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David Turnbull is the latest ‘Well youngster to be called up for the Scotland set-up after the midfielder was named in the U19s squad for their games against France.

The Wishaw-born youngster, an Academy graduate who signed professional back in 2015 and recently extended his ‘Well deal to 2019, only turned eighteen back in July but has been a standout performer in Stephen Craigan’s side over the past two seasons.

So much so, he has hovered on the fringes of the first-team squad and has been named on the substitutes bench on seven different occasions, but has yet to make his top-team debut.

That hasn’t deterred U19s Head Coach Donald Park, who has added Turnbull to his 20-man squad for the double header against France early next month.

[pullquote]The call-up is also another feather in the cap for our Academy, who now have a player actively involved with every single Scottish Youth International squad from Under 16s, Under 17s, Under 19s and Under 21s.[/pullquote]

Motherwell U20s boss Stephen Craigan said: “We’re all delighted for David that his performances for Motherwell have been recognised and he now has a chance to show what he can do for Scotland.

“It’ll be two great games to test himself and will hopefully give him even more hunger to kick on both at Motherwell and with his country.”

Academy Director Scott Leitch added: “This is fantastic for David and obviously everyone at the Academy is over the moon that another one of our own is getting to represent his country at this level.

“The call-up is also another feather in the cap for our Academy, who now have a player actively involved with every single Scottish Youth International squad from Under 16s, Under 17s, Under 19s and Under 21s.

“We wish him and the squad well for both games against France.”

When ‘Well face Partick Thistle on September 30th our Hospitality team are inviting the ladies of Lanarkshire and beyond to don their glad-rags and join others for a very exclusive ladies day.

Your hosts for the day will be Des Clarke and Amy Irons from Capital, so book early as we expect it to be a lively and very busy day!

Enjoy a glass of prosecco on arrival, cocktails and cupcakes whilst you show off your new dress, hat or fascintator and then sit down for a delicious three course meal, before you enter the intoxicating Fir Park matchday atmosphere.

Our team will be awarding prizes for the best dressed lady, consolation prizes for any “twinnies” and there will be a chance to win some excellent gifts from our raffle.

For all above the above, a photo on arrival, half time snacks and sparkling wine for just £50 (£45 for ST holders) this is a day you ladies cannot afford to miss.

Contact the team now on 01698 333 333 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk

Referee for Saturday’s Ladbrokes Premiership match against Partick Thistle at Fir Park is Greg Aitken.

Greg is handling just his fourth Motherwell FC match in league football.

It’s his fifth in all competitions though, as he was the man in the middle for the painfully disappointing Cup exit at Cappielow back in late September 2015.

That match turned out to be Ian Baraclough’s last as ‘Well boss as the Steelmen crashed out 3-2 after extra time.

But from one managers last game, Greg turned the tables and took charge of a manager’s first match in charge after the appointment of Stephen Robinson at the end of last season.

Greg will be assisted by Jordan Stokoe and Gavin Harris. Alan Muir is the fourth official.

Midfielders Allan Campbell and Chris Cadden have been included in the Scotland U21 squad for the forthcoming matches against England and Latvia.

Cadden has been a regular in Scott Gemmell’s group for the last year, being capped on three separate occasions against Ukraine, Slovakia and the Netherlands.

Campbell was on standby for that game against the Dutch last month, but his sparkling, standout performances in the Motherwell first-team have been rewarded with an inclusion in the squad.

The Scots will be hoping to build on their winning start when they take on England at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough on Friday 6th October before travelling to Latvia and the Stadions Daugava, Liepaja on Tuesday 10th October.

[pullquote]It sets a benchmark for this club and the young players here. If you’re good enough and if you’re ready, both physically and mentally, then you’ll get your rewards both domestically and at youth International level.”[/pullquote]

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said: “I’m delighted for both players and their inclusion is very much deserved.

“It sets a benchmark for this club and the young players here. If you’re good enough and if you’re ready, both physically and mentally, then you’ll get your rewards both domestically and at youth International level.”

Academy Director Scott Leitch added: “We’re all tremendously proud that another two Academy graduates have been named in the squad. In actual fact, with Dom Thomas [now at Kilmarnock] also named, it’s three from our Academy who have been included, which is a great boost for everyone at the Braidhurst Campus.

“We’ve had Cole Starrs, Reece McAlear, Adam Kettings, Robbie Hemfrey and Jamie Semple also regularly playing for Scotland at different levels. We’ll continue to work hard every day to try and produce more who are good enough to play there and, ultimately, for our first-team.”

