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Extended highlights from Caledonian Stadium where goals from Craig Clay and Scott McDonald give ‘Well a fine 1-2 win over Inverness CT.

‘Well boss Mark McGhee hailed his side’s 2-1 win away to Inverness tonight as one of the best results since his return to the club just over a year ago.

Goals from Craig Clay and Scott McDonald secured all three points for the Steelmen at a blistering Caledonian Stadium.

And speaking to MFC TV after the match, the manager didn’t hide his emotions, expressing his delight at the effort from his players and his desire to follow up on tonight’s win with another good result on Saturday in the Lanarkshire derby.

McGhee said: “It’s a massive win and in many ways I think that’s the best result we’ve had since I’ve been back at the club.

“It was a massive game for us tonight and it was a difficult game too. Inverness are a tough side, they’re strong and physical, the conditions were difficult, although the pitch was excellent, the conditions were still difficult.”

[pullquote]It’s a massive win and in many ways I think that’s the best result we’ve had since I’ve been back at the club. It was a massive game for us tonight and it was a difficult game too.[/pullquote]

He added: “The boys dug in and they eventually got the break through, then we stayed vigilant and got the second goal which looked to have killed the game.

“Then of course they get that goal late on which makes things a little bit hairy and you always worry, but we’ve seen it through and it really was a fantastic performance.”

The Fir Park boss admitted that the game was a bit scrappy, but his side put in a good performance in tough conditions.

He said: “It was a team performance and Lee Lucas has got himself in the team now, Carl McHugh was back tonight and played the full 90 minutes.

“It was a magnificent effort and it was a scrappy game at times with the weather, but it’s a really important result for us.

[pullquote]In a sense it justifies everything I’ve said about the boys because I feel we could’ve beat St Johnstone, we could’ve beat Kilmarnock, we could’ve beat Celtic and we could’ve beat Aberdeen, and I can’t keep saying that unless we come here and get a result, but now I feel justified.[/pullquote]

“In a sense it justifies everything I’ve said about the boys because I feel we could’ve beat St Johnstone, we could’ve beat Kilmarnock, we could’ve beat Celtic and we could’ve beat Aberdeen, and I can’t keep saying that unless we come here and get a result, but now I feel justified.”

Goal scorer Craig Clay fired in a stunning effort to open the scoring for Motherwell, and McGhee hopes he can follow up his first goal in a ‘Well jersey with more this season.

The boss said: “One of the things I said in the team talk at the hotel was directly to Craig. We see him scoring in training and yet he’s missed a few opportunities in matches.

“Now that wasn’t quite an opportunity for him tonight, but I still expect goals from him, I asked him for goals before the game, and he’s delivered.”

McGhee highlighted the return of Carl McHugh too, and said: “I thought Carl was absolutely magnificent. Keith Lasley was missing tonight and we miss Las massively, his energy and desire in the middle of the park, but Carl came in tonight and was an able substitute for him.

[pullquote]Now we’ll regroup, we’ll stay up here tonight, do things properly and have a run down tomorrow morning before we travel back down the road.[/pullquote]

“We’re glad to have him back, and to ask him to play 90 minutes on his first game back and for him to come through it the way he did is testimony to the type of lad he is.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s Lanarkshire derby, the ‘Well manager revealed the level of belief it will bring to the team, and the supporters too.

He said: “A win like this gives you such belief and there’s a short period of time between now and the game on Saturday, which is the same for Hamilton.

“Now we’ll regroup, we’ll stay up here tonight, do things properly and have a run down tomorrow morning before we travel back down the road.”

Images from today’s 1-2 win over Inverness CT in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Snaps courtesy of SNSPix

[svgallery name=”inverness281216″]

[tab:Match report]

Motherwell secured a hugely important three points away to Inverness tonight – lifting the club to seventh in the table whilst lifting the spirits among the squad too.

A wonder goal from Craig Clay and a late stike from Scott McDonald gave the Steelmen a two goal lead before Greg Tansey pulled a scrappy goal back for the hosts in the 90^th minute.

