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Gordon Young’s Under 19s side return to action this Saturday morning when the face Celtic at Lennoxtown.

Following last Friday’s postponement when Dundee United were due to visit the Creamery Park, the youths haven’t been in Clydesdale Bank U19s League action since 29th October.

In between times, the Fir Parkers crashed out to Livingston in the SFA Youth Cup but still sit third in the table, joint with Saturday’s opponents and Aberdeen.

Celtic’s only defeat of the campaign came last week when league-leaders Rangers ran our 4-2 winners at Barrowfield.

The match will take at the Celtic Training Centre, Lennoxtown, with kick-off at 11am.

Steven Saunders won his first cap as Scotland ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie this evening.

The youngster was a 70th minute replacement for Sunderland’s Phil Bardsley and looked assured and confident in the last twenty minutes of the match.

Scotland had earlier put themselves into a commanding lead when Liverpool’s Danny Wilson got on the end of a Charlie Adam corner to smash past former Steelmen stopper Gunnar Nielsen.

Seven minutes later Scotland doubled their advantage; Charlie Adam was again the creator, whipping in a fantastic low ball which was flicked home by Derby County winger Kris Commons.

On the stroke of half-time, the home side killed off the match courtesy of QPR’s Jamie Mackie. Barry Bannan’s whipped cross was turned back across the face by Wilson and the striker was on hand to blast home from close range.

The second half wasn’t quite as fluid as Levein choose to introduce a host of younger players. Cammy Bell, Craig Bryson, James McArthur and David Goodwillie all joined Saunders in winning their first cap as the Scots played out the rest of the match in a fairly comfortable fashion.

Scotland face Northern Ireland in early 2011 and hopefully other ‘Well players get their chance to make an impact.

Motherwell Football Club have today confirmed prices for our fantastic half-season tickets which have gone on sale at Fir Park.

Craig Brown and the players have made a superb start to the 2010/11 campaign, spending most of the season so far in the best of the rest third spot in the SPL table as well as progressing to the Semi Finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

We need you to play your part in the push to confirm third place and a fourth consecutive spot in European football.

Prices start from as little as £45 for juveniles and £140 for adults and will include at least nine home games, including clashes against both halves of the Old Firm (Half Season Tickets will commence from the Rangers game on Boxing Day).

There is also an incredible family offer in the Davie Cooper Stand where an adult can take up to two juveniles for just £150!

Half season tickets are a fantastic way to introduce a youngster to the unequalled rollercoaster that is Motherwell Football Club. Give them the present that every kid wants and join us in the race for third place!

Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “We had some fantastic uptake of season tickets in the summer with numbers up 13% overall.

“That is predominantly down to the Kids go Free offer in the Cooper Stand with many people taking up what is one of the best ticketing initiatives in the SPL. Fans tried out the Motherwell experience in Europe and many returned to be a part of the Motherwell experience.

“We are keen to encapsulate that sprit once again and ask you, the fans, to help the team and play your part in pushing the team towards great things in 2011.”

There are two easy ways to book your seat and enjoy all the fun in 2011

1. Phone our Box Office enquiry line on 01698 333 333

2. Pop into the Fir Park Ticket Office

For a full stand-by-stand price breakdown, CLICK HERE.

Motherwell will hope to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat at Hibs when they take on Danny Lennon’s St Mirren in Paisley.

‘Well fans making the short journey along the M8 will hope the Steelmen can continue a very impressive away record; Brown’s men picking up wins at Kilmarnock, St Johnstone, Hearts and Inverness.

However, Saints have enjoyed a recent upturn in fortunes having taken all three points at Tannadice and only lost to Celtic courtesy of a late, late Gary Hooper goal in the dying seconds.

The Buddies also proved tough opponents at Fir Park last month when it took two late goals, a Tom Hateley penalty and a Jamie Murphy strike to settle the teams.

Motherwell fans will be housed in the usual North Stand with tickets available from the Fir Park Ticket Office priced at:

Adult: £20
Concession: £10

* Concessions are listed as Under 18’s, OAP’s and Wheelchair Users
* The concession ticket for a wheelchair user also includes the admission of a helper/carer.
* The away ticket office at New St Mirren Park will be open from 1pm on the day of the match but operates on a strict cash only basis.

SUPPORTERS ASSOCIATION COACHES

Three Supporters Association coaches will make their way to the match:

WISHAW BRANCH

The Wishaw branch bus to Paisley on Saturday 20th will leave Wishaw at 1.15pm. To book seats phone Anne (01698) 470601 or email andrew.sim48@btinternet.com.

