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Craig Levein has told ‘Well star Chris Humphrey he is in contention for a Scotland place despite missing out on the latest squad.

Jamaican-born Humphrey qualifies for England and also Scotland, through his Kilmarnock-born mother, and Levein revealed he was among a number of players who just missed out on his 20-man pool for Tuesday’s Pittodrie friendly.

The pacy wide man has made huge strides this season after winning a regular place in the Motherwell team.

The former Shrewsbury player, 21, showed his increasing maturity and accuracy in wide areas when he laid the ball back for Nick Blackman to score the second goal of his hat-trick in Motherwell’s 4-0 win over St Johnstone last night.

“A number of players just missed out and Chris was one of them,” Levein said. “He is somebody I have been watching quite closely. Someone watched him again the other night.

“He is somebody who I’ve got my eye on. He is also someone we would need to establish eligibility for first and foremost.

“But if he continues to play the way he is playing just now, then he might be someone who is considered for the game against Northern Ireland in February.”

Speaking exclusively with motherwellfc.co.uk, Humphrey himself was remaining philosophical but reiterated his interest in playing for the Scottish National side.

“It was really pleasing to hear Craig Levein’s comments and I will take them on board and continue to work hard for Motherwell,” he said.

“I have to say though that the opportunity to play for Scotland is one that excites and one that I would welcome.

“But, in the meantime, my focus is solely on doing well for the club and continuing to improve as a player.”

This weekend, players of every team in the Scottish Premier League will wear a poppy, the world-recognised symbol of remembrance, to show their support for the 2010 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

The Appeal raises money for veterans and their dependants in Scotland and SPL clubs will be supporting the Appeal in a number of ways, such as holding poppy collections at their grounds or selling limited edition poppy shirts in a bid to raise awareness of the 2010 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Poppyscotland Chief Executive Ian McGregor said: “The initiative has generated a huge amount of exposure for the Scottish Poppy Appeal and we are extremely grateful to the SPL and the clubs for their support once again.”

Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPL, said: “We are delighted to support the 2010 Scottish Poppy Appeal. Our clubs will be wearing the poppy for the third year in a row to pay tribute to and recognise the sacrifices of those who have served our country.”

Today Nick Blackman wakes up a year older – just hours after eminently enhancing his growing reputation with a first senior hat-trick in a 4-0 win over St. Johnstone.

Blackman, 21 today, has now scored eight goals since making the move from Blackburn Rovers on a six-month loan, and becomes the first ‘Well player to hit a hat-trick since Chris Porter in 2008.

“It’s my birthday on Thursday so it’s a pretty good birthday present!” He smiled “To get any hat-trick is great and I’m delighted to get three goals.”

“It’s my first senior hat-trick, so that makes it pretty special.

It doesn’t look the smile will be wiped off the birthday-boy’s face any time soon, and he is clearly loving his football north of the border.

“The chance to come to Motherwell and get a consistent run of games has been great,” the exciting young Englishman admitted.

“The manager is telling me to go out and enjoy my football; to play with a smile on my face and play for fun. If I do that then I generally play my best football, so I’m glad it’s paying off at the moment.

“I’ve to concentrate on getting into the box, and when you have players like Jamie Murphy and Chris Humphrey in the side you know you’ll get a chance.”

Blackman may be one year older, but the audacity of youth is certainly still in full affect when he talks about his aims for the season. Motherwell have now won two on the bounce, and remain in third spot ahead of Hearts. Brown’s men are shaping up as credible contenders for the best-of-the-rest crown.

Yet the hat-trick hero has his eyes locked a little higher. ‘Well are only eight points behind Celtic – a gap which can be narrowed according to the striker: “We can get even closer to Rangers and Celtic.”

“There is a lot more to come from us; we have won the last two games, but we can play better. We will try to keep beating the teams around us then get special performances against Rangers and Celtic and see what happens.”

That gap closing could be very much dependent on whether Blackman stays beyond his loan expiry date in January, with Blackburn presumably aware of his excellent strike-rate with ‘Well.

