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Steven Lawless has returned to Motherwell on a permanent deal.

The academy graduated has signed until the end of the 2021/22 season, coming back to the club where he made his professional debut in 2011.

He will go into the squad for the visit of Rangers on Sunday.

“It’s great to be back,” said the forward, who wear the number 14 jersey.

“It means a lot to me to be coming back to the club. I’m ready to get going and play my part in trying to get the team up the table.”

The 29-year-old joined Burton in the summer after a successful two-year spell at Livingston, where he made 75 appearances in the Premiership.

Prior to that, Lawless was a mainstay in the Partick Thistle team who spent five years in the top flight with him in the side, playing 228 times.

His career at Motherwell prior to that saw him score on his debut in a 4-0 League Cup win at Clyde in August 2011, making two appearances in claret and amber and spending time during his development at Albion Rovers.

“Steven will add creativity to the team,” manager Graham Alexander said. “We’re delighted to get him on board.

“He can help us at the top end of the pitch, being that link between the defensive side of the game and the forwards.

“He’s got good guile, the experience of playing up here and obviously was here as a young boy.

“When I spoke to him, his want to be here was a big pull for me as well. We want players who want to be here. He’s certainly shown that aspiration.”

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.