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Motherwell’s Ladbrokes Premiership match with Aberdeen has been postponed because of current weather conditions.

The Scottish Professional Football League has decided that all matches across the country should be cancelled, in the light of government, police and club advice.

“There has already been significant snowfall at and around Fir Park,” chief operating officer Alan Burrows said.

“The Scottish Government has an amber warning in place for most of the country, urging people not to travel.

“Given the current weather situation, the safety of fans who planned to travel to watch the match is paramount. Both clubs agreed an early decision was necessary for this reason.

“We have a duty of care to all – spectators, players and staff – to avoid any unnecessary travel related to this match.

“We are pleased that the SPFL have agreed and made the decision to cancel all games scheduled for Wednesday.”

Details on the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course.

The club offices and club shop will be closed on Wednesday and all community trust activities have been cancelled.

Skipper Carl McHugh is determined to see the Steelmen pick up another impressive victory over the Dons, as he closes in on 50 league games for the ‘Well.

Wednesday night’s game also has the chance to springboard ‘Well in to a crucial Scottish Cup quarter-final on Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a big week for us in the league and the cup, but we’re just focussing on Aberdeen first,” Carl said, as he spoke to the broadcast press.

[pullquote]It’s going to be a tough game for us and we’re very hopeful of pushing on in the next few games to push for that top six spot.[/pullquote]

“On the main, performances and results have been good since the winter break and as a squad we’re confident.

“We were disappointed with the result against Kilmarnock but thought our performance was good, then against Dundee we probably didn’t play all that well but we dug in, defended well and got a result.

“We’ll be aiming for the complete performance against Aberdeen and we’ll need to be ready and at our best on Wednesday night.”

Stephen Robinson reflected on his first full year as Motherwell manager when he spoke to the broadcast press.

And the Northern Irishman, who has enjoyed a hugely successful spell at the helm of the Steelmen, admitted he has enjoyed the challenges on a day-to-day basis at Fir Park.

“It’s a great football club and there are super people involved in it,” he said. “It’s probably as enjoyable as management gets – we’ve been reasonably successful in terms of the size of the football club and the budget.

“I’m enjoying it, it’s a challenge and there’s new challenges everyday but that’s something you know you have to meet when you take the job.”

He added: “It’s going to be a tough, tough game against Aberdeen. There was nothing in our games against them earlier this season, although people raved about our performance in the 3-0 win.

“There wasn’t a lot in it and we scored at the right times, but goals changed games and we took advantage in that particular game.”

It’s a big week for Motherwell on both league and cup fronts as Stephen Robinson’s men take on Aberdeen and Hearts at Fir Park.

The Dons are the first visitors on Wednesday, February 28. Kick off in the Ladbrokes Premiership match is at 7.45pm.

The Steelmen are still in the race for a top six spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership and, with five games to go before the split, are just one point behind Kilmarnock in sixth and three behind Hearts in fifth spot.

A win against the Dons would go a long way towards trying to leapfrog either side, with our team having already claimed victories in two of the three encounters against Derek McInnes’ side this season.

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.

Then on Sunday, it’s another huge fixture as Hearts come calling in the quarter finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

Motherwell are just one game away from yet another trip to Hampden Park this season and a place in the last four of the competition.

Having reached one cup final this season, your support could help push us a step closer towards another as we strive for new cup heroes.

Tickets can be purchased in advance and, if you’re a season ticket holder, your seat has been reserved for you to purchase. Just pop by the Fir Park ticket office to secure yours. Cash gates will also be in operation but we encourage all fans to try and buy in advance to minimise delays on the day.

Hearts supporters should contact their club for ticket information.

Kick off at Fir Park on Sunday is at 2.15pm.

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.

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.

Craig Tanner’s fourth goal in four games against Dundee secured all three points for the Steelmen.

Craig Tanner, Tom Aldred and Cédric Kipré speak after the 1-0 win away to Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Stephen Robinson praised the passion and commitment of his players as they picked up a crucial 1-0 victory away to Dundee.

Despite being pegged back for large periods of the game, the Steelmen defended resolutely for large periods of their Ladbrokes Premiership encounter.

Speaking at full time, the Northern Irishman expressed his delight as his side got themselves back to winning ways.

“If we want to be a top six side then that was a really important win for us,” he said. “But we can be better than that.

[pullquote]The resilience, organisation and character the boys showed for 90 minutes was excellent.[/pullquote]

“Dundee had a lot of the ball, they dominated possession in front of us without hurting us, similar to what we did to Killie last weekend.”

He added: “Our back five and Trevor Carson were outstanding, Carl McHugh as well.

“If I was a fan and I was travelling back down the road having seen that kind of passion and commitment – throwing themselves in front of the ball, winning headers and tackles – I’d be absolutely delighted.”

Lewis Irons at Dens Park

Motherwell returned to winning ways with a determined performance away to Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Craig Tanner’s fourth goal in four games against Neil McCann’s side proved to be the difference as ‘Well clung on to a 1-0 lead for over an hour.

And it was almost a mirror image of the Steelmen’s defeat to Kilmarnock, with Robinson’s men stepping up to deliver on his calls to be clinical in front of goal.

The Northern Irishman made two changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Killie, recalling Cédric Kipré following his suspension and bringing Allan Campbell back in to the midfield in place of Andy Rose.

The home side sent a warning shot wide of the post mid-way through the first half when Sofien Moussa side-footed across goal from a corner, but it flashed narrowly wide.

And almost immediately down the other end, Motherwell punished the hosts emphatically.

A terrific ball over the top from Carl McHugh released Curtis Main in behind the Dee back line, and the striker fizzed the ball across goal for Tanner, who made no mistake from inside the six-yard box.

