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You can watch a live video stream of Motherwell v Hearts from Fir Park on Saturday.

Viewers outside of the UK/Ireland can see the game for just £12 a month at tv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Fans in the UK/Ireland can listen to live audio commentary from every match for £5.99 a month.

To subscribe and get live video streams all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games – head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

Stephen Robinson spoke on Friday about a bug going around the Motherwell squad, the form of the team across 2019 and the task of facing Hearts.

Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.

On illness in the camp

“There’s a bug going about and people with high temperatures. There’s two different things. We’ve sent a few home. There’s four or five boys have been sent home in various stages this week, and we’re just going to have to assess them on Saturday morning.

“We’re aware it’s highly infectious for 48 hours. So the doctor’s advice is for people just to stay away from the ground at the moment. So we’ve got four or five we’re looking at and monitoring and then we’ll make decisions on Saturday morning.

“It’s a massive concern cause you don’t know who’s going to come down with it next. We’re in an enclosed environment in the dressing room. People are getting changed together and having dinner together.

“It seems to be quite contagious. Over the last two weeks, we’ve had four or five different people with it. Some have managed to play. Some have got high temperatures.

“We won’t name the team. We’ll just have a look when everybody turns up and see how they are feeling on Saturday.

“But we won’t be decimated. Let’s put it like that. They’ll be maybe one or two affected by it, but we will certainly still have a strong side.”

On recent form and across 2019

“If we were to finish fourth, we’d take it right now. But of course we want to go on longer winning runs. We’ve done that at periods this season and also last season, where we won six out of seven.

“Obviously if you can do that, you build momentum. Our runs have been broken by Rangers and Celtic. So, you know, we have to accept that sometimes. That’s the level we’re playing against.

“But tomorrow we get an opportunity to make it three in a row. But against a team that will be fighting for their lives. And we have to make sure, we match that.

“We’ve had a good year in terms of form. When you look at our overall form, it’s not just been in small periods. It’s been solid for a year.

“I think we’ve played a very exciting brand of football. We’ve scored a lot of goals. I think we’re a good team to watch.

“The good thing is I think we can improve. I’m never happy. I think if we were sitting top of the league, I would probably find something to moan about. But I genuinely believe.

“We have scored seven goals and not conceded in the last two games. And I still think there’s players that can still play better and there’s more to come. I suppose that’s the pleasing thing for me.”

On facing Hearts

“I think each game we have to take as it comes. They’ve got players that can hurt you. Contrary to their form, they’ve got players that if they play at the top of their game, with the levels they’ve played at, they can hurt you.

“So we take absolutely nothing for granted. We must turn up. You can’t turn up and just expect to beat people because of the league positions. There’s nothing in this league at all.

“We won’t take anything for granted. We will make sure we’re at the top of our game.”

On James Scott’s development

“As I said right at the start of the Betfred games, I think James can be absolutely anything he wants.

“He’s such a talented boy. He’s got the luxury of being able to go both sides. Two very good feet, right and left. And he’s got a trick in him.

“If we can get the physical side of his game a little bit better here. If he can use that body strength as he gets a little bit older and more mature. Understands how to use his body and have an end product, which he had the other night. If he adds that to his game, he can go right to the very top.”

Hearts make their second trip of the season to Fir Park on Saturday.

Having been victorious in the Betfred Cup earlier in the campaign against Motherwell, their season hasn’t gone to plan so far.

The story so far

This year has been a difficult for the Tynecastle side. They have managed just three home victories in the league and only 26 points from their 27 Premiership fixtures.

Cup competitions have provided some respite, with runs to the Scottish Cup final where they were edged out 2-1 by Celtic and the last four of the Betfred Cup in which they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Rangers.

The departure of Craig Levein as manager on 31 October saw them go a full month without a replacement, with Austin MacPhee still in temporary charge at the time of writing.

Form guide

Steven MacLean’s late equaliser against Livingston helped Hearts avoid a third successive Scottish Premiership defeat on Wednesday night.

With one win in their last five and three defeats, their last win on the road in the league came against Hibernian in late September.

Three to watch

Michael Smith

Northern Irish international Michael Smith visits Fir Park this afternoon, holding fond memories of his last encounter with the Steelmen in North Lanarkshire.

Smith blasted home a stunning opener in Hearts’ 2-1 Betfred Cup victory back in August, his only goal for the Jambos so far this season.

Despite not adding to his goal tally for his club, Smith clearly has a fondness for scoring brilliant goals and last month he was at it again when his superbly hit low drive found the bottom corner of Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s net as Northern Ireland took the lead against Germany.

Unfortunately it was to be the solitary highlight for Michael O’Neill’s side, as they would eventually go on to lose the match 6-1.

Glenn Whelan

After playing an important role in Aston Villa’s promotion back to the Premier League, Glenn Whelan’s 16 years in English football came to an end.

The midfielder has played the majority of his career in the top flight of English football, playing in the Premier League for nine of his ten years at Stoke City in which he played over 300 times for the Potters.

Whelan joined Hearts in August and quickly emphasised that he intended on making a big impact. So far this season he has made 13 appearances in maroon as well as four outings for the Republic of Ireland, moving him on to 91 caps for his country.

Steven Naismith

It’s been a frustrating season so far for Steven Naismith, who has found his game time restricted by injuries.

Naismith returned from a long-term knee injury before a hamstring problem ruled him out of action again. Given his influence on and off the park, there’s little doubt that Hearts have missed the presence of a player that many consider their key man and to date he has only managed 90 minutes in the league on three occasions, scoring two goals.

