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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.

Trevor Carson says the Motherwell squad are fired up for a huge couple of weeks for the Steelmen.

Coming back fresh from the international break, the Steelmen have three games to claim a spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership top six, starting with the lunchtime clash with Rangers on Saturday.

At the end of it all is a William Hill Scottish Cup semi final date with Aberdeen and the goalkeeper, who joined in the summer from Hartlepool United, says they are exactly the sort of occasions he moved to Scotland for.

“We are raring to go again,” said Carson. “I can’t wait for these games, I wish they were day after day.

“I can’t wait for the semi final and the fact it’s two weeks away, we are desperate to get at it.

“But they are all big games. We still have an outside chance of getting into the top six.

[pullquote]Rangers is a massive game and we think it’s a winnable game for us. If we take in the same intensity as against Celtic, we’ve got a good chance.[/pullquote]

“Our first league game of the season at home to Rangers. I know there was only nine or ten thousand here, but you don’t get that atmosphere in the lower leagues in England. It’s completely different.”

Carson returned to ML1 this week with his first cap for Northern Ireland finally picked up, having made his debut for his country in a friendly with South Korea at the weekend.

“It was an emotional experience for the whole family,” Carson added. “I had 26 people there, I had to buy 19 tickets. I think after I get my match fee, I’ll be down a tenner.

“Coming out for the national anthem I could see my family, my mum was in bits. I was a bit emotional myself but you have to compose yourself for the game.

“Turning 30, there were probably times I thought it wasn’t meant to be with Northern Ireland, but it was a really nice feeling to go back to my mum’s house on the Saturday night and enjoy it, and talk about sacrifices we have all made over the years and how worthwhile it was.

|A day like Saturday far outweighs any sacrifices.”

Motherwell return to domestic action with the arrival of Rangers at Fir Park on Saturday.

After a busy international break, with four Steelmen on duty for their countries, the visit of the Gers is the first of three games in a week as the campaign rumbles towards the split.

It is also the second of three consecutive home fixtures, after a hard-earned point against Celtic, and Aberdeen arriving in Lanarkshire on Tuesday night.

Graeme Murty’s Rangers side, on the other hand, are on the search for much-needed points having slipped to back-to-back defeats against Celtic and Kilmarnock.

Their form on the road, however, is strong, with the Govan side registering six wins in an unbeaten run of seven games away from home.

Throw in the fact that the Gers are the top scoring side in the Premiership, and it makes for a tough encounter for Motherwell.

Despite several players being away with their countries and a change to the training schedule, Stephen Robinson says he’s been able to maintain the standards and intensity that led up to the performance against Celtic before the break.

“We’ve had a good week so we’re well prepared for the Rangers game,” said the manager.

“There’s been a bit of an edge in training and I’ve said it before but it’s never been a problem trying to motivate the boys, I have to actually hold them back sometimes.

“They’ve trained really, really well, and I’ve got a few problems with selection as well which is good.”

Liam Grimshaw has returned to training after recovering from injury but the manager says there are doubts over the fitness of both Allan Campbell and Carl McHugh for the match.

Motherwell must win at least two of their last three games before the split to stand a chance of making the top six in the Ladbrokes Premiership and Robinson says he’s not given up hope.

“There’s still a chance at the top six and until that’s gone we’ll be aiming for that,” he said. “All of our games coming up are winnable because we’ve beaten the teams before, so that’s what we have to aim for.”

One man who hasn’t caused many headaches for his manager this season is Trevor Carson.

The Northern Irish stopper has been a standout performer between the sticks this campaign and is relishing Saturday’s showdown with Rangers, just a week after making his international debut.

And the 30-year old faces another important spell ahead of him in claret and amber.

The Steelmen have three games to claim a spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership top six, starting with the lunchtime clash with Rangers on Saturday.

At the end of it all is a William Hill Scottish Cup semi final date with Aberdeen and the goalkeeper, who joined in the summer from Hartlepool United, says they are exactly the sort of occasions he moved to Scotland for.

“We are raring to go again,” said Carson. “I can’t wait for these games, I wish they were day after day.

“I can’t wait for the semi final and the fact it’s two weeks away, we are desperate to get at it.

“But they are all big games. We still have an outside chance of getting into the top six. Rangers is a massive game and we think it’s a winnable game for us.

“Our first league game of the season at home to Rangers. I know there was only nine or ten thousand here, but you don’t get that atmosphere in the lower leagues in England. It’s completely different.”

Tickets are available at the Fir Park ticket office.

Rangers supporters should contact their club for ticket information.

Kick off at Fir Park on Saturday is at 12.30pm.

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.

Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07428 225254 or tickets@mfcdsa.com.

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.

Stephen Robinson says the international break hasn’t derailed the momentum of his side ahead of the visit of Rangers on Saturday.

Motherwell went into the hiatus off the back of a 0-0 draw with league leaders Celtic, putting in a solid performance despite being reduced to ten men late in the first half.

Despite several players being away with their countries and a change to the training schedule, Robinson says he’s been able to maintain the standards and intensity that led up to the performance against Brendan Rodgers’ side.

“We’ve had a good week so we’re well prepared for the Rangers game,” said the manager.

“There’s been a bit of an edge in training and I’ve said it before but it’s never been a problem trying to motivate the boys, I have to actually hold them back sometimes.

