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‘Well boss Stuart McCall is expecting a tough encounter as his players return to competitive action for the first time in three weeks.

The Steelmen have had a brief sabbatical after the Dundee United match was abandoned minutes before kick-off and Scotland’s games against Wales and Belgium.

The Fir Park gaffer has even admitted he has had to cool the players in training such is the eagerness to get going again.

But the former Bradford boss is certain his side will be tested to their maximum on Sunday when they come up against a talented Hearts outfit.

[pullquote]The lads have played a lot of games this season and have now had a chance to recharge their batteries. Hopefully we’ll see the benefits of that come Sunday.[/pullquote]

“Tynecastle is a tough place to go, there is no doubt about that,” he told the gathered press at his weekly press conference.

“We’ve had some good results there recently, no better than last season where we clinched third place. That is fresh in the players mind and we’ll be looking to go and do the same again.

“All managers will say this but the lads have been flying in training but this week I have to say after giving them a few days off last week, you can tell they haven’t played in a while. Everyone if flying into tackles and I’ve had to calm it down a bit.

“The lads have played a lot of games this season and have now had a chance to recharge their batteries. Hopefully we’ll see the benefits of that come Sunday.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

Simon Ramsden says he and his Motherwell colleagues are desperate for a game of football after an almost three-week break.

The Steelmen haven’t kicked a ball in anger since facing Celtic late last month after the Dundee Utd abandonment and the international fixtures.

Now the former Sunderland and Bradford defender says the squad are itching to get back into action when they face Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

[pullquote]Everybody just can’t wait for the game to come this Sunday and it’s a pity it’s not tomorrow.[/pullquote]

He said: “I know Hearts are a very well supported team and have a good squad.

“We’ve watched DVD’s of them and know it will be a very tough test this weekend. It’s one we’re looking forward to as we’ve not had a game for a few weeks now.

“You can see it in training. Everybody just can’t wait for the game to come this Sunday and it’s a pity it’s not tomorrow.

“We’re probably not favourites but we have a great team spirit and togetherness and are confident.”

-WATCH THE FULL PRESS CONFERENCE ON MFC TV-

Willie Collum will take charge of Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hearts at Tynecastle.

Regarded as one of Scotland’s best officials, it will be Willie’s first Motherwell game of the current campaign.

He’ll be a familiar face to most ‘Well fans having officiated at the top level for many years now, including two Motherwell matches last term.

The most recent was the 0-0 draw with Rangers at Ibrox in early May, Rangers last SPL fixture at their own ground. The other match was Motherwell’s Cup defeat at home to Hibs; Colin Calderwood’s men progressing through to the Quarter Final of the Scottish Communities League Cup on penalty kicks.

He did handle the abandoned Friday Night Football experiment when Motherwell took on Hibs but Steven McLean handled the re-arranged fixture.

The season previous to last, he handled three matches.

He was in charge of the Co-operative Insurance Cup Quarter Final clash with Dundee United at Fir Park; Alan Gow’s late goal booking ‘Well’s spot in the Semi Final. He was the man in the middle for the Semi Final too as Rangers scraped past a brave ‘Well side 2-1; Keith Lasley grabbed the goal for the Fir Parkers.

He also took charge of the 3-3 draw with Hearts at Tynecastle in late April as ‘Well roared back from 3-0 down to secure a point.

Incredibly, Motherwell have never won a league game with Collum in charge. The only victories recorded whilst the Bellshill based whistler has been the man in the middle was the then CIS Cup win against Raith Rovers at the start of the 2007/08 season,  a Scottish Cup success at Inverurie the following season and the aforementioned win over Dundee Utd last October.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads three wins, eight defeats and four draws from fifteen matches. In those games, Motherwell have scored 23 and conceded 29. 29 players have gone into the book, 15 wearing claret and amber, while three players have been dismissed – Ian Murray of Hibs at Easter Road a few years back, Jerard Aafjes at Falkirk four seasons ago and Paul Dixon at the end of 2009/10.

Martin Cryans and Alan Mulvanny will run the lines with Bobby Madden on fourth official duties.

Under 20s winger JOSH WATT has joined Irn-Bru First Division side Airdrie United on a three-month loan deal.

