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Stephen Robinson says his players didn’t put in their usual performances as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Aberdeen. 

The Northern Irishman witnessed a couple of hard-fought showings against Rangers and Celtic, but that was lacking in the last of three consecutive games at Fir Park.

Reflecting on the last home game before the split, Robinson admitted his side didn’t offer much over the 90-minutes.

“It was a poor performance and to be honest it was a poor game,” he said. “The quality of it was obviously dictated to by the quality of the pitch with all the rain.

“I thought we started the second half well and it was our best period of play. We said at half time that if we take our chances from a set play and defend our box well, we could get something from the game.

“But it was Aberdeen that did that,” the manager added. “They scored from a set play from poor marking and it changed the whole momentum of the game. After that I don’t think we really offered anything.

“It was very unlike us tonight. In the games between us this season the team who has come out on top is the team that’s been the most physical.”

Richard Tait, Tom Aldred and Carl McHugh reflect on the 2-0 defeat to Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

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.