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We are saddened to learn of the news of the death of Johannes Edvaldsson at the age of 70.

The former Iceland international played for Motherwell between 1982 and 1984, arriving from German side Hannover 96.

An uncompromising defender, “Shuggie”, as he was known, made 65 appearances in claret and amber, netting six goals. Primarily playing at the back, he could also be deployed to great effect further up the pitch.

Prior to arriving at Fir Park, he played with Valur, FC Metz, Celtic and Tulsa Roughnecks. He was capped 34 times by his country.

Everyone at Motherwell FC’s thoughts are with his family.

A trip to face Ross County lies in wait on Wednesday night.

A 2-0 loss to Aberdeen at the weekend followed on from 1-1 draws against both St Mirren and Rangers.

Kick-off at the Global Energy Stadium is at 6pm.

Watch live

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the match can be bought from Ross County for £15 at ppv.rosscountyfc.co.uk.

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

Tale of the tape

Both Motherwell and Ross County have won their respective home matches against each other in the Premiership this term.

A 1-0 win for County came in the opening game of the season, with Ross Stewart’s penalty winning the match after Liam Donnelly had missed one.

A 4-0 victory for ‘Well then followed in October, with Tony Watt, Mark O’Hara, Callum Lang and Devante Cole all on target.

Form guide

County have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five Premiership fixtures.

A thumping 4-1 win against Aberdeen came in their last home match, before a 5-0 reversal away to Rangers at the weekend.

Motherwell are now without a win in 13 matches, with the last victory coming away to Livingston on 31 October.

Six away games since then have yielded three draws and three defeats.

“We don’t leave here feeling sorry for ourselves. Our work rate and endeavour were good, and we have to take that into Wednesday.”

Graham Alexander speaks after the 2-0 loss at Aberdeen.

Motherwell slipped to defeat in a frustrating afternoon away to Aberdeen.

Goals from Tommie Hoban and Andy Considine in either half secured a 2-0 victory for the hosts, with the Steelmen being reduced to 10 men early in the second half when Liam Polworth was dismissed.

Manager Graham Alexander named an unchanged starting team from the side which drew 1-1 against Rangers last weekend. New signing Harry Smith came in on the bench, with the returning Christopher Long and Jake Hastie also taking their place among the substitutes.

An even start saw both sides trade early blows but it would be the visitors who would strike first.

O’Donnell was punished for handball on the right side and the resulting free-kick found the unmarked Hoban, who headed into the net from 12 yards.

Ryan Hedges twice went close with fizzing efforts from the edge of the box, before the visitors started to stamp authority on the match.

The first potential blow came when the team in blue should have been awarded a penalty.

Watt’s shot was blocked and fell into the path of Sherwin Seedorf, who fired for goal but saw Ojo’s arm raise to block the goalbound shot. But with few appeals, the referee played on.

Tony Watt then worked space well 30 yards from goal. Driving forward, his low drive looked goalbound all the way, but his shot cannoned back off the left-hand post and into Joe Lewis’ grateful grasp.

Motherwell set out at the interval looking to get back on terms, with Christopher Long replacing Seedorf.

But they would suffer a blow four minutes in. With Polworth down awaiting treatment for a shoulder injury, referee Craig Napier flashed a red card for foul and abusive language.

The Steelmen brought Harry Smith on for his debut soon after but Aberdeen continued to push their numerical advantage, with Liam Kelly called into action on numerous occasions as Motherwell tried to weather the storm.

Ash Taylor looked to have netted the second in the 65th minute from a corner, but a push on Devante Cole as the ball came in saw it ruled out.

Cole would see a header from Smith’s chipped cross claimed by Lewis as the visitors sought an equaliser but the sucker punch would come in the 77th minute.

With Ferguson’s shot blocked on the edge of the box, the ball spun kindly to Considine sneaking in round the back to make it 2-0 from close range.

Motherwell: Kelly, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, Carroll (McGinley), Campbell, Crawford (Maguire), Polworth, Watt (Smith), Seedorf (Long), Cole (Hastie).

Subs not used: Morrison, Johnston, Lamie, MacIver.

“We’ve shown we’re capable of going to Aberdeen and getting a result.”

The Republic of Ireland defender speaks ahead of the trip north in the Scottish Premiership.

“The first weeks have been encouraging. The players are taking what we’re implementing into the games.”

The manager previews the trip north in the Scottish Premiership.

January is traditionally the month when we all resolve to start moving more, with new members queuing up to join the gym and more health and fitness related internet searches than any other month.

But with the UK now in lockdown for the rest of January, and leisure centres and swimming pools closed to the public, it looks likely that 2021 will be a little different.

Yet we know that exercise can dramatically enhance our wellbeing and positively impact our mental health – alongside all of the physical benefits.

Running for just 15 minutes a day, or walking for an hour, has been shown to reduce the risk of major depression by 26%.

Studies have also found anxiety and other mental health conditions are improved most by rhythmic, aerobic exercises including running, swimming and cycling.

In fact, there’s a whole campaign around the links between mental health and exercise – Red January – which encourages participants to get moving every day this month.

And since the current lockdown was announced, they’ve been using the motto ‘As we can’t be together in person, let’s be together in purpose’.

Our main partners Paycare are sharing their top tips to help everyone with their health and wellbeing and to beat those January lockdown blues:

• A lunchtime walk helps you take your eyes off the screen – and is sure to have you feeling more productive when you return to your desk.
• Joe Wicks is likely to spring to mind when you think about YouTube workouts, but there are thousands more to explore so you could try a different type of exercise every time to keep things fresh and exciting.
• Exercising outdoors with one person outside of your household or support bubble is allowed under the current rules – and this can include an outside personal training session as long as you are at least 2m apart at all times.
• Why not join together with your friends, family, or colleagues to try an online exercise class or take it in turns to lead a session during a weekly video call? At Paycare, different team members are setting up HIIT and Yoga sessions for us all to join in if we want to.
• Walking for 20 minutes a day consistently through the month will be much more beneficial than doing a 10-mile run once. So do remember to keep your goals realistic and manageable, scaling up the time and intensity of your workouts as you become fitter and stronger.
• You’ll need to up your water intake to account for the fluid you use while exercising, so remember to keep sipping away during the day.

Harry Smith has joined Motherwell on loan from Northampton Town.

The forward has signed on until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

He will go into the squad for the weekend trip to Aberdeen.

“I’m delighted to make the move,” said Smith.

“I’ve heard a lot about Motherwell and Scottish football already, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Smith is the third January acquisition for Motherwell, following Liam Kelly and Steven Lawless in the door.

The 25-year-old joined Northampton Town in the summer of 2019, having also spent time at Stockport County, Swindon Town and Millwall.

“We’re all very happy to bring Harry on board,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“We need a squad with different attributes and skillsets, and Harry is a player who will fit in with our squad very well.

“I’m sure over the course of the rest of the season, he will make a significant contribution to our results.

“He comes here as a motivated player who can enhance our attacking options. We look forward to working with him”