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Motherwell FC can today confirm the signing of highly-rated young goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson from Airdrie.

The 19-year-old stopper, who will immediately re-join Airdrie on a season-long Development loan, has attracted plenty of attention after breaking in to the Diamonds first-team aged just 17.

And in his spell with the Lanarkshire side, Ferguson has gone on to make nearly 60 first-team appearances and has attracted bids from several Premiership clubs.

Upon signing a three-year contract with the Steelmen, the teenager said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. This deal has been going on for about a week or so and I’m just happy to get it over the line now.

“It’s a massive step for me and the fact that I’ll be going back to Airdrie on loan played a big part in my decision because I’ll be able to come here and learn from the goalkeepers but also continue to play first-team football.”

[pullquote]I’m absolutely buzzing. This deal has been going on for about a week or so and I’m just happy to get it over the line now.[/pullquote]

‘Well boss Stephen Robinson added: “We have watched a lot of Rohan and our goalkeeping coach Craig Hincliffe is a big fan, having worked with him briefly.

“We have recruited him for the future, so it was extremely important for us to ensure he continues his development by playing games. There was no point him coming here and not playing, so the move suits everyone in the short term.

“But working within our set-up every day and playing at the weekend will accelerate his process and we anticipate he’ll be challenging for a spot in the first-team next year.”

The club can also confirm that defender Luke Watt and winger Jake Hastie will join Ferguson at Airdrie next term – heading out on initial six-month Development loans.

The Signing Zone is back for the 2017/18 campaign and there’s a unique chance for ‘Well fans tomorrow afternoon.

Along with skipper Carl McHugh and goalkeeper Trevor Carson, supporters can meet Steelman – the clubs brand new mascot!

Located in the Well Shop, the Signing Zone has been a hit and is back for the season from tomorrow onwards.

Each week, two different players take their seats as the season progresses as the fan engagement programme here at Fir Park continues to develop.

Share your pics on twitter @motherwellfc using #MFCSigningZone or facebook.com/motherwellfc

The club shop is situated at the Cooper Stand and is open from 9.30am

Stephen Robinson is hungry to see his team get off the mark in the league this weekend as Motherwell host Ross County.

The Fir Park manager admits that it has been a positive start to the season in terms of performances, but is now calling for results.

Speaking to the broadcast press this morning, the Northern Irishman admitted his side must capitalise on their chances.

[pullquote]We want to get our league season up and running. We started well in the cup and in the two league games that we’ve lost we’ve been very much in the game.[/pullquote]

He said: “We want to get our league season up and running. We started well in the cup and in the two league games that we’ve lost we’ve been very much in the game and had we taken our chances things may have been different.”

He added: “We’ll play a lot worse but win football matches because we’ve had two good performances – but I’d prefer to play poorly and win on Saturday if I’m honest.”

The ‘Well boss also addressed issues surrounding suspensions and contract negotiations – and you can watch his press conference in full on MFC TV’s YouTube channel.

Alex Fisher is well prepared for tomorrow’s visit of Ross County – but admits there are no easy games in the top flight.

With seven competitive games played, the striker is relishing the busy schedule and is hungry to get off the mark.

Speaking to the broadcast press, Fisher looked ahead to the Steelmen’s third league game and a second meeting with the Staggies already.

[pullquote]There’s no easy games in this league so we’ve been working on our game plan all week and hopefully if we manage it right we’ll come away with the important three points.[/pullquote]

He said: “It’s nice to be getting in to the nitty-gritty of the league now and have the success that we’ve had in the cup so far.

“Off the back of our cup win [against Ross County], we showed to ourselves and to the rest of the league what we’re about – going down to ten-men and still going on to win.”

He added: “There’s no easy games in this league so we’ve been working on our game plan all week and hopefully if we manage it right we’ll come away with the important three points.”

Motherwell u20s will go up against Crusaders in the second round of the Irn-Bru Cup.

Following last night’s 2-1 victory over Queen’s Park, Stephen Craigan’s side now face an away trip to Seaview in Belfast for the first time since 2006.

The cup clash will take place on either September 2/3.

Sligo Rovers v Falkirk

Elgin City v Bray Wanderers

Crusaders v Motherwell Colts

Albion Rovers or Spartans v Linfield

The New Saints v Livingston

Dumbarton v Connah’s Quay Nomads

Peterhead v Annan Athletic

Dundee United v Alloa Athletic

Berwick Rangers v Queen of the South

St Mirren v Heart of Midlothian Colts

Hamilton Academical Colts v Cove Rangers

Aberdeen Colts v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Ayr United v Montrose

Stranraer v Partick Thistle Colts

Buckie Thistle v Dunfermline Athletic

Raith Rovers v Ross County Colts

Motherwell FC’s trio of appeals were heard at Hampden Park this morning in front of the Judicial Panel.

