period, aside from bookings to Jim Goodwin and David van Zanten for wild challenges.

Steven Thompson did come close as he rose to meet a Gary Teale header across the face of goal, but some superb defending from Stephen Craigan did enough to put off the bustling former Rangers striker.

Suffice to say the second half wasn’t proving quite as hectic for the excellent Craig Samson, but he was forced into another save just after the hour – once again denying his former teammate. Michael Higdon benefitted from a fortunate break of the ball on the edge of the area and his drive had to be palmed away by the Buddies’ custodian.

Samson’s heroic were becoming an all-too frequent occurrence, and with fifteen minutes left on the clock he rushed from his line to smother a Jamie Murphy effort, after the 21-year old had been nodded through by Michael Higdon following some classic route one football.

Almost inevitably, when Ross Forbes fired in a rasping effort from distance Samson was up to the challenge, fisting the ball as far as Humphrey who couldn’t find the space to profit from the rebound.

But Samson was fated to be beaten in the end, and in the most spectacular fashion. Nicky Law was hauled down on the edge of the box and Hateley proceeded to step up and lash home a fantastic, whipped effort past the former Scotland under-21 man. It was a goal made all the more dramatic by the fact it was all-but the last kick of the all in a tumultuous afternoon’s football.

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at St Mirren Park

Full Time: Game over and we are back to top of the League!! What a finish – it took a great strike to beat Samson this afternoon….and that was one!

90mins +1 – GOOOOOAAAALLLLL – Hateley free kick wins it for Well – what a stunner!!!!

90mins – Only one minute being added on, and we are well into it already.

85mins – With five to go the rain is now sweeping across the ground, Higdon booked for a late one on Goodwin.

84mins – Change for Well Carswell on, Jennings off.

75mins – Samson at it again this time stopping a great shot from Forbes from about 25 yards out.

71mins -Saints make a change with Carey going off and McShane coming on.

71mins – another stop from Samson as Murphy goes through, couldn’t quite get ball out of his feet for a good connection.

67mins -Yellow for Hutchinson for what looked to me a good tackle on Thompson – crowd may have had an influence there….

64mins – Samson makes another fine stop, this time beating away a Higdon shot from 18 yards out.

54mins – Another yellow this time van Zanten for a high flying challenge on Hammell. Wee bit harsh!

50mins – First yellow of the game, Goodwin booked for a foul on Law.

48mins – Crowd announced as 5105, with 1001 making their way from Lanarkshire.

45mins – Teams back out and we will be underway shortly.

Half time: 0-0! Absorbing first half, chances all for ‘Well despite loads of Saints possession – good game so far, only missing a goal.

44mins – Hammell cross to the back post is headed just wide by Higdon, all the good chances are at one end.

26mins – Another fantastic stop from Samson, this time to deny Higdon after a great run down left from Murphy – we should be winning on chances.

20mins – Law robs Goodwin just in Saints half but his shot from just inside the box us saved by Samson to keep the score goalless.

15mins – Law and Higdon combine to set up a Murphy shot from 18 yards which keeper Samson has to beat out for a corner – first chance.

11mins – this is proving to be the test we expected with Saints high on confidence and working hard, while playing some nice passing stuff.

2mins – Narrow escape there as a short pass by Jennings is picked up by Teale but Brines had spotter an earlier infringement

1min – Game underway with Saints kicking off….

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I think on play it was equal. On chances, we certainly had the better chances.

“I was thinking just before the boy put the minute up it was another quite entertaining 0-0 we’d been involved in. I think their keeper’s had three or four good saves and from our point of view Darren had one comfortable one, but they put a lot of dangerous balls into the box. All the defenders stood up to it and made a lot of good blocks and challenges.

“Our middle to front players weren’t at their best, but if we can come away from home and win 1-0 when that’s not the case I’m obviously very happy. We know we can be better going at teams but we can’t be too critical with a decent performance.”

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon:

“It rounds of what has been a difficult week for us. I’m looking for a wee bit of character now. It’s been a very good start to the season for us and it’s never nice to lose. I believe with the character we have we’ll bounce back.

“We’ve just asked them that question – to come in bright and keep everything going – because if we keep believing in the manner and way we’re playing we’ll certainly pick up more points.

“I’m not too deflated. As long as these players keep believing what they’re doing is right we’ll be fine. We’ll certainly pick up more points.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”64″]

Motherwell Under 19s crashed to a dissapointing 2-1 home defeat to Hearts at Bathgate’s Creamery Park this morning.

The visitors took the lead after just thirteen minutes when Billy King drilled home from close range after good build-up play from David Smith on the left flank.

Motherwell drew level with eleven minutes left of the first half when Keiran McGachie headed home a Nicky Devlin cross. However, Gordon Young’s men couldn’t hold to half-time as King grabbed his and Hearts’ second of the match with a bouncing free-kick from the edge of the area.

