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[tab:Match report]

A dogged and determined Motherwell earned a deserved point after holding Celtic to a 1-1 draw this afternoon.

Sutton opened the scoring in the 19th minute before missing a great chance to double the lead from six yards with the home team booed off at the interval.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown and Kris Commons, two of the six players left out by Deila as he rang the changes, came on for the start of the second half with Brown earning a disputed 67th-minute penalty, which Commons converted.

The hosts threw everything forward, but the resolute Steelmen saw the match out to claim their first point from Celtic Park in almost five years.

Zaine Francis-Angol and Fraser Kerr returned for the starting line-up in place of Paul Lawson and Lee Erwin, both of whom had to be content with a place amongst the substitutes.

After Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Salzburg and with Hearts due to visit in the League Cup next Wednesday, Ronnie Delia took the opportunity to utilise his squad.

Lukasz Zaluska was given a rare start in goal while midfielders Beram Kayal, Nir Bitton and Aleksandar Tonev, plus strikers Anthony Stokes and John Guidetti were also brought in with the Swede making his first start since signing on a loan deal from Manchester City.

Brown, Commons, Craig Gordon and Stefan Scepovic started on the bench while Stefan Johansen and Mubarak Wakaso were out altogether.

It was a cagey start, with the hosts seeing most of the ball without really troubling Dan Twardzik. ‘Well came close in the 12th minute when midfielder Iain Vigurs drove just wide from the edge of the box after Sutton set him up with a header.

The next time the visitors went up the park with any real purpose they took the lead.

When Craig Reid’s cross from the right sped to the front post Sutton forced himself in front of Hoops defender Jason Denayer to volley past Zaluska, stunning the home fans and sending the away fans into raptures.

Moments later, with the shock of the goal still reverberating around the stadium, Twardzik made a decent save from Denayer’s 30-yard drive.

However, the Steelmen were growing in belief and should have added a second in the 27th minute when skipper Keith Lasley’s blocked shot from inside the box landed at the feet of the unmarked Sutton but he somehow failed to hit the target from six yards.

Stuart McCall’s side were doing a fine job frustrating the Hoops. There was a huge claim for a penalty for the visitors when Iain Vigurs cross/shot clearly struck the elbow of Denayer. Despite the howls of protest from the former Inverness midfielder, and his teammates, referee Brian Colvin wasn’t interested.

In the 33rd minute Kayal’s drive from the edge of the box escaped the far post and five minutes from the break, Virgil van Dijk got on the end of a Stokes cross only to see Twardzik make a brilliant save from his close-range header.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Brown and Commons replaced Kayal and Tonev respectively for the start of the second period and the home side looked to take a grip of the game.

Wide man Callum McGregor drew another fine save from Twardzik in the 56th minute as Motherwell did there all to crowd out Celtic’s attacks.

However, it would be in controversial circumstances that Celtic would draw level. Scott Brown drove at goal and was clipped by Lasley outside the area. He went tumbling into the box, only to clatter into Law before hitting the deck.

Colvin, who had earlier infuriated the visitors by denying a spot kick, enraged them further by blowing for a penalty. Sub Commons was in no mood for mercy, calmly tucking the ball into the back of the net.

The home side pushed hard for the winner but found a stubborn backline and a on-form keeper. A deflected shot by McGregor almost wrong-footed Twardzik before Stokes and Bitton both had efforts which missed the target.

At the other end, with two minutes remaining, Francis-Angol almost won it. Law collected wide on the left and his delivery picked out the Antiguan, but he crashed his effort narrowly over.

Twardik made another great save from van Dijk as the game entered three added minutes but the Fir Parkers held on for a deserved point.

[tab:As it happened]

 Ally Reilly at Celtic Park

A dogged performance from ‘Well!. Backs to the wall for most of it but a good point from Celtic Park #CFCvMFC

FT: Celtic 1 – 1 Motherwell #CFCvMFC

3 minutes added on.

