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Motherwell manager Steven Hammell is still upset at his sides’ result at Tynecastle on Sunday. 

The boss described what Motherwell have to do to beat a rampant Celtic in the cinch Premiership and how they feel fully prepared for the task ahead.

Louis Moult got his first Motherwell goal since he returned to the club for his second spell on Sunday in the cinch Premiership and is eyeing a big upset against Champions Celtic. 

The striker has been lacking fitness and faced injury problems since he came back to Fir Park but is continuing to build his match sharpness back to 100% so he can impress his loyal Motherwell fan base.

Motherwell are back on home turf when Celtic visit Fir Park for a game under the lights.

Kick off is 7.45pm, Wednesday 9 November.

If any Motherwell fan wishes to buy a ticket, please visit the ticket office at Fir Park or call 01698 333 333. Please note that online sales are not available for this match.

Ticket office opening times
Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm and Friday 9-4pm, matchday 10am – kick-off.

Ticket prices:

Important Information

• Please note there will no cash turnstiles on the day of the game. The ticket office will be open for sales to home fans only.
• Concession prices apply to those aged 65 and over and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Young adults are 12 to 17 year olds and Juniors are for children aged 11 and under.
• Celtic supporters, who will be house in the McLean Stand behind the goals as normal, should contact their club for ticket information and distribution.

We’re asking both sets of supporters to bring along items for our food bank collection at our match with Celtic on Wednesday 9 November.

We’re collecting items on the day of the game for the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank.

We are asking fans to bring what they can to support this important cause, so that those in need can receive a food parcel to help.

“Unfortunately, food banks are now having to play a vital role in helping the most vulnerable in our community,” CEO Alan Burrows said.

“Given soaring inflation levels, rising interest rates and the energy crisis, more and more people are tragically having to rely on the thoughtfulness and generosity of others to help feed their family.

“Over the last few years, Motherwell fans have really stepped up to the mark and helped stock up food banks all over Lanarkshire. This year, as we approach the cold winter months, we are asking those who can to once again help.”

Items needed are:

• Soup

• Beans

• Tinned pasta

• Custard/ Rice Pudding

• Tinned Fruit

• Tinned Meat

• Meals in a tin

• Tuna

• Pasta n Sauce

• Noodles

• Long Life Milk

• Breakfast Cereal

• Tinned Vegetables

• Potatoes in a Tin

• Toiletries -soap, shower gel, Shampoo etc

• Tea/coffee

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Collections are available from 6pm.

Thank you for your help. Your contributions will be a massive help to those in need.

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

PPV is available for viewers in the UK for £15. You can buy you game pass via Motherwell TV.

The Story of the Match

Motherwell will be looking to bounce back from defeat at the weekend to Hearts, leaving them sitting ninth in the table. The Steelmen face Celtic and St Johnstone before the World Cup break so will be looking to pick up some points before then.

It won’t be an easy task though, against a Celtic side who have been in fine form since their shock defeat to St Mirren in September. Scoring 21 goals in their last five games domestically, including four against Motherwell last month, they sit seven points clear at the top of the league.

Match Officials

• Referee: Willie Collum
• AR1: Dougie Potter
• AR2: Craig Ferguson
• Fourth Official: Alan Newlands
• VAR David Dickinson
• AVAR John McCrossan

The fourth inductee into the Motherwell Football Club Hall of Fame, class of 2022, is Bobby Graham.

Although Bobby was born and brought up in Motherwell, and supported the Steelmen as a kid, he would make his footballing name in the red of Bill Shankley’s Liverpool, joining the Anfield club from Motherwell Bridge Works aged 17.

Shankley had already made the trip to Lanarkshire to secure the signing of Ian St John from Motherwell just six months earlier for a then club-record fee.

Whilst St John was signed as a bonafide first-team starter, Graham, who was six years younger than his compatriot, spent several profitable years in the youth system before breaking into the Reds’ first-team in 1964 and made quite the impression.

He scored on his debut against KR Reykjavík then, 12 days later, netted a hat-trick in his first league outing against Aston Villa then followed that with a goal against Sheffield United the following week.

Bobby’s early time at Liverpool was somewhat unfortunate for himself as he found it difficult to dislodge the hugely successful strike partnership of St John and Roger Hunt as Shankly’s side became one of the best ever.

As the 1960s were coming to an end, he had forced his way into a regular starter but his ambitions were cut short courtesy of a cruel leg break at Anfield against Chelsea at the start of the 1970/71 season.

