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Four Motherwell players have been named in the Scottish PFA Team of the Year for season 2012/13.

DARREN RANDOLPH, SHAUN HUTCHINSON, NICKY LAW and MICHAEL HIGDON have all been included in the league’s best eleven, chosen by their fellow professionals at other clubs.

It’s a double success for Randolph who has been named best goalkeeper for the second successive season.

Celtic are the other team who have four representatives amongst the SPL team.

Adam Matthews, Kelvin Wilson, Charlie Mulgrew and Victor Wanyama have been included from the Scottish Premier League champions.

Inverness CT’s Andrew Shinnie, Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn and Hibernian’s Leigh Griffiths are also included.

All three are also in contention for the main PFA Scotland Player of the Year award along with Higdon.

SPL Team of the Year: Darren Randolph; Adam Matthews, Shaun Hutchinson, Kelvin Wilson, Charlie Mulgrew; Victor Wanyama, Nicky Law, Andrew Shinnie; Niall McGinn, Michael Higdon, Leigh Griffiths.

Willie Collum will take charge of Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League meeting with Inverness Caley at the Caledonian Stadium.

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

The first match this season was the 1-0 defeat at Tynecastle in October when Danny Grainger’s long-range effort separated the sides.

He also took charge of both William Hill Scottish Cup clashes with Aberdeen.

In the first meeting at Pittodrie, Niall McGinn headed home a late equaliser to cancel out Jamie Murphy’s opener 10 minutes.

There would be disappointment for the Steelmen in the replay as goals from Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy helped the Dons progress to the next round. Motherwell were handed a lifeline in injury-time when Michael Higdon netted from the penalty spot, however Craig Brown’s side held firm in the final minutes.

He was the man in the middle for the narrow 3-2 win over St Johnstone in January; Michael Higdon’s hat-trick sealing a terrific three points and also the disappointing 3-0 defeat at Ross County.

Most recently, he was the man in the middle for the James McFadden-inspired 4-1 victory over Hibs in March.

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

He took charge of 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 Scottish Communities League Cup defeat at home to Hibs; the Easter Road men progressing through on penalties.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen reads five wins, eleven defeats and five draws from twenty-one matches.

In those games, Motherwell have scored 31 and conceded 39. 41 players have gone into the book, 18 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.

Willie Conquer and Martin Cryans will run the lines with Barry Cook on fourth official duties.

An exclusive interview with Steven Saunders which first appeared in Issue 23 (vs Celtic) of ‘Steelmen’ – Motherwell’s matchday magazine.

Steven Saunders’ future will lie away from Fir Park, but the former Scotland International insists he will look back on his time at Motherwell with great fondness, despite two-years of injury hell.

The former Queen’s Park youngster has been told his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of May, bringing to an end a five-year stint in North Lanarkshire.

In that time, the 22-year old has played 74 times in Claret and Amber, including ten in European competition, scoring two goals.

After playing for both the Scotland U19s and 21’s whilst a ‘Well player, he won his first full Scotland cap against the Faroe Islands back in November 2010, introduced as a second-half sub for Phil Bardsley in a three-nil win when Craig Levein was boss.

Lining up in those games, involved in matches against the likes of AS Nancy, Steaua Bucharest and the Cup Final squad were certainly the high points, but his career at Fir Park will always be tainted with the harrowing tale of a succession of horrific injuries.

He sustained a groin injury two months before McCall arrived and an ankle ligament injury two months after his appointment,

At the start of the 2011/12 season, the big defender had just won his spot back in the side when disaster struck – a ruptured Achilles whilst on Scotland U21 duty against Norway kept him out for almost nine months. He would only feature once more that campaign, a last-minute sub appearance against Hibs as the season drew to a close.

His luck wouldn’t improve this year when, after feeling a niggle during a pre-season match at Starks Park, a scan revealed he would require a clean-up operation on his knee that ruled him out until Christmas.

In that time, Simon Ramsden, Shaun Hutchinson and Adam Cummins have cemented their spot in the first-team meaning Saunders’ options have been limited to the Under 20s.

And although there is a resigned acceptance that he won’t be a Motherwell player beyond the summer, he doesn’t hold any grudges.

“I’ve been told my contract won’t be renewed at the end of the current season,” he told ‘Steelmen’, Motherwell’s Matchday Magazine.

“To be fair, I was expecting it as I have hardly played first-team football in two years and the gaffer was honest enough to tell me that I wasn’t likely to feature ahead of the boys there just now.