CENTRAL BRANCH

The bus for Paisley will leave the Bentley Hotel at 1.30pm. Phone Jim on (01698) 299650 or e-mail Christopher on christopher_hutton@btinternet.com.

BELLSHILL & DISTRICT BRANCH

The St Mirren bus will pick up at the Fir Park Club, Motherwell at 12.10pm then the Holytown War Monument at 12.20pm and finally the Carousel Bar, Bellshill at 12.30pm. To book seats, contact Brian Worton after 6pm on (01698) 747644

Steven Saunders was physically sick when he heard he was in the Scotland squad.

The Motherwell defender revealed it was a virus and not nerves that had laid him low. In fact the call-up for Saunders, originally named in the Under-21 squad, was the perfect cure as he quickly got the all-clear from the doctor and joined Craig Levein’s squad for tonight’s Pittodrie clash with the Faroes.

Saunders, 19, said, “I wasn’t feeling too good on Sunday with a stomach bug. I was sick a couple of times and spent the whole day in bed. I couldn’t get my temperature to settle down and I couldn’t eat anything.

“Then I got a call on Sunday night from the SFA. I was shocked when I was told I had been promoted to the full squad. The first thing I had to do was get a doctor’s appointment for the following morning to make sure I was all right to travel.

“I was feeling a lot better and had started eating again by then. Now I would love to get a run out but even just being part of the squad is a great achievement.”

The right back admitted he was shocked to learn he had been picked ahead of Well team-mates Mark Reynolds, Jamie Murphy and Chris Humphrey.

“It was a bit of a surprise Mark, Jamie and Chris never got a call-up because they’ve all been in good form,” he said.

“Mark has been doing it for a couple of years while Jamie and Chris have been flying. They have done well in the league so I thought they may have been called into the squad.”

‘Well boss Craig Brown was equally as thrilled for Saunders after his first senior call-up.

The former Queens Park defender is the only player to receive a senior call whilst Brown has been in charge and he was quick to congratulate his young protégée.

“I am delighted for Steven; it’s a massive boost to not only him personally, but the club,” said Brown, who managed Scotland for a record 70 matches.

“He has been progressing well and I know Craig Levein rates him. Hopefully he gets some action but even being a part of the squad and the preparations will be an invaluable experience for him. Hopefully he isn’t the last Motherwell player to get the recognition in the months ahead.”

Referee for this Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash with St Mirren is Alan Muir.

It will be Muir’s first ‘Well game of the season but he’s a familiar face to Motherwell fans having taken charge of three games last term.

The most recent was certainly one to forget though; a 4-0 defeat by Celtic in Glasgow at the start of May this year.

He also oversaw the 3-2 extra-time with over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Fourth Round and the lively 2-2 draw against Dundee United back in late November 2009.

The latter was infamous for two red cards, shown to Prince Bauben and Danny Swanson, and a missed red card for Jennison Myrie-Williams which prompted the then United boss Craig Levein to remove him from the game almost immediately.

The season before last, Muir was the man in the middle for the 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in October, the 0-0 draw with St Mirren at Love Street in January and the 3-0 victory over Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park in May.

In those games he produced 15 yellow cards, six of which were shown to a player in claret and amber, and one red card, given to former defender Paul Quinn for a professional foul on David Fernandez in the 1-0 defeat to Killie.

The 35-year-old has taken charge of five SPL games so far in this campaign, including Celtic’s 9-0 annihilation of Aberdeen which produced three yellow cards, two red cards and three penalty kicks.

His other appointments have come at Tannadice when Inverness Caley hammered Dundee Utd by 4-0, New Douglas Park where a 90th minute goal by Kenny Miller gave Rangers all three points against Hamilton.

He’s also been at the Caledonian Stadium as Inverness drew with St Johnstone and again at Tannadice when Kilmarnock held the Tangerines to a 1-1 draw.

He will be ably assisted on the day by Allan Cunningham and Stephen Allan, with Eddie Smith on fourth official duties.

Motherwell FC are today delighted to confirm talented young star Steven Saunders has been promoted to the Scotland International squad.

Saunders, 19, was set to be involved in the Scotland U21 as Billy Stark’s men take on Northern Ireland at Firhill.

But a series of withdrawals has left Craig Levein short and the defender will join Paul Caddis and Murray Davidson as late call-ups.

Craig Brown was finally given recognition for his services to Scottish Football after being named amongst the latest inductees to the Hampden Hall of Fame.

Brown, bettered only by former Motherwell boss Alex McLeish in terms of statistical records whilst with the national team, was inducted at a ceremony at the plush Hilton Hotel in Glasgow this evening.

