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Midfielder Paul Lawson has become the first signing of the summer after penning a two-year deal this afternoon.

The 28-year old former Celtic and Ross County man will be officially registered on 1st June when his current deal with the Staggies expires.

Lawson began his career at Celtic Park and was skipper of the reserve side whilst a regular feature in the then Scotland Under 21 squad.

He played four times for Celtic’s first-team, including a starting slot against Aberdeen back in May 2006.

He enjoyed loan spells at both St Johnstone and St Mirren before joining Ross County in the summer of 2007.

[pullquote]It’s great to have my future sorted out. There is a lot of uncertainty around Scottish Football so it’s really pleasing to have things sorted early doors.[/pullquote]

Six years and 178 games later, he has opted to return to the central belt after a fabulous final season at Victoria Park, starring for Derek Adams’ side as they secured a top-six finish.

Speaking exclusively to MFC TV, he said: “It’s great to have my future sorted out. There is a lot of uncertainty around Scottish Football so it’s really pleasing to have things sorted early doors.

“I enjoyed my time at Ross County. I have been pleased with my performances and thankfully the manager [Stuart McCall] spotted that and came in to sign me.

“He is probably the main reason why I joined. I met him and he was keen to bring me here which was great and obviously the boys have enjoyed a fantastic season and I am keen to try and continue that next year.”

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Remedial work has started on the Fir Park ahead of the forthcoming 2013/14 season.

Head Groundsman Mikey Ellis explained: “We have been very pleased with the condition of the pitch in the previous two seasons.

“The quality has meant the remedial work required this summer is nowhere near as length as in previous years.

“We are fraze mowing the turf at the moment then we will verti-drain it. We will then add a few tones of sand before seeding.

“The work will be complete before the end of the week which should see us in really good shape ahead of the new season.”

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Highlights from McDiarmid Park as Motherwell slump to a  2-0 defeat to St Johnstone in the final game of the season.

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Action shots from the McDiarmid Park as Motherwell lose the last game of the season 2-0 to St Johnstone.

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Stuart McCall insisted a disappointing final day defeat by St Johnstone will now overshadow what has been an sensational campaign for his side.

The Steelmen suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Saints after goals from Liam Craig and Nigel Hasselbaink enough to give Steve Lomas’ men a spot in the Europa League.

McCall was unhappy with the result but keen to focus on the positives of the campaign that has seen them finish as runners-up in the SPL.

He told MFC TV after the match: It’s always disappointing to lose no matter which game you, play.

[pullquote]My disappointment is balanced out by my pride at the whole season[/pullquote]

“I knew as soon as we had a kick-around on the park before the warm up that the pitch was going to be the worst we’ve played on all season although that is not making excuses.

“You’ve got to hold your hands up and admit it was a great strike by Craig and that gave them the impetus for the second-half.

“We didn’t create a great deal and they defended well. They are a strong, physical side and when we tried to play football, it just didn’t come off.

“My disappointment is balanced out by my pride at the whole season, the fantastic backing from supporters at both ends of the stadium and although it would have been nice to end with a victory, I’m actually delighted with the way we’ve finished the season overall.”

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 Phil McGhee at McDiarmid Park

Motherwell ended the season with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to euro-chasing St Johnstone at Perth.

A tremendous 1000 plus “Well fans crammed into the Main Stand at McDiarmid Park, with an overspill behind the goal, intent on celebrating the conclusion of a fabulous season.

But it was Saints who deservedly took the points to secure the last European slot with goals from Liam Craig and Nigel Hasselbaink.

In the end it was a disappointing afternoon for the Steelmen who never managed to match the hunger of the home side or acclimatise to a very difficult playing surface.

Lee Hollis took over in goal from Darren Randolph and with Tom Hateley and Chris Humphrey both injured, Fraser Kerr and Stuart Carswell made it into the starting line-up.

And while it was a chance for those three to shine, in truth, ‘Well hade few bright moments in an otherwise forgettable afternoon.

The pitch made football difficult for both teams and the play, like the surface, was very patchy. Incredibly as every pass bobbled up off the surface, and both the players and referee looked for a solution, the match ball was replaced four times in the opening 20 minutes.

By that stage the only football thing of note was when Steven McLean slid the ball past Hollis and into the net only for the Saints celebrations to be curtailed by an offside flag.