And during extremely difficult conditions at the Caledonian Stadium, Motherwell may not have hit scintillating form, but secured perhaps the most important win of the campaign so far.

Mark McGhee named just one change to the side that lost 3-1 at home to Aberdeen. Injured skipper Keith Lasley was replaced by summer signing Carl McHugh who was making his long awaited return to action following a concussion suffered on the opening day of the season.

Inverness named an unchanged eleven from the side who lost narrowly to Rangers on Christmas Eve.

Despite making just the one change to his starting eleven, McGhee was forced to make an early substitution when Chris Cadden limped off after 26 minutes to be replaced by Lionel Ainsworth.

In a quiet opening 45, Inverness went closest through a terrific freekick from Greg Tansey. The midfielder curled a fantastic effort on target and forced Craig Samson to pull off a tremendous save, scrambling across his line before leaping and palming the goal bound effort round his post.

Ex-Well man Iain Vigurs went close with a header when he hit the woodwork in the 34th minute, but a slight touch from the head of Stephen McManus meant the midfielder had next to no time to react and did well to even get on the end of the cross.

The story of the first half though was a debatable call from referee Barry Cook, who reached in to his pocket and booked Larnell Cole for what looked to be an extremely reckless foul on Lee Lucas. The Caley Jags wide man had both feet off the deck when he lunged in to challenge the Welsh Steelman in a 50/50 battle, but the official decided it only merited a yellow.

Despite nearly falling behind, Motherwell could have went in with a one goal lead when Lee Lucas slipped in Ainsworth on the stroke of half time. The neatly threaded pass left the winger with a chance to burst in to the box and have an effort on goal, but Owain Fon-Williams was alert to rush off his line and gather the ball.

The second half was far more eventful than the first and in the 50^th minute Craig Clay broke the deadlock whilst opening his account in Claret and Amber.

What a goal it was too. The Englishman collected the ball outside the box and launched a searching right-footed effort towards the far top corner. It appeared as though it was about to fly over the crossbar before it dipped just in time to go under the woodwork and ripple the net.

It was a moment of class to undo a sturdy Inverness side who had held strong for the first period.

But equally so had Motherwell, and centre backs Ben Heneghan and McManus in particular had outstanding matches in front of Samson, who had a terrific evening himself.

Inverness didn’t carve out too many clear cut chances but a number of efforts were blocked superbly by ‘Well defenders and Samson was on hand to deal with a number of threatening deliveries from corners and freekicks – whipped in from the familiar left foot of Iain Vigurs.

Aussie forward McDonald wrapped up the three points in the 87^th minute and sent the travelling ‘Well fans in to party mode when he got on the end of a chipped Louis Moult pass to lash past Fon-Williams with his first touch after letting the ball take a bounce.

However, celebrations became muted for the additional three minutes as Greg Tansey scrambled a consolation goal over the line from a corner in the 90th minute. Vigurs’ delivery in to the six yard box was surrounded by a number of bodies and the Caley Jags midfielder got the necessary touch to prod beyond Samson.

It was too little too late for the hosts though on a hugely important night at the Caledonian Stadium.

The victory means Motherwell find themselves seventh in the Premiership, one point off Partick Thistle in sixth and four points above bottom placed Inverness, with Hamilton awaiting the Fir Parkers in the final match of the year on Saturday afternoon.

[tab:As it happened]

 Alastair Reilly at Caledonian Stadium

Great three points to take home from the Highlands. Come on!!!!!

FT: Inverness CT 1 – 2 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFC

91′ | 1-2
Three minutes added on.

90′ | 1-2
Goal – ICT pull one back after a scramble from a corner!

87′ | 0-2
Moult clips a curling ball into McDonald who steadies himself and fires past Fon-Williams!!!!

GGOOOAALLLL!!!

81′ | 0-1
So close for Caley. Ball is headed onto the bar, comes back down and possibly crossed the line but no goal given.