Two glorious chances in two minutes were squandered by McCann’s men as ‘Well began to be put under serious pressure early in the second half.

First up was Genseric Kusunga in the 51^st minute, who blazed the ball high over the bar from eight yards when it broke kindly for the centre-back.

Two minutes later, Josk Meekings was afforded too much space from a corner and sent a downward header wide of the far post as Dundee piled forward in search of an equaliser.

Robinson responded to that pressure with the introduction of Ryan Bowman and Andy Rose in place of Nadir Çiftçi and Craig Tanner, and ‘Well’s determined showing raged on for the 30 minutes remaining.

A vicious Simon Murray effort from a tight angle forced a decent stop from Carson, but the Northern Irishman remained largely untested as the ten Steelmen in front of him stood up to the challenge. As always, the stopper showed his assured composure to collect a number of crosses from the home side.

It was a near complete away performance from Motherwell. Hard-fought, determined and, crucially, clinical.

Richard Tait is second top on the Ladbrokes Premiership assists chart this season.

But when the defender is asked to comment on that achievement so far, his response sums him up.

“I don’t pay attention to that,” he shrugged. “The only thing that bothers me is where Motherwell Football Club sit in the table. That’s it.”

Modest, selfless and with a sheer hunger to succeed, Tait epitomises the hard work and desire encouraged by manager Stephen Robinson.

And while he may have been deployed in a number of different positions this term, the Scot has been ever present for the side.

It is clear to see that there is a huge element of trust in the defender, who is equally adept going forward as he is defensively.

If that isn’t summed up by his two goals and six assists this season, you just need to watch the ground Tait covers on a weekly basis.

Up and down the right or left flank for 90 minutes must take its toll. But the 28-year-old, who works tirelessly on his fitness, thrives when he works hard.

“I have to be able to do that,” he says. “If I couldn’t run as much for 90 minutes then I doubt I’d be able to play for this team.

“We pride ourselves on our hard work. We put in everything for the manager and for each other. If you didn’t have that attitude, you wouldn’t be here very long.”

Don’t let that hard work fool you though. Tait isn’t just a pair of lungs. The defender has trained himself since a young age to ensure he is as two footed as possible.

“My Dad always made sure I’d work on both my right foot and my left foot,” the Galashiels-born lad said. “It’s paid off for me a bit I guess.

[pullquote]I pride myself on being able to defend first and foremost, but also create chances too.[/pullquote]

“So the fact that I’m not limited to using one foot plays a huge part in helping me go forward, and I try to use that to the best of my ability.”

In his second season with the club, Tait say he has enjoyed the relative success the club have had so far.

“I obviously still enjoyed myself last season. It was my first season in the Scottish Premiership and it was special for me, but obviously we’ve hit some heights this season that have been more memorable.

“Getting to Hampden twice and the cup run we’re on at the moment have been huge for us both on and off the pitch. You can see what it’s done for the fans and it’s done something similar in the dressing room too, we have a confidence.”

Ahead of some important fixtures coming up, particularly at home, Tait looked ahead to what’s coming up.

“We have some really big games coming up,” the defender said, “Hearts in the cup and then Rangers and Celtic before the split, it’s going to be important to go in to them with a bit of confidence.

“If that can build up some confidence among the supporters too, then that’s huge for us.”

Motherwell return to Dens Park for the second time in three weeks in a bid to pick up three important points in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Stephen Robinson’s side head in to the fixture on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Steve Clarke’s Killie, a first defeat at Fir Park since the turn of the year.

It will be the third trip to Dens Park this season, and Robinson will be keen to see his side maintain their strong record against Neil McCann’s side.

The Northern Irishman believes three points against Dundee could put his side back on track to push for the top six, but the manager admits the primary focus is to pick up the points required to remain in the top flight.

“We need to get back to winning ways,” he said. “We have a great chance on Saturday and if we can pick up the win, it’s game on again to push for the top six.

“First and foremost, we need to make sure we get the points we need to stay in the division though, after that, we can look up the way.

“We played Dundee recently and as Neil said afterwards, there wasn’t a lot in the game. Unlike Saturday against Killie, we took our chances against Dundee and that’s the story of football sometimes.”

[pullquote]Dundee play some good football, they get the ball down and play and they have some very good individuals who can win games. It’s going to be a tough game.[/pullquote]

The manager will be without Peter Hartley through injury, whilst Elliott Frear and Liam Grimshaw will be assessed ahead of Saturday’s game.

Ryan Bowman, Stephen Hendrie, Deimantas Petravicius and George Newell all featured for Stephen Craigan’s under 20s mid-week, and they too could make the squad.

For Craig Tanner, the prospect of facing Dundee could not have come around quick enough for the 23-year-old, who has scored in each of the past three clashes with the Dens Park side.

And ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Neil McCann’s side, the 23-year-old is eager to see the Steelmen return to winning ways.

Speaking to the broadcast press, Tanner reflected on his strong run of form against the Dark Blues, and spoke about the positive attitude around Stephen Robinson’s squad.

“I’ve got three goals in three games against Dundee which is nice personally,” the Englishman said. “But most important is that we go there and get the three points.

“It may be luck or maybe it’s fallen right for me on the day, but if it doesn’t fall for me on Saturday hopefully it falls for someone else.

“You can see in this division that anyone can beat anyone, so we’ll need to be on our toes and be ready with our game plan to hope that we succeed against them.”

	Dundee v Motherwell
	Saturday 24th February 2018
	3.00pm
	Dens Park
	Tickets available on the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

If you can’t make it along, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @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.