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“This was our biggest game of the season so far. I thought the boys responded really well.”

Manager Steven Hammell has taken the positives from the narrow defeat to Celtic last time out in the cinch Premiership but says he is still disappointed about the defeat.

With a quick turnaround to their next game against Ross County, the boss is happy with the performances but knows his side needs to start being clinical in front of goal and making the most of the big moments in the games.

Striker Kevin van Veen remains upbeat ahead of Motherwell’s cinch Premiership match against Ross County.

Despite not picking a win in their last three games, the Dutchman knows the performances are there and if they can find an eye for goal, he reckons the results will quickly follow.

It’s a journey north to the Highlands as the Steelmen take on the Staggies at the Global Energy Stadium

Kick off is 7.45pm, Tuesday 04 October.

Tickets are available to purchase online now by clicking here.

Ticket prices:

Important Information

• To purchase ambulant & carer tickets, at a cost of £12, please contact the Fir Park ticket office on 01698 333 333.
• Concession prices apply to those who are aged 65 and over and young adults aged between 18-21.

How to Follow the Game Online

PPV and virtual season tickets options are not available for cinch Premiership matches this season. This is the case for all cinch Premiership clubs.

There will be live commentary for those in the UK, available at live.motherwellfc.co.uk

The story of the match

Steven Hammell’s men will be heartened by recent performances but will be looking to make their chances count, following three games without a win.

County started the season with in fine form in the Premier Sports Cup but have found league points hard to come by. They go into this game with one win, and have failed to win at home in the last three attempts.

‘Well fans will have fond memories of the last trip to Dingwall. Kevin van Veen’s penalty sealed a big three points which proved vital in securing fifth place and European football last season.

Match officials

We had six in action on loan up and down the country this weekend.

Max Johnston

Max Johnston got his first start for Cove Rangers as they took on Arbroath at the Balmoral Stadium.

The full back played the full 90 minutes and Cove came away with a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Scott Fox and David Devine

As he has quickly established himself as number one at Queen of the South, Scott Fox lined up against Motherwell teammate David Devine as Queen’s faced Alloa.

Scott Fox played the full 90 minutes,

With both sides mid table in League one, three points could have boosted either team into a play off position however it would be former Motherwell man Ross MacIver who netted a late equaliser for Alloa, with the game finishing 1-1.

Playing 60 minutes for the Motherwell development side against Ayr United midweek, David Devine got another 90 minutes in the bag.

Robbie Mahon

Joining Dunfermline on Friday, Robbie Mahon went straight into the squad for Dunfermline Athletic as they took on Peterhead at home.

Named on the bench, Mahon was subbed on in the 78th minute with Dunfermline 1-0 ahead. Dunfermline would double their lead with Mahon on the pitch but a late Peterhead comeback meant the game finished 2-2.

Ewan Wilson

Also signing on the loan deadline on Friday, Wilson went straight into Albion Rovers’ starting eleven to take on Stranraer.

The full back would get 67 minutes on the pitch with Stranraer claiming all three points with a 2-1 victory.

Logan Dunachie

Logan Dunachie was once again in the starting lineup for East Kilbride against Caledonian Braves.

The towering centre back got an assist for Kilby’s first goal in the 2-2 draw with Braves.

Corey O’Donnell

Corey O’Donnell didn’t feature for Bonnyrigg Rose as the winger steps up his recovery.

A brave, positive display from Motherwell wasn’t enough to earn them a share of the points, as 10 man Celtic, uncharacteristically, were left hanging on to their slender lead.

Motherwell were hoping to end a barren run of 24 games without a win against Celtic. The sight of Louis Moult returning to Celtic Park, where he grabbed both goals when they won 2-1 in December 2015, was a good omen.

By the time the striker came off the bench with 22 minutes remaining, though, ‘Well were trailing 2-1 to goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate. But Josip Juranovic’s first half own goal in first half not only brought the Fir Park men an unexpected equaliser but a belief they could take something from the game.

When Callum McGregor’s red card reduced Celtic to ten men for the final eight minutes, Motherwell had the opportunity to force an equaliser but in the end the efforts fell just short.

Steven Hammell was forced into a couple of changes and looking to expose the gap in the centre of the Celtic defence with both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt missing.

Joe Efford’s injury allowed Connor Shields to partner Kevin van Veen up front.

And Hammell’s positive approach was evident from the start as the Fir Park men kept Celtic pinned in their own penalty box for the first couple of minutes.

Sadly, after that Celtic forced the play and with ‘Well having to defend deep into their own half Kyogo Furuhashi’s tame shot gave Liam Kelly his first save of the afternoon.

The crosses from the Celtic flanks started to pepper Kelly’s goal and after 15 minutes the ‘Well ‘keeper produced a superb save to block Matt O’Riley’s powerful header, but Kyogo followed up to thump the ball into the net and put the home side one up.

