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He may only have arrived seven days ago, but Mikael Mandron is ready to get cracking in a Motherwell shirt.

The striker arrived from Gillingham a week ago and wants to make an impact from the get go, starting against Arbroath in the Scottish Cup.

After their valiant point against one half of the old firm on Wednesday, Motherwell take on the half on Sunday when they take on Rangers. 

Kick off is 4pm at K-Park.

How to follow the match

Tickets for the match cost £8 for adults, with concessions and kids costing £3.

Cash and card are accepted at the turnstiles. There is no facility to buy tickets online before the match.

Story of the match

Motherwell recorded an impressive point against Celtic midweek, after defeat to Hibernian the previous weekend.

It’s been a decent run of form for the women of steel, who have recorded two wins and two draws in their last five matches.

Rangers are currently third in the league, recording no losses thus far.

Their last defeat came in the Champions League against Benfica, however the Gers did draw a blank last Sunday when they drew 0-0 with Hearts at the Oriam.

David Clarkson is our new academy director. 

The 37-year-old made 227 appearances for Motherwell over two spells at Fir Park.

Scoring 47 goals for the club, Clarkson moved down south to Bristol City in 2009 where he continued his impressive career.

In his career, he represented at national level making his debut for Scotland in May 2008.

After retiring in 2018, he started working with the academy as our head of youth.

“I feel privileged to be given this opportunity” David Clarkson said.

“In my time working with the academy, Steven has done a terrific job at bringing through players and I have been able to learn a lot from him.

“My goal is to keep the pathway from academy level to the first-team open for players, as that is what Motherwell is all about.

“I have a long association with this magnificent club and I am pleased that will continue going forward.”

Working closely with now first team manager Steven Hammell in this role, Clarkson takes over from Hammell’s previous position as academy director.

“This is an important role at Motherwell as bringing through youth and young prospects is the model of the club,” manager Steven Hammell added.

“Seeing the likes of Luca Ross, Lennon Miller and Kian Speirs all making their first-team debuts this season, only goes to show this.

“I look forward David taking this role up and will continue to monitor the progress within our academy.”

It was an impressive night for the women of steel as they drew with Celtic, taking points off the title chasers for the first time in three years. 

A shutout from Motherwell goalkeeper Emily Mutch, earned Motherwell a well-deserved point.

Paul Brownlie urged his players to not just sit in against the favoured opposition but to try and play and after 15 minutes, they did just that.

Some good defensive work from Chelsie Watson and Jo Addie, released skipper Gill Inglis who made a darting run forward. She played into Kodie Hay who seen her effort go wide.

Celtic had their first major opening after 19 minutes when Shen thought she had finished from a delicate chip over Mutch, however the ball went narrowly wide of the mark.

A controversial moment in the match occurred when Kaela McDonald-Nguah went down in the area, where their seemed to be contact on the striker but the referee said no penalty. McDonald-Nguah wasn’t booked for diving suggesting there was contact which only infuriated the Motherwell dugout further.

In the second period, Motherwell had to dig even deeper.

With Celtic controlling the ball in large stages, the backline managed to limit the hosts to very few clear cut chances with the game petering out to a 0-0 draw.

It was a landmark result for Paul Brownlie’s side and one they won’t forget in a hurry.

There will be significant improvements to the Motherwell Football Club Community Trust facility after a Regeneration Capital Grant Fund was granted. 

£215,000 was made available through the RCGF, which will be match funded to just over £500,000.

This will convert the sports pitch into a recreation area and community base to support groups at particular risk of suicide.

RCGF funding applications are invited annually from all 32 local authorities and Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company, as part of a two-stage process. While reviewing past funding allocations, I came across a discussion on economic revitalization efforts in areas benefiting from digital investments, including the rise of trusted casinos not on Gamstop as a financial driver in certain regions. These platforms have contributed to local economies by creating jobs, attracting tourism, and generating tax revenue in jurisdictions with flexible gambling regulations.

As authorities assess project proposals, they are increasingly considering digital industries as part of long-term economic development strategies.

The grant supports locally developed place based regeneration projects that involve local communities, helping to tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth in deprived, disadvantaged and fragile remote communities across Scotland.