With nothing decided yet, Blackman is simply focused on playing games and scoring goals: “I just want to play football.”

“If I go back to Blackburn and am involved, then fine; but if not then I’d rather keep on getting regular football – which I do at Motherwell.

“But I’ve not spoken to anyone from Blackburn about my situation, so I’ll just keep on playing well and I’m sure things will take care of themselves.”

Craig Brown was full of praise for Nick Blackman and his other attacking options after watching his Motherwell side tear apart St Johnstone.

Blackman, in particular, was the definition of clinical as he lashed home a sensational first-half hat-trick in a 4-0 win for the home side.

“Nick’s finishing was terrific in the first half,” the ‘Well boss praised. “All three of his goals were very well created and excellently finished.

Attention will now inevitably turn to the future of the prodigious forward, whose loan deal expires in January.

The gaffer makes no secret of his desire to hold on to the player, who has now scored eight SPL goals this campaign, but he insists it is a case of ‘wait and see’ for the moment.

“Sam Allardyce asked for DVD’s of his games this season; luckily we sent them yesterday!” The gaffer laughed. “It would be a massive boost if we can keep him beyond January and we are anxious to do so.

“He wants to stay and we hope that he will stay for the rest of the season.”

The on-loan Blackburn striker will obviously steal the headlines, but John Sutton added another late on, whilst Jamie Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Alan Gow all made an impact in a game which illustrated the Steelmen’s attacking capabilities.

Esteban Casagolda also made his return after a knee injury and looked sharp, almost creating a goal for Gow.

A naturally delighted Brown said: “In terms of attacking players we have some good options now.

“The first bit of creation was from Jamie Murphy; he came on to a great pass from Tom Hateley and played a superb ball across goal for Nick. The first goal was outstanding.

“Then Chris Humphrey took hold of the game. He has always had fantastic pace, but the improvement in his final delivery has made him the player that he is now. He is improving all the time, which is exciting.

“John Sutton deserved his goal at the end for all his hard work, we were able to rest Alan Gow who gives us an excellent option, and Casagolda is back now and he is bright.”

Brown was honest enough to admit that the score-line slightly flattered his side. Derek McInnes’ side had plenty of the ball and got a fair amount of crosses into the box, but ‘Well’s backline held firm – and Blackman and co. did the rest at the other end.

“We got all the breaks available in the first half,” the former Scotland boss insisted, displaying typical humility. “Our finishing was terrific, but apart from that the game was fairly even.

“This was always going to be a tricky fixture after a long trip to Inverness, and we were simply delighted to get the victory.”

Pictures from the 4-o win against St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Fir Park. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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[tab:Match report]

A sensational first-half hat-trick from Nick Blackman and a late John Sutton strike secured a deserved victory against St Johnstone.

The result keeps ‘Well in third spot in the SPL; meanwhile, St Johnstone have now conceded 13 goals in their last four matches.

Motherwell opened the scoring after a little over ten minutes, with the first real chance of the game, as Jamie Murphy breezed past Danny Grainger before picking out Nick Blackman for a tap-in.

Blackman made it two just twelve minutes later when he poked home a pinpoint cross after some terrific wide play from the dazzling Chris Humphrey.

The big striker completed his first half hat-trick just before the break as he poked home at the back-post following a blocked Stephen Craigan header.

Icing was lathered onto the cake as John Sutton lashed home from 18 yards with three minutes left, after Alan Gow had danced through a demoralised Saints backline.

St Johnstone enjoyed some decent spells, but lacked a cutting edge – especially compared to the incisive trio of Jamie Murphy, Nick Blackman and, especially, Chris Humphrey, who tore the Saints defence to shreds whenever they got on the ball.

Craig Brown sprung a surprise in his team selection, with Marc Fitzpatrick coming in for just his second start of the campaign, replacing Steven Saunders. In the only other change to the side which was victorious in Inverness at the weekend Jamie Murphy replaced Alan Gow.