And many would argue the award is not before time, particularly as he has his Motherwell side performing incredibly well both in the SPL and the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

Brown started his coaching career at Fir Park back in 1974 when he was the assistant to then boss Willie McLean.

He got his first managerial job as part-time manager of Clyde in 1977, where he spent ten seasons – winning the Second Division championship in 1982 – whilst also working as a primary school head teacher then a lecturer in primary education.

He returned to football full-time in 1986 when Scotland manager Andy Roxburgh appointed him as his assistant. Brown was also in charge of Scotland’s youth teams. In 1989, he coached Scotland’s Under-16s to the final of the FIFA U-16 World Championship and, three years later, coached the under-21s to the semi-finals of the 1992 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.

Brown was appointed manager of Scotland in December 1993, having been caretaker manager for the games against Italy and Malta. He took Scotland to Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup, but resigned in 2001 having failed to take Scotland to Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002.

Under Brown, Scotland beat England in the last ever Euro Championship qualifier at the old Wembley in 1999, as well as successes in Germany and Holland. He took charge of Scotland for 70 international matches, more than any other Scotland manager.

He then had a spell in club management when he was appointed as manager of Preston North End in 2002 but left by mutual consent on 29 August 2004. He later had a brief spell as football consultant at Derby County under former protégé Billy Davies, helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2006-07 and latterly Fulham.

He arrived back at Fir Park in December 2009, some 35 years after first working at Motherwell, to fill the managerial post vacated by former boss Jim Gannon. He had enjoyed an incredible 11 months, guiding Motherwell to Europe and a within a whisker of the Europa League group stages, progressing to the last four of the Co-operative Insurance Cup and has a win percentage record in excess of 50%!

A truly deserved honour for one of the masters of the craft! Craig Brown, Scotland Hall of Fame Inductee 2010!

It’s time to vote for your favourite Clydesdale Bank Premier League goal of the month, with Sky Sports. 

Sky have selected their top ten goals from the month which are shown on their website for you to view and pick your favourite.

If your choice matches the goal selected by Sky Sports pundit Neil McCann you could win a new Apple iPod touch 8GB and a pair of tickets to a Clydesdale Bank Premier League match of your choice.  Just go to their website and click on the Goal of the Month link to see the goals, and have your say.

Closing date is 22nd November.

http://www.skysports.com/football/scottishpremier/

Terms and conditions apply.

‘Well boss Craig Brown felt his side should’ve taken something from this afternoon’s match after a Derek Riordan double gave Hibs all three points.

Motherwell had earlier taken the lead courtesy of a Nick Blackman penalty before a Riordan brace put the home side in poll position.

Despite having plenty of the ball and bombarding the Hibs penalty area in the second half, ‘Well couldn’t get that leveller that their play perhaps deserved.

Brown said, “I am biased but I felt the better team didn’t win; it was uncharacteristic of us to lose a second goal. I think we had much more of the game than Hibs.

“One of our players made an uncharacteristic error; I don’t think he has made a mistake all season. It was a basic one to clear but you can’t fault a guy who has been a stalwart for you.

“The first was also a soft goal too, it was well placed but not where he meant to hit it, but they got the goals and that got their tails up.

“Our lads showed great determination and great application to dominate the second half as they did.”

Brown resisted the temptation to have a go at the officials after Steven Saunders’ goal was wrongly ruled offside.

It’s not the first time the Steelmen have been victims of some questionable decisions in recent weeks, but Brown remains steadfast in his lack of criticism saying, “I don’t want to say anything about that but you will all see it and you can judge for yourself.

“It was a crucial call though, in sport if you lost a lead at home it can change things, if it had gone to 2-2 they would not have been so comfortable. If we had got that goal I think we could have gone on and won the game.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Hibs, they won the game and I am not complaining about the second half from our lads. Once we recovered from a sloppy start, I thought we totally dominated the game.”

After a hectic schedule, Motherwell having now played 21 competitive games, more than any club in Scotland, there is a sense of normality as things move to a more traditional Saturday to Saturday schedule.

Brown admits things have taken their toll on his threadbare square but is convinced the extended time between games will help his side in the months to come.

“We have played more competitive games than anyone else in Scotland, and we have the smallest and youngest squad in the League,” said the former Scotland boss.

“We have played one more game than Rangers; we have had six European games, two in the League Cup and 13 League games. We have used only 18 players; three of them have only played half a game, so the guys must be feeling a bit leg weary at this point.

“We will give them a couple of days off and when we go week to week now, I think you will see a difference. The players have put in a great shift to get where we are at the moment, and I don’t think we deserved to lose all the points today.”