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Motherwell Football Club can today confirm assistant manager Kenny Black has left the club.

Black joined Motherwell as Stuart McCall’s assistant some four years ago and together they carved out one of the clubs’ most successful eras on the pitch, with three ‘best of the rest’ finishes in the Scottish top flight and a Scottish Cup Final in May 2011.

The club will now search for a new assistant with a view to making a swift appointment.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “I can have no complaints about Kenny’s professionalism or work since my arrival late last year.

“However, I felt it would be a good time to change things and that a freshness and something different in that role might help us.

“The club is heading in an exciting new direction both on and off the park and we’ll make further announcements in due course.”

Kenny added: “I understand how football works and accept today’s decision.

“The manager spoke with me earlier this afternoon and everything was and is amicable.

“I want to thank Motherwell FC for the four great years we’ve had together and wish them and the people at Fir Park every success.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to put on record our sincere thanks to Kenny for his four years of sterling service and wish him all the very best in his future career.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough talks in-depth about his January recruitment and what fans can expect from the Deadline Day quadruple.

On loan Evertonian Conor Grant revealed it was a former ‘Well midfielder who helped sell his short-term switch.

The Toffees are bossed by ex-Steelman Roberto Martinez, who advised the 19-year old to seize the opportunity with both hands.

Now the Liverpudlian, a regular in Everton’s Development Squad and on the fringes of the first-team, can’t wait to get started and has vowed to help the Fir Parkers in their quest to get clear of the foot of the table.

[pullquote]As soon as I heard the manager had been in touch with the staff at Everton, I wanted to come. Roberto Martinez told me it was a great place to come so it was an easy decision to make.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, Grant said: “I’m delighted to be here, this is a big opportunity for me at a great club and I am really looking forward to it.

“As soon as I heard the manager had been in touch with the staff at Everton, I wanted to come. Roberto Martinez told me it was a great place to come so it was an easy decision to make.

“Fans can expect me to give absolutely everything for the team. I will get on the ball as much as I can, try to create things and hopefully we can start climbing the table.”

Fans should note forthcoming fixture amendments in March and April.

The match with Aberdeen, originally scheduled for Saturday 14th March has been switched to Friday night, 13th March (7.45pm KO).

The Lanarkshire Derby match with Hamilton Accies, originally scheduled for Saturday 21st March has been switched to Friday night, 20th March (7.45pm KO).

Finally, in April, the match against St Mirren, originally scheduled for Wednesday 8th April will now take place on Tuesday 7th April (7.45pm.KO)

All three games will be live on BT Sport.

>> Updated Fixture List

There is now only a limited amount of tickets left for Friday’s Burns Supper at Fir Park.

Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish Culture for two hundred years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard and when Burns immortalised haggis in verse, he created a central link that is maintained to this day.

Close friends of Burns started the ritual a few years after his death in 1796, as a tribute to his memory.

On Friday 6th February, Motherwell Football Club will be celebrating that tradition with the annual Burns Supper in the Centenary Suite.

Enjoy the finest traditional fare with a healthy dram in congenial company and listen to the convivial tones of our invited speakers all for just £25 per person.

For further information or to make a booking, phone 01698 333 333, email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk or online by CLICKING HERE.

Slainthe!

 Extended highlights from the Excelsior Stadium as the U20s battle back to earn a deserved point against Hibs.

Jonatan Johansson praised the character of his side as they fought back from two behind to earn a point against Hibs tonight.

The young Steelmen were trailing to a goal either side of the half-time interval, but when Dylan Mackin reduced the arrears with eighteen minutes left on the clock, it gave the home side hope.

They would get their reward for a battling performance when Danny McNulty won a ninetieth minute penalty, only for Dom Thomas to coolly slot past Tomáš Černý for a share of the spoils.

Although Johansson was frustrated at his team’s performance for an hour and the manner in which they conceded, he lauded their determination and spirit to battle back into the game.

[pullquote]My team demonstrated a lot of character to battle back into the match. Hibs is a good side, one of the best in this league, and despite having a youthful squad out there, we showed what we’re made of in the last third of the match.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, the 106-times capped former Finnish International front man said: “ We were the second best side for sixty minutes, I have got to admit that, but it was of our own making.

“We perhaps gave them too much respect, waited on things to happen or for someone to take the lead, but we were far too passive and negative.

“That led us to losing two poor goals, but we then all of a sudden decided to start playing good football. For the last 30 minutes we were the better side and created a fair few chances and scored two goals.

“My team demonstrated a lot of character to battle back into the match. Hibs is a good side, one of the best in this league, and despite having a youthful squad out there, we showed what we’re made of in the last third of the match.”

Motherwell U20s fought back from going 0-2 down to earn a deserved share of the spoils against Hibs this evening.

Lewis Allan and Taylor Hendry had the visitors in the driving seat, but Dylan Mackin reduced the deficit before a last-second penalty from Dom Thomas earned his side a point.

Jonatan Johansson made four changes to the team that drew 2-2 with Dunfermline last week. Brett Long, Adam Cummins, Craig McCall and Craig Moore all dropped out, replaced by Ross Stewart, Danny McNulty, trialist Paul George and Dylan Mackin.

Both teams had early shots at goal, Hendry firing a shot over the bar from distance for the visitors before George saw his low shot comfortably held by former Hamilton stopper Tomáš Černý.

