| 3 | Rangers | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 23 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | -4 | 18 |
| 7 | Dundee | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 15 |
Defender Ricki Lamie knows with cinch Premiership tight between all teams, that Motherwell must start picking up points.
Although performances have not always been an issue for the Steelmen, Lamie knows performances don’t get you points and that his side want to start looking up the table rather than down.
Motherwell returned to competitive action after a six week layoff with Kilmarnock visiting Fir Park for a festive cracker.
After a cagey start to the match, Motherwell began to take reigns and Kevin van Veen netted the opener with a superb finish from Blair Spittal’s pullback.
Motherwell looked to be home and hosed when Callum Slattery doubled their advantage on the hour mark before Alan Power seen red for a shocking tackle on Paul McGinn.
However, when the visitors went down to ten men, the game changed. For the worse.
A quickfire double from Kilmarnock, a Paul McGinn own goal and a Liam Polworth screamer, seen the game level and left Steven Hammell scratching his head as to how his side didn’t claim victory.
Our first away match in almost seven weeks is at Ibrox as Motherwell travel to take on Rangers on Wednesday 28 December.
Kick off is 7.45pm
Season ticket holders only will be able to buy online by clicking here. Supporters can also buy tickets by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park, which will re-open on Wednesday 28 December at 9am.
Ticket office opening times
Monday 26 December: Closed
Tuesday 27 December: Closed
Wednesday 28 Decembe: 9am – 5pm
Ticket Prices
| Govan West Corner | |
| Adults | £31 |
| Concessions | £24 |
| Junior | £10 |
If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.
Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.
The Steelmen drew both games at Ibrox last season but come up against a Rangers side who have yet to taste defeat at home in the league.
Despite being two goals and a man up, ‘Well could only take a point against Kilmarnock last Friday. Steven Hammell’s men will be looking to their decent away form into Wednesday night’s game as the search for three points continues.
Michael Beale has made an undefeated start to his Rangers management career, coming from behind to beat Hibs and Aberdeen, and beating Ross County 1-0 on Saturday.
Match Officials
“The three minute period where we conceded two goals was unacceptable.
“This was a game we should have won.”
Motherwell gifted Kilmarnock a Christmas bonus when they allowed the 10-man Ayrshire side to recover from two goals down to hit a quick double and claim a share of the points.
One ahead at the break thanks to Kevin van Veen’s 8th league goal of the season, Callum Slattery’s second on the hour had the Fir Park men side comfortably in control. When Alan Power was sent off with 23 minutes remaining ‘Steven Hammell’s men looked on course for their first home league win since August.
However, Paul McGinn’s own goal and Liam Polworth’s stunning equaliser presented Kilmarnock with a point that should have been beyond them.
McGinn returned from injury to find himself partnering Ricki Lamie at the centre of the defence.
It was a pretty untidy opening 20 minutes as both team scrapped to get a foothold on the game.
The first threat on either ‘keeper found Sam Walker parrying Stuart McKinstry’s firmly struck angled drive narrowly beyond his far post.
The Killie defence remained under pressure from the resultant corner and McKinstry’s cut back found Stephen O’Donnell scooping the towards goal only to be blocked by Joe Wright.
It was third time lucky after 22 minutes. This time Blair Spittal provided the cut back and Van Veen from eight yards prodded ball high past Walker to open the scoring.
That sparked a renewed confidence in the Steelmen and some crisp passing opened up the visitors defence on a number of occasions before the interval.
Firstly, McKinstry won the ball in the Killie half before playing in Van Veen on the edge of the box but on his weaker left foot his shot was blocked by former team mate Liam Donnelly.
Then seven minutes from the break Spittal passed up the first of two great openings. Callum Slattery with a quick change of feet on the half-way line evaded his marker before sliding a terrific pass into Spittal but after working his way to the edge of his box his effort was blocked.
The former Ross County midfielder had the final chance of the half. This time McKinstry had wonderful vision and a reverse pass to open up the Killie defence but although Spittal was completely unmarked he could only fire his effort straight at the ‘keeper.
Motherwell’s domination should have produced more goals and they were almost punished for their poor finishing as the Rugby Park men squandered their first chance within two minutes of the restart.
A sweeping move upfield ended with the ball being played across the box to the unmarked Jordan Jones but his weak shot was easily held by Liam Kelly.
