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Assistant boss Kenny Black has called for a positive reaction from the squad after last Sunday’s disappointing Cup exit.

Tomorrow’s opponents Aberdeen were victorious last week at Fir Park, securing their spot in the William Hill Scottish Cup Semi Final against Hibs at Hampden.

However, their success wasn’t without controversy and Scotland coach Black is hoping his players can utilise that motivation whilst remaining focused on securing a spot in European football next term.

He told MFC.tv: “It’s not often we’ve had to pick up the players this season but everyone connected with the club was extremely disappointed with how last Sunday panned out.

“There were a lot of different things that contributed to the defeat, all of which have been well covered. But the lads came in and trained well on Monday and Tuesday and quickly got over that.

“We’ve now got nine games to go until the end of the season; nine games to secure European football and what a marvellous achievement that would be.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ON MFC TV-

Midfielder Keith Lasley will be forced to sit out the next two SPL matches following his red card against Aberdeen last Sunday.

The veteran midfielder, who is enjoying a terrific season, was ordered off after a challenge on Fraser Fyvie left the Dons youngster grounded.

Stand-in skipper Lasley has since apologised to the player and was backed by former boss Craig Brown and former teammate Mark Reynolds.

However, referee Craig Thomson confirmed in his report that the 32-year old was dismissed for serious foul play, an offence that carries an automatic two-game ban in all competitions.

The former Plymouth Argyle man will now miss Saturday’s clash with Aberdeen and the trip to Rugby Park the following weekend.

For an updated suspension list, CLICK HERE.

Young defender Shaun Hutchinson is the fourth ‘Well player to test his golfing talent in the 10-yard Bucket Challenge.

Jamie Murphy kicked things off with a disappointing 101 and was quickly shown up by Irish defender, who did it in a solid 18. Former Scotland International Stevie Hammel shot a 41 over par, 42!

Now it’s the time of the Geordie to see if he can snatch top of the leaderboard and scoop a fourball at one of Scotland’s top courses as a prize?

-SEE HOW LONG IT TAKES HUTCHY TO CHIP IN-

Motherwell FC will again be offering young people between the ages of 6 and 12 the opportunity to experience life as a professional footballer.

The Academy Experience programme returns after a successful trial last October during the up-coming Easter Holiday period.

The Experience is a week long intensive programme which will replicate the coaching received by professional players, and will include training sessions with members of the first team squad and coaching staff and a training session on Fir Park.

Comprehensive coaching will include game awareness, technique development, balance, creativity, and nutrition. Academy Experience is designed to take young players to the next level of performance, and to instil in them the skills and confidence they require to develop their potential.
 
Coaching will be delivered by our highly-qualified SFA accredited coaches, and the young people will be rubbing shoulders with the first team professionals and youth squads. Participants will also be presented with a certificate signed by Motherwell Manager, and former Scotland star, Stuart McCall.
 
The five-day programme –  April 2nd to April 6 and April 9th to April 13th – costs just £55 which includes a healthy breakfast. Players should bring their own packed lunch, and appropriate footwear and clothing – and a change to allow for inclement weather.

Book by telephoning 01698 239 926 or online at www.motherwellsoccerschools.com.

Places are strictly limited so book now! Download the flyer here.

-CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PICS FROM OCTOBER’S COURSE-

Motherwell U19s crashed to a heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of Celtic this afternoon, bringing to an end a five-month unbeaten run.

The Steelmen hadn’t lost a competitive game since crashing to a 3-1 defeat at Aberdeen in mid October and had won five out of their last six matches.

But it was Celtic, chasing table-toppers Hearts, who came flying out the blocks, netting three times in the opening sixteen minutes.

They took the lead after just four, Tony Watt heading home a Paul George cross. The same player grabbed his, and Celtic’s, second some seven minutes later before Callum McGregor added a decisive third, slotting home after Darnell Fisher’s shot was blocked by Ross Stewart.

Motherwell were on the ropes, Celtic rampant, and the visitors netted a fourth with Watt grabbing a hat-trick with a fine header.

It went from bad to worse on 34th minutes when John Kennedy’s side added their fifth. In what was becoming the story of the match, Watt was again the scorer and it again came from a header.

Half-time couldn’t come quick enough for Young’s side and to their credit, they came out and battled in the second half, making the score more respectable.

Craig Moore pulled one back after 58 minutes, Francis-Angol’s cutback ended up at the feet of the young striker via Lee Erwin and he slotted home.

