Latest News

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Aberdeen took the points back to the north east in this rearranged Ladbrokes Premiership fixture, with a quick double from Kari Arnason and Kenny McLean midway through the second half securing the win.

Until then Motherwell, having survived a first half when the Dons looked the more likely to find the net, had come close to opening the scoring and extending their slim chances of a top six finish.

Aberdeen, though, still determined to finish second were not in a sympathetic mood. And in a first half in keeping with the weather the visitor’s controlled most of the play and created a hattrick of good chances midway through the half. However, some resolute defending diverted efforts from Greg Stewart and a couple of strikes from McLean.

At the other end, Carl McHugh’s drive from 18 yards met a similar fate. As half-time approached and the ‘Well players found their feet, Joe Lewis made his first save diving to cut-out Ryan Bowman’s nod back into the six yard box from Richard Tait’s deep pass.

Despite Aberdeen’s possession inside the home half, Trevor Carson had to wait until five minutes from the break for his first save, firmly holding McLean’s curling shot. On the stroke of half-time, the ‘Well ‘keeper was equally untroubled, catching Stevie May’s free kick under his cross bar.

With Gaël Bigirimana replacing the injured Alan Campbell at the interval, the Steelmen looked more intent from the restart. Within two minutes, Chris Cadden’s corner found the diving Tom Aldred but his header flashed past the post.

Five minutes later, Main outmuscled Scott McKenna and from 30 yards elected to use his left foot to drill a low shot. Lewis parried and then gathered before Elliot Frear could pounce on the loose ball.

After 62 minutes, ‘Well survived a nervy moment when Cédric Kipré carelessly conceded possession to May at the edge of the box. Ross McLean then came on for Frear, but before he could settle into the game the Dons grabbed a quick double to wrap up the points.

Firstly, Kenny McLean, who is suspended for the semi-final clash, whipped an inswinging corner onto Arnason’s head as he powered the ball home from six yards. Two minutes later, McLean claimed the second when he curled his shot from the angle of the box beyond the despairing dive of Carson.

‘Well kept chasing a goal until the end and a great break by Main allowed Bigirimana to set up substitute George Newell but his angled drive for goal was blocked by McKenna.

With their post split fixtures now confirmed, ‘Well head for Perth on Saturday aiming to finish the season top of the bottom six.

Motherwell keep up their late efforts to make the top six as they host Aberdeen on Tuesday night.

After back-to-back draws at home against Celtic and Rangers, Stephen Robinson’s men must win to keep alive their hopes of pipping Hearts to sixth spot.

The Steelmen have picked up two big wins against the Dons already this season, defeating them in the Betfred Cup quarter final and also registering an away win in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Derek McInnes’ men have their own ambitions of claiming second spot again, currently sitting level of points but behind Rangers in the league.

Motherwell were quick out of the blocks against Rangers on Saturday, going two goals ahead before being pegged back by two goals in a disappointing second half spell.

It marked another encouraging performance for the team, however, as they prepare for the upcoming William Hill Scottish Cup semi final against the Dons.

“Our boys performed well all over the pitch on Saturday so there are positives that we can take in to Tuesday night with another big game,” said the manager.

“Aberdeen are vying for second place so they’ll be right up for it and it’ll be a challenge for us.

[pullquote]We just have to keep winning our games. We have two games left before the split, we have to try and win both of them and we’ll set out to do that.[/pullquote]

“Every game will be judged on it’s individual merits I would imagine, but what I do know is there will be two managers trying to win the game.”

Cédric Kipré has been a virtual ever present for Motherwell in his first season playing top level football.

The defender has been rewarded for his form with a recent cap for Ivory Coast Under 23s and is targeting more success, starting with a needed win over the Dons.

“It’s a big game for us on Tuesday night,” the 21-year-old said. “Hopefully we can get the three points to keep our hopes alive for the top six.

[pullquote]As usual, we’re going to try and play our best. We’re going to give everything and try to do what the gaffer wants us to do.[/pullquote]

“We need to be more focused and make sure we don’t give away any silly mistakes.

“In every game you need to prove to the manager that he’s made the right decision playing you. That’s why we all give 100% every week.”