…headed clear by Erwin #CFCvMFC

89mins: Corner to Celtic…

89mins: Great chance for Stokes but he fires straight at Twardzik with better options available. #CFCvMFC

87mins: A rare break forward for Motherwell but Law’s delivery for Francis-Angol is awkward and he can only volley wide #CFCvMFC

86mins: Free-kick to Celtic in a good position….Stokes blasts it well over.. #CFCvMFC

80mins: Another shot from range. This time it is Bitton who fires low and just wide #CFCvMFC

And another ‘Well sub, Vigurs off for Carswell #CFCvMFC

76mins: Celtic sub, Scepovic on for Guidettii #CFCvMFC

76mins: Motherwell sub, Erwin on for Sutton

75mins: Celtic piling on the pressure. McGregor bends his shot just past from inside the box. Earlier a deflection almost beats Twardzik

72mins: Vigurs booked for dissent after O’Brien is fouled but ref gives nothing #CFCvMFC

70mins: Izaguirre bursts into the box but can only produce a week effort which Twardzik deals with #CFCvMFC

GOAL! Commons coverts from the spot 1 – 1 #CFCvMFC

66mins: Penalty to Celtic #CFCvMFC

Commons bends it well over the bar #CFCvMFC

62mins: Free-kick to Celtic in a great area, 25 yards out……

58mins: Quick turn and shot from Guidetti on the edge of the box but sails harmlessly over the bar. #CFCvMFC

56mins: Great save from Twardzik to beat away McGregor’s shot after he cut in from the right wing! #CFCvMFC

53mins: McGregor sneaks in at the back post to meet the cross but can only find the side netting #CFCvMFC

49mins: Commons shoots from just outside through a ruck of bodies but it is straight at Twardzik. #CFCvMFC

Second half is underway Come on ‘Well!!! #CFCvMFC

Second half subs for Celtic, Brown and Commons on for Tonev and Kayal #CFCvMFC

HT: Celtic 0 – 1 Motherwell. Boo’s ringing out as ‘Well go into the break 1 up. #CFCvMFC

44mins: Corner to Celtic,defended well and evetually cleared #CFCvMFC

39mins: Great diving save from Twardzik to stop Van Dijk’s low header! #CFCvMFC

38mins: Izaquirre supplies a deep cross for Guidetti but his header floats harmlessly over #CFCvMFC

34mins: Kayal creates a bit of space on the edge of the box and has a shot with his left foot. Just wide of Twardzik’s right-hand post.

27mins: What a chance for Sutton!! Lasley’s shot spun up for him with only Zaluska to beat but the ‘keeper got a foot to it! #CFCvMFC

25mins: Lasley and Vigurs seem convinced Vigurs’ shot from inside the box had hit Van Dijk’s hand! Nothing given…. #CFCvMFC

21mins: Van Dijk ventures foward and has a shot from about 30 yards. Was a good effort but Twardzik deals with it with ease #CFCvMFC

19mins: SUTTON makes it 1-0 to ‘Well!! A good run from Reid who crosses from the right. Sutton does well to get to it and poke it home!!

GGGOOOAALLLL!!!

15mins: Ramsden’s throws the ball in to Francis-Angol but as he tries to cross it on the spin, he slices it out of play #CFCvMFC

11mins: Again Twardzik has to be quick off his line, this time gathering at the feet of Bitton who was through on goal. #CFCvMFC

7mins: Izaguirre gets down the left but his cross is too close to Twardzik, who deals with it easily.

2mins: Twardzik has to get off his line quickly to sweep the ball clear from the onrushing Stokes #CFCvMFC

30 seconds: Celtic have 2 successive corners, Guidetti heads over at the near post #CFCvMFC

Lasley and Reid get the game underway #COYW ##CFCvMFC

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“We could have done [got three points] but we’re delighted to get a goal, first and foremost, because we’ve not got a goal since I’ve been coming here.

“It was a great goal and Sutty could have had another straight after it. And but for a great save by (defender) Denayer in the box we could have had a penalty, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.

“Today it was one penalty that should have been given and one that was given, but I don’t want to whinge about it.

“Second half we were camped in but first half we were excellent and I’m delighted with them.

“Dundee United, what a good side they can be, and they came here and lost six, and I saw Aberdeen here who, as well as they played in patches, could’ve lost more than two.

“So you’ve got to be careful you’re not just open. We played with a sitting midfielder and we had to do that.”

Celtic manager Ronny Deila:

“We played a very bad first half. We didn’t get any tempo in the play and we didn’t create any chances, and conceded a stupid goal as well.

“That was very bad but I think the second half was much better. We could have had one more.

