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Robbie Crawford has joined Motherwell on loan until January.

The central midfielder arrives from Livingston, where he has made 26 appearances since moving from Ayr United in the summer of 2019.

“It was important we added competition for places in midfield,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“Having lost Liam Donnelly to injury, and sold David Turnbull, we have been short in numbers in that area.

“With the number of games we are facing in the league, in Europe and in cup competitions, it was vital we increased our pool.

“He comes with Premiership experience and, along with Barry Maguire, brings competition to the midfield.

“Robbie is a player we’ve watched for a number of years. He gives us a bit of bite and tenacity. He has good quality on the ball and is more game ready than some of our younger boys, who have been unable to gain vital game time with no reserve games.

“Bringing in Robbie allows us the chance to put boys out on loan, particularly Jamie Semple, Harry Robinson, Ross MacIver and Dean Cornelius.

“They can gain vital experience doing that and hopefully come back fighting for a place, as we develop the next crop of young players.”

Crawford, 26, played 225 times for Ayr United after coming through the youth ranks at the club, before earning his move to the Premiership.

He will go straight into the squad for Sunday’s trip to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, and the selection for the trip to Israel to take on Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the UEFA Europa League.

Harry Robinson has been loaned to Queen of the South for the 2020/21 campaign.

The forward heads to the Scottish Championship club to gain first team experience with Allan Johnston’s side.

“It’s vital that we get some of our younger boys game time out on loan,” said manager Stephen Robinson.

“They’ve been unable to get those vital minutes with no reserve games to play. We are committed to developing young players and this is the best way to get them games at this moment in time.

“Harry joins Jamie Semple in going out on loan, and it is likely that others will follow.

“We want them to come back game ready and fighting for a place in the side.”

Harry, 19, made his Motherwell debut against Dundee United in the Premiership in August 2020, and followed that up with an outing in the UEFA Europa League against Glentoran.

FC Viktoria Plzen or SønderjyskE potentially lie in wait at home in the play-off round of the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League.

The winners of the third qualifying round match between Motherwell and Hapoel Beer-Sheva will play in the final hurdle before the group stages on Thursday 1 October 2020.

Before that, Stephen Robinson’s side head to Israel on Thursday 24 September.

Motherwell will face Hapoel Beer-Sheva in the third qualifying round of the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League.

Stephen Robinson’s side will travel to take on the Israelis on Thursday, 24 September 2020.

Provisionally, the game is due to be played at the HaMoshava Stadium in Petah Tikva with an 8.30pm local time kick-off (6.30pm BST). This is subject to change.

In line with UEFA regulations, supporters will unfortunately not be able to attend.

Be’er Sheva came from a goal down to win 2-1 late away to Albanian side Laci on Thursday night, while Motherwell came through on penalties at Coleraine.

“It was a banana skin. We showed character and got through.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the win over Coleraine.

Motherwell progressed in the UEFA Europa League on penalties, after being pegged back from two goals up at Coleraine.

Callum Lang and Tony Watt appeared to have the Scots with one foot in the third qualifying round. But a second half penalty double from Ben Doherty took the game to extra time and eventually spot kicks.

Trevor Carson would then ultimately prove the hero, keeping all three of Coleraine’s efforts out to send the Steelmen through.

Motherwell started with aggressive attacking intent. Lang, McGinley and Watt all went close in the opening exchanges, before the deadlock was broken.

O’Donnell’s header back into the area from Watt’s blocked cross found Lang. His spin and shot was blocked at the first attempt by the ‘keeper, but he was able to fire home at the second attempt.

Declan Gallagher saw a close range chip over the goalkeeper hacked off the line as Motherwell continued to press, while the hosts went close through a McLaughlin header and a Carson volley which sailed well over.

Then, with 10 minutes left in the first half, it was two. Lang’s powerful cross from the right found Polworth, who laid into the path of Watt.

He still had work to do to sort his feet, before finding the bottom right corner of the net from 10 yards.

Motherwell went into the second half looking to put the result beyond doubt but almost immediately found themselves on the back foot.

A bemused Mark O’Hara could only look on as the referee awarded a spot kick for an apparent push in the box, allowing Doherty the chance to step up and half the deficit.

Coleraine, who eliminated Maribor in the previous round, grew in confidence and stature and kept Motherwell pinned in for large spells, before their chance came with two minutes to go.

Bevis Mugabi found himself on the wrong side of his man and hauled down Bradley as he looked to pull the trigger, resulting in another spot kick and a red card for the Ugandan.

Doherty made no mistake from 12 yards, levelling the tie and sending it to another 30 minutes.

There was precious little to separate the two in extra time and the match went to penalties to decide who would face Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the third qualifying round.

O’Hara, Watt and O’Donnell all cooly converted for Stephen Robinson’s men, with Carson diving to keep out all three Coleraine kicks and send Motherwell through.

“We have to be up for it. We have to take our game to them.”

Stephen Robinson looks ahead to the clash with Coleraine.

Motherwell travel to Northern Ireland to take on Coleraine in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.

Fans worldwide can watch for free via the BBC Sport website.

Kick-off on Thursday 17 September 2020 is at 7.30pm BST.

Form guide

Coleraine pulled off the result of the first qualifying round last time out, winning away on penalties to Maribor after a 1-1 draw.

Before that, a preliminary round tie with Sammarinese side La Fiorita was won thanks to a last-minute strike in a 1-0 victory.

A second-place finish in the league last season got them into the UEFA Europa League, having finished four points behind champions Linfield.

Motherwell picked up their first league win of the 2020/21 season with a 1-0 home victory over St Johnstone on Saturday.

Glentoran were defeated in the first qualifying round, with Stephen Robinson’s men 5-1 victors at Fir Park.

Watch live at home

The match will be available to watch for free worldwide via the BBC Sport website. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.

Our UEFA Europa League second qualifying round match with Coleraine will be shown live on the BBC Sport website.

We have reached an agreement for fans worldwide to be able to see the game for free online, without having to register.

To watch, go to the BBC Sport website. Kick-off on Thursday 17 September is at 7.30pm.

Jamie Semple has joined Cove Rangers on loan.

The youth academy product will head to the League One side as they prepare to resume competitive action, starting with a Betfred Cup tie against Hibernian on 10 October.

Talented attacking midfielder Semple, 19, has made six appearances for our first team.

He will head north for the duration of the 2020/21 season, with Motherwell retaining the right to recall him in January.

“It’s important for Jamie to get game time to continue his development and Cove are a good club for him to go and get that,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“He will continue to train with us for most of the week and we will monitor his progress in games.”

A debutant for our Under 20s side at the age of 14, the Scotland youth international made his debut against Dundee in April 2019, putting the ball into the box for David Turnbull’s winner in a 4-3 victory.

Three Betfred Cup appearances early in season 2019/20 followed, before injury curtailed his campaign.