76′ | 0-1
Fisher booked for a rash tackle on Lucas.

75′ | 0-1
Terrible indecision from McKay and ‘keeper lets in Moult who wins a corner.

73′ | 0-1
Mulraney needlessly shoves over Moult giving ‘Well a free-kick wide on the left…..Ainsworth whips it in but its nodded wide

71′ | 0-1
ICT sub, Polworth off for Mulraney.

70′ | 0-1
Ainsworth tries his luck from range which Fon-Williams makes a meal of before eventually gathering.

63′ | 0-1
Motherwell sub, Hammell makes way for McMillan

60′ | 0-1
Vigurs’ free-kick takes a huge curl with the wind which thankfully Samson is alert to. Palmed away for a corner.

58′ | 0-1
ICT sub, Doumbouya off for Fisher.

58′ | 0-1
Moult booked after he went to sweep Clay’s header on but caught Warren instead.

55′ | 0-1
ICT sub, Cole off for Doran

50′ | 0-1
WHAT A GOAL!!!!! Clay picks it up on the edge of the box and fires a beauty into the top corner!!!

GGGOOOAAAALLLL!!!

47′ | 0-0
Glorious chance for Doumbouya as he breaks away but with only Samson to beat he drags his shot wide of the post.

McDonald gets the second half underway.

HT: Inverness CT 0 – 0 Motherwell #ICTFCvMFC

44′ | 0-0
Heneghan again with a great block, this time from Tansey as he burst clear in the box.

39′ | 0-0
McKay booked for grabbing a fistful of Clay’s shirt as he broke

35′ | 0-0
Poor challenge from Cole earns him a booking. ‘Well players not at all happy as Lucas lies injured.

34′ | 0-0
Vigurs heads into the side-netting from 5 yards after a fine deep ball in from Polworth. Great chance.

32′ | 0-0
Great save by Samson! Has to react quickly to Tansey’s free-kick and does superbly to dive and tip it wide of the post.

27′ | 0-0
Close! Ainsworth’s cross turns into a shot which drifts inches wide of the top left corner of the goal!

26′ | 0-0
Chance for Doumbouya but Heneghan does superbly to throw himself in front of it. Corner ICT.

25′ | 0-0
Motherwell sub, Cadden limps off and is replaced by Ainsworth

23′ | 0-0
Cadden gets some space on the right, slides inside to McDonald but the Aussie’s left-footed shot drifts wide of the post.

20′ | 0-0
Quite a low-key opening 20 minutes. Not an awful lot happening of note….

13′ | 0-0
ICT have the first corner of the game…..Tansey swings it in but Moult is on hand to nod it clear.

3′ | 0-0
Very nearly the opener as Hammell clips in a free-kick which is flicked on At second attempt, Fon-Williams saves.

ICT get the action underway. #ICTFCvMFC

Both sides are out the tunnel, kick-off is seconds away….

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee:

Inverness manager Richie Foran:

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Motherwell travel to face Inverness Caley Thistle tomorrow as the two sides look to bounce back to winning ways after suffering defeats against Aberdeen and Rangers respectively.

The Fir Parkers face an important double-header over the next few days – with Hamilton on Hogmanay following Wednesday’s league clash with the Northerners.

For ‘Well boss Mark McGhee, tomorrow’s match and the final game of 2016 against Hamilton on Saturday are pivotal matches at this stage of the season.

The manager said: “I think that this spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.

“Regardless of whether we feel we’ve done well or not in some games – we probably should have won against Kilmarnock, should have won against St Johnstone and I don’t think we should have been beaten against Aberdeen but ultimately we’ve drawn two and lost one.

He added: “I also see this next spell as an opportunity; it’s a chance to make that step up in to a position where you’re able to challenge seriously for the top six.

“If we don’t get enough from these games we may not be able to sit here realistically and say we’re a top six team, but if we do get results then I will be sitting here saying that.”