The striker recently took his place in the Scottish FA Hall of Fame after earning his 50th cap for Scotland in the 2-1 victory over Cyprus and he marked cap 51 with a goal in the win over Kazakhstan at Hampden.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

Cheaper price applies to John Hunter stand for home supporters.

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

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Motherwell v Hearts and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

The games keep coming, as Motherwell host Hearts in the Ladbrokes Premiership on Saturday.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 3pm.

Tale of the tape

It’s a story of contrasting fortunes so far in 2019/20 for both sides.

Motherwell sit fourth, a point off Aberdeen in third, after back-to-back wins over St Johnstone and St Mirren maintained a lofty position held for the most part of the season.

Hearts, in contrast, sit ninth in the table, one point above bottom club St Mirren and level on points with Hamilton Academical and St Johnstone below.

A late Steven MacLean goal at home to Livingston on Wednesday saved the team from three successive defeats, drawing 1-1 with Livingston.

Without a permanent manager for over a month, Austin MacPhee is likely to be in charge again on an interim basis at the weekend.

Head to head

Both sides have a win apiece against the other so far this campaign.

Hearts were 2-1 winners in the Betfred Cup last 16 at Fir Park back in August, with first half goals from Michael Smith and Conor Washington doing the damage, despite Christopher Long’s second half goal.

Then at Tynecastle in September, Motherwell were 3-2 winners in a thrilling attacking performance from Stephen Robinson’s side. Sherwin Seedorf scored the pick of the bunch with a rasping shot off the bar and in, with Declan Gallagher and Jermaine Hylton also netting.

Get your tickets in advance

Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office.

Cheaper price applies to John Hunter stand for home supporters.

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

Can’t make it? Watch or listen live

If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Motherwell v Hearts and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.

Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.

Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.

James Scott nets a double, with Allan Campbell adding a third, as Motherwell run out 3-0 winners in Paisley.

“It was a very good result and performance.”

Stephen Robinson reflects on the 3-0 win over St Mirren.

Another solid workman-like performance from Motherwell gave a comfortable win over St Mirren and close the gap on third-placed Aberdeen to a single point.

Desperate to turn their decent away form into points, Motherwell were favourites to return from Paisley with all three.

But it took a quick double from James Scott midway through an untidy first half to put the Fir Park men in control. Allan Campbell’s goal midway through the second sealed the points to strengthen their hold on third place.

With three games this week, Stephen Robinson made a couple of changes to the side which defeated St Johnstone. After coming on as a sub James Scott retained the striker’s jersey at the expense of Christopher Long. At the other end Bevis Mugabi stepped in for Peter Hartley for his second start of the season.

The early exchanges were very scrappy with neither side able to hold onto the ball. Joint bottom of the league, the Buddies had a bit more urgency to their play but it took 17 minutes before a ‘keeper was tested.

James Scott playing wide on the right touch line cut across the box but his low left foot shot was straight at Vaclav Hladky.

Two minutes later Saints, desperately searching for a win, passed up a chance to threaten Mark Gillespie’s goal when Calum Waters’ free kick was easily defended.

Even at this stage the ‘Well defence, with Mugabi solid alongside Gallagher, provided a terrific platform to build from the back – but the distribution further up the park was not ideal.

The game badly needed a spark and it arrived from the visitors after 27 minutes.

An exchange of passes in the middle of the park allowed Liam Grimshaw to find Scott wide on the left.

There looked little threat to the home goal until the teenage striker dribbled the ball past a couple of defenders before smashing a low drive across the ‘keeper and inside the far past for a stunning opener.

That dented home confidence and five minutes later Scott and ‘Well made it two.

Liam Polworth’s pass split the Saints central defenders inviting Scott to advance towards goal, which he did before confidently clipping the ball past Hladky.

From that point the Steelmen threatened every time they broke upfield and it might have been an eight minute hat-trick for Scott. However, after again dragging the ball into the box from the left, his powerful drive took a deflection to carry the ball off target.

Despite the failure to add a third goal Robinson’s men and the travelling support appeared more than content at half-time after a slow start to the 45.

Jim Goodwin’s men, the poorest scorers in the league, had the monumental task of breaking down Motherwell’s firm defensive unit from the start of the second half – but it never looked likely as Gillespie waited until the final minute of the game to make his first save.

Goalmouth action at either end, though, was a rarity. As such the ‘Well fans behind Hladky’s goal were off their seats as Gallagher, although offside, headed Polworth’s free kick just outside the post.

However, the Fir Park faithful were on their feet with justification after 67 minutes to celebrate a third goal.

Jermaine Hylton’s speed carried him between a couple of defenders and his cross found Campbell, who squeezed the ball over the line to kill off any thoughts of a Saints revival.

Motherwell, on the other hand were not content with their comfortable lead.

From a succession of Polworth corners, Devante Cole’s lofted shot was headed off the line by Ryan Flynn, before Mugabi’s drive was deflected over the bar and Gallagher’s header was a fraction too high.

Mark O’Hara and Sherwin Seedorf were given some game time. With eight minutes remaining Christy Manzinga also came off the bench but he was unable to repeat his goal scoring debut from Saturday.

Junior Morias looked to have netted a consolation goal for the Buddies but the ball bounced off the post and beyond the ‘Well keeper. From eight yards Tony Andreu seemed certain to slam the rebound home but Gillespie recovered and at full stretch somehow kept the ball out to claim another clean sheet.

We’re putting on supporters buses to our William Hill Scottish Cup tie with Dundee on Saturday, 18 January.

With kick-off now at 7.20pm, come and spend time with us in our Cooper Bar at Fir Park before departure at 5.30pm.

Bus tickets cost £12 per person and can be purchased online now, in person at the ticket office or by calling 01698 333333.

Match ticket information will be announced shortly.