Derek McInnes’ men came into this game on a run of three consecutive defeats, including a 3-0 capitulation to Kilmarnock at the weekend, so it was no shock to see wholesale changes to the starting line-up from the men from Perth. Only six players survived the cull after the weekend, with Peter Enckelman, Danny Grainger, Cleveland Taylor, Steven Anderson and Scott Dobie coming in to the team.

Those changes certainly seemed to fire up the visitors, and they were the more industrious of the two sides in a relatively low key start. Danny Grainger coming closest with a fizzing 30-yard free-kick which Darren Randolph saw wide.

Yet that positive start was rendered moot on the 12-minute mark, as Motherwell took the lead with a swift, incisive break. Tom Hateley fed a delightful ball down the right flank to Jamie Murphy, who left Danny Grainger in his dust before feeding a perfect ball across the face of goal for Nick Blackman to tap in from two yards.

Despite a decent spell of possession for the Saints following the goal – during which Darren Randolph had to save from Mark Reynolds after the defender sliced a Jody Morris cross towards his own goal – Motherwell doubled their advantage a little over ten minutes later.

This time it was Chris Humphrey’s turn to burn past Danny Grainger, and the in-form winger had the wherewithal to pick out Nick Blackman in the box. The Blackburn loan star had his first shot blocked, but managed to poke his second effort into the bottom corner from eight yards.

Craig Brown’s men seemed happy to allow St Johnstone plenty of the ball as the half progressed, and apart from a slipped Morris pass to Dave Mackay in the right channel of the box, which the defender couldn’t squeeze across the face of goal, the ‘Well rearguard held comfortably firm.

Conversely, the Steelmen looked threatening every time they went forward, and Jamie Murphy stung the palms of Peter Enckelman five minutes before the break.

That was just a prelude to Nick Blackman completing an extraordinary first half hat-trick on the stroke of half-time. A Steven Hammell free-kick was met by Stephen Craigan and, although the big Northern Irishman’s header was blocked, it fell kindly at the back stick for Nick Blackman to prod home from a yard.

Derek McInnes’ troops deserve credit for their response in the second. Within ten minutes of the restart Scott Dobie tested Darren Randolph with a close-range header and Liam Craig flashed a powerful drive just wide of Randolph’s left-hand poSt

The Steelmen rode out that spell of pressure admirably, and could have gone further ahead themselves. Firstly Chris Humphrey was played clear on goal on the right flank, but was scythed down by the rushing Peter Enckelman, prompting a yellow card for the Saints’ keeper.

And from the resulting free-kick Nick Blackman lashed over the bar from the edge of the box, as the prodigious Englishman hunted a fourth goal.

A header by second half substitute Collin Samuel represented the Saints last real chance, and John Sutton even ensured there was more gloss on the score-line as he lashed home a left-footed drive from the edge of the area with three minutes left, after an Alan Gow run and shot had culminated in a block which carried the ball to the English front-man.

[tab:As it happened]

90 mins – Full time whistle goes wrapping up our biggest win of the season, Well 4 Saints 0

90 mins – Fourth official lets us know 2 mins will be added on – sympathy for Saints maybe??

90 mins – full length save from Randolph from a Peter McDonald shot – toffee for the big man!!

87 mins – GOAAALLL!!! JOHN SUTTON Great run from Gow to beat offside trap, shot blocked but Sutton sweeps home from 15 yards out

85 mins – Page on for Hammell just after Gow sees a shot deflected over.

80 mins – Saints almost get one back… McDonald cross for Samuel but his header is well saved by Randolph.

79 mins – Gow on for Humphrey. Danny Grainger’s prayers have been answered!

72 mins – Incredible low ball across the face from Casagolda almost finds Murphy but Duberry intercepts!

71 mins – Casagolda on for hat-trick hero Nick Blackman!

67 mins – Second Saints sub! Samuel on for Sam Parkin!

65 mins – It’s been a quiet second half so far! That’ll do us!

61 mins – Peter McDonald on for Scott Dobie!

56 mins – Shot just wide by Liam Craig as the attendance is announced. 3361! Brave souls!