“Well’s only threat came when James McFadden, wide on the right fed in Nicky Law who blasted his shot high and wide.

After half an hour though Saints looked much more intent and a great move and cross from Callum Davidson found Chris Miller whose side foot volley smacked off the face of the post.

‘Well’s luck did not carry much further though and in the 35^th minute, the Perth side took the lead.

Simon Ramsden did well with a double block outside the box but when the ball fell in front of Liam Craig, he unleashed a superb left foot drive which gave Hollis no chance.

Saints fans were cheering again minutes later as news came through that Inverness Caley were a goal down placing the Perth men in pole position for Europe.

That nearly changed on the stroke of half time when ‘Well almost equalised. Law’s corner found Higdon and his powerful downward header was blocked by Alan Mannus but from six yards, Henrik Ojamaa hoisted the rebound over the bar when a leveler looked likely.

Saints reply to that scare was almost immediate and two minutes after the break they grabbed their second goal to make the points secure. Nigel Hasselbaink, who has a habit of scoring against ‘Well, collected the ball with his back to goal, turned Shaun Hutchison and guided his shot just inside the post.

That lead might have been increased when a dipping volley from Murray Davidson crashed off the cross bar.

Hollis then produced a fine one handed save to push away a low drive from substitute Mehdi Abeid.

With Saints content to protect their lead, Motherwell never looked like getting back into the game and the best they had to offer a subdued travelling support was a Hutchison header which was held by Mannus and a Kallum Higginbotham shot which was deflected just outside the post.

Undaunted by the result, the Motherwell fans joined the Saints fans on the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate both side’s European qualification and an otherwise sensational 2012/13 drew to a close.

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Alan Burrows at McDiarmid Park

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“I was disappointed we lost the game.

“There are no excuses. St Johnstone had the bit between the teeth. I don’t like losing anything but we have to take a reality check.

“It’s not been about today, it’s been about the season.”

St Johnstone manager Stevie Lomas:

“I thought it was a day of excellence. We carried out our gameplan to perfection and it could have been by a lot more.

“The boys were excellent. We just had to do what we could do.

“The lads were fully focused and you saw that from their effort and commitment and the quality of play.”

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Stuart McCall insists his side have it all to play for when they finish the season at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.

The Steelmen have already confirmed their runners-up spot in the Scottish Premier League and a return to Europa League action in 2012/13.

Saints, on the other hand, will go right to the wire with Inverness in the battle for third with the Highlanders facing a tough away battle against fierce rivals Ross County at Victoria Park.

And although the Fir Parkers have nothing to play for on paper, the 40-times capped McCall is adamant his squad will be doing everything they can to win.

[pullquote]For a few of our boys, it will be their last time playing for Motherwell and there is likely to be a good travelling support going to Perth so we need to be at our best.[/pullquote]

“I was at a dinner on Monday night and Stevie Lomas was telling me that, as a fellow ginger, I have to look after him and play a weakened side whilst at the same time, Terry Butcher’s staff are texting me every day to say I had better not or the big man will be coming to get me,” he joked.

“But in all seriousness, we have our own targets. If we can win, it will mean we will have won 19 matches; 50% of our games and that would be incredible for Motherwell. A win would also take us into double figures in terms of away wins so we’ve got a lot to play for.

“For a few of our boys, it will be their last time playing for Motherwell and there is likely to be a good travelling support going to Perth so we need to be at our best.”

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Motherwell Football Club are today (Friday) pleased to confirm Simon Ramsden has signed a new two-year contract at the club.

RAMSDEN arrived last summer from Bradford City and has enjoyed an excellent debut season at Fir Park, forming a formidable partnership with Shaun Hutchinson at the heart of the Steelmen defence.

That has been rewarded with a contract extension that will keep the former Sunderland stopper in Claret and Amber until June 2015.

[pullquote]To make my debut in the Champions League, then play a part in this team finishing second in the table has been fantastic.[/pullquote]

Speaking to the gathered press at Motherwell’s weekly news conference, Ramsden, who has played thirty times this campaign, said: “I am really happy to be staying at the club and pleased that the contract has been sorted out.

“My family and I are really settled in Scotland and I am pleased how things have gone on the field too.

“To make my debut in the Champions League, then play a part in this team finishing second in the table has been fantastic.

“We might be losing some players but I am sure the manager will already have replacements lined up and, hopefully, we can have another good season next year.”

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