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Charles Dunne settled in to life at Fir Park with ease in his debut campaign with the Steelmen.

The Irishman has been a virtual ever-present for the Steelmen both as a left-sided central defender and, on occasion, at left back.

And now, with the 2018/19 campaign on the horizon, the 25-year-old is raring to get back in to action in the ‘Well back line.

“There isn’t much time to relax really,” the defender admitted. “It’s nice to get some down time and see family and friends, but I’ve made sure to keep on top of things and work hard so that I’m as prepared as possible for when we get back.”

The players return for pre-season training in just over a week, and just three weeks after travelling to Hampden for the Scottish Cup final.

With so much to build on from the 2017/18 season, Charles insists there is more to come from the current crop of players.

He said: “We’re all on the same boat. We’re desperate to kick on from where we left off just a few weeks ago and we’re also excited to properly meet and settle in with the new lads.

“The manager has encouraged us all to pick up our work rate ahead of getting back in to training so that we can hit the ground running and not fall behind in our preparations.”

The Premiership fixtures are announced on Friday and the Irishman is excited to see what awaits the club in the coming campaign.

He said: “We’ll all be waiting patiently to see what is to come on Friday. Once we see the fixtures we can start to focus on the campaign ahead.

“We’ve got the Bettered Cup before we get back in to the league, and we’re hungry to try and go one step further than last season.”

Motherwell FC can confirm the signing of Hartlepool United defender Liam Donnelly.

The 22-year-old Northern Ireland international centre back has signed an initial two-year contract, subject to the usual registration formalities, with the club paying an undisclosed fee for his services.

“As soon as I knew the interest from Motherwell, I was delighted,” Donnelly said.

“It’s a massive club. How well the club did last season was unbelievable and I want to kick on with the lads this year and hopefully improve on it.

“I’ve worked with the manager with Northern Ireland since I was quite young. So there were a lot of factors in why I’ve decided to come here.

“There’s a good bit of aggression involved in my play. But I like to play and have the ball. I defend properly when I need to defend but I can hopefully play a bit as well.”

Donnelly started his career with local side Dungannon Swifts, before earning a move to English side Fulham.

He captained the Cottagers to the 2013/14 FA Youth Cup final, where his side, which included current Celtic striker Moussa Dembélé, lost to Chelsea.

It was around the same time Liam made his full international debut, coming on as a late substitute against Chile in the Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander to win his one and only cap.

Donnelly got his first taste of first team football in England with a brief loan spell with Crawley Town in 2015, before moving to Hartlepool United in the summer of 2016.

He spent two years with Pools, the first playing alongside current ‘Well stopper Trevor Carson, notching over 60 games and scoring on three occasions.

He has continued to play regularly for the Northern Ireland Under 21s, where he now has 20 caps and four goals to his name.

“Liam was a target of ours from when we started our summer recruitment, so we’re delighted to have landed him,” said manager Robinson.

“I’ve worked before with Liam at youth international level with Northern Ireland, so I’ve first hand experience of what we’re getting. He will fit in well here and further strenghten our central defensive options.”

Donnelly will wear shirt number 22 in the forthcoming campaign.

Allan Campbell played 82 minutes as Scotland lost 3-1 to England in the semi final of the 2018 Toulon Tournament.

Having defeated France and South Korea in the group stage, the young Scots advanced to the last four of the prestigious competition and landed a clash with the Auld Enemy.

Celtic’s Mikey Johnston gave Scotland the lead in the first half in France. But England stepped up a gear in the second, turning the game around and running out clear winners.

A fixture against Turkey in the third place playoff will round off Scotland’s campaign on Saturday.

Motherwell will play three public matches as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2018/19 campaign.

Stephen Robinson’s side will start with a trip to face Crusaders in Belfast on 30 June.

The team will travel to take part in the testimonial for Jordan Owens. The 28-year-old striker has been with the club for the last 10 years and is also their leading all-time goal scorer.

Kick off against the team taking part in this year’s UEFA Champions League qualifiers is at 1pm at the Seaview ground.

The team will then be back on their travels with a trip to face Darlington on Sunday, 8 July.

Ryan Bowman and Curtis Main will come up against their former side, who ply their trade in the National League. Kick off at Blackwell Meadows is at 1pm.

A final match with Dunfermline Athletic will then follow on Thursday, 12 July at East End Park with a 7.30pm kick off. Tickets will be available on the gate priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.

A local game will also take place on 3 July but is likely to be played behind closed doors unless a neutral venue can be found. Confirmation will follow shortly.

We are then in competitive action at home to Edinburgh City on Tuesday, 17 July in the Betfred Cup group stage.

MOTHERWELL’S CONFIRMED PRE-SEASON GAMES

Saturday, 30 June: Crusaders (A), Seaview, Belfast. Kick off 1pm

Sunday, 8 July: Darlington (A), Blackwell Meadows. Kick off 2pm

Thursday, 12 July: Dunfermline Athletic (A), East End Park. Kick off 7.30pm.

Motherwell FC have made their first signing of the summer transfer window, agreeing a two-year contract with goalkeeper Mark Gillespie.

The 26-year-old moves to Fir Park from English League One side Walsall, in a career which has also seen him on the books of Newcastle United and Carlisle United.

His move will become official when the Scottish transfer window opens on June 9.

