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Referee for Saturday’s league match against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park is Craig Thomson.

The 45-year old takes charge of his first Motherwell fixture of the season, after taking charge on four occasions last term.

That included both the first and last games of the season, starting with a win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and ending with a 3-2 loss away to Inverness.

In between those clashes, the official oversaw a 1-1 draw away to Partick Thistle in September and the crushing Scottish Cup defeat against Rangers at Ibrox.

One of the top Scottish referee’s in the game, Thomson has been in charge of fixtures at all levels of the game, including the UEFA Champions League and World Cup Qualifiers.

Of the three matches he refereed in Europe’s premier club competition last season, one match included 2015/16 finalists Atlético Madrid.

His record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mixed bag with 16 wins from 49 matches. There have been 23 defeats and ten draws too.

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 69 and conceded 73.

168 players have gone into the book, 86 were wearing claret and amber, while seven players, including former captains Stephen Craigan and Keith Lasley, have been dismissed. The most recent was Stephen McManus in an away defeat to Inverness.

Craig will be ably assisted by Alan Mulvanny and Anthony Cooper; with Kevin Clancy on fourth official duties.

Motherwell’s clash with Aberdeen in the quarter final of the Betfred Cup has been confirmed for Thursday, 21st September.

The fixture, which kicks off at 7:45pm, comes just a few days before the Steelmen face the Dons in the Premiership, with both games live on BT Sport.

Ticket information will be announced in due course.

Motherwell have been drawn at home to Aberdeen in the quarter final of the Betfred Cup next month.

After overcoming Ross County 3-2 with ten-men at the Global Energy Stadium, Stephen Robinson’s men will face the tough task of hosting Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen as the cup whittles down to the last eight.

The tie will be played mid-week on either the 19th, 20th or 21st of September – in the same week Aberdeen come to Fir Park in the league on Sunday 24th.

The full draw is as follows:

Hibernian vs Livingston

Motherwell vs Aberdeen

Dundee vs Celtic

Partick Thistle vs Rangers

The best of the action from Dingwall where Ross MacLean’s extra-time strike fires the Steelmen into the quarter finals of the Betfred Cup.

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson admitted that his players can be proud of themselves after they battled to a 3-2 victory with ten men tonight against Ross County.

A late winner from substitute Ross MacLean sealed the Steelmen’s progression to the quarter-finals on a dramatic evening in Dingwall.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the manager reflected on a hard-fought performance, as well as the draw for the next round.

[pullquote]The determination in the last fifteen minutes of the game was fantastic and the boys should be proud of themselves.[/pullquote]

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. We got the performance on Sunday but tonight we got the performance and the result too.

“The boys showed tremendous character to progress after going down to ten men against a team like Ross County, who are a strong, strong team.”

He added: “The determination in the last fifteen minutes of the game was fantastic and the boys should be proud of themselves.”

You can watch the manager’s full post-match interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.

Images from tonight’s 3-2 extra-time win over Ross County in the Betfred Cup.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

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[tab:Match report]

A dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory away to Ross County secured Motherwell’s progression to the quarter final of the Betfred Cup.

A composed finish from youngster Ross MacLean avoided penalties and sent the travelling ‘Well support in to party mode at the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall.

‘Well manager Stephen Robinson made just one change to the side that lost 2-1 to Rangers at the weekend, with Gaël Bigirimana returning to the side in the place of injured Elliott Frear.

And the hosts were forced in to an early change to an unaltered starting line up when Tim Chow was replaced by ex-Well man Jim O’Brien after just 12 minutes.

In a fairly uneventful first half, Carl McHugh saw his long range effort fizz narrowly over the bar whilst Trevor Carson produced a stunning save from close range to deny Alex Schalk a certain goal just before the break.

The remainder of the game was a different story for both sides though, as the game sparked in to life.

Just five minutes in to the second 45, a well worked move resulted in the opening goal and the first out of three occasions Motherwell took the lead.

Chris Cadden, bursting magnificently down the right flank, whipped in a stunning ball which Louis Moult nodded down for Bigirimana to lash home with venom from ten-yards.

On the hour mark, a potentially game defining moment unfolded as substitute Alex Fisher saw his close range effort slice narrowly passed the post, which, had it gone in, may have wrapped up the tie.

A few minutes later down the other end though, Ross County drew level.

Stealing the ball inside the centre circle, O’Brien fed a lovely ball through for Schalk who breached the ‘Well back four and coolly dinked the onrushing Carson.

With five minutes remaining and extra time just around the corner, Robinson made the bold decision to remove Moult and goal-scorer Bigirimana in place of Ryan Bowman and Ross MacLean.