The manager also feels that as well as pushing his team up the table, points on the board will boost spirits in the dressing room.

He said: “It’s more important about how much belief it can give us. For instance, if we were to go out and beat Inverness and Hamilton, I think we’d come back here with no fears.”

On tomorrow’s opponents, the manager said: “I always think Inverness are difficult and we’ve struggled to play against them at times. Their shape, the way they play, physically they’re a good size, their three midfield players are 6 foot plus so even that’s a challenge.

[pullquote]This spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.[/pullquote]

“Inverness can mix it up – they have that physical challenge but they have players in good positions, they have players who can score goals and they’re a threat from set plays and if you go behind against them you can find it difficult.”

He added: “We should have no fears physically when we face Inverness because we have become a team that is robust and can scrap our way out of it as well.”

Tomorrow’s match will be an important fixture for both sides, as the Fir Parkers sit just one point ahead of Richie Foran’s Inverness.

A win for the Steelmen could put some breathing space between the two sides and will bring confidence to the ‘Well ahead of Saturday’s derby clash too.

The Caley Jags are now without a win in eight matches, but the last time Foran’s side picked up a win was in the shape of an emphatic 3-0 win over the Steelmen back in October.

The Fir Parkers could be without skipper Keith Lasley, who faces a late fitness test after injuring his shoulder against Aberdeen on Friday forcing him to be substituted at half time.

‘Well defender Stephen McManus wants to go in to the winter break in a positive frame of mind – starting with a good result tomorrow night.

And during the busy schedule, the centre-back focussed on the positives of being able to put the loss against Aberdeen right tomorrow.

Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “The games are coming thick and fast which is great as a player, you want to play in the games and you don’t mind when it goes Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Tuesday because there’s not a lot of training to be done and it’s just about recovery.

“We’re coming in to a break as well so we’ve got two games to go and it’s two games that we feel are winnable.”

Inverness find themselves in a similar position to the Steelmen – hungry to bounce back to winning ways – and McManus admits that the Caley Jags will be up for tomorrows match.

He said: “It’s going to be difficult and Inverness will be feeling the same, Hamilton will be feeling the same too but in the past few weeks our performances have been fine.

[pullquote]The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw, you seem to be moving position in the table.[/pullquote]

“We’ve just been missing that wee bit of quality, that wee bit of something different in the final third to turn the draws in to wins, and the defeats like on Friday night in to draws.”

With a mere four points separating sixth placed Ross County from 12^th placed Inverness, matches like tomorrow and the upcoming Lanarkshire Derby can prove to be hugely important.

McManus said: “The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw you seem to be moving position in the table.

“You want to go in to the break with your form being decent and psychologically you want to look at the table and, now that it’s taking shape, you want to go in with a few more points on the board to give you that bit more belief coming back in to the Rangers games towards the end of January.”

Ahead of tomorrow night, the defender added: “We’ll do our video analysis on Inverness in their last few matches and we’ve already looked at our own performance against Aberdeen and looked at the aspects which were positive and negative too.

“At this period of time when the games are coming thick and fast if you have a bad result you don’t need to wait a week or ten days to put it right.”

Inverness Caley Thistle currently sit at the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership, but are only one point behind the Fir Parkers in tenth.

For both sides, tomorrow presents an opportunity to bounce back to form and move up the table in the penultimate match of 2016.

For manager Richie Foran, who took over in May following the departure of John Hughes, tomorrow marks the challenge of a club he knows well.

Foran spent three seasons in Claret and Amber, making 90 appearances and scoring 23 goals, and as a manager it is his second meeting with his former employers following the 3-0 win at Fir Park back in October

His side arrive on the back of a narrow 1-0 defeat against Rangers at Ibrox and are now without a win since October.

Foran got off to a good start in his new role at the helm of the Caley Jags, securing some important signings over the summer.

Billy King arrived on a season-long loan deal from Hearts, Kevin McNaughton came in from Wigan, Jake Mulraney arrived from QPR and Scott Boden signed from Newport County.