Erwin and Josh Watt passed up decent chances to add a second before Moore eventually did with twelve minutes left to play. Substitute Adam Asghar threw over a terrific cross from the right and Moore found himself unmarked to head home from eight yards out.

The Steelmen battled on but couldn’t add any further goals. The youths have a chance to bounce back when they take on Dundee Utd in three days time.

Motherwell: Stewart, Devlin, Brownlie, Murray, Francis-Angol, Watt, Carswell (Asghar – 45mins), Hetherington, Moore, McGachie, Erwin

Subs: Murray, Lynch, Green, Leitch, MacDonald, Mboa Mekongo

.TV – Gordon Young’s Reaction

.TV – Match Highlights

Under 19s boss Gordon Young insists his young side can go into tomorrow’s clash with Celtic full of confidence after some terrific recent form.

The Steelmen are unbeaten since October and, since the turn of the year, have won five and drawn one of their six league matches.

Celtic are chasing Hearts for the title with every match vital if they are to retain the Championship they won last season.

The ingredients are there for an excellent game of football and Young is sure his side will relish the occasion.

“The kids are flying just now but because the games are coming thick and fast, we’ve had to adjust our programme slightly,” he admitted.

“But we’ll treat tomorrow as any other game but it certainly does provide a different test for our lads given the size and stature of the opponents.

“It’s great for us though. We’ve only lost one goal, a penalty, in the last four matches; we’ve really managed to tighten up at the back after conceding silly goals earlier in the campaign.

“It’s going to be a big test because some of the lads have been pulled out in preparation for first-team duties this coming weekend but we’ll go to Bathgate tomorrow full of confidence and aiming for a good performance.”

-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-

Motherwell U19s vs Celtic U19s
Tuesday 13th March 2012
Creamery Park, Bathgate
Kick-Off: 1pm

Referee for Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen is the experienced Iain Brines.

Iain will be handling his third Motherwell match of the campaign; he was in charge for the 1-0 win over St Mirren back in August when a last-minute Tom Hateley free-kick gave the Steelmen all three points and the 0-0 draw with Dundee United in November.

He will be a familiar face to ‘Well fans over the years, none more so than last season where he handled six Motherwell matches, more than any other official.

He was the man in the middle for the games against St Johnstone in early September, St Mirren at Fir Park one month later, Rangers on Boxing Day, Saturday’s opponents Dundee Utd at Tannadice in January, Inverness in the Highlands last March and the Scottish Cup Semi Final against St Johnstone.

A Nick Blackman wonder strike and an own-goal from Kevin Rutkiewicz was enough to earn the Steelmen all three points in Perth and late goals from Tom Hateley and Jamie Murphy gave ‘Well a 3-1 against Danny Lennon’s men.

Managerless ‘Well were thumped by Rangers despite John Sutton’s goal early in the second half. A Kenny Miller double along with goals from Vladmir Weiss and a Steven Saunders own goal gave Rangers a comfortable 4-1 win.

United were comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Johnny Russell and David Goodwillie and Inverness ran out 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Sutherland, Foran and MacDonald – arguable the worst performance of the season.

Prior to that Saints game three months ago, his most recent appointment was that fantastic day at Hampden when Craigan, Murphy and Sutton booked ‘Well a spot in the Final.

To his credit, Brines was excellent in all six matches with the games at McDiarmid Park and the Caledonian Stadium passing off without a single caution; a rarity in modern football.

The 44-year-old, who has been a top-flight official for a decade and amongst FIFA’s elite group for five years, is having an excellent season and has handled SPL games at at all SPL grounds bar three this campaign.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mix bag. Of the 31 games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won eleven, draw five and lost fifteen.

In those games, 107 players have seen yellow, 49 of which in claret and amber, while three have been sent for an early bath.

Iain will be assisted by Billy Baxter and Graeme Leslie with Craig Charleston assigned as fourth official. Referee Observer is Brian Cassidy and SPL Delegate is George Douglas.

Motherwell will be after revenge when Aberdeen are back at Fir Park this Saturday in SPL action and you can watch the big match in style.

Matchday host Stevie Kirk will meet and greet you at the door before showing you to your table.

Expect a visit from first-team players and of course our photographer will be on hand to snap a lasting memory of your day.

Catch some of Stevie’s pre-match banter and hear any team news first and don’t forget to visit our other resident Motherwell legend, Dougie Arnott, at the bar.

Prices start from as little as £55 – For more information or to book your table, phone 01698 338008 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.