The first half really failed to get going though and it took until 26 minutes for the first shot on target; Hibs’ Connor Duthie stinging low effort forcing Ross Stewart to save low to his left.

‘Well did flash a terrific ball across the six-yard back but there were no takers and that would be significant as the Greens would take the lead with their next attack on 32 minutes.

The Steelmen didn’t win a loose ball in midfield and when Aaron Dunsmore got free on the right, he picked out Allan with a neat cut back and the striker’s close-range shot beat Stewart despite the ‘Well stopper getting a good hand to it.

Both sides traded long-range efforts, Duthie again for Hibs and Cadden for the Fir Parkers, but neither troubled the goalkeepers. Allan’s turn and shot on the stroke of half time was the only other effort in a fairly timid, low-key first half.

Hibs certainly started the second half much brighter though and almost took the lead through sub Sam Stanton, who managed to beat the grounded Stewart only to watch David Ferguson hook his shot off the goal line.

Allan had another swivel and shot saved by Stewart before Hibs did eventually double their advantage. Stanton sent a terrific ball over the top of the defence, allowing Hendry a run at goal. Despite the angle being acute and Stewart dashing off his line, the forward finished with some aplomb to make it 0-2.

To their credit, Motherwell summoned a spirit and character and led by Dom Thomas, they forced their way back into the match. The winger really stepped it up a notch and almost reduced the arrears with a curling effort that forced Černý into an acrobatic save at the expense of a corner.

Ten minutes later, the Hibs keeper was at it again, denying Cadden from distance and then Ross MacLean, who had been set-up by the trickery of Thomas. It was a hat trick of quick saves when the Czech stopper blocked another Cadden shot from 25 yards.

The resistance was finally broken on the 72nd minute though and it was that man Thomas who was right at the heart of it again. With four Hibs defenders close to him, he managed to hare away and into the box before squaring it for Mackin. A ricochet off Forster spun the ball onto the bar, only for Mackin to follow up and head home from close range.

That gave the Claret and Amber men hope and they threw everything at it in search of a leveler. Danny McNulty can within inches of doing just that, but his cross-cum-shot hit the underside of Černý’s crossbar and spun out to safety.

With Johansson’s men throwing bodies forward in numbers, they were getting picked off on the counter and Stanton should’ve made the game safe with a chance six minutes from time, but his shot, after a neat cut back from Scott, was well blocked by Stewart.

‘Well may have thought their chance of a draw had gone when they passed up an unbelievable chance for a second. Thomas was again the man, leading his team forward before teeing up Higgins. The little striker was crowded out, but still managed to poke it square for the supporting George, but with the goal at his mercy, Hibs somehow managed to scramble back and block the shot for a corner.

However, ‘Well wouldn’t be denied when McNulty won a penalty with a piece of quick feet, following a patient build-up move from the hosts. Despite it being virtually the last kick of the game and coming up against an experienced stopper, the 18-year old strode forward and comfortably slotted it home to earn a point for his team.

Motherwell: Stewart, McNulty, McMillan, Hall, Ferguson, MacLean, Mackin, Cadden (R.Leitch – 85mins), Higgins, D.Thomas, George

Subs Not Used: Currie, Campbell, McCall, Anderson, Watters

Plymouth Argyle attacker Nathan Thomas is Motherwell’s fourth signing of Transfer Deadline Day.

20-year old Thomas has signed a deal until the end of the season, with the club having the option to extend for a further year.

The pacey winger came through the youth ranks at Newcastle before joining North East rivals Sunderland in 2011.

He spent some time at Darlington before joining on at the Pilgrims in 2013. Despite being a bit of a fans-favourite, he agreed his release from the Home Park side today, allowing the Steelmen to snap him up.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “Nathan is another player I have being keeping tabs on for some time.

“Like Marvin, he’s very quick and can be a match winner. We now have different options and different ways to play.

“He can be effective on both flanks or even through the middle, so the versatility will be a real bonus for us. Like the others we’ve signed, he has a point to prove and we hope to take advantage of someone with fire in his belly.

“With the seven new faces we’ve signed during the window and players returning from injury, we hope to have more options and competition for places in the last few months of the campaign.”

Motherwell FC is delighted to confirm the signing of winger Marvin Johnson from Kidderminster Harriers for an undisclosed fee.

Johnson, 24, is described by Harriers as a ‘quick-footed pace merchant’ and has already netted ten times from the flanks this campaign.

His deal was set to expire at the end of the current campaign but ‘Well have beaten off stiff competition from English Championship and League One sides to secure his signature.

‘Well boss Ian Baraclough said: “We are absolutely delighted to get Marvin and I am really excited to see him play in the Scottish Premiership.

[pullquote]“He is extremely hungry and will be out to show everyone just exactly what he can do. He is what we need in that he is dynamic, extremely quick and can both create and score goals.[/pullquote]

“We have been tracking him for some time so we are thrilled to get him.”

After flying up to Scotland, Johnson told MFC TV: “I’m very pleased to be here and I get the gut feeling that I am heading in the right direction.

“The manager and staff have given me the backing and confidence that I need so that is pleasing and I’m ready to get going straight away.

“People say I’m an exciting player and I hope that is what I can bring. Normally I set players up but this season I have found myself in the right position at the right time and when I find myself in that position I go for goal and have ended up scoring 10.”