And it all looked good for Caley Thistle, as Foran managed to get off to a winning start at the helm with a 2-1 away win to Cowdenbeath in the League Cup. In their group, Inverness drew with Dundee United at home and lost the bonus point penalty shoot-out, but things turned around as they won 5-1 away against Dunfermline and then registered a 7-0 thrashing of Arbroath to end July on a positive note.

In August, the Inverness boss lost his first league game in charge in the shape of a 2-0 away loss to Partick Thistle.

Things didn’t get better for the club as that result was followed by a shock 1-0 away loss to Alloa, knocking Caley out of the League Cup.

Foran then lost his first Highland derby as a manager when his side slumped to a 3-2 home defeat to Ross County.

Things went from bad to worse when a trip to Tynecastle ended in a 5-1 defeat to Hearts.

After the first International break of the season, Foran’s side sparked into life as they managed their first win of the season in early September with a hard-fought 2-1 home win against St Johnstone thanks to a late goal from Josh Meekings – who scrambled the ball over the line from a corner to seal the three points.

The next weekend the North derby away at Aberdeen ended in a 1-1 draw and was a big point for the Caley Jags. Ex-Well midfielder Iain Vigurs scored a great strike from 25-yards to level the score-line.

Foran also managed to record another impressive result, a 2-2 draw with Scottish Champions Celtic, being the first team, and currently only team, to take points away from Brendan Rodgers side in the league this season.

But as the season has surged on, the northerners have started to drop some important points and have picked up just three points in their last eight matches.

But with the ability to challenge every team in the league, and the incredibly tight nature of the top flight, Inverness will be confident ahead of every match and will be keen to bring the year to a strong conclusion.

It’s an important match for both sides, postponed due to the Dons progression in the League Cup, where they got all the way to the final but lost 3-0 against Celtic.

With the chance to move in to the top six, it is enough inspiration for Mark McGhee’s side and will be an intriguing encounter at Fir Park tomorrow night.

‘Well defender Stephen McManus wants to go in to the winter break in a positive frame of mind – starting with a good result tomorrow night.

And during the busy schedule, the centre-back focussed on the positives of being able to put the loss against Aberdeen right tomorrow.

Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “The games are coming thick and fast which is great as a player, you want to play in the games and you don’t mind when it goes Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Tuesday because there’s not a lot of training to be done and it’s just about recovery.

“It’s also about putting the right things in your body and that’s the biggest problem when you need to walk past the Lindor chocolates!”

He added: “It’s a great time though to spend with your family, the fans enjoy it too and the Christmas period is always that wee bit special I feel.

[pullquote]The games are coming thick and fast which is great as a player, you want to play in the games and you don’t mind when it goes Saturday-Wednesday, Saturday-Tuesday.[/pullquote]

“We’re coming in to a break as well so we’ve got two games to go and it’s two games that we feel are winnable.”

Tomorrow’s opponents find themselves in a similar position to the Steelmen – hungry to bounce back to winning ways – and McManus admits that the Caley Jags will be up for tomorrows match.

He said: “It’s going to be difficult and Inverness will be feeling the same, Hamilton will be feeling the same too but in the past few weeks our performances have been fine.

“We’ve just been missing that wee bit of quality, that wee bit of something different in the final third to turn the draws in to wins, and the defeats like on Friday night in to draws.”

With a mere four points separating sixth placed Ross County from 12^th placed Inverness, matches like tomorrow and the upcoming Lanarkshire Derby can prove to be hugely important.

[pullquote]The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw, you seem to be moving position in the table.[/pullquote]

McManus said: “The campaign this year is going to be very tight and at the moment in every match, whether you win, lose or draw you seem to be moving position in the table.

“You want to go in to the break with your form being decent and psychologically you want to look at the table and, now that it’s taking shape, you want to go in with a few more points on the board to give you that bit more belief coming back in to the Rangers games towards the end of January.”