His eleven-year Liverpool career came to an end in March 1972 when he moved to Coventry City for £70,000. He stayed at Highfield Road for 18 months, playing 19 games and also being loaned out to Tranmere, where he linked up with Ian St John who was coaching at Rovers.

So it was therefore little surprise when St John upon his appointment as Motherwell manager looked to Bobby to provide guidance up front and it proved to be a very shrewd decision. Motherwell had to beat off the likes of Portsmouth, Peterborough & Luton Town who were also vying for his signature, but the draw of coming back home and signing for his boyhood club was too much.

He finished his first full season as the club’s top scorer but things would really click into gear when a certain young buck the name of Willie Pettigrew arrived on the first-team scene, almost instantly forming a telepathic partnership with his new strike partner.

The youngster had spent most of the first-half of the season on the bench under Willie McLean, but following an ‘play me or sell me’ ultimatum to the manager, the duo were put together for the first-time against Ayr United.

Pettigrew, aided by Graham, netted four that day at Fir Park before Celtic came to Lanarkshire the following midweek. Pettigrew got one, Graham got two and that was the start of a lethal four years together in claret and amber.

As a goalscorer, Graham often considered second-fiddle to Pettigrew in terms of goals and whilst that is true, the diminutive forward still had a very impressive record. In 172 starts at Fir Park, he netted a total of 48 times and assisted countless others.

For ‘Well fans of a certain vintage, that mid to late 1970s will be fondly remembered as an exciting, swashbuckling Motherwell side that could live with any team in the country. Sadly, despite the significant talent that was at the club at the time, a winner’s medal would prove illusive although there were several near misses at the Semi Final stages.

Bobby Graham was very much at the core of that. Quick, intelligent with a laser-guided passing ability, he’s the local lad who done good, not only in the bright lights of the English top-flight, but back home at his beloved Fir Park. One of our own, and now rightfully in the Motherwell FC Hall of Fame.

Our highly-anticipated Hall of Fame dinner will welcome its fourth batch of inductees later this month

The event, launched in 2019, has already paid special tribute to the legendary names of the club’s long and distinguished history.

For the first time, the dinner will take place at Dalziel Park Hotel on Friday 18 November, with host Tam Cowan inducted five new names, with Bobby joining the already-announced Keith Lasley, Willie MacFadyen and Tommy Coyne.

The event is priced at £64 for adults and £30 for children aged under 12.

You can buy tickets for the dinner online here now or contact the commercial department on 01698 338 011.

The final legend of the 2022 class of inductees will be revealed shortly, joining:

* Please note that some of the colourful language on the night may not be appropriate for young children or those easily offended.

On the back of a hard fought win against Dundee United, Motherwell were back on their travels, this time to take on Hearts in Edinburgh. 

In a jam packed 90 minutes, it would be Hearts who would start the better in front of the lively home crowd. Andy Halliday seen his effort tipped over by Liam Kelly.

But halfway in to the first period, the game would have it’s first big moment when Jorge Grant seen red for a rash tackle on Callum Slattery.

Despite being down to ten men, a goal on either side of half time for the Jambos seen them lead by two goals.

Steven Hammell made his second change of the game, bringing on Louis Moult who was involved in the action straight away. The striker got on the end of the ball through and went round Craig Gordon with the Hearts goalkeeper bringing him down.

Moult stepped up and slotted the ball home to get his side back in the game.

Blair Spittal managed to get the equaliser to send the 700 ‘Well fans into celebration.

However, the celebrations were short lived with Lawrence Shankland scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the 89th minute which meant all three points stayed in the capital.

Plenty minutes in the bag for our loan boys this week on loan, as they were in action midweek and at the weekend.

Max Johnston

Keeping his place in the side, Max Johnston played the full 90 minutes when Queen’s Park were the visitors to The Balmoral Stadium.

Cove would run out 2-0 winners, with Johnston helping his side keep a clean sheet.

Scott Fox

Scott Fox was an unused sub as Queen of the South beat FC Edinburgh 3-0 away from home.

Robbie Mahon

Over 7000 were in attendance as Falkirk faced Dunfermline in League one.

Robbie Mahon was an unused sub as he watched his Dunfermline teammates win 1-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson wasn’t involved in the action on Saturday when Albion Rovers took on Stirling Albion.