For all their possession around the visitor’s box the Steelmen could have equalised after 28 minutes.

Paul McGinn’s cross from the right floated over Cornelius and bounced past a surprised Maguire, where, from eight yards in front of goal any touch would have threatened Joe Hart.

Motherwell almost paid for that miss in the 33rd minute when Josip Juranovic’s ferocious free kick left Kelly helpless only for the ball to crash back off the ‘keeper’s crossbar.

The Celtic full back knew his luck was out three minutes later when his own goal levelled the scores.

It started with a great piece of work from Matt Penney allowed Shields to cut into the box and drive a shot towards goal which Hart beat away for a corner.

When Sean Goss corner was only partially cleared, Blair Spittal hoisted the ball back into a packed box. Juranovic looked assured as he chested the ball back towards his ‘keeper only to watch Hart make a vain attempt to prevent the ball rolling over the Celtic goal line.

As the home fans were stunned into silence another corner from Goss caused concern in a nervous looking Celtic.

Two minutes from the break, though, Celtic came close to restoring their lead. Hatate made space 25 yards from goal and after his terrific drive rebounded from Kelly’s left hand post, Kyogo stooped to head the rebound into the net.

However, the assistant referee’s raised flag for offside ensured that the first half ended all square.

Motherwell should have ended that parity just three minutes after the break when another Goss corner whizzed across the six-yard line with three of his team mates unable to produce the killer touch.

The Fir Park men passed up another chance after 52 minutes. A deep free kick from Penney found Hart racing from his line and into a ruck of players in an attempt to punch the ball clear. As the Celtic ‘keeper slumped to the ground Van Veen could only hoist the loose ball over a packed box and the unguarded goal.

As the hour mark approached it was end to stuff as a drive from Juranovic dipped over Kelly’s bar before Hart outjumped Spittal to hold Shields’ tempting cross.

Three minutes later, though, Celtic were back in front when another stunning strike from Hatate screamed past the diving Kelly.

With 68 minutes played and Motherwell still very much in the game, Hammell made a double substitution, Stuart McKinstry and Louis Moult replacing Cornelius and Van Veen, who had just landed heavily on his shoulder.

Fifteen minutes from time a wonderful save from Kelly, nicking the ball of Kyogo’s toes when he looked certain to make it 3-1 kept ‘Well’s hopes alive.

Three minutes later the Fir Park men should have grabbed the equaliser. Maguire’s long throw found McKinstry eight yards from goal but he mistimed his attempt and the chance was gone.

As the game moved into the final five minutes and Celtic looking increasingly nervous Maguire’s 30 yard drive skimmed across the turf forcing Hart to get low down to his left to save.

The tension in the Celtic Park stands mounted two minutes from the end of normal time when Ross Tierney latched onto Maguire’s through ball only to be hauled back by McGregor. John Beaton had no hesitation in showing the Celtic captain a red card but they escaped further punishment when Penney’s effort from the resultant free kick sailed high over Hart’s crossbar.

‘Well were given five added minutes to use their one man advantage as the home fans screamed for the final whistle but couldn’t create an opening as the home side held out for a narrow win.

Irish winger Robbie Mahon has joined League One side Dunfermline Athletic on loan for the rest of the season.

The promising nineteen-year-old arrived from Irish club Bohemians back in March having played five first-team matches for Bohs.

He made his Motherwell debut against St Johnstone earlier in the season, but will now join Pars to gain valuable first-team experience.

“We have very high hopes for Robbie and see this loan as part of readying him to compete for a spot in our starting eleven,” said boss Stevie Hammell.

“He’s an exciting, attacking player with a good attitude to both training and matches.

“We think sending him to a club like Dunfermline, playing under the pressure of winning every game and the League One title, will add to his game and give him vital exposure to the challenges and rigours of weekly first-team football.

“We will monitor him closely and wish him every success at East End Park.”

Steven Hammell says his side will have to be clinical when their chances come against Celtic in the cinch Premiership.

The manager knows how good Celtic are and is aware of the tough task that is ahead but insists his team can cause a major upset.

September player of the month Matt Penney has enjoyed his time at Motherwell thus far.

The full back says the experience of Celtic Park isn’t in any players’ mind and they are purely focused on trying to get three points.

Matt Penney is your player of the month for September. 

Comfortably winning the vote from the supporters, the Ipswich loanee has hit the ground running in his time at Fir Park.

Somehow still searching for his first goal at Motherwell, he saw the first of his long range efforts against Hearts saved by Craig Gordon with the second agonisingly hitting the bar moments later.

The attack minded full back has enjoyed having the freedom of attacking thus far and his accuracy of his crosses have seen strikers able to have numerous efforts on goal.