And after successfully defending a few late County set-pieces, the game headed in to extra time.

But what a start to extra time the Steelmen made.

Within the first two minutes, Cadden re-established the lead when he tapped home at the back post from close range after Ryan Bowman saw his header crash back off the bar.

It looked as though it may have been plain sailing for the Steelmen until the final minute of the first half of extra time when County looked set to level the scoring before Dunne bundled the ball away – being deemed to have fouled in the process. The defender was given his marching orders as Stephen Finnie pointed to the spot.

Substitute Craig Curran sent Carson the wrong way to drag the hosts back in to the game with just the second half of extra time remaining.

With ten men and the momentum firmly with the Staggies, it looked like Motherwell were heading for a crushing defeat in the Highlands.

Substitute MacLean had other plans though, and in the 112^th minute, carved out the game defining moment.

Latching on to a perfectly threaded pass from the ever-impressive Cedric Kipré, the young midfielder kept his composure to round Scott Fox and slot the ball home before wheeling away and celebrating with the travelling support.

The tie was not wrapped up though and Carson produced an equally important moment with two minutes left, lurching down to his right to get an incredibly strong hand to a powerful effort on goal to keep the Steelmen in front and secure progression – with Aberdeen at Fir Park awaiting in the quarter final!

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Global Energy Stadium

 

FT’ | 2-3

10 man Motherwell deservedly through to the next round to play Aberdeen. COYW!!!!!!

FULL TIME!!!

ET 30′ | 2-3

County have a corner as we go into 1 minute added on

ET 28′ | 2-3

WHAT A SAVE!!! Trevor Carson with an unbelievable close-range save!!!

ET 22′ | 2-3

MacLEAN puts the Steelmen back in front!! Looked offside from Kipré’s pass but keeps his cool and rounds the ‘keeper!!

GGGOOAAALLLL!!!!

ET 15′ | 2-2

County get the final 15 underway.

ET HT’ | 2-2

First half of extra time ends 2-2

ET 15′ | 2-2

Motherwell sub, Plummer makes his debut for Rose

ET 14′ | 2-2

Goal – Curran converts from the penalty spot.

ET 13′ | 1-2

Penalty to County and Dunne ordered off!!

ET 10′ | 1-2

And another County sub, Mikkelsen on for Schalk

ET 8′ | 1-2

Schalk fires just past the post from a low cross as County bring on Keillor-Dunn for Routis

ET 4′ | 1-2

Good chance for Davies but his diving header flies inches over the bar!

ET 3′ | 1-2

Fisher’s cross is headered off the bar then powered in by CADDEN!!!! COYW!!!

GGOOOOAALLL!!!!

ET 1′ | 1-1

Motherwell get the first half of extra-time underway. COYW!!!

The game will now go into extra-time and, if needed, penalties.

FT: Ross County 1 – 1 Motherwell

90+2′ | 1-1

MacLean booked and County will now have  free-kick wide on their right.

90+1′ | 1-1

Corner to Motherwell…..County finally get is clear after it bounces around the box

Three minutes added on

89′ | 1-1

Bowman curls in a cross with his left foot but Rose can’t get enough on it and its out for a goal kick

86′ | 1-1

Naismith drills a shot through a ruck of bodies and thankfully it goes through them all and wide of the post.

84′ | 1-1

Double Motherwell sub, Bowman and MacLean on for Moult and Bigirimana

82′ | 1-1

Chance for Rose but looks a bit off balance and skews it wide of the post.

81′ | 1-1

Nice bit of play from County ends with Schalk spectacularly volleying wide of the post.

79′ | 1-1

So unlucky! FIsher’s header from a corner is cleared off the line by Fraser!!

78′ | 1-1

Ball falls to Moult after a good move down the right but Davies does superbly and throws himself in front of the goalbound shot

75′ | 1-1

Moult booked. Not really sure why as Fraser goes down in the box.

70′ | 1-1

County sub, Dow off for Curran

69′ | 1-1

Dow booked for a challenge on Cadden on the edge of the box.

64′ | 1-1

Goal – County back on level terms through Schalk who bursts clear and cooly finishes past Carson.

59′ | 0-1

What a chance for Fisher! Ball falls kindly for him inside the box but on the spin he hooks it just wide.

57′ | 0-1

Great chance for Schalk. Gardyne’s ball in is knocked across goal by Davies but the striker puts it over the bar from 6 yards.

56′ | 0-1

Motherwell sub, Tanner off for Fisher

The big man is fine to continue

53′ | 0-1

Dunne is down receiving treatment. Brave clearing header at the backpost but take a knock.

