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Motherwell have signed Ugandan international defender Bevis Mugabi on a short-term deal until January, subject to international clearance.

The 6ft 3in centre back, who can also fill in at full back, has agreed a deal until January after impressing on trial over the last week.

Mugabi, 24, is a product of Southampton’s youth academy, signing for the Saints at the age of 16 at the expense of an offer from Celtic.

He left for Yeovil Town in 2016, making 39 appearances in his rookie season at Huish Park, prompting then-boss Darren Way to give him a new two-year extension.

Mugabi left the club at the end of that deal back in June of this year, having played 102 games across three seasons, netting five times.

“I’m excited for a new challenge at Motherwell,” said the new signing. “I can’t wait to get started.

“I spoke to some of my old team-mates who had played in Scotland, including Alex Fisher.

“They told me it was a great opportunity, with Alex telling me how great a place Motherwell was.”

Although born in London, it was around the time of his move to Yeovil when he received his first call-up from Uganda, by the virtue of his parents, who were born in the capital Kampala.

However, he would have to wait two years before making his first appearance for the Cranes, deputising against São Tomé and Príncipe in Namboole.

He has gone on to earn a further six caps, including several appearances in this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt when he lined up against Mo Salah, Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly and Britt Assombalonga amongst others.

“We’ve an injury concern over one of our centre backs, so Bevis comes in to shore up the gap that might leave,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said.

“He’s an experienced player with a lot of games under his belt in England.

“He’s big, strong and will give us another option at the back.”

Motherwell head to face Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday.

The Edinburgh club play host to the Steelmen, having already won at Fir Park earlier in the campaign.

The story so far

Craig Levein set about turning his squad around in the summer, bringing in seven new faces and also tying down Steven Naismith on a permanent basis.

Craig Halkett arrived from Livingston, and was joined by Conor Washington, Loic Damour and Glenn Whelan.

The loan signings of Joel Pereira from Manchester United and Ryotaro Meshino from Manchester City followed, but the former will miss out at the weekend.

Jamie Walker returned to the club after a year away at Wigan Athletic, but has since been sidelined by injury.

With four league games played, the Gorgie club sit second bottom of the table with two points gained against Hamilton Academical and Ross County at home.

Cup progression, however, was secured at Motherwell’s expense last month, setting up a last-eight tie with Aberdeen at home at the end of September.

Form guide

With nine games played, Hearts have won three, drawn four and lost two in all competitions.

In the Betfred Cup, wins over Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir came with draws with Dundee United and East Fife, with a bonus point gained in the match with the Terrors. Victory over Motherwell then followed.

Two home games with Hamilton and Ross County yieded the two league points gained so far, with defeats coming at Aberdeen and Celtic.

Team news

Out injured: John Souttar, Joel Pereira, Steven Naismith.

Doubtful: Michael Smith

Suspended: None

Jake Carroll represented Motherwell at this week’s launch of the brand new SPFL Match Attax 2019/20 trading card game, now on sale.

Topps Match Attax, the world’s most successful football trading card game, offers fans of all ages a fun-filled addition to the new SPFL season.

Featuring amazing new cards, brand new foil sets and the biggest stars of the Scottish Premiership and Championship, the 2019/20 SPFL Match Attax collection is a must-have for fans of Scottish football and promises to be the biggest season ever.

“The 2019/20 SPFL Match Attax collection is our eighth release and the world’s most successful trading card game continues to be ever popular with all ages of Scottish football fans,” Steve Conner, UK Sales Director at Topps, commented. “We’re sure this year will be no different.

“The collection has been upgraded for the new season, with new cards to collect and trade, giving fans the opportunity to play a fresh, modern version of SPFL Match Attax.”

There are more than 300 cards to collect, including Motherwell’s Rising Star and Captain cards, plus a foil Man of the Match and ‘100 Club’ cards. This season sees the introduction of the Star Player card, as voted by the fans, with the all-new Trophy cards rounding off the 2019/20 collectables.

In addition, for the first time there will be super rare ‘Relic Cards’. Each Relic Card features a swatch of shirt actually worn by the player in an SPFL match. There are shirts from 33 different players with one of these fantastic cards found inside one lucky packet in every box.