The appeals against Charles Dunne’s red card at Ross County and Trevor Carson’s dismissal at St Johnstone were both rejected.

However, the appeal against Charles Dunne’s red card against St Johnstone was upheld.

Trevor Carson, alongside skipper Carl McHugh, will now be suspended for Saturday’s match against Ross County. Charles Dunne will serve his one-match ban in the Betfred Cup Quarter Final against Aberdeen next month.

Extended highlights from Forthbank Stadium as the under 20s come from behind and beat Queen’s Park 2-1 in the IRN-BRU Cup.

Under-20s boss Stephen Craigan was happy with the way his side coped with hard opposition in the Irn-Bru Cup tonight.

Going up against League One side Queen’s Park, the youngsters turned around a 1-0 half time deficit to win 2-1 at Forthbank Stadium.

Speaking to MFC TV at full time, the Northern Irishman reflected on his side’s first competitive game of the 2017/18 season.

[pullquote]You find out a lot about your players when they play against men and there’s things that go on against senior teams off the ball and things that make them learn.[/pullquote]

He said: “You find out a lot about your players when they play against men and there’s things that go on against senior teams off the ball and things that make them learn.”

He added: “It would be great if we could play against that kind of intensity every week and play against that sort of opposition.

“But when we arrive at games like this we have to be able to cope with it and I felt that we did.”

Motherwell under-20s got their competitive season off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Queen’s Park in the Irn-Bru Cup.

Second half goals from Ellis Plummer and Adam Livingstone secured a comeback victory against the League One side who presented a tough challenge for the Fir Park youngsters.

Stephen Craigan fielded a young starting line-up at the Forthbank Stadium in Stirling, including two over-age players in Jack McMillan and goal-scorer Plummer.

And the Fir Parkers started well against the League One side, holding their own as neither side created much in the opening 25 minutes.

However, Gus MacPherson’s men started growing in to the match and took the lead just before the half-hour mark.

An in-swinging corner was met buy the head of ex-Well man Adam Cummins, who powered the ball beyond Morrison. Despite the stopper getting a hand to it, it had too much on it from close range.

The Steelmen grew in to the game though and Davie Turnbull, wearing the captain’s armband, had an effort from distance denied by a good block on the edge of the area.

That block led to a corner though and the set piece, which was only half cleared, fell for Shea Gordon who struck a terrific effort on goal, only to be denied by a wonderful save from Michael White in the Queen’s Park goal.

The second half brought with it an almost entirely different ‘Well performance as the youngsters came out firing.

Dominating much of the opening exchanges of the half, Plummer grabbed the equaliser on the hour mark with a close-range header. An inch-perfect cross from Turnbull was met well by the defender, who, unmarked, did well to direct his header low past White.

And in a frantic ten minute spell, suddenly, Craigan’s side were ahead.

A brilliant move was worked down the right and was tee’d up for Livingstone over 20-yards out. The youngster had no doubt in his mind as he unleashed an unstoppable strike for the top corner – leaving White with no chance.

Two minutes later, the Steelmen could have had three as James Scott burst through one-on-one but the youngster dragged his shot wide of the far post.

And the under-20s started playing with bags of confidence, summed up by Turnbull nearly firing a wonder strike in to the top corner from 25-yards, but White tipped the ball over at the expense of a corner.

From the resulting set piece, Dylan King rose well to head on goal but it rose over the bar and the score remained 2-1.

Jake Hastie and substitute Dylan Falconer both went close to grabbing the third goal for Craigan’s youngsters at Forthbank Stadium – the former doing terrifically well down the right hand side to beat two men and go close from a tight angle.

Some late pressure in stoppage time forced the Fir Parkers to see the game out and right on cue, PJ Morrison rushed out to clutch a dangerous cross and quell any late equaliser.

And it was enough, with the referee’s whistle sending the youngsters in to the second round of the Irn-Bru cup.

Under-20s manager Stephen Craigan is looking forward to his sides first competitive game of the season as they prepare to face Queen’s Park in the Irn-Bru Cup.

Following an impressive campaign last term, the youngsters get started for the 2017/18 season with a cup-tie against League One opposition.

And Craigan admits his players have had to be patient over the summer break.

[pullquote]When there’s a game on the horizon, training becomes a little bit different, players know that there’s something at stake.[/pullquote]

Speaking to MFC TV, he said: “We’re looking forward to it because we’ve had to be patient over the past five or six weeks, it’s been a long pre-season for us.

“We would’ve ideally liked some more games because we managed to play Ayr United and Clyde about six weeks ago and it would have been nice to play some more senior teams in the build-up to this.”

He added: “When there’s a game on the horizon, training becomes a little bit different, players know that there’s something at stake.”

You can see the under-20 boss’ full interview on MFC TV’s official YouTube channel.