Tickets are available at the Fir Park ticket office and on the gate.

Tickets already purchased for the postponed fixture are valid and can be used as normal at the gates.

Aberdeen supporters should contact their club for ticket information.

Kick off at Fir Park on Tuesday is at 7.45pm.

Admission prices are as follows:

Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under. The cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.

If you can’t make it along, you can follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC. Live audio commentary will be available on mixlr.com/motherwellfc

You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.

Cédric Kipré is ready to give his all again on Tuesday night. 

The young defender is hungry to impress manager Stephen Robinson every time he dons claret and amber.

But with Aberdeen arriving in Lanarkshire for the final home game before the split, the Ivorian Under 23 international believes the Steelmen will need to stay focused for the entire 90 minutes.

“It’s a big game for us on Tuesday night,” the 21-year-old said. “Hopefully we can get the three points to keep our hopes alive for the top six.

“As usual, we’re going to try and play our best. We’re going to give everything and try to do what the gaffer wants us to do.”

He added: “We need to be more focused and make sure we don’t give away any silly mistakes.

“In every game you need to prove to the manager that he’s made the right decision playing you. That’s why we all give 100% every week.”

Stephen Robinson knows his side face a big challenge when Aberdeen arrive in Lanarkshire on Tuesday.

After an afternoon of mixed emotions in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Rangers, the Northern Irishman believes there are positives he can take in to the clubs last home game before the split.

“Our boys performed well all over the pitch on Saturday so there are positives that we can take in to Tuesday night with another big game,” he said.

“Aberdeen are vying for second place so they’ll be right up for it and it’ll be a challenge for us.”

The Steelmen face the Dons in the Scottish Cup semi final, which is jut around the corner.

But Robinson doesn’t believe Tuesday’s game should be treated as a dress rehearsal for the last four clash on April 14.

He added: “Every game will be judged on it’s individual merits I would imagine, but what I do know is there will be two managers trying to win the game.

“We just have to keep winning our games. We have two games left before the split, we have to try and win both of them and we’ll set out to do that.”

Tuesday’s game against Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership will be officiated by Don Robertson. 

The 31-year-old official oversees his sixth ‘Well fixture of the season.

His first of the 2017/18 campaign was in the Betfred Cup group stages, when the Steelmen travelled to Hampden and defeated Queen’s Park 5-0.

He then took charge of the 3-2 defeat at Firhill in December. A poor start to the match saw Partick Thistle take a three goal lead before Ryan Bowman and Craig Tanner reduced the deficit to one.

Later that month, the Glaswegian official was in the middle when Dundee arrived at Fir Park and the Steelmen drew 1-1.

Robertson then was in the middle for the 2-0 home win over St Johnstone at Fir Park and then the Lanarkshire derby defeat away to Hamilton Academical.

The referee will be assisted by Stuart Stevenson and Ross Haswell.

Motherwell host Aberdeen on Tuesday still in with a fighting chance of reaching the top six in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Dons head to Fir Park for the rearranged top flight clash, which was originally scheduled for February 28.

Kick off is at 7.45pm. Tickets purchased for the original match remain valid for this fixture.

The Steelmen are still in the race for a top six spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership with two games left to go before the league splits. A lot has to go in our favour for it to happen but, first and foremost, a win is needed against Derek McInnes’ side.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the office at Fir Park or you can pay at the gate on the night. Get yourself along and let’s try and recapture the atmosphere of our 3-o Betfred Cup win against Aberdeen last year.

Admission prices are as follows:

The cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand. Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card. Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.

Away fans will be housed in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand. Cash gates are in operation.

Watch extended highlights as the Steelmen are pegged back from 2-0 up to draw 2-2 with Rangers at Fir Park.

Curtis Main, Cédric Kipré and Elliott Frear give their thoughts after Motherwell surrender a two-goal lead at home to Rangers.

A frustrated Stephen Robinson picked positives and negatives as his side drew 2-2 with Rangers. 

Despite a stunning first half showing, the Steelmen went on to surrender a two goal lead at the break in a match filled with drama and controversy.