The SPFL Match Attax Starter Pack retails at £5 and includes a collector binder, A2 play pitch and game guide and a six-card packet containing two gold limited edition cards. A packet of seven cards will be on sale for £1.

There is also the SPFL Match Attax Collector’s Tin available in two sizes, with the mini tin retailing at £7, which includes a limited-edition legends card, all packaged to keep collections safe and travel handy. The mega tin will retail at £10, containing 60 cards and a guaranteed Superstar limited edition card.

Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire featured as Scotland’s Under 21s came from behind to beat Croatia 2-1.

The Motherwell duo were on the park when Connor McLennan netted the winner in the UEFA European Under 21 Championship qualifier.

Campbell again played the full 90 minutes, as he had done in the 2-0 win over San Marino last week.

Maguire made a late substitute appearance, coming on between Scotland’s two goals as Scot Gemmill’s side went joint top of their group.

James Scott was an unused sub, having made his international bow on Friday.

Motherwell closed the gap on Spartans and Rangers in SWPL1 with a 2-1 home win over Stirling University on Sunday.

Chelsea McEachran’s strike and a Kerry Montgomery penalty put the women of steel in control in the first half, before Claire Petersen halved the deficit in the second.

Donald Jennow made two changes to the team which won 5-0 over Inverness CT in the cup two weeks previous.

Morgan Hunter and Nicole Cairney came into the team. Anna Vincenti and Kirsten Rolph dropped to the bench.

Motherwell started the brighter side, hitting the post early on and testing the visiting goalkeeper on a number of occasions.

The breakthrough came just over 20 minutes into the match. McEachran, who netted a double in the last outing, firing home.

Then, with 15 minutes left in the first half, Montgomery stepped up to steer home a penalty to put her side in the driving seat.

Stirling got a goal back in the second half through Petersen, but the hosts were more than good for their victory.

The win, paired with defeats for Spartans and Rangers, means ‘Well are now two points behind fourth-placed Spartans, and one behind Rangers.

Victory also opened a 13-point gap over Stirling at the bottom of the table, with eight games left to play in the league season.

Next up for Motherwell is a home SSE Scottish Women’s Cup quarter-final with Queen’s Park at Ravenscraig on Sunday, 15 September.

Motherwell: Hunter, Doran-Barr, Roberts, Rafferty, Adams, Cairney, Crooks, Montgomery, Callaghan, McEachran, Rice.

Subs: Vincenti, Rolph, Arbuckle, Fyfe, Knox, Otto.

Motherwell return to SWPL1 action again on Sunday with the visit of Stirling University to Ravenscraig.

After two weeks on Scottish Cup business, recording consecutive wins, a chance to consolidate a league position is the task this weekend. Kick off is at 2.30pm.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell progressed in the Scottish Cup in their last outing two weeks ago, defeating Inverness CT 5-0.

Having recorded a 2-0 win over Partick Thistle and a 0-0 draw with Spartans previous, Donald Jennow’s side have not conceded in three.

Stirling University are currently bottom of SWPL1 with two points and are 10 behind Motherwell.

A win for the hosts could open a 13-point gap with eight games to play, and also put pressure on Spartans and Rangers in fourth and fifth respectively.

For the visitors, a win could at least put them level with second bottom Forfar Farmington.

Their two points so far this season came against Forfar, having lost their other 12. Stirling University have also not scored in their last six games, drawing one and losing five.

Head to head

Motherwell have won both encounters against Stirling University so far this season.

The campaign opener at Fir Park saw the women of steel win 1-0, before a 4-1 away win in April.

Manager want league focus

Donald Jennow’s team have a Scottish Cup quarter-final with Queen’s Park on the horizon, but the head coach says the opportunity in Sunday’s match to consolidate a league position is the absolute priority.

“We’ve a chance to extend the gap at the bottom and put pressure on the teams above us,” he said.

“It’s a very important game to set us up for the run-in to our first season in the top flight.”

Watch the match

Ravenscraig’s indoor facility is the venue for Sunday’s match, which kicks off at 2.30pm.

Motherwell had six players involved in international matches on Thursday.