A minute later ‘Well might have been two ahead when Wright came close to diverting Shields’ fierce drive across the six-yard box past his own ‘keeper.
Derek McInnes’ men looked more determined and threatening in the opening spell of the second half until they conceded a crucial second goal.
Just short of the hour mark Referee John Beaton infuriated the Fir Park fans when he booked Matthew Penny after a tussle with Alan Power.
Within a minute the jeers had turned to cheers as ‘Well doubled their lead. Van Veen won the race to a loose ball 40 yards from goal and advanced towards the box before curling a low effort which Walker at full length beat away to his left.
As Slattery and Shields raced towards the loose ball, the former pushed his team-mate out of the way before twisting and directing the ball back across goal and into the net off the far post.
The Ayrshire side’s task became even more difficult after 67 when Power was shown a straight red card after lunging into a tackle with McGinn.
Five minutes later, though, Kilmarnock were back in the game when Danny Armstrong whipped in a cross which glanced off McGinn’s head to send the ball high beyond Kelly’s reach.
Worse was to follow for ‘Well as ten man Killie grabbed a sensational equaliser two minutes later. And to make matters worse for the home side it came from a former Steelman.
When Liam Polworth collected the ball fully 35 yards from Kelly’s goal, there appeared to be little threat until the former Ross County man unleashed a phenomenal drive which screeched into the keeper’s top left corner to level the scores with 15 minutes remaining.
Suddenly, the Kilmarnock fans in the Tommy McLean stand were in full voice and anticipating a winning goal from their depleted side.
Despite pressing Killie deep into their own half for the final ten minutes, ‘Well couldn’t find a winner as their dismal home form continued.
Ross Tierney perhaps has slightly more on his plate than the average 21-year-old.
The attacking midfielder is ending his first full year in ML1 shortly and it’s been as busy off the field as it has been on it. After a gutting FAI Cup final defeat with Bohemians, he packed his bags and headed over the water for his first crack at full-time football.
With him came his two children and girlfriend, so it was more than just adapting to life in claret and amber that Tierney had to get used to when arriving in Motherwell.
A happy home equals a happy life according to the midfielder, and he’s just glad that his young family are now settled in the area as Christmas time approaches.
“I was only looking back at some memories the other day,” he explained.
“It was the 28th of November last year we played in the cup final, so it brought back a few memories that I had coming over here 12 months ago.
It’s been enjoyable since then. It’s weird as, not that I feel new around the place, maybe with the fans and stuff I still feel new as I haven’t played as much as I would like to.
“I came over and obviously it was difficult with two kids and my girlfriend, but on the flipside, I am never lonely here. You have someone like Robbie Mahon who’s come in from Ireland.
“Not that he’s struggled or anything and not that he is homesick, but he’d perhaps get a bit lonelier than me because I can come home if I have a bad day and put a smile on my face just by looking at my kids.
“So it’s pros and cons. It can be difficult but I’d say it’s more difficult for my girlfriend than me but she’s settled in and made friends. My little lad has started nursery so he is all settled. It’s all good on the family perspective, I just hope things can get better on the pitch.
“I had my first one when I was 18 so I had to mature quite young. I’ve always had a mature head on me compared to other lads my age. I was young so it was difficult but I have a lot of nieces and nephews, so it took a little bit of the limelight off me!
“When I am outside the house I am a bit more giddy as when I’m in the house, I have to be a bit more mature in front of the kids and stuff. It had its pros and cons coming over here with two kids and a girlfriend but we’re happy.”
A busy festive period awaits Tierney and his team-mates as they play three times between 17 December and 2 January, and it’s perhaps a hidden sacrifice that some don’t get to see from their heroes.
It’ll be the first time the Republic of Ireland youth international has been away from home over the holidays, and with just his mum and dad at home now, it’s best for him not to dwell on that as big games approach.
But there’s an understanding within the family though that long-term, it will pay dividends for them if he continues to put in the hard work that earned him a three-and-a-half-year contract at Fir Park last season.
“This is my first Christmas away from home and it hasn’t really kicked in yet,” Tierney explained.
“I am putting that to the back of my head so I don’t get too upset but I think my mum and dad would be more upset than I’d be.
“It’s missing out on their grandkids and their kid. I am the youngest sibling and I was the last one to leave home. Now it’s just my mum and dad left in the house on Christmas day, which will be a bit upsetting for me but they fully understand.