“I certainly wouldn’t change anything about it [the last five years]. I joined a good club and got a really good grounding and played a lot of matches for the first-team when I initially arrived – I made my debut about six months after moving from Queen’s Park.

“The last two years have been very frustrating but I can see things from the manager’s point of view. I was available for the first few months that he was here but have spent the best part of two years out injured. It’s understandable given he’s not seen a lot of me and has his own ideas and plans which is fair enough.

“I don’t look back with any anger or regrets though. Injuries are part and parcel of the game and you just need to get on with it.”

Saunders will now spend the rest of the campaign with Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s side as he keeps himself fit.

His next big career goal is to find a new club and kick-start his career, possibly down south.

“Obviously it has been tough to battle back from two pretty bad injuries but I have been back training every day since November and playing regularly for the Under 20s.

“When I first got back at Christmas, the weather made things worse for me.

“I wasn’t able to play on the Astro but I am now almost in double figures in terms of games for the Under 20s and feel sharp and approaching something like my best.

“I need to keep myself ticking over. I am hoping someone; somewhere will take a look at me, maybe a trial so I can get myself going and get my career back on track.

“To be honest, I’ve not had any contact from any other clubs. Agents tell you this and that but certainly there has been nothing concrete.

“I would certainly consider taking a chance and moving down south. I know there was a bit of talk about a few clubs interested in me a while back I am hoping I can maybe reignite some of that.

“They will all ask the same questions though; are you fit, why have you not featured but I hope to answer all those questions.”

Saunders will be able to draw on several experiences during his time at Fir Park that he hopes will set him up for his future career.

The defender has achieved a lot in his five years, and worked with no less than four managers, alongside Academy Director Gordon Young who initially brought him to the club to play with the Under 19s.

“I’ve enjoyed some brilliant times here,” he recalled.

“I have worked under four different managers – Mark McGhee, Jim Gannon, Craig Brown and Stuart McCall – and like to think I’ve picked up things from all of them. They have all different ideas about the game and that’s been an advantage.

“I was part of the squad that got to the Scottish Cup Final but I think the European adventures was probably my highlight.

“Playing against Llanelli AFC, Flamurtari and Steaua Bucharest was great – I was only 18 and racked up about ten matches in European competition. That experience will hopefully set me in good stead for the future, as will the Scotland cap.”

>> CLICK HERE TO ORDER A COPY OF THE CELTIC MAGAZINE

There is less than 24 hours left for you to win a shot at glory at Fir Park with Weatherseal.

Make home advantage count!

The SPL’s newest competition is set for Fir Park during half-time of the next SPL fixture at Fir Park when Ross County come a calling (Sunday 12^th May, kick-off 4.05pm).

You can be a part of the Weatherseal Home Advantage Challenge – on the pitch in front of a big-match crowd!

But hurry, entries closes Thursday at 12pm.

Three lucky winners will face the toughest of challenges – to score through our Weatherseal windows in front of thousands of supporters and win some big Well prizes including:

* Home SPL match tickets

* A signed home shirt

* Hospitality for four at a home SPL game

So, do you fancy the ultimate shot at glory?

For your chance to win a pair of tickets to Motherwell v Ross County (Sunday 12^th May, kick-off 4.05pm) and your big moment on the park at half-time simply visit www.facebook.com/weatherseal.

The closing date is Thursday 2^nd May at 12pm. Winners will be notified by Monday 6^th May at 12pm.

Weatherseal is a proud supporter of Motherwell FC as official home improvement partner of the SPL. Visit Weatherseal’s website – www.weatherseal.co.uk.

Stuart McCall has made the PFA Scotland manager of the year shortlist along with Terry Butcher, Neil Lennon and Allan Johnston.

It’s the second successive season the ‘Well boss has made the shortlist.

His side sit second in the SPL table having already secured a spot in next season’s Europa League.

PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart said: “Having counted the votes, these are the top four as far as the current managers across the SPL and SFL are concerned.

“Each manager was asked to vote for the best across all divisions.

“This was the closest-run contest we have ever had.

“It speaks volumes about the quality of managers we have in our game in Scotland and, in fact, there are a few more managers who I am sure could also lay claim to the title.

“All four nominees have had outstanding seasons and thoroughly deserve the accolade of being voted the best by their peers.”