Sixty-three months after making his international debut, Liam Donnelly earned his second cap for Northern Ireland as they beat Luxembourg at Windsor Park.

The 23-year-old midfielder was a 67th minute substitute, replacing Corry Evans, with the hosts already ahead after a bizarre first-half own goal from Luxembourg defender Kevin Malget. Goalkeeper Trevor Carson was named amongst the substitutes.

Allan Campbell started for Scotland as they got their UEFA Under 21 qualification campaign off to a winning start with victory over San Marino in Paisley.

Campbell, Scotland’s most experienced campaigner with 16 caps, played his part, helping to create the second goal for Hibs loanee Glenn Middleton. Scot Gemmill’s side had earlier taken the lead courtesy of  Alessandro Tossi’s own goal.

James Scott, making his debut for the 21s, and Barry Maguire were introduced as late substitutes as the Scots cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Earlier in the afternoon, Jamie Semple came off the bench for the last half hour for Scotland U19s as they drew 1-1 with Japan in Spain.

The midfielder played a crucial part in Scotland’s equaliser, threading a tempting pass through for Kyle Joseph to level things up, with the teams due to meet again on Monday.

Motherwell return to Ladbrokes Premiership action on Saturday, 14 September with a trip to take on Heart of Midlothian.

Stephen Robinson’s men went into the international break on a high, running out 3-0 winners over Hibernian to move up the table.

Now a trip to the capital awaits to face Hearts for the second time this season.

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Pre-purchase is required.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Student tickets are available on special offer and ID must be provided, either by emailing in a copy of ID after purchase, or by providing when buying at the ticket office.

Motherwell have signed Mark O’Hara on a season-long loan from Peterborough United, subject to international clearance.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder becomes manager Stephen Robinson’s 11th capture of the summer window.

Renfrewshire-born O’Hara came through the youth ranks as a defender at Kilmarnock and made his senior debut back in 2012.

He would spend four years in the Rugby Park first team, earning Scotland Under 21 honours, before switching to Dundee in 2016, where he was converted to a more advanced role.

After two years at Dens, where he scored 12 goals in 62 starts, he moved across the border last summer to sign for Peterborough United, after racking up 159 games in Scottish football.

He scored four in 14 league games for Posh, before joining Lincoln City on loan in January, helping them to promotion to League One.

“Mark adds something to our midfield that we didn’t previously have,” boss Robinson said of the signing.

“We have been chasing him for a number of windows now, so we are delighted to have him.

“He is already a proven player at Scottish Premiership level, and he’s still very young. He will add to what is already a very competitive midfield.”

O’Hara will wear the number 52 jersey at Motherwell.

“I’m really happy to be here,” he said. “Once I heard of Motherwell’s interest, I was desperate to come here.

“It’s an exciting squad and I can’t wait to get started.”

Craig Tanner has left Motherwell after turning down an offer to extend his contract.

The forward picked up a serious knee injury in March 2018, which ruled him out for almost 15 months.

Although his initial contract was due to expire in June of this year, the club gave Craig a short-term extension over the summer to ensure his rehabilitation was fully complete.

After playing a number of reserve matches recently, ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson was keen to extend that further until the end of the year. But he has chosen to seek a new contract elsewhere.

“We are disappointed Craig has chosen to leave, but we respect his decision,” Robinson said.

“It’s been a long road back to fitness for him and he’d done brilliantly well to get back onto the pitch and playing football again.

“We were keen to continue that push for match sharpness. But Craig has decided he’d rather continue his career elsewhere and we wish him all the very best of luck.”

Tanner leaves after netting nine times in 36 appearances during the 2017/18 season and was a crucial part of the side which reached both the Betfred Cup and Scottish Cup finals.

“I would like to thank the gaffer, his coaching staff and of course the medical team for everything they have done for me,” said Tanner. “They have helped me through this difficult period on and off the pitch.

“I would like to thank the fans for their continued support from the first day to the last.

“You all have helped me stay positive through my injury and I couldn’t put into words how grateful I am for that.

“You have made it a pleasure to be part of Motherwell FC. I wish everyone all the best for the rest of the season. Thanks for the memories.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to thank Craig for all his hard work and determination whilst at the club and wish him every success in his future career.