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It has been a month of change at Motherwell FC.

Defeat to Kilmarnock led to manager Stephen Robinson’s decision to call it a day at the club, much to the surprise and shock of everyone in ML1.

Club legend Keith Lasley had the task of keeping the show on the road away to local rivals Hamilton Academical soon after, as the Steelmen tried to put a gap between themselves and the foot of the Scottish Premiership table.

With a January transfer window already open, the club could not wait around to find Stephen Robinson’s replacement.

Enter former Scotland international Graham Alexander, last with Salford City, to take over the reins and immediately try and breathe life into the team ahead of a difficult trip to St Mirren.

Young defender Max Johnston has stood out since coming into the first-team plans in the summer.

The son of former footballer Allan Johnston is a promising full-back from the Motherwell academy, and is pushing to be in contention for his debut, despite having just turned 17.

It was also squad photo day at the club in December. Covid-19 restrictions meant the whole group couldn’t get together for the traditional photograph, so the team had to get creative.

January is traditionally thought of as a gloomy month.

Our main shirt sponsors Paycare are leading the fight against the ‘Blue Monday’ slump – the term coined for the most depressing day of the year – by hosting a hopeful e-clinic.

Their wellbeing manager, Kerry B Mitchell, will be joined by Maddie Powell from the charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide on Monday 25 January from 10am to 11am for a hope and wellbeing session.

It is part of a series of hour-long webinars focused on a different aspect of mental health each time.

Virtual attendees will be able to find out more about current mental health research and the work of PAPYRUS – which was set up to support young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, engage communities in suicide prevention projects, and influence social policy.

Suicide is the biggest cause of death for under 35s, both male and female, in the UK.

Kerry, a mental health first aid qualified trainer, says the free monthly sessions were designed to give attendees lots of information, examples of best practice and an opportunity to ask questions.

“January has traditionally been regarded as a depressing month partly because of it falling just after Christmas, the weather, and the length of time between paydays for workers,” she said.

“We wanted to counteract that feeling by offering information and research to help attendees recognise the signs and symptoms of mental ill-health and feel able to support and signpost accordingly.

“We also have a range of mental health training courses available for companies who wish to delve further into wellbeing strategies and invest in employee wellbeing.”

To book your free place on the e-clinic or for more information, simply RSVP here or email wellbeing@paycare.org.

In addition to the webinars, Paycare have also extended their online offering – to complement their pre-pandemic face-to-face mental health training programme – which now includes a two-day virtual accredited MHFA course.

Visit paycare.org/wellbeing to find out more.

Motherwell v Rangers on Sunday is available to watch worldwide.

Season ticket holders can watch for free at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, the game is live on Sky Sports.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 12pm.

Motherwell host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Here are the main topics going into the game.

Manager’s home bow

Graham Alexander takes charge of his first match at Fir Park since his appointment a week ago.

A 1-1 draw at St Mirren opened the manager’s account last Saturday and he now looks to turn around a run of home form for the Steelmen which has yielded one draw and five defeats in the last six.

Dominant Rangers

Sunday’s visitors are undefeated in 23 league matches this campaign, winning 21 and drawing two.

Steven Gerrard’s men are on a 15-match winning streak in Premiership action, dating back to their 5-1 win at Fir Park in late September.

Record to reset

Motherwell are without a home league win against Rangers since December 2002, when James McFadden’s second half goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory.

The Light Blues have won their last three visits to ML1, including a 5-1 win in the Premiership back in September 2020.

Our match away to Ross County on Wednesday 27 January will now kick-off at 6pm.

The game was originally due to start at 7.45pm.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game will be available to purchase from Ross County.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Rangers are the visitors to ML1 on Sunday.

Motherwell’s sole home game of January comes against the league leaders, giving new manager Graham Alexander a stern test in his first match at Fir Park.

Kick-off at Fir Park on Sunday is at 12pm.

Watch live

Season ticket holders can watch for free at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, the game is live on Sky Sports.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Tale of the tape

Rangers have won the last six competitive outings between the two sides, a run stretching back to November 2018.

Motherwell’s last positive result came at Fir Park in August 2018, when Peter Hartley’s last-minute equaliser ensured a 3-3 draw.

Form guide

Motherwell are without a win in 11 league matches, picking up four draws and seven defeats along the way.

A 1-1 draw at St Mirren at the weekend under the new manager showed encouraging signs, as the Steelmen look to lift themselves away from the foot of the table.

Rangers’ 2-1 win at Aberdeen on Sunday was their 15th straight Premiership win, having won 21 and drawn two in the top flight in 2020/21.

Three of our SWPL1 fixtures have been postponed, following the Scottish FA’s suspension of the league.

In light of the escalating Covid-19 situation across the country, matches with Forfar Farmington, Hibernian and Glasgow City have been cancelled.

All football outside of the Scottish Premiership and Championship will be suspended from midnight on Monday 11 January.

The suspension will run until 31 January inclusive and reviewed on a rolling basis by the Scottish FA board, in partnership with the Scottish Government.

Our 2020/21 Scottish Cup campaign starts away to either Formartine United or Annan Athletic.

Following the suspension from play of all clubs below the Scottish Championship on 11 January 2021, it is not yet known when our tie will take place.

Further details will be made available as soon as possible.

“We did enough to win, and that’s with only one day of training with us.

“We kept trying to win. That’s a good mentality to have.”

Motherwell boss Graham Alexander reacts to Motherwell’s 1-1 draw at St Mirren.

Motherwell started life under Graham Alexander with a point away to St Mirren.

Devante Cole’s first-half goal was cancelled out by Jamie McGrath’s penalty in the second to ensure a 1-1 draw.

Motherwell started lively in attack, with players being positive with the ball at feet and running at the home defence.

Jamie McGrath and Marcus Fraser fired wide in forays forward for the hosts but it would be the visitors who would have the best of the early chances.

Watt should have had Motherwell ahead on 22 minutes. A perfectly floated ball from deep by Polworth was into the path of the onrushing forward. From 10 yards, he had time to adjust for the header but failed to generate enough power to steer it past Alnwick.

Watt then turned creator soon after. A clipped ball in-field from the right was picked up by Cole 25 yards out. He drove into the space, before dragging his shot from the edge of the box just past the left-hand post.

The breakthrough would eventually come in the 27th minute.

The impressive Polworth sent in a corner from the left which was half-cleared into the Paisley sky.

As the ball came out of orbit, Watt positioned himself to head back across goal and Cole was on the spot to sweep through the crowd of bodies and into the net.

Motherwell continued positively, with the Saints restricted to long balls in behind and set plays which were causing trouble, but got the Steelmen in ahead at the interval.

A balanced start to the second half saw Saints have half chances, with Ethan Erhahon going closest before the hour mark with a shot dragged wide of the left post.

Motherwell were being pinned deeper and were made to suffer when St Mirren got a penalty, with Erwin going down in the box.

McGrath rolled the ball into the bottom left corner to equalise, sending Kelly the wrong way.

But the Steelmen could have stole it at the death. Mark O’Hara’s free-kick from 30 yards was bound for the top left corner, only for ‘keeper Alnwick to get across brilliantly and steer it wide.

Motherwell: Kelly, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, Carroll, O’Hara, Campbell, Polworth, Hastie (White), Cole (Maguire), Watt.

Subs not used: Morrison, Devine, Cornelius, Crawford, Seedorf, Grimshaw, McGinley.