The left back was serving a suspension after he seen red for a handball the weekend prior. Albion drew 1-1 with high flying Stirling.

Corey O’Donnell

After 45 minutes in the reserves, it was a return to first team action for Corey O’Donnell after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The forward came on in the 73rd minute for Bonnyrigg against Elgin at New Dundas Park. Despite a late comeback, Elgin hung on for a 3-2 win away from home.

Logan Dunachie

East Kilbride took on Stirling Uni on Saturday away from home.

Dunachie was an unused sub with Stirling claiming all three points with a 2-0 win.

Daniel Hunter

Daniel Hunter was on the bench for Cumbernauld Colts on Wednesday night, when they were beaten 4-2 by Gala Fairydean. Hunter played the last 27 minutes in the game.

He was an unused sub on Saturday against Cowdenbeath.

“I don’t want to talk about refereeing decisions because we can’t make excuses.

“We had enough of this game to come away with at least a point.”

Motherwell failed to make an extra man advantage count in a 3-2 defeat to Hearts

The Steelmen had managed to fight back to level terms after being two goals down but Lawrence Shankland’s late penalty secured three points for the Edinburgh side.

PRE-MATCH

Steven Hammell made no changes to the side that beat Dundee United last weekend. Robbie Neilson freshened up his side with five changes from their Europa Conference League defeat in Turkey on Thursday

The goals

Hearts took the lead just before half-time. Kevin Clancy wrongly awarded a corner from which Andy Halliday was left unmarked and sent a header looping over Callum Slattery and into the net.

Moments after the break, Halliday got his second of the game. This time he got on the end of a cut back and fired low and hard past Kelly.

On the hour Motherwell were. handed a lifeline as Louis Moult was brought down in the box by Gordon, who somehow avoided a second yellow card, and he dispatched confidently from the spot.

With ten minutes left ‘Well were back level with a nicely worked goal. Moult played in McKinstry whose ball across goal was turned in by Spittal for his second of the season.

In the final minutes, Hearts took all three points as Shankland converted from the spot after Solholm was ruled to have handled in the box.

talking points

• Liam Kelly. The Scotland international produced two fine saves in the first half. Firstly from Shankland who looked certain to score but Kelly somehow managed to claw the ball to safety. He also produced a fine save from McKay, tipping over from close range before having a quiet second half
• The red card. Jorge Grant saw red for a foul on Callum Slattery in then 38th minute. It was a careless and dangerous challenge and was the correct decision but Motherwell will be frustrated they didn’t make the extra man advantage count
• Positives for Moult. Although it was from the spot, Louis Moult will be pleased to be back on the scoresheet for the first time in his second spell at the club. He also played a part in the second goal, setting up McKinstry to cross for Spittal.
• VAR involvement. The video referee, David Munro, was a busy man although all the VAR decisions confirmed the on-field decisions. Van Veen had the ball in the net with a spectacular volley into the top corner but unfortunately the linesman’s flag went up. Questions will be asked about why Craig Gordon never received a second yellow for his foul on Moult inside the box.

What they said

Steven Hammell: “It’s not a hard luck story for me. At the very, very least, we need to be coming away with a point.”

Robbie Neilson: “I thought the players were outstanding. We had to really fight and show the spirit.“

Teams

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, M Smith, Sibbick, Cochrane, Grant, Devlin, Halliday, Snodgrass, McKay, Ginnelly, Shankland.

Substitutes: Clark, Kiomourtzoglou, Atkinson, Rowles, Forrest, Neilson, Henderson, C Smith, Pollock.

Motherwell: Kelly, McGinn, Solholm, Lamie, Penney, Goss, Slattery, Spittal, McKinstry, Shields, Van Veen.

Substitutes: Oxbourgh, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Maguire, Cornelius, Moult, Morris, Tierney, Miller.

Attendance: 18,806

With the world cup fast approaching, Steven Hammell is looking for a good run of form to push his Motherwell side up the table before the break arrives. 

Starting with a trip to Tynecastle on Sunday in the cinch Premiership, the Motherwell gaffer knows the strength and depth that Hearts have within their ranks and any personnel changes will not weaken their side in the slightest.

Stuart McKinstry is still ‘buzzing’ to be playing for the club he grew up supporting.

The winger scored his first two goals and scooped the player of the month award for October but is keeping his two feet firmly on the ground and is looking forward to the tricky test that Hearts pose in their next cinch Premiership match.