Motherwell battled away in the second and could, and perhaps should, have drawn level when McGachie pounced on a rebounded shot but slipped at the vital moment, trunding an effort wide when a goal looked certain.

There were several new faces in the Motherwell squad for the new season. Former Spurs defender Zane Francis-Angol lined up at full-back along with Nicky Devlin, a summer recruit from Dumbarton, taking his place on the opposite side. Englishman Steve Hetherington made his U19s debut in the middle of the park and promotee’s from the Under 17’s Darren Brownlie and Adam Ashgar took their place in the starting eleven.

Hearts finished runners-up to Celtic in last season’s Clydesdale Bank Under 19s league and they started the match looking as if they were keen to go one better this time around.

A foul by Brownlie on Jason Holt allowed the visitors a shot at goal after just six minutes. Right-back Fraser Mullens would take the kick but his effort flew harmlessly over the bar.

Hearts continued to attack and had the ball in the net two minutes later when Mullens’ cross from the right was headed home by Smith inside the six yard. However, the referee had already stopped the game and the goal wouldn’t count.

Ryan Stewart posted further warning of Hearts’ intent with a shot from the edge of the box that zipped just over the bar before the visitors took the lead.

Striker Smith did well on the right flank to dance round two challenges, work space and cut-back for the waiting King. He somehow managed to squirm away from Euan Murray inside the area before drilling a low right-footed shot through Willie Muir and into the net.

Hearts immediately went in search of a second and a Dale O’Hara free-kick from the left touchline fell fortuitously at the feet of Chris Tobin but his half-volley from about ten yards spun harmlessly wide of Muir’s post.

It took the Steelmen thirty minutes to really get going and they finally made Hearts work at the back with a well-worked move. McGachie won the ball on the half-way line and immediately sent Josh Watt scampering down the right flank. Watt, called into the Scotland U19s squad, thundered past O’Hara before delivering a terrific ball across the face of goal that just evaded Lee Erwin inside the six yard box.

That seemed to give Young’s men a much-needed confidence boost and they drew level four minutes later thanks to a good header from Keiran McGachie. Devlin and Watt combined on the right allowing the former to deliver a tantalising cross into the area that was met by the Stenny-born striker. His header hit the base of the post before spinning into the net for his first of the season.

Hearts battled back and almost got themselves back in front when Calum Patterson met a Mullens corner from the right but his header dropped the wrong side of Muir’s right hand upright.

However, it was a warning shot across the bow that ‘Well failed to heed as the Jambos did eventually get back ahead on the stroke of half-time and it was that man King again who would grab the goal.

25-yards out, King stroke a low free-kick that bounced cruelly just in front of Muir before squirming into the net. It was a difficult one for the young stopper to deal with and a cruel blow for the Steelmen just seconds before the interval.

There were no changes at the break as Hearts started the second much as they finished the first. Jason Holt almost grabbed their third just three minutes in when he worked space for himself inside the Motherwell penalty area but his low shot was well stopped by Muir low to his right hand post.

However, Motherwell would pass up a great chance after 51 minutes when McGachie ran out of luck at the vital time. Hetherington started the move, teeing it up for Erwin on the edge of the area. The former Scotland U17 striker unleashed a stinging effort that forced Jack Hamilton to parry. The ball screwed out for the former Hearts youngster but he wouldn’t punish his former side; slipping at the vital second, his shot went harmlessly wide of the post with a grounded Hamilton relieved to watch it bounce past.

The game hit a bit of a lull as both teams traded possession without creating much in the way of chances. That was interrupted twenty-five minutes into the half when King fancied a hat-trick but was denied when his shot from distance was comfortably saved by Muir in the home goal.

Hearts continued to look the more likely to add to the lead and Holt flashed another shot which Muir had to watch fizz past his post.

On the stroke of full-time, Muir in the Motherwell goal pulled off two terrific saves to keep the scoreline respectable. The first, from substitute Dale Carrick, was an excellent two-handed stop when the striker raced through on goal. The other was from a late Mullens free-kick with the young keeper was more than a match, pushing away the low bouncing effort with the rebound hooked into touch.

The game ended shortly after with Hearts running out deserved winners on chances created. ‘Well return to action next weekend when they face a trip to Kilwinning to face Kilmarnock.

Motherwell: Muir, Fancis-Angol (Lynch – 70mins), Murray, Brownlie, Devlin, MacDonald, Ashgar (Leitch – 80mins), Hetherington, Watt (Green – 73mins), McGachie, Erwin

Subs Not Used: Stewart, McLean, Moore

Goals: McGachie (34mins)

Hearts: Hamilton, Mullens, O’Hara, Patterson, McKay, Kane, Stewart (Carrick – 85mins), Tobin, Smith, Holt,B.King

Subs Not Used: Carswell, Scott, A.King, Thomson, Nicholson

Goals: King (13, 45)

Skipper Stephen Craigan expects an entertaining encounter tomorrow as Motherwell travel to face the side he reckons is the most improved in the country.