“They want me to do the best I can for my football career and hopefully I am able to repay them for all the things that they have done for me, throughout my life.
“People really don’t see the sacrifices we make and we might get a bit of abuse for all the money the top earners get. But they don’t see the sacrifices even guys at the World Cup are making, so it’s not an easy role in football.
“There are so many highs and lows and there’s so many games this season around Christmas. Our game has been moved to the 23rd from the 24th which is an added bonus.”
In the meantime, there’s been plenty of preparation work done to get Steven Hammell’s side ready for the next phase of the season, which Tierney hopes to be more involved with.
He’d aimed to have featured more than he has, but goals against the likes of Celtic and Rangers show him he’s more than capable of mixing it when given the chance. Even if that means incurring some stern looks from one parent.
“My dad wasn’t happy with that one as he said it was lucky that it was 2-1 to Celtic, as I wasn’t getting back to the house!,” Tierney jokes.
“I think my mum was happier than my dad.
“I haven’t scored as much as I would like but I also haven’t been on the pitch as much as I would like. I’ve scored against Celtic and Rangers and not many people can say that.
“I can’t celebrate too much as we haven’t got the results we liked in those matches. I know I can score but it’s just getting confidence.”
Like the rest of his peers, the playmaker has been getting used to a new style of play under Hammell, which is proving a culture shift from what they were used to under previous boss Graham Alexander.
His initial briefing on his role at Motherwell took on a different look than the one he was initially sold but Tierney says he has been enjoying life all the same in North Lanarkshire.
A friendly with Premier League big hitters Tottenham Hotspur helped them get warmed up for a run of games that should have included home ties with St Mirren and Kilmarnock, on top of tough trips to Rangers and Livingston.
Injuries and a tricky run of matches have taken their toll at points but the goal from last season remains the same for the number 26. He wants to build on his 30 appearances in claret and amber to date, on top of helping the club for a push towards top-six placement and a crack at European football.
“I am looking forward to getting back into the run of games,” the former Bohs man added.
“The gaffer didn’t have much time at the start of the season and we don’t have a big squad, but it’s the hand we were dealt.
“The break came at a good time and we had a lot of injuries and away games. Hopefully we can take it game by game and the manager is trying to play a different way to the old gaffer, so it is going to take time.
“Hopefully after January I can get a good run of games now and the family have settled in now so that is all good. I knew I had a long-term contract but I wanted to hit the ground running here as soon as possible.
“I sort of half did that, but not as much as I would have liked to. I knew I was a few steps behind the lads in terms of full-time football and all of that. I am still working towards that but I think I am catching up on a few of the lads now.
“I knew under the last manager I wasn’t going to play much in terms of a lot of game time, as I came in late in the season so I had to get used to being full-time. This year obviously, it didn’t start well for us and we haven’t had a great run of results.
“In fairness when I spoke to the old gaffer initially, the things he had planned for me were a bit different to when I came in to be honest. Every manager that wants to sign you gives you everything under the sun but then maybe when you come in, it’s a bit different.
“But that was my first test of coming into full-time football, and I am really enjoying my time here at Motherwell. Hopefully we can get European football again.”
Scott Fox has left the club by mutual agreement.
The 35-year-old signed for the Steelmen back in the summer of 2020, but never featured in a competitive first-team match whilst at Fir Park.
He spent part of this season on loan at Queen of the South, but was recalled due to a lack of game time.
He has now agreed a release that will allow him to search for a new club when the January transfer window opens.
Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to thank Scott for his contribution whilst with the club and wish him every success with his future career.
Steven Hammell says his side were prepared and therefore frustrated when their return to cinch Premiership action was delayed due to stadium damage last weekend.
With Fir Park repaired, the manager knows his side need to improve their results at home and are looking to start the second half of this season in the right fashion tomorrow night.
Sean Goss insists the Motherwell team enjoyed a short break from cinch Premiership action but are now relishing the opportunity to pick up three points as they get their season back underway.
The midfielder knows how tight the table is and if Motherwell can string some wins together, it would go a long way in improving their position in the table.
Our cinch Premiership match against Hearts has been moved back 24 hours to Sunday 19 February.
Kick off is 12pm.
The match was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday 18 February but has been moved as it will now be shown live on Sky Sports.