51′ | 0-1

Cadden does magnificently down the right, clips in a great ball to Moult who nods it down to BIGIRIMANA who fires it home!!!

GGGOOOAALLLL!!!

Second half is underway. COYW!!

HT: Ross County 0 – 0 Motherwell

…Moult wins the header at the back post but from a narrow angle can’t get it on target.

45′ | 0-0

Two minutes added on as the Steelmen have a corner….

44′ | 0-0

‘Well have a free-kick wide on the left. Swung in by Cadden….plucked out the air by Fox.

42′ | 0-0

What a save! Lindsay with a low ball in, Schalk diverts it goalwards but Carson gets a foot on it and puts it wide!!

39′ | 0-0

Good chance there for County. Routis header down to Lindsay but he fires over the bar!

32′ | 0-0

Corner straight off the training ground: Bigirimana to Moult who scoops his shot over the bar from 12 yards

18′ | 0-0

Looked promising there as Moult flicked it on to Tanner but his ball over the top can’t find Cadden on the break.

15′ | 0-0

Cadden’s ball inside is knocked on by Rose into the path of McHugh who fires inches over the bar from range

12′ | 0-0

County forced into an early change, Chow clashes heads and is replaced by O’Brien

11′ | 0-0

Great last-ditch tackle by Fraser to deny Tanner who was superbly played in by McHugh.

7′ | 0-0

Great ball wide by Moult finds Cadden and his cross is knocked out for a corner. ‘Well can’t capitalise from the corner though.

5′ | 0-0

‘Well have a free-kick in a central area, clipped in by Tanner but Moult can’t direct it on target.

 

County get the game underway. COYW!!!

 

Out come the two teams, claret and amber for the Steelmen, navy blue for the Staggies.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson:

 

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre

 

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell face a long trip north tomorrow as the Betfred Cup heads in to the knockout stages. 

And with Ross County up next for the Steelmen, Stephen Robinson’s men will face a tough test tomorrow night at the Global Energy Stadium.

The ‘Well boss will be boosted by the return of Gaël Bigirimana, who missed Sunday’s league opener against Rangers.

The manager said: “Elliott Frear will probably struggle, he came off with a hamstring injury and Ben Heneghan will be assessed today. Gaël’s back in the squad and ready to go.”

Despite heading in to the league cup clash on the back of a 2-1 defeat, Robinson admitted that he has not been faced with the task of lifting his side.

“It’s not been a case of picking the boys up, they’re a very determined bunch of players with lots to prove and they see the fruits of what we’re trying to do here and they really believe in it,” he said.

“What it will be is trying to improve and, moving forward, pick up points – that we probably deserved on Sunday.”

He added: “There isn’t too much time to feel sorry for yourself, let’s be honest, so we have to get on with it and prepare properly for Ross County, and we’ll go there confident.”

[pullquote]Whether we’re playing in front of 10,000 people or 2,000 – you’ve still got to have the same motivation, energy and commitment levels.[/pullquote]

And for Fir Park stopper Trevor Carson, tomorrow night will not be an easy game against fellow top-flight opposition.

He said: “We’ve watched some videos on Ross County and they’ve done well the last few years, and I don’t think there’s any easy games when you’re playing other Premiership teams.”

The Motherwell number one added: “Whether we’re playing in front of 10,000 people or 2,000 – you’ve still got to have the same motivation, energy and commitment levels and I have absolutely no worries about that here because the dressing room we’ve got is very much together.

“We all want to achieve good things this season and we all know it’s going to come from hard work.

“We may not have the same ability as the top teams but the things the manager harps on about are the things that come for free – working hard, being professional, out-running and out-tackling teams.”

Tomorrow’s opposition Ross County will be buoyed by their victory against Dundee on Saturday in the league and will certainly be a side that Motherwell will need to work hard to beat.

However, Jim McIntyre’s men were narrowly pipped to first place in Group D of the cup by Hibernian, who clinched top spot on goal difference, and in turn lost out on a seeded spot for the draw.

The Staggies will be hopeful of having yet another successful stay in the top flight of the Scottish game, and with their 2015/16 League Cup glory fresh in the memory, another run in one of the countries premier tournaments will be at the forefront of tomorrow’s hosts.

	Ross County V Motherwell
	Wednesday 9th August 2017
	7.45pm
	Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
	Available on the gate

Admission prices are as follows: 

ADULTS	£15
CONCESSIONS	£10

• Concessions are listed as over 65 and Under 18s
• Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Darren  on 07722 912666 or email darren@mfcdsa.com.

If you can’t make it to tomorrow, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.