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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.

Stephen Robinson 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.

And with a big game awaiting the Steelmen on Saturday, the Northern Irishman is eager to see his players tale their chances at Dens Park.

“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.

[pullquote]First and foremost, we need to make sure we get the points we need to stay in the division. After that, we can look up the way.[/pullquote]

“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.”

Craig Tanner has enjoyed playing against Dundee this season, with three goals in three games against 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.

[pullquote]”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.[/pullquote]

“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.”

Alan Muir is the man in charge as Motherwell travel to face Dundee at Dens Park for the second time in three weeks. 

The 42-year-old takes charge of his third ‘Well match of the season, and his second at Fir Park.

In those two matches, ‘Well have notched one victory and suffered one defeat, with a 2-0 win over Ross County at home before losing 2-1 away to Hibs.

The official has dished out seven yellow cards and one red in those two games, when Kenny Van Der Weg was given his marching orders.

‘Well travel to a ground they have a perfect record at so far this season, having won twice and kept two clean sheet in the process.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is a fairly mixed bag.

When the Scotsman has been in charge, ‘Well have won on 11 occasions, drawn five and lost ten.

In those games, Motherwell have scored 32 and conceded 39.

Muir will be ably assisted by Douglas Ross and Jordan Stokoe; with Andrew Dallas on fourth official duties.

Motherwell return to Dens Park for the second time in three weeks as they travel to face Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

After a 2-0 victory in the William Hill Scottish Cup on their last visit, Stephen Robinson’s men travel north with confidence of continuing their push for a place in the top six.

The Fir Park men are unbeaten at Dens this season, keeping two clean sheets in the process, including a 1-0 league win back in October.

Craig Tanner’s solitary strike sealed the three points that afternoon, and ‘Well’s number 27 also opened the scoring as ‘Well progressed to the quarter final of the Scottish Cup.

The adult ticket price for the match is £24. Over 65s and students can get in for £16, while under 18s go for £10.

	Dundee v Motherwell
	Saturday 24th February 2018
	3pm
	Dens Park
	Tickets available on the gate.

Admission prices are as follows:

• 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.

Watch extended highlights from Fir Park as Motherwell suffer their first home defeat of 2018. 

Ryan Bowman, Carl McHugh and Elliott Frear spoke after the disappointing 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Stephen Robinson couldn’t pick many faults with his side as they slumped to their first home defeat of the year.

The Northern Irishman instead decided to focus on the positives as ‘Well lost narrowly to Steve Clarke’s Killie.

Reflecting on the 90 minutes at Fir Park, Robinson credited the defensively drilled Ayrshire outfit.

He said: “There’s not a lot I can say was wrong with the whole performance. But our deliveries and decision-making in the final third could have been better.

“We’ll take it on the chin and say congratulations to Killie. They got the lead then defended for their lives at points.”

He added: “But ultimately, we put 30 balls in the box and had 12 corners so we should have made more of that. But there’s positives to take.”