Gillespie, who will wear the number 20 shirt this season, has amassed 205 professional appearances in his career to date and makes the switch north after one season with the Saddlers.

“I’m excited to get going here,” he said. “I spoke to Stephen Robinson, Martin Foyle and Craig Hinchliffe and just got a good feeling about it. They made me feel wanted to be part of the project they’ve got going on here.

“I’m here to work hard, improve and play in good games in a good league.

“The main feedback I’ve got coming here is there is a good spirit in the dressing room, so I want to get involved, be part of the squad and look to push on from what they achieved last season.”

Gillespie was on the books at Newcastle United as a youngster before signing his first professional contract at Carlisle United.

At the age of 18, he became the club’s youngest-ever goalkeeper when he made a substitute appearance against Norwich City.

A loan spell with Blyth Spartans followed, before he started to establish himself in Leagues One and Two with Carlisle.

Gillespie shot to fame with his performance in a League Cup game with Liverpool in 2015, keeping a star-studded Reds side at bay all the way to a penalty shootout, where he saved from Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana.

After 180 games with the Cumbrians, he stepped up a division to League One for the 2017/18 season with Walsall, making 25 appearances.

“We are delighted to have landed Mark,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the signing.

“He has played a lot of games at a good level in England, so comes here with a lot of experience and will provide excellent competition in goals.”

Motherwell will start their Betfred Cup campaign with a home match against Edinburgh City on Tuesday, 17 July.

The Steelmen, beaten finalists in the 2017/18 competition, will sit out the first day of group stage action on 14 July.

A trip to Stranraer will follow on Saturday, 21 July, before Queen of the South are visitors to Fir Park on Tuesday, 24 July.

The final match of the group stage away to Clyde on Saturday, 28 July will be broadcast live on BT Sport.

As was the case in the previous two seasons, group stage matches will be played in the traditional format of three points for the winner after 90 minutes.

In the event of a draw, both teams will be awarded a point but a bonus point will be on offer for the winner of a penalty shootout at the end of 90 minutes of play.

The group winners and four best runners up will then progress to the last 16, where they will be joined by Aberdeen, Celtic, Hibernian and Rangers.

This season’s final will be played on Sunday, 2 December.

BETFRED CUP FIXTURES

Tuesday, 17 July: Edinburgh City (H), 7.45pm

Saturday, 21 July: Stranraer (A), 3pm

Tuesday, 24 July: Queen of the South (H), 7.45pm

Saturday, 28 July: Clyde (A), 3pm, live on BT Sport

Chris Cadden earned his second Scotland cap on Sunday morning in the team’s 1-0 defeat in Mexico.

The Motherwell man was given a 35-minute run out by manager Alex McLeish, giving him the chance to stake his claim for the forthcoming Nation’s League matches.

Giovani Dos Santos’ strike early in the first half was enough for the hosts in front of 71,000 at the Azteca Stadium.

Cadden had a chance to make it an even more memorable trip with 10 minutes left on the clock, but his shot from outside the area was saved.

Allan Campbell was again in the starting team as Scotland Under 21s recorded a 2-1 win over South Korea at the Toulon Tournament.

The Motherwell midfield regular played his third consecutive match at the tournament as the young Scots followed up their win over France in midweek.

Chelsea’s Billy Gilmour and West Bromwich Albion winger Oliver Burke were on the scoresheet in the victory against the Koreans.

Campbell’s club team mate Chris Cadden will also hope to pull on the dark blue jersey this weekend, as the men’s senior A squad take on Mexico at 1am UK time on Sunday.

It’s been a season to remember for Chris Cadden.

Appearing in two national cup finals and representing his country at under 21 level are achievements to be proud of for the young Scot.

But in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the boy from Bellshill arguably topped the lot.

Trailing 2-0 against Peru, Scotland boss Alex McLeish called on Cadden to replace Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean.

And as he entered the fray with around five minutes remaining in the heat of Lima, it marked a memorable day for Chris, his family, and Motherwell Football Club too.

No player has appeared in Scotland colours whilst plying their trade at Fir Park since Steven Saunders in 2010.

[pullquote]To have travelled with the first team, got some valuable experience out here in Lima and then to have got my first cap was brilliant.[/pullquote]

And Chris, reflecting on a first cap for his country, said: “It’s obviously a moment I’ll never forget. It’s something that my family and I are extremely proud of and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity.

“The scoreline was obviously not what we would have wanted, but to have travelled with the first team, got some valuable experience out here in Lima and then to have got my first cap was brilliant.”

A proud Scot and a humble man, Chris is equally thrilled by earning his first cap, as much as he is hungry for more.

“It’s something I want to build on,” he explained. “Getting that experience and being around the group has made me determined to build on things from here.”

Off the pitch, Motherwell’s number seven has barely had a rest, with his phone being bombarded with messages.

“There’s been a few messages that’s for sure,” the midfielder joked, “but no, in all honesty it’s great hearing all the kind words from friends and family and it just makes it sink in a bit more to be honest.”

There’s an immediate opportunity for the youngster to follow up on his first cap, with Scotland back in action on Sunday as they take on Mexico.

Trevor Carson played his part in Northern Ireland keeping a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw away to Panama.

The Motherwell goalkeeper played the first 45 minutes in Panama City, in what was his second appearance for his country.

Carson will be in contention to feature again for his country when they play Costa Rica in San Jose on Sunday.