[pullquote]”That’s because it’s competitive, but that’s what we want. We can’t be a competitive team on a Saturday and then from Monday to Friday not be.[/pullquote]

“They’ve trained really, really well, and I’ve got a few problems with selection as well which is good.”

Liam Grimshaw has returned to training after recovering from injury but the manager says there are doubts over the fitness of both Allan Campbell and Carl McHugh for the match.

Motherwell must win at least two of their last three games before the split to stand a chance of making the top six in the Ladbrokes Premiership and Robinson says he’s not given up hope.

“There’s still a chance at the top six and until that’s gone we’ll be aiming for that,” he said. “All of our games coming up are winnable because we’ve beaten the teams before, so that’s what we have to aim for.”

The referee for Saturday’s match against Rangers at Fir Park is Nick Walsh.

It marks the referee’s third ‘Well appointment of the 2017/18 campaign, after the 1-0 loss to Aberdeen back in September and the 1-1 draw against Patrick Thistle, both of which were played here at Fir Park.

The young official took charge of his very first Premiership game in the 2016/17 season, and his involvements with the Steelmen last term were his only involvements with the club in his career so far until this season.

Prior to that 1-0 loss against Aberdeen at Fir Park, ‘Well had a 100% record, albeit just in the two matches the official had taken charge of.

In the four games he has overseen, Walsh has handed out 20 yellow cards, 10 of those flashed at a player in claret and amber.

His assistants on Saturday are Dougie Potter and Mark McLean, with John Beaton on Fourth Official duties.

Motherwell come up against Rangers on Saturday as they keep pushing to make the Ladbrokes Premiership top six.

The Light Blues are themselves fighting to stay in title contention and travel to Fir Park looking to arrest a run of two defeats.

For Stephen Robinson’s men, the equation is simple. A win will keep them in contention to be in the top half come the split next Saturday.

It’s already been a season to remember so far. But it isn’t over yet. Come and support the team and push them over the line.

To buy, drop by the ticket office at Fir Park or call 01698 333333.

	Motherwell v Rangers
	Saturday, March 31, 2018
	12.30pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park ticket office

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.
• Away fans will be housed in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand.
• Motherwell fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Brian Davidson on 07428 225254 or tickets@mfcdsa.com. Fans must contact Brian by Wednesday night before the match.

Cédric Kipré made his debut at international level for the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, featuring in their Under 23s’ win over Togo.

The Motherwell defender played the last 10 minutes in the second half of the 5-0 victory for the Elephants.

Kipré has been with the Ivory Coast squad since Thursday, after travelling to their joint training camp between the full squad and Under 23s in Chantilly in France.

Tickets for Motherwell’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi final with Aberdeen are now on sale.

Season ticket holders and Well Society members are entitled to purchase first on an exclusive basis. Each individual can buy up to five tickets each.

The ticket office and Chapman office at Fir Park will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm for ticket sales. It will also be open from 10am until kick off, and for one hour after, at the match with Rangers on Saturday, March 31.

A public sale will start on Monday, April 2. The ticket office will be open on this day from 9am to 1pm. It will be open from 9am to 5pm the rest of the week and will also be open until kick off ahead of the match with Aberdeen on Tuesday, April 3.

The match at Hampden Park will be played on Saturday, April 14. Kick off is at 12.15pm.

Ticket information for the match is as follows:

William Hill South Stand and North Stand

£30 Adult / £15 Concessions

East Stand

£20 Adult / £10 Concessions

Concessions are regarded as those aged under 16 and those aged 65 and over.

Additional information

Telephone bookings will be taken. A £1 admin charge will be applied per telephone booking.

Delivery is available for any fan who cannot collect from us and who is not local. Tickets will be sent recorded delivery but the decision to have tickets posted is at the supporter’s risk and reprints will not be available. A £2.50 admin/postage charge will be added to each ticket, capped at £10.

Our singing section will be in areas F2 and F3 in the east stand.

Any fan requiring ambulant or wheelchair tickets should contact Brian Davidson on 07428225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Getting to Hampden

The club are operating a bus from the Cooper Bar on the day of the game. The bar will be open before departure for food and drink.

The bus, which will take supporters to and from Hampden Park, will cost £8. Supporters can buy by calling 01698 333333 or visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Semi final hospitality

Come and enjoy the day in style with our pre and post-match hospitality here at Fir Park.

For just £80, you can get:

• Your match ticket
• Hot breakfast roll
• Match programme
• Official bus to and from Hampden Park
• Pay bar facility at Fir Park
• Hot buffet served at Fir Park on your return

You can buy online or call to book on 01698 333333.

Trevor Carson made his long-awaited international debut on Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes in Northern Ireland’s win over South Korea.

The ‘Well goalkeeper impressed on his bow in Belfast, pulling off a number of important saves in the 2-1 win over the World Cup-bound side.

“It’s all a bit of a blur,” he told BBC Northern Ireland after the match. “I sat down after the game and it all sort of hit me.

“I enjoyed it. There were a couple of moments I just had to take it all in.

“Hopefully this is the start of it for me. I’ve had a taste of it and now I want more.”

Carson’s next opportunity to turn out for his nation will come at the end of the season, when Michael O’Neill’s side play friendlies against Panama and Costa Rica.