The form of Nicky Law, Jamie Murphy, Omar Daley and Chris Humphrey has meant the 19-year old has struggled to make inroads into the first-team starting eleven.

He will now form part of Jimmy Boyle’s side and will hope to be in contention to face league-leaders Partick Thistle at the weekend.

He joins Jonathan Page (Hamilton Accies) and Nicky Devlin (Dumbarton) who are already out on loan at First Division sides.

Watt told motherwellfc.co.uk, “I am really pleased to get things tied up and I’m looking forward to getting started with Airdrie.

“It’s a big thing for any footballer to train Monday to Friday then go and play on a Saturday.

“I am hoping my three months there can help me progress as a footballer and when I return to Motherwell in January, hopefully I am a better player and can give the manager another option.

“I’ve been at the club for ten years and I am still very keen to be involved with the first-team. But, until January at least, I will be doing everything I can to try and help Airdrie.”

Several Motherwell players were in action over the last week in the latest round of international fixtures.

Full-back ZAINE FRANCIS-ANGOL was again capped for Antigua and Barbuda as they lost to both the USA and Jamaica.

The Benna boys were desperately unlucky against the States, losing to a late, late Eddie Johnson goal. However, Jamaica were too strong when the sides met in Kingston last night, Theodore Whitmore’s men running out comfortable 4-1 winners.

Goalkeeper DARREN RANDOLPH had to be content with a place on the bench as the Republic of Ireland enjoyed mixed fortunes. Giovanni Trapattoni’s men were thrashed 6-1 in Dublin by a rampant Germany side but got back to winning ways in the Faroe Islands yesterday, winning 4-1.

HENRIK OJAMAA won his seventh and eighth cap for Estonia as the Sinisärgid lost to Hungary before beating minnows Andorra. Ojamaa started in Tallin but a single Tamas Hajnal gave the Hungarians all three points. The 21-year old was a late substitute for Tarmo Kink last night in the 1-0 win in the Estadio Comunal de Aixovall.

On-loan Birmingham City defender FRASER KERR played both matches as Scotland U21s played a double-header in Marbella against the USA and Canada. The US won the first match 2-0 but Billy Stark’s side got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory of their own, goals coming from Armstrong and Watt.

Extended highlights from Fir Park as the Motherwell Under 20s go down 3-2 to table-toppers Dundee United.

-WATCH HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUIVELY ON MFC TV-
(Audio Summary from Gordon Duncan)

Under 20s boss Jonatan Johansson was left frustrated as once again his side turned in a decent showing but slipped to a narrow 3-2 defeat at the hands of Dundee United this evening.

Not for the first time this campaign, the young Steelmen displayed glimpses of attacking prowess but were hamstrung by defensive frailties.

United raced into a two goal lead, Hilson and Ferguson firing the visitor’s in-front on the hour mark. Craig Moore reduced the arrears before Jordan Moore secured the points in the ninetieth minute. There was still enough time for Bob McHugh to thunder home a consolation but Stevie Campbell’s side hung on for all three points.

Johansson was pleased with his players’ application but disappointed ‘silly’ goals once again cost his side dearly.

[pullquote]I don’t want to be negative but at the same time you’ve got to go through the goals and analyze why they happen. It’s something we need to change but we’ll work on it as a team.[/pullquote]

“It was a good game to watch,” said the former Charlton striker.

“We looked really good with the ball and they anybody who comes to our game will enjoy themselves but we go back to some negatives and unless we cut out the silly goals, we are not going to win games.

“You can’t lose two or three goals and expect to win games. We are a bit short at the back, and although the two fullbacks did a good job they are not natural defenders. No excuses but we concede far too easy goals at this level.

“Their first two goals were assists from our players and that is disappointing. I don’t want to be negative but at the same time you’ve got to go through the goals and analyze why they happen. It’s something we need to change but we’ll work on it as a team.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell U20s went down 3-2 to Dundee United in an entertaining match at Fir Park this evening.

Both teams were level at the interval but it was United who drew first blood, Dale Hilson latching on to a long ball to slot under the advancing LEE HOLLIS.