53 mins – St Johnstone nearly get one back! Free-kick is flicked on by Duberry for Dobie but his header is saved by Randolph.

48 mins – Humphrey almost scored an absolute worldy! Great turn on the edge of the box but shot flew over the bar.

46 mins – Motherwell to kick-off the second period!

HT: Motherwell 3 – 0 St Johnstone

45 mins – Hammell corner towards the back post. Blackman somehow got it over the line. Might be an OG!

45 mins – GOOOOALLLLL Motherwell! Nick Blackman! Hat-trick!

44 mins – Humphrey takes a sore one from Grainger on the back of the head! Looks like he is ok…

37 mins – Great move by Saints. Super ball across the box but Craigan was on hand to clear for a corner.

32 mins – No updates for ten minutes. Not much has happened but it’s got more to do with the fact that I am close to hypothermia!

24 mins – Humprey roasts Grainger on the right. His squared ball landed at Blackman who poked it home at the second attempt.

24 mins – GOOOOOALLLLLLLL Motherwell! Nick Blackman!

22 mins – Humphrey roasts Grainger on the right but after it eventually landed at Jennings, he fired over the bar.

20 mins – Morris cross from the right hits the shins of Reynolds at the back post but Randolph makes the catch. Phew!

15 mins – Cleveland Taylor fires a low shot which is deflected. Darren Randolph makes a smart save though…

13 mins – GOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL Nick Blackman! Long ball over the top by Hateley plays in Murphy. Great ball across the face and Blackman is there to tap in! GET IN!

10 mins – Flashes wide of the post though and ‘Well escape! We’ve actually just noticed they’ve swapped the dugouts here at FP. Bizarre!

9 mins – St Johnstone free-kick on the edge of the box! Early chance!

6 mins – Half hearted shout for a penalty! Shove from Duberry on Blackman. My colleague Mr Barnstaple was shouting louder than anyone!

5 mins – I am getting filmed by Alba for a half-time behind the scenes feature on Sat. They say the camera adds 10Ibs – Actually, its 150Ibs.

3 mins – Decent free-kick into the box from Saints but Motherwell managed to get it clear. I can hardly type my hands are that cold.

1 mins – St Johnstone kick-off! It’s freezing here at Fir Park.

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Craig Brown:

“It was a comfortable 90 minutes but it wasn’t the best we’ve played,” said Brown. “I’m not complaining too much about the performance but we did get every break possible in the match.

“Great credit to Blackman for his hat-trick, he took them very well. Every time we shot, we scored in the early part of the game.

“At the other end our goalkeeper was making good saves. We were conceding corner kicks. The result flattered us but we’ll be glad to accept it.

“We’re delighted we’ve got good pace down the flanks with Jamie Murphy and Chris Humphrey. You can’t ask for better than that and we can penetrate very well. We’ve got four out and out strikers in the team and six players who defend very well.

“So, all’s looking good at the moment but there’s a long way to go this season and there’s a lot of work to be done.

“We’re fortunate in that we’ve been steering clear of injuries and suspensions. We certainly will avoid suspensions because they know better than to get in trouble but we can’t legislate for injuries. If we stay clear of injuries, I think we’ve a chance of maintaining our reasonable start to this season.”

St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes:

“It’s all about results. We didn’t defend well enough as a team and although we had plenty of possession and got loads of crosses into the Motherwell penalty area we didn’t ask enough questions of their goalkeeper.

“Right now, we are falling short in both penalty boxes and that is always going to make it difficult to wins games.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell boss Craig Brown has warned his players not to underestimate St Johnstone on Wednesday night.

Saints visit Fir Park on a difficult run having suffered two consecutive 3-0 defeats to Celtic and Kilmarnock

But the former Scotland boss is convinced that will count for little and insists the Steelmen will have to be at their very best if they want to build on the 2-1 win over Inverness last Saturday.

“St. Johnstone are a good, solid outfit,” said Brown. “They are similar to us in that regard.”