The winners of both the managers and player awards will be announced at a dinner in Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel on Sunday 5 May.

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to warmly congratulate Stuart, and the other three candidates.

Highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell Under 20s continued their recent good run with a 4-2 victory of Kilmarnock.

-WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS ONLY ON MFC TV-

Jonatan Johansson praised his side after they battled away for three points against Kilmarnock this evening.

The Steelmen looked to be cruising to the three points after an hour, three goals (a Bob McHugh double and Paul McCafferty’s first of the campaign) to the good and playing some attractive, attacking football.

To their credit, Killie plugged away and were rewarded with two goals from Robbie Muirhead, making the closing stages a little nervier than they perhaps ought to have been.

It took an injury time strike from substitute Steven Higgins to settle everyone down and confirm three points, the U20s tenth from the last four matches.

[pullquote]If you look back at it, we had about seventy or eighty minutes of good football with ten minutes not so good.[/pullquote]

Johnasson told MFC TV after the match: “Up until Kilmarnock scored their first goal, I thought we played some really nice football.

“At 3-0 we looked very comfortable and I felt at that stage that we might even go on and get more.

“As can happen in football, when they get one back, they start to take more risks, the confidence goes up and we started to panic a little bit.

“If you look back at it, we had about seventy or eighty minutes of good football with ten minutes not so good.

“Overall, I’ve got to be pleased with how we performed and obviously delighted with another victory.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

Motherwell Under 20s continued their recent good run with a 4-2 victory over Kilmarnock at Fir Park.

The Steelmen roared into a three-goal lead, Paul McCaffery’s solo goal sandwiched in between a Bob McHugh double.

‘Well looked comfortable but Robbie Muirhead’s deflected goal gave the visitors hope.

Then, with just a minute left on the clock, Muirhead pulled another back making for a nervous ending.

But, with virtually the last kick of the ball, substitute Steven Higgins fired home from close range

The Fir Parkers were looking to build on their recent good run and Jonatan Johansson made just one change from the side that smashed four past St Johnstone. Adam Cummins dropped out and was replaced by the returning Euan Murray.

Both sides had chances in the opening five minutes, with Lee Hollis saving at close range from Rory McKenzie after a strong run down the right by the Killie man.

At the other end, Dom Thomas played in a cross for Lee Erwin but the big striker’s effort was hit straight at keeper Devlin MacKay.

The game then went to sleep for the next thirty minutes with neither side creating anything at all of note.

It eventually sparked back to life when ‘Well passed up a few half chances, McHugh shooting off target and Erwin firing just wide from a tight angle.

Then, with twelve minutes left to the break, Johansson’s men took the lead.

McHugh played a neat one-two with Erwin on the edge of the area, collecting the return on the byline. The striker cut back, beat two markers before firing in off the leg of Caoimhin Bonnar.

Two minutes before the break, the hosts doubled their lead thanks to a fine solo effort from Paul McCafferty. The winger collected the ball wide on the right, skipped past a couple of defenders before wrong-footing keeper MacKay from 15 yards out.

Motherwell made it three on the hour mark; Frazer Johnstone robbed Craig Slater on the edge of the box. The midfielder took his time and looked up before squaring to McHugh for a simple tap in from 12 yards out – his seventeenth goal of the campaign for the Under 20s.

Killie pulled one back with just over 15 minutes left, Robbie Muirhead cut in from the left flank and his low shot from a narrow angle took a wicked deflection off substitute Morgyn Neill to beat the stranded Lee Hollis.

Five minutes later Lee Erwin almost restored the three goal lead but his shot from the edge of the box skimmed the top of the cross bar with keeper MacKay well beaten.

In the dying minutes Hollis was called into action once again as he tipped a Greg Kiltie header over the bar. From the resultant corner Hollis pulled off a fine save from Kiltie again but the rebound fell kindly for Muirhead who tapped in from close range.

The win was sealed in stoppage time when ‘Well added a fourth; Thomas won the ball on the left edge of the box and his cross was stabbed home by Higgins to make it four unbeaten for the under 20s.

The youths finish the season with two matches next week, Falkirk away on Tuesday before closing the season against Ross County at the Excelsior Stadium on Thursday.

Motherwell: Hollis, Kerr, Francis-Angol (Higgins – 80), Murray (Neill – 59), Saunders, Johnstone, McCafferty, Erwin (Shirkie – 80), McHugh, Leitch, Thomas

Sub not used: Stewart