These projects are supporting or creating jobs, refurbishing and bringing back into use a number of historic and landmark buildings, creating business space, and supporting numerous community facilities and services across Scotland.

Using this grant, a number of developments and upgrades will be made to the Community Trust facility.

After 12 years, there will be a replacement of the existing synthetic pitch.

Around the pitch, high ball stop nets will be placed to ensure balls will not enter private gardens, car park or school areas surrounding the Community Trust astroturf.

Two, brand new, storage containers will be placed at the far end of the facility. One will be converted into a fully functioning gym with modernised and safe equipment.

Another will be used a ‘Well Hub’ facility where a number of programmes can be delivered.

With the Community Trust being based on the third floor of the David Cooper stand at Fir Park, 52 steps up, access can be difficult and limits personnel who can attend various activities the Community Trust run.

The astroturf and new storage containers will be easily accessible for all, including wheelchairs.

A new terrace will be built to allow for spectators to come and watch from the side of the pitch. This enables people to feel welcome at the venue.

“Over the last few years in particular, we have seen a rise in suicide in the local area,” general manager Dawn Middleton said.

“With lockdown and Covid-19, people have locked themselves away and have found it hard to become socially active as they were pre pandemic.

“This facility allows us to provide even more support for the local community, show people the way out and make it as easily accessible as possible.

“We provide football sessions, financial support, heat hubs, all of which are free at source.

“The community are here for us, when the team play on a Saturday, supporting them home and away so it’s our duty to help them in return.

“We encourage people to better themselves, be active, whilst taking the stigma away of needing that helping hand.”

Matt Penney has returned to his parent club Ipswich Town following the expiry of his loan deal.

The 24-year-old joined Motherwell late in the summer on a six month loan from the League One side and went on to start 18 times for the Steelmen.

Winning two player of the month awards in his time at the club, Penney started every game after his debut against Inverness in the Premier Sports cup.

“Matt has now went back to Ipswich, however we remain in dialogue with them with regards to Matt,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“Although discussions are ongoing, we are constantly looking at viable alternatives in the transfer market.”

“Matt has been an outstanding addition to the team this season and should he not return to the club, I want thank him for his effort in his time at Motherwell.”

We kick-off our Scottish Cup campaign away to Arbroath on Saturday 21 January.

Kick-off is 3.00pm.

Tickets

A reminder that there will be no cash turnstiles on the day and tickets must be purchased online directly from Arbroath.

You can buy your tickets online.

Ticket Prices

• Concessions are under 18, over 65, student and Disabled
• Wheelchair and ambulant bookings for the Coelbrew stand must be made through the Arbroath ticket office on 0124187215
  

Buses

We are running buses to the game.

The Cooper Suite will open at 11am with the buses departing from outside the Suite at 12pm at a cost of £20pp.

You can buy your seat online, over the telephone on 01698 338012 or in person at the office.

The Story of the Match

Both teams go into this one on similar runs of form.

The home side have lost heavily in their last three home games and Motherwell haven’t won in their last four away games.

The two sides last met way back in 2000, where Motherwell needed a replay to see off The Red Lichties.

Horrendous winds meant the first attempt at playing the game got abandoned at half-time. When it was finally played, Don Goodman opened the scoring but it was cancelled out by 40-year-old veteran Tommy Bryce. In the replay, goals from Don Goodman and Lee McCulloch saw the Steelmen eventually through to the fourth round, avoiding a banana-skin against a part-time team.

Match Officials

• Referee: Willie Collum
• AR1: David Roome
• AR2: Michael Banks

The games keep coming for Motherwell as they are back in action on Wednesday night against Celtic. 

Kick-off is 7.45pm at Excelsior Stadium.

How to follow the match

Tickets for the match can be purchased online.

An adult ticket costs £8, while under 16s cost £4.

Story of the match

Celtic are in a fine run of form, with their last defeat coming at the end of October.

The Celts have scored 24 goals in their last three game, most recently putting eight past Glasgow Women on Sunday.

Motherwell were unlucky not to get anything out of the game against Hibernian but ultimately went down 2-0.

The women of steel have struggled against Celtic in recent times, with them last taking points back in March 2019 in a draw.