Stevie Campbell’s side made it two on the hour with a superbly taken goal from Ryan Ferguson who curled a belter high into the top right corner.

The Steelmen hit back quickly though and CRAIG MOORE bagged his fourth of the season when he capitalised on some slack United defending.

The match was held up for five minutes after Willy Robertson had to be stretchered off with a nasty head injury.

United secured all three points on the ninetieth minute when Jordan Moore slid home from close range.

There was still enough time for BOB McHUGH to smash home a late consolation deep into injury time but it wasn’t enough as the Steelmen remain in eleventh position.

Jonatan Johansson’s young side were looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at East End Park last time out, where Bob McHugh’s opener was cancelled out by strikes from veteran forward Craig Drago and Alex Whittle.

The Finn made just one change from the side that started against Dunfermline, FRAZER JOHNSTONE coming in for MORGYN NEILL with ADAM ASGHAR moving to right back and ADAM CUMMINS partnering EUAN MURRAY at centre back.

The game started vibrantly with United passing the ball about well. Hilson should have done better than sclaff his effort when weaving his way in to the box for the visitors, after carving out the best of the early chances.

Moore then almost put ‘Well ahead slightly against the run of play, after beating John Souttar to a bouncing ball. He clipped his effort over the onrushing United goalkeeper, but looked on in vain as the ball was scrambled off the line.

JOSH WATT then forced Anderson in to a fine save after cutting in from the left, with Moore offside as he tried to prod in the rebound.

Down the other end and Ryan Ferguson then brought Hollis in to action for the first time, with the Steelmen stopper blocking with his feet as the United midfielder hared in to the box. Hilson’s follow up on the loose ball was also dealt with easily by the former Airdrie ‘keeper.

The visitors came closest to taking the lead when Jordan Moore rose in the box to bullet Ross Gilmour’s cross off the post. The striker will perhaps feel he should have netted given the time and space he had so close to goal. Watt then found Anderson in inspired form once more as he tested the away goalie with a vicious hit from 30 yards, which the keeper beat out at full stretch.

As the half came to a close, Hilson almost gave the away side the lead, but dragged his effort just wide of Hollis’ left hand post after making space at the edge of the box.

Where chances were squandered in the first half, they were duly tucked away in the second, as the fans were treated to a five goal thriller in the remaining 45 minutes.

United took the lead when a long ball over the top came off the head of Cummins and fell perfectly for Hilson. The striker still had it all to do but he kept his composure and stroked the ball past the oncoming Hollis and in off the post.

The lead was doubled a few minutes later when a wayward strike from Willy Robertson deflected off Murray and straight to the feet of Ryan Ferguson. The blonde-haired midfielder curled a pearler up and over Hollis from just inside the box. Having taken their chances, United were now 2-0 up, but they quickly saw their lead halved, after a defensive mix up allowed Craig Moore an opportunity.

A poor looking pass forward from STEVIE HETHERINGTON split two defenders, and as Moore managed to stay onside he beat Anderson at the front post from an angle to bring his side right back in to it.

With the game poised at 1-2 to the visitors, the hosts sensed they could get back in to the game, but despite the best efforts of Watt and Moore in trying to create, a leveller could not be found.

The game was delayed in the final ten minutes after a sickening clash of heads between United’s Souttar and Robertson saw the latter knocked out cold, and taken off the pitch on a stretcher. No sooner had the game resumed than United sealed the win with a third goal.

Hilson showed his strength and pace to outrun Asghar going in to the box, before laying a slide rule pass on a plate for Jordan Moore to tuck home from six yards, making it 1-3 to the Arabs.

There was still time for another goal though as McHugh timed his run on to Watt’s weighted pass to perfection before blasting past Anderson to bring the game back within a one goal margin.

The injury time for the head knock ticked over, as United ran out 3-2 victors at the end of a great game of football.

Motherwell: Hollis, Asghar (Shirkie – 90), Leitch, Murray, Cummins, Hetherington, McCafferty, Johnstone (Thomas – 79), McHugh, Watt, Moore

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Green, Neill

Goals: Moore (62), McHugh (90)

Booked: Hetherington, Murray