“In the end the result is disappointing but I’m satisfied with the second half. We should have had more width to our play so we could have had more crosses into the box.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Tickets for this Sunday’s match against Celtic at Celtic Park are still on sale from the Motherwell Ticket Office.

The Ticket Office will be open on Saturday from 10am to 1pm. Please note that tickets for the match will not be available on Sunday, either from Fir Park or Celtic Park.

• Concessions are listed as Over 65s and Under 16s.
• Juveniles are listed as Under 13s.
• The cheaper priced ticket is for restricted view only.
• If you plan on making the trip to Glasgow, check our our ‘Guide to Celtic’.
• Fans who require wheelchair access should contact Sharon or John McCaskie on 07745494631 / 07711 992161 or email disabledfans@motherwellfc.co.uk.

‘Well boss Stuart McCall says striking the right balance is the key to picking up a result at Celtic Park.

Although the Fir Parkers have a good record on their own patch, the team has yet to record a goal or point at the home of the SPFL Champions since McCall’s arrival in December 2010.

Now, with ‘Well desperate to build on last Saturday’s win at Ross County, the Fir Park boss wants his side to carry a threat, but also to be resolute and stubborn at the back.

Speaking to MFC TV ahead of Sunday’s big match, the 50-year old said: “No one need remind me of our record there.

[pullquote]Our game plan is based on striking a balance between carrying a threat, obviously you want to score goals and win the game, but we’ve got to ensure we don’t leave big gaps for them to play in[/pullquote]

“Having said that, we’ve been so very close to taking something on a number of occasions. Three narrow 1-0 defeats, but still defeats all the same.

“Listen, I think people will be fed up of hearing me say before these games that we are going to have to be at our best, but we will have to be.

“We are certainly going to need a better level of performance – they’ve fired warning shots with a big win against Dundee Utd after a midweek European game.

“I also watched their game with Aberdeen and, as much as the Dons performed well in parts, Celtic could have scored a lot more than the two they got.

“Our game plan is based on striking a balance between carrying a threat, obviously you want to score goals and win the game, but we’ve got to ensure we don’t leave big gaps for them to play in.

“We’ll try and stamp our authority on the game and, hopefully, come away with a result.”

Keith Lasley wants ‘Well to take inspiration from decent home performances when they travel to Celtic Park on Sunday.

The Steelmen’s record in the East End of Glasgow is poor, without a point or goal in the last eight visits.

However, it has been a different story in North Lanarkshire, with the Fir Parkers picking up ten points on their own turf against the Scottish Champions in the same time period.

Whilst acknowledging it is an infinitely more difficult task away from home, the experienced midfielder hopes ‘Well can cause real problems for Ronnie Delia’s side.

[pullquote]If we’re at 100%, I am confident we can cause Celtic some problems. We’ve managed to do it, certainly at Fir Park, over the last few seasons and the aim now is to go and do the same in Glasgow[/pullquote]

“It’ll be a tough one, it always is going to Celtic Park.

“We’ve not had many positives results there in recent years but the onus is on us to try and change that.

“I hope the win last weekend will give us a little more confidence to got there with. We’ve got to control what we can; that’s our performance.

“If we’re at 100%, I am confident we can cause Celtic some problems. We’ve managed to do it, certainly at Fir Park, over the last few seasons and the aim now is to go and do the same in Glasgow.”

Referee for this Saturday’s SPFL Premiership clash with Celtic at Celtic Park is Brian Colvin.

Brian will be handling his first Motherwell match of the new 2014/15 season.

He did handle two during the 2013/14 campaign. The first was the League Cup Third Round clash at Livingston one year ago.

Bob McHugh put the Fir Parkers ahead before James McFadden made it two with a deft back-heel flick. Livi reduced the deficit late into stoppage time but it wasn’t enough as ‘Well progressed to the Quarter Finals with a 2-1 win.

The other match came three weeks after that success at Almondvale when ‘Well edged out Hearts 2-1 at Fir Park.

Ryan Stevenson gave the visitors the lead but Craig Moore scored a cracker on his league debut to level things before Shaun Hutchinson powered home a header to secure all three points.

Brian took charge of two ‘Well matches the previous season, too.

The first was his first ever in charge of the Steelmen – a 3-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park last October.

Jamie Murphy had put Motherwell in a commanding lead with two goals before the break. Nicky Law added a third with a cheeky dink over the goalkeeper before Saints pulled one back late on.