Scotland Under-21 squad

Goalkeepers

Ryan Fulton (Hamilton)
Ross Doohan (Celtic)
Jack Ruddy (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Defenders

Jason Kerr (St Johnstone)
Ross McCrorie (Rangers)
Scott McKenna (Aberdeen)
Calvin Miller (Celtic)
Liam Smith (Hearts)
John Souttar (Hearts)
Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock)
Ryan Williamson (Dunfermline)

Midfielders

Theo Archibald (Brentford)
Chris Cadden (Motherwell)
Allan Campbell (Motherwell)
Greg Docherty (Hamilton)
Michael Johnston (Celtic)
Stephen Mallan (Barnsley)
Lewis Morgan (St Mirren)
Dominic Thomas (Kilmarnock)

Forwards

Oliver Burke (West Brom)
Ryan Hardie (Rangers)
Oliver McBurnie (Swansea)
Scott Wright (Aberdeen)

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan admitted that his side took a backwards step following their impressive start to the season. 

A 4-2 loss in Stenhousemuir at the hands of Hearts inflicted a first defeat on the Fir Park youngsters this term.

And at full time, Craigan reflected on a disappointing night in the Development League.

[pullquote]Tonight was a little backwards step for a few of them, I thought some of them looked as though they lacked a bit of energy and Hearts, as the game went on, had a bit more appetite for the game.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “I haven’t had to have words with the boys very often this season and I’m always fully aware that they’re young men trying to make their way in the game.

“A lot of them put themselves on a bit of a pedestal by how they started the season and how they’ve played and with how much interest the manager was taking in them.”

He added: “Tonight was a little backwards step for a few of them, I thought some of them looked as though they lacked a bit of energy and Hearts, as the game went on, had a bit more appetite for the game.”

Extended highlights from Ochilview where the Under 20s lost 4-2 despite taking an early lead.

Motherwell under-20s suffered their first defeat in the Development League this season with a 4-2 defeat against Hearts.

Dylan King’s opener and a goal from George Newell couldn’t maintain the youngsters unbeaten start, as a rather disjointed performance at Ochilview Park led to the hosts claiming all three points.

Stephen Craigan named Elliott Frear, Deimantas Petravičius and Ross MacLean in his starting line up for the clash in Stenhousemuir, for the first competitive game in nearly two weeks for the youngsters.

And, in truth, it showed, with a couple of ‘Well errors leading to goals for the Edinburgh side.

However, despite the poor showing, things started positively after Dylan King sent Motherwell in front after just six minutes when he flicked in a terrific cross from MacLean.

It was so nearly two when Liam Brown’s powerful strike was palmed by Kelby Mason towards his own goal, but he recovered in time to stop the ball from crossing the line.

However, in the 15^th minute, Hearts drew level when Euan Henderson rounded PJ Morrison, only to be denied by the hard-working, backtracking Kyle MacDonald, whose block fell kindly for the Jambo’s midfielder to slot home at the second attempt.

Five minutes later, the home side took the lead, thanks largely to a defensive error. A whipped ball in should have been dealt with, but King mishit his clearance and it fell kindly for Lewis Moore who lashed the ball past Morrison.

And after just 23 minutes of play, Craigan was forced to make an early change when Petravičius limped off to be replaced by James Scott.

Midfielder Davie Turnbull could, and probably should, have equalised when a terrific cross found the youngster in space, but he couldn’t turn it past the keeper from close range.

With ten minutes remaining in the first half, ‘Well drew level when Newell got on the end of Frear’s ball to finish beyond Mason.

Craigan made his second change of the evening at half time when he replaced King with the returning Barry Maguire, who made his first appearance of the season following an injury lay-off.

Just after the hour mark, ‘Well fell behind and it was again from another error.

Full-back Jamie Brandon sent a dipping effort on goal but Morrison couldn’t hold it and spilled the ball right in to the path of Henderson, who tapped his second of the night in to the empty net.

And with little over five minutes remaining in the match, the hosts doubled their advantage.

A swift counter attack down the left led to Moore sending a deflected effort past Morrison to secure the three points and inflict defeat on the Steelmen for the first time this season.

The SPFL has today announced ticket prices for the forthcoming Betfred Cup Semi-Final against Rangers.

The match will take place on Sunday 22nd October at Hampden Park, with kick-off at 2.30pm.

Motherwell FC has been allocated over 10,000 seats with the option for more if required, with prices set at:

East Stand

Adults: £25
Concessions*: £10

Wheelchair User Adult: £10
Wheelchair User Concession: £5

South Stand

Lower Section J1: £35
Lower Section I: £30

Wheelchair User Adult: £15
Wheelchair User Concession: £5

*Concessions are listed as Over 65s and Under 16s.

The SPFL haven’t, as yet, been able to give the competing clubs a confirmed date as to when the tickets are likely to be available. When they do, the club will announce when the tickets will go on sale and any distribution arrangements.