But the Northern Irishman made sure to praise the hard work of his players who have still lost just once at Fir Park in 2018.

“After our first half performance which was really, really good, we got the boys in at half time and told them not to give Rangers anything to hang on to,” Robinson revealed.

[pullquote]I can’t fault the boys’ character in any shape or form. They give me everything, but they do make mistakes sometimes. We made a couple of errors for the goals, but we live and learn.[/pullquote]

“The first fifteen minutes of the second half cost us. We concede a penalty and should deal with the ball out wide before it got anywhere near the second goal.

“But I’ve got to give the boys credit because they came back again. They could have crumbled with a big away support against them, but they kept going and could have won the game.”

When asked about the moment which ultimately swung things in Rangers’ favour, Robinson reflected on the penalty decision early in the second half.

“I don’t think it’s a penalty,” he said. “Elliott makes clear contact with the ball but it gives them the lifeline. It certainly didn’t cost us the three points though.”

Phil McGhee at Fir Park

Motherwell claimed another hard earned point from an Old Firm double header. However, while the television audience got their money’s worth from a thrilling encounter, Stephen Robinson’s men will feel short changed after conceding a two goal lead from a first half they dominated.

Goals from Curtis Main and Alan Campbell within the opening 16 minutes should have had ‘Well on course for their first league victory over Rangers for 15 years. However, a quick double from James Tavernier and former Fir Park favourite Jamie Murphy at the start of the second half, left both teams level over the ninety minutes.

Motherwell were unchanged from the side which earned a point from Celtic a fortnight ago, with Scotland Under 21s Alan Campbell and Chris Cadden returning from international duty to form a middle pairing in front of Carl McHugh.

And ‘Well’s press on the visitor’s goal the from the start was rewarded after only eight minutes. Main fed the ball to Cadden a couple of yards inside the box. And when Russell Martin clattered into the back of the midfield man, referee Nick Walsh had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Main was equally confident sendingWes Foderingham the wrong way to make it 1-0.

If that surprised the Ibrox side, they were stunned eight minutes later when the Fir Parkers doubled their lead. Main did extremely well to hold off two challenges at the edge of the box before rolling the ball in front of the supporting Campbell, who calmly side footed the ball beyond the advancing ‘keeper and made it 2-0.

Rangers finally responded midway through the half when Jamie Murphy, who scored many fine goals in claret and amber, was denied on his return to Fir Park, when his low angled shot was brilliantly palmed away by Trevor Carson.

That aside, the remainder of the first half and chances belonged to ‘Well as they looked to kill off the game.

After almost catching out Foderingham at his near post, Cadden came within inches of extending the lead after 38 minutes. Great work on the right by Richard Tait and Campbell allowed Cadden to cut in on the angle before thundering his drive off the crossbar.

Minutes later, the move was repeated, but this time Campbell’s shot from five yards was blocked by Russell Martin. Five minutes from the break, Main showed great control and awareness chesting the ball into his path before volleying the ball over the ‘keeper and just over the bar.

A third goal may have put the game to bed, but home fears were realised within six minutes of the restart when Rangers pulled one back.

There looked to be minimal contact with Elliot Frear when James Tavernier went down in the box. Throw in to that the fact that the winger won the ball, it was an extremely difficult decision to take for the Steelmen when the referee pointed to the spot. Tavernier slammed the spot kick high into the net as the momentum swung Rangers’ way.

And two minutes later, the Ibrox men were level with a trademark goal from Murphy who dribbled across the penalty area before cutting the ball back across the box and inside Carson’s right hand post.

However, any thoughts of self pity from the home side were erased in the next attack when Main created space at the corner of the box and produced a measured shot which curled beyond Foderingham, only to rebound off the face of the keeper’s left hand post.

In an exciting final twenty minutes, with both teams chasing a winner, Daniel Candeias looked certain to complete the visitor’s fightback. But Carson, demonstrating the form that earned him his first Northern Ireland cap, stood strong to block the shot with his foot.

There were more claims for a penalty, especially from home fans, as Bruno Alves finding Curtis Main a handful throughout the game, twice hauled the ‘Well striker to the ground.