“They are physically imposing and that is something we must deal with. You think about Duberry, Mackay and Rutkiewicz and you know we will have to deal with that – but their smallest player is their best player. Jody Morris is an outstanding midfielder!

“I thought we were fortunate to win the match against St Johnstone last time we played, and despite them being towards the bottom of the league at the time, I knew they would perk up and they will give us a tough match.”

‘Well come in to this match following a splendid league result, returning from the mammoth trek to Inverness with a precious win against the high-flying Highlanders.

Motherwell weren’t at their fluent best against Terry Butcher’s troops, but the result cemented their third spot for the time being, and illustrated a sought after quality: the ability to win when not playing at your best.

Displaying characteristic honesty, Brown said: “I thought we were very patchy in spells against Inverness. Some of our play was excellent, but some was poor.

“But to have consistency every week with a squad as small, and young, as ours is very difficult. Sometimes we just have to ask the boys to dig out a result.

“Our lads have learned how to ride out matches and make sure they get the three points.”

Amazingly Wednesday’s match will represent Motherwell’s 20th match of a season which began in mid-July with the Europa League tie against Icelandic Champions Breidablik, meaning the Steelmen have become accustomed to playing games in midweek as well as the weekend.

When this fixture is over Brown’s hard-working troops can look forward to an extended period of games, at most, once a week – giving much of his wafer-thin squad a comparative rest.

“This is our last midweek fixture for the moment, so we want to complete our run of midweek fixtures successfully.” the gaffer insisted. “We have survived an intensive period of football with the minimum of injuries and suspensions, and after this match we can go back to playing week-to-week.

“The lads are so responsive and willing to work it is really a pleasure to work with them. They deserve success.

“The players have done tremendously well to cope with the workload, and I’ve told them: ‘Let’s get through this midweek game and then it’s back to weekly football.’”

Although Brown has praised the resilience of his squad, recent weeks have seen a few key players miss out through injury; Keith Lasley and Jamie Murphy the most notable.

The ‘Well boss is hopeful those stars of this campaign will make the match against the Saints – along with Spaniard Esteban Casagolda who is now back to full fitness.

“Murphy came on for the last 23 minutes in Inverness and if there is no reaction before the game then he should be fit to play,” the gaffer told the assembled press.

“Lasley is just about there; we are battling and he could make a comeback. Casagolda is back too, and we expect him to make a real impact.”

Referee for Wednesday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with St Johnstone at Fir Park is Crawford Allan.

It will be 43-year-old Allan’s fourth SPL game of the current campaign, having previously taken charge of Hibernian’s 1-1 draw with Inverness CT in September, Hamilton’s 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock two weeks later and, most recently, St Mirren’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen eleven days ago.

It will, of course, be his first Motherwell game of the current campaign but he is no stranger to the Steelmen or Fir Park having overseen two games here last season.

He was the man in the middle for the 3-1 success early in Jim Gannon’s reign when John Sutton, Ross Forbes and Shaun Hutchinson gave the ‘Well all three points.

Some three months later, and almost a year ago from tonight, he officiated the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen when Gary McDonald, who would later be ordered off, cancelled out a Lukas Jutkiewicz opener.

Tragically, Allan took charge of the ‘Well game on the 29th December 2007, forever etched in history as the date when Phil O’Donnell tragically passed away in the 5-3 victory over Dundee United.

Phil’s death had a profound effect on the whistler, a Grade 1 official for nine seasons, but he won heartfelt praise for the way he handled what was an extremely difficult situation and his sensitive approach is and was appreciated by everyone at Motherwell Football Club.

In another twist of fate, Allan is only one of two referees to have ever refereed a Motherwell away game at Fir Park as the Steelmen faced hosts Gretna during the 2007/2008 campaign.

His record in charge of the ‘Well is a fairly decent one, with the Fir Parkers winning three and drawing three of the six games in total. In those games, 22 players have seen yellow, nine in Claret and Amber, whilst three have been sent for an early bath.

Allan will be ably assisted by Francis Andrews and Ross Haswell, with Charlie Richmond on fourth official duties.