Following the signing of attacking talents such as Gary Teale, Paul McGowan, Nigel Hasselbaink and Steven Thompson, the Buddies have flew out of the traps this season, displaying a passing fluidity which was perhaps absent for much of last season’s campaign.

The improvement in the Paisley side comes as no surprise to Craigan, who expects a serious threat to the Steelmen’s unbeaten start.

“You could say that, after three games, St.Mirren have been the most improved side in Scotland,” he praised. “With the quality of player they’ve brought in – the calibre – I think it was obvious that they would be much better than last season.

“Danny (Lennon) has got the players in that he wanted to and has St Mirren playing the way he wants them to, and it’s going to be a good game – two unbeaten sides.

“I think it (‘Well’s place at the top of the league) can be a little bit deceptive in the early stages. We’ve had a reasonable start and that was always our aim; it gets us points on the boards and covers you in case you have any little dips along the way. We now must focus on carrying on that early form.”

[pullquote]You could say that, after three games, St.Mirren have been the most improved side in Scotland.[/pullquote]

As the ‘Well skipper – and fellow part of a watertight defence – Craigan had some positive words for young Steven Saunders, who looks to be out for between six and nine months with a ruptured achilles tendon.

The former Northern Ireland stalwart is aware of the serious nature of the injury, but has backed his young team-mate to fight back with aplomb.

“As soon as I found out Stevie’s injury occurred I was in contact,” 34-year old recalled. “I think it will be a few days before he’s back in here but he’ll get plenty of support.

“It’s actually been a horrific week for the whole of Scottish football; there’s been some really serious injuries. It’s strange because these guys [Severin, McGregor, Izaguirre, Saunders] are at peak fitness.

“But Steve has got age and fitness on his side and I’m sure that will be a big benefit coming back from a serious injury.”

Stuart McCall admits he is delighted with the start made by his Motherwell side, but insists there’s still work to do as The Steelmen look to improve on a successful campaign last year.

‘Well sit atop the Scottish Premier League with two wins and one draw from the first three fixtures of the season; moreover, the watertight Motherwell defence is yet to be breached this season.

Yet, despite a blistering start to the campaign McCall is all too aware of the threat posed by a St Mirren side who have also enjoyed a positive start to the season, having made some high profile signings this summer.

“It’s great to get a positive start,” McCall praised. “It’s pleasing to be undefeated, but the main thing is those two wins we’ve got on the board. People will talk about the clean sheets, and while we’ve been lucky at times I think in the main we’ve defended well.

“It’s an old cliché but we will look ahead to the next game. The past is the past and we will take the confidence of previous performances and look ahead.

“St Mirren have brought in some good attacking talent; Thompson, Teale and young Paul McGowan.

“We know the dangers that lie ahead because St Mirren have started very well. I was at Tannadice last week to see them play a great 45 minutes there. The boy Hasselbaink got sent off and that changed the game – but they still fought hard to get a point.”

[pullquote]St Mirren have brought in some good attacking talent; Thompson, Teale and young Paul McGowan. We know the dangers that lie ahead because St Mirren have started very well.[/pullquote]

While this season has been superb for The Steelmen on the pitch, there has been a major setback on the injury front, after Stevie Saunders ruptured his Achilles tendon while on international duty with Scotland Under 21’s.

It is a serious setback for the gifted youngster especially given that Saunders impressed massively on his first start for Motherwell this season against Hearts last week.

“He’s had his operation now,” McCall confirmed solemnly. “It was a ruptured Achilles tendon and will keep him out for six to nine months – it was just unlucky as there was nobody near him. It’s unfortunate, but he’s young and he’s healthy and we hope he’ll come back even stronger than before.

“We wish him all the best. He’ll be back in soon and we’ll have a little chat with him and hopefully keep his spirits up.

“Speaking from experience – I was out for eleven months with my knee when I was at Rangers – it can be a lonely time working away in the gym and not being able to do what you really want; go out and play football. But he’s a positive lad who will get on with his rehab and I think he’ll be back sooner rather than later.”

The horrible injury to the young Scotland international has further exacerbated ‘Well’s need for a defender. The Steelmen gaffer had previously stated his need for defensive re-enforcements – and the search is now more ‘urgent’.  

The ‘Well gaffer continued: “We were looking to bring in a defender as it was, but now I feel we need to bring in a centre-back who can play at right-back.

“We have to be looking at bringing in a defender now. That was the case before Steven’s injury but has been made more urgent after his injury.”

Motherwell’s new silver away kit will goes on sale today (Friday 12th August) from the ‘Well Shop at Fir Park.

The response to the new kit, the first time Motherwell have ever played in silver, has been excellent with interest and pre-orders very encouraging indeed.

The Club Shop will be open from 9am and will stay open until 5pm.

Pre-ordered kits have been posted and will be with UK customers today.