Motherwell return to Hampden Park on Saturday looking to grab the chance of a shot at creating new heroes.
Nobody needs reminding of the 27-year wait for a major trophy our club has endured. The William Hill Scottish Cup semi final presents an opportunity to take one step closer to bringing glory back to our town.
After an intense week of training, only long-term absentees Peter Hartley and Craig Tanner will be out of selection contention for Stephen Robinson’s side.
Kick off at the National Stadium is at 12.15pm.
Opponents Aberdeen have waited one year longer than the Steelmen to get their hands on the Scottish Cup trophy again and have been involved in some epic battles against the ‘Well in the 2017/18 campaign, with both sides now sitting on two wins apiece from four fixtures.
The manager knows what is on offer for his side and has wasted no time in reminding them of their opportunity to become club legends.
“It would be a massive achievement for us if we were able to overcome Aberdeen and reach another final,” he said.
“We’re well aware it’s going to be a tough game. Aberdeen will be thinking the same as us, but it gives us massive incentive.
“We’ve been lucky enough that we’ve had one cup run that we were unfortunate in the final, now we have given ourselves another massive opportunity to reach a final.
What has been a relatively good season could turn out to be an incredible season. We have an opportunity to do that by reaching the final.”
Richard Tait has been one of the most consistent performers in claret and amber this season.
But the defender believes no one is guaranteed a spot in Stephen Robinson’s starting 11 for the trip to Hampden on Saturday.
“Everyones raring to go,” he said. “We came in to train on Tuesday and everyone was firing and fighting for their place in the team.”
Having failed to make it to Hampden Park in over six years, Saturday’s last four clash with Aberdeen comes just five months after November’s Betfred Cup final.
Falling short on that occasion against Celtic has only added fuel to the fire for the Steelmen.
“We’re motivated to go one step further. The last time we were at Hampden will help us this time around.
“We know what is expected of us and we know what we need to do to try and progress to the final.
“It is easy to get motivated. We know what’s at stake and we know what could happen if we were to get to the final and then possibly go on to win it.
“Your name would be immortalised and the fans would speak your name for the rest of your career and past that.”
The ticket office is open at Fir Park from 9am to 10:30am. There will be no sales at Hampden Park.
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.
Getting to Hampden
Our bars at Fir Park will be open from 9.30am on the day of the game and are fully licensed to sell alcohol from this time. Buses will leave at 10:45am.
Information to Supporters
- – Motherwell supporters should use trains to Kings Park
- – Supporters travelling by car should use the same route and utilise on street parking at the east end of the stadium
- – On street parking is controlled by an Event Day Parking traffic regulation order. Parking restrictions are indicated by way of road markings and road signs. On street parking should only be utilised out with restricted areas as a tow-away scheme is in operation for illegally parked vehicles.
- – As a result of the Event Day parking restrictions, there is limited parking available in the vicinity of the stadium. Supporters are encouraged to travel via public transport where possible.
- – There will be a zero tolerance approach to alcohol on buses with increased checking by police
Unacceptable Conduct at Hampden Park
The Scottish FA will not tolerate Unacceptable Conduct at a match at Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park or at away stadia hosting matches of the Scottish FA. The following information provides notice of what amounts to Unacceptable Conduct and the sanctions which the Scottish FA may seek to impose upon those individuals who commit Unacceptable Conduct.
This statement of Unacceptable Conduct should at all times be read in conjunction with the terms of the Ground Regulations.
Unacceptable Conduct takes place where a person present at or in the immediate environs of a match engages in violent conduct and/or disorderly conduct. A person will also commit Unacceptable Conduct if at or in the immediate environs of a match, they assist another or others engaged in violent conduct and/or disorderly conduct.
Violent conduct means conduct where there is: (i) actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons; or (ii) intentional damage to property.
Disorderly conduct means: (i) conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards a group of persons based on their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to a category or against an individual who is or is presumed to be, by the person or persons engaged in the conduct, to be a member of such group; (ii) using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or conduct; (iii) displaying any writing or other thing which is threatening, abusive or insulting; or (iv) using words or conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000 and any successive or replacement legislation thereto.
Any person committing Unacceptable Conduct and/or any person who assists another or others to commit unacceptable conduct may be subject to any or a combination of the following:
- refusal of entry to the stadium
- removal from the stadium
- suspension from attending matches of the Scottish FA
- indefinite ban from attending matches of the Scottish FA
- be the subject of a report to Police Scotland and/or any prosecuting authorities which may result in possible criminal proceedings
Please note that all banners will be subject to scrutiny at the turnstiles.
If you can’t make it along, you can follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC. The game is also live on BBC Scotland and Sky Sports.
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.