The second was a 2-2 draw with St Mirren at Fir Park. Michael Higdon opened the scoring for the Steelmen only for Connor Newton and Lewis Guy to put the visitors ahead.

Step forward James McFadden with another piece of brilliance from a dead ball, curling a free-kick high past Craig Samson to rescue a point.

In those four matches, he has produced just five yellow cards, two of which were flashed at players in Claret and Amber, and one red for Livi’s Jason Talbot for a reckless lunge at Stevie Hammell.

Brian is no stranger to our opponents having officiated two of their matches last term. The first was a 4-0 home with against Kilmarnock last January, the other a 5-0 demolition of Inverness in Glasgow in early March.

He will be assisted by Stuart MacMillan and Douglas Ross with Andrew Dallas on 4th Official duty. Bryan Robertson is the referee observer with Frank Coulston as the SPFL delegate.

The Lanarkshire Derby returns as Hamilton Accies visit Fir Park a week on Saturday and we are putting on a fantastic lunch menu in our hospitality suites.

It’s on a Saturday and it’s a 3pm kick off so an idea opportunity to combine a lovely afternoon meal with a game.

The Suites are already filling fast so it is sure to be an great atmosphere.

All hospitality packages include your match ticket, programme, team sheet and half time tea.

A Former player will host the afternoon with your chance to meet first team players and club staff whilst enjoying your afternoon’s football .

On the menu will be:

Soup
Farmhouse vegetable
Served with fresh bread roll & butter

*********

Main course
Chicken balmoral
Supreme of chicken resting on a bed of haggis smothered with a creamy whiskey sauce

Chefs selection of fresh potatoes & vegetables

*********
Sweet
Strawberry cheese cake
Served with fresh cream & chocolate strawberry cup

********
Tea coffee & tablet

You have a choice of three packages:

• Centenary Claret: Arriving at 1pm prompt for meal. Full service with access to a pay bar till kick off and then again for an hour post match. All this in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. Book now from only £60 for an adult and £45 for a child under 16.
• Centenary Amber: Arriving at 1pm prompt for meal. Full table service with complimentary bar and then again for an hour post match. All this in the comfort of our Centenary Lounge. Book now from only £99 for an adult and £55 for a child under 16.
• Millennium Ticket: Enjoy a lighter bite with a complimentary bar for one-hour pre & post. Soup pre-match and half time refreshments, team sheet, match day programme for only £70 for an adult and £35 for a child under 16.

Remember, Season Ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality for just £25.

If you would like to book a place at our fantastic Hospitality Lunch, please phone Jennifer Reston on 01698 338 008 or email jennifer.reston@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Highlights from Spartans’ Ainslie Park as Motherwell see off Hibs with an impressive 1-3 victory.

Jonatan Johansson had challenged his young side to continue their recent impressive run.

The Steelmen have turned over Hearts and Dunfermline in recent times and, tonight, comfortably saw off a Hibs side with as many as seven first-team players in their squad.

Steven Higgins and a Dylan Mackin double secured all three points for the Fir Parkers.

The next scheduled game isn’t for a few weeks, but the Finn wants his players to continue to push on and build on their current fifth place in the SPFL Development League.

[pullquote]It’s important for us to try and keep the run going. It gives the players confidence and they dare to play well.[/pullquote]

“I thought it was an impressive performance at a difficult venue against a strong Hibernian side,” Johansson told MFC TV after the match.

“For ninety percent of the match we were really at it, we pressed really well to win the ball and the quality of our football and goals was excellent; it was really pleasing.

“It took us about twenty minutes to really grow into the game and the goals came at a really good time. We ended the first half really well and started the second strong.

“It’s important for us to try and keep the run going. It gives the players confidence and they dare to play well. Otherwise, they are in their shell, play poorly and don’t show how good they are.”

Motherwell made it a hat trick of wins with an impressive 1-3 victory over Hibs in Edinburgh this evening.

The Steelmen, who have already disposed of Hearts and Dunfermline in recent weeks, took the lead shortly before the break when Dylan Mackin tucked home his third of the campaign.

The same player doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half with a stinging drive from distance before Steven Higgins finished a lovely passing move to make it 3-0 just two minutes later.

Hibs added a late consolation through Jason Cummings but ‘Well held on for all three points.