Ahead of tomorrow night, the defender added: “We’ll do our video analysis on Inverness in their last few matches and we’ve already looked at our own performance against Aberdeen and looked at the aspects which were positive and negative too.

“At this period of time when the games are coming thick and fast if you have a bad result you don’t need to wait a week or ten days to put it right.”

‘Well boss Mark McGhee believes the next few days are “pivotal” in the Steelmen’s hunt for a top six finish this season.

Inverness Caley Thistle await the Fir Parkers tomorrow night before a trip to local rivals Hamilton will wrap up the calendar year.

And with his sights set on another top half finish, Mark McGhee admitted that positive results could give his side belief for the remainder of the season.

Speaking to the press this morning, he said: “We had the break over the weekend after the game on Friday and then of course we’ve only got two games then we have a lot of time to recover.

“I think that this spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.

“And then if we don’t I think we have to roll up our sleeves and accept that we’re in a bit of a scrap.”

[pullquote]This spell is pivotal and can define our season in a way because I think if we can get two good results, even a win and a draw, will allow us to look forward to the end of January and then February with a positive attitude and aim for the top six.[/pullquote]

He added: “Regardless of whether we feel we’ve done well or not in some games – we probably should have won against Kilmarnock, should have won against St Johnstone and I don’t think we should have been beaten against Aberdeen but ultimately we’ve drawn two and lost one.

“I also see this next spell as an opportunity; it’s a chance to make that step up in to a position where you’re able to challenge seriously for the top six.

“If we don’t get enough from these games we may not be able to sit here realistically and say we’re a top six team, but if we do get results then I will be sitting here saying that.”

The manager also feels that as well as pushing his team up the table, points on the board will boost spirits in the dressing room.

He said: “It’s more important about how much belief it can give us. For instance, if we were to go out and beat Inverness and Hamilton, I think we’d come back here with no fears.”

It won’t be an easy couple of games for the ‘Well though, with the manager admitting that Inverness pose a particularly physical challenge for his side.

It is one he thinks they are more than ready for though.

[pullquote]We should have no fears physically when we face Inverness because we have become a team that is robust and can scrap our way out of it as well.[/pullquote]

He said: “I always think Inverness are difficult and we’ve struggled to play against them at times. Their shape, the way they play, physically they’re a good size, their three midfield players are 6 foot plus so even that’s a challenge.

“But one of the compliments for me is that when Derek McInnes came here on Friday he played his strongest physical team because he knows that we are physically capable.”

He added: “So we should have no fears physically when we face Inverness because we have become a team that is robust and can scrap our way out of it as well.

“Inverness can mix it up – they have that physical challenge but they have players in good positions, they have players who can score goals and they’re a threat from set plays and if you go behind against them you can find it difficult.”

When asked about team news, McGhee said: “Keith Lasley is the only one who has picked up any form of injury – he hurt his shoulder so he’ll be going up to training today to try it out.

“Las is a soldier, he’ll always try it out, but I’m not quite sure he’ll be quite right but he’s the only one.”

Barry Cook will take charge of his second Motherwell match on Wednesday when the Fir Parkers travel to face Inverness in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Inverness away is the penultimate match of 2016 and is the officials sixth top flight appointment – his third this season.

The referee may be new to Premiership fixtures but has established himself as an experienced official in the lower divisions.

The first time Cook took charge of a Steelmen fixture was their trip to Firhill back in February.

A late, late goal cost ‘Well a point that day when ex-Fir Park man Steven Lawless’ deflected shot gave Thistle the win.

On a miserable night for football, neither side deserved three points as both sets of fans must have wished the pitch had failed its late inspection.

A stark statistic of only two saves, one in each half from Connor Ripley, summed up a match best forgotten – and especially from a Motherwell side which didn’t deserve to win, but certainly didn’t deserve to lose either.

‘Well fans will be hopeful of a more exciting match this time around.

Barry will be assisted by Graham Chambers and Graeme Stewart, with Stephen Finnie on Fourth Official duties.