Jonatan Johansson made three changes to the side that edged out the Pars seven days ago. Max Currie, Ben Hall and Ross MacLean dropped out and had to settle for a place amongst the subs and were replaced by Ross Stewart, Adam Cummins and Jack Leitch.

It was a fairly slow start to the match, it took 21 minutes for either side to register a chance and it fell to ‘Well. Dom Thomas played in Chris Cadden with a neat reverse ball, but the midfielder took an extra touch inside the area allowing Kleton Perntreou to race off his line and make the block.

Hibs replied quickly though Danny Handling, who collected a loose ball in the middle of the park, surged forward but could only send his low shot fizzing past the post.

‘Well were starting to take control of the match and Higgins was almost in on goal but the chance was gone after a heavy touch. Shortly after, Thomas shinned a volley wide of target but it only delayed the inevitable as ‘Well eventually got their noses in front.

The Steelmen worked the ball down the right and when it eventually landed at the feet of Thomas, he cut inside and sent a blistering effort at goal. Perntreou got down to make the save, but it squirmed loose and Mackin was on hand to tuck home from close range.

Two minutes later, the Fir Parkers almost made it two. Leitch’s neat ball over the top had Higgins in behind the Hibs backline and with the ball bouncing; he smashed a volley at goal that was turned away in style by the Greek youngster.

‘Well finished the forty-five on top, but started the second half on fire and extended their lead with two quick fire goals.

Mackin grabbed his second of the night with a piledriver from the edge of the ‘D’ before Steven Higgins grabbed his fourth of the campaign, rounding off a lovely passing move between Mackin and Jack Leitch, to prod home from close range.

Eddie May’s men looked shell-shocked but almost reduced the arrears through Cummings, his long-range effort crashing back off Ross Stewart’s right-hand post with the keeper at full stretch.

Motherwell continued to threaten though and looked dangerous with every attack. Thomas almost added his name to the scorers list, weaving past a few challenges only for his low shot to be well held by Perntreou.

Hibs shot wide via Lewis Alan and Higgins was unlucky not to grab a brace, but his curling shot dropped just the wrong side of the far post.

The hosts did eventually grab a consolation when Cummings latched on to a short Morgyn Neill back pass to slot home.

They also spurned two late chances when Handling fired wide and Alan headed over in the closing stages, but it remained 1-3 as ‘Well saw out the match for a deserved three points.

Motherwell: Stewart, McMillan (Watt – 76mins), Ferguson, Cummins, Neill, McCall, Mackin, Cadden, Higgins (MacLean – 76mins), Thomas, J.Leitch (R.Leitch – 83mins)

Subs Not Used: Currie, Hall, Campbell

Motherwell FC has introduced a new Flexi Ticket designed to give supporters more freedom on what games they attend at Fir Park this season.

Reacting to feedback from fans, many of whom tell us they cannot commit to a full season ticket for various reasons, the Fir Park Flexi Ticket will allow you the chance to purchase a package for any five or ten games of your choice.

The Flexi Ticket packages will replace season (and half season) tickets for the remainder of the 2014/15 campaign.

A ten-match adult Flexi Ticket costs from £155, which works out at just over £15 per match, and a five-game Flexi Ticket can by snapped up from as little as £77 and remember, you choose which matches you wish to attend and get the same cost-per-game value as a regular Season Ticket holder.

How will it work?

When you buy either your Five or Ten Match Flexi Ticket, you will be given a voucher with a barcode, which you will redeem for a match ticket at each individual game. If you know the tickets you want when you first buy the Flexi Ticket, you can get them right there and then.

Alternatively, when you wish to attend a home league fixture at Fir Park, simply pop into the ticket office (up until 1.30pm on the day of the game), have your Flexi Ticket scanned and your stand tickets will be printed, subject to availability.

Flexi Tickets will go on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office this coming Monday (8th September 2014).

Please note that Flexi Tickets are NOT redeemable at the turnstiles. Furthermore, domestic cup and european games, away fixtures, friendlies, play-off or testimonial matches are NOT included in this package**.

Prices

*Please note, concessions are applicable to over 60s and full-time students with a valid matric card. The ‘Young Adult’ age of 13-15 and ‘Juvenile’ age of Under 12 is applicable as at 1st August 2014.

** The ticket is non-transferable and refunds will not be given for any unused vouchers at the end of the season.