Latest News

The action as Motherwell go down 1-0 in West Lothian.

“We got what we deserved. We were unrecognisable with our performance.”

Stephen Robinson reflects on Motherwell’s loss to Livingston.

Livingston closed the gap on third-placed Motherwell to seven points with a thoroughly deserved win over a lacklustre Fir Park side.

It took a goal from former ‘Well man Aaron Taylor-Sinclair midway through the second half to separate the sides.

In truth, though, only some terrific goalkeeping from Mark Gillespie, prevented the West Lothian side from recording a much more comfortable win.

With James Scott departed for Hull City, Stephen Robinson made three changes to the side for this third versus fifth clash at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

Fit again Jermaine Hylton and Christopher Long were paired in attack while Richard Tait took Liam Grimshaw’s place at the back.

Only ten points separated the sides before kick-off and, on the back of five consecutive home wins, the West Lothian side were looking to reduce the leeway.

And the Lions will be wondering how all three points were not tied up before half-time as they completely dominated the first 45 against a labouring ‘Well.

Livingston’s leading scorer Lyndon Dykes posted his intent within seven minutes with a low drive which Mark Gillespie pushed away, Declan Gallagher clearing before Dykes could latch on to the loose ball.

‘Well replied immediately with what turned out their only threat of the half. Hylton won a tussle with former ‘Well man Steven Lawless before slipping the ball behind Ciaron Brown. But with Long chasing in Robby McCrorie came racing out of his box to clear the danger.

After that all the play was towards the visitor’s goal where Gillespie produced a handful of saves to keep the scores level.

The first of those came after 13 minutes when a deep cross was headed back by Jon Guthrie to set up Dykes but his net bound volley was brilliantly saved by Gillespie.

A minute later Livingston should have been ahead. Craig Sibbald nicked the ball off Liam Donnelly to set up the overlapping Scott Pittman. But from a great position he allowed Gillespie to block his low drive.

In their all-white strip the Fir Park side looked decidedly off colour, too often caught in possession and hopeful with long passes intended for Christian Ilic and Long.

Meantime the ‘Well ‘keeper was alert to a couple of low crosses as Livi seemed certain to make the breakthrough.

Just after the half hour Gillespie leapt fully to his right to comfortably catch Pittman’s long range drive.

However, before the break Gillespie produced a stunning reflex save to punch away Scott Robinson’s snapshot from just beyond the six-yard box.

Not surprisingly the ‘Well boss made two changes at the interval. Bevis Mugabi replaced Ilic to form a central back three and Christy Mazinga was given the chance to support Long up front.

It had an effect within the first couple of minutes when Long’s drive across goal caused a rare bit of anxiety in the home defence before the ball was booted clear.

Ten minutes into the half Marvin Bartley’s hefty challenged on Donnelly raised tempers on and off the field. With the home fans still airing their anger Liam Polworth’s long free kick found Gallagher and his downward header forced McCrorie into his first save of the game.

In a well-rehearsed free kick Sibbald slid the ball across the box to Dykes but Hartley bravely stepped in to block the striker.

When Bartley was sent through it took another brave stop, this time from Gillespie to deny the Livi midfielder.

After 66 minutes ‘Well made their third substitution, Mark O’Hara replacing Polworth. But he could only watch as Livingston finally made the breakthrough.

A long throw into the box bounced to the far post where former ‘Well player Aaron Taylor-Sinclair headed it powerfully towards goal.

The helpless Gillespie was a touch unlucky only to palm the ball onto the underside of his crossbar and into the net.

It could have been all over four minutes later but for Gillespie’s double save. Firstly the ‘Well stopper parried Pittman’s low header before racing across his goal to beat the ball away as Dykes waited to force the ball over the line.

With 15 minutes remaining and nothing to lose, Mugabi was moved forward to add his considerable height and presence to the attack.

It made little difference to the pattern of the game.

Remarkably in added-on time, the Steelmen almost snatched a late equaliser. With everyone pressing forward, Hartley forced his volley into the ground, requiring McCrorie to produce a great save to claw the ball away from inside his post and deny ‘Well a point.

Motherwell: Gillespie, Tait, Gallagher, Hartley, Carroll, Donnelly, Campbell, Polworth (O’Hara), Ilic (Manzinga), Hylton (Mugabi), Long.

Subs not used: Carson, MacIver, Grimshaw, Seedorf.

Fans can buy online on Saturday to save queues at the stadium ahead of Livingston v Motherwell.

Digital tickets on your phone, or a printed at home version of your ticket, is available if you want to avoid having to wait to pay for a ticket on the day.

Head to Livingston’s ticket site and choose Block L on the map to buy.

Alternatively, fans can buy from a signposted, dedicated ticket booth at the stadium before heading to the turnstiles.

Kick off at the Tony Macaroni Arena is at 3pm.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

James Scott has left Motherwell to join English Championship side Hull City.

The club accepted a transfer bid for the 19-year-old forward on Friday, after initially rejecting two offers on Thursday night.

The deal will represent the club’s third-highest guaranteed transfer fee received in its history, behind the monies received previously for Phil O’Donnell and James McFadden.

The club is also protected by a sell-on clause, should James’ upward progression continue further.

The move remains subject to final international clearance.

“We’re obviously disappointed to lose James,” manager Stephen Robinson said. “He is a terrific boy who has taken great strides this season and established himself in the first team.

“I genuinely believe he can achieve anything he wants in the game. He has all the talent in the world and he can have a big future.

“We’re proud to have played a big part in his development and we wish him all the best in his career.”

James came through the youth academy at Motherwell, making his first team debut in April 2018 away to Ross County and in turn becoming the first player born in the 2000s to play for the club.

He went on to make 42 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and cementing himself as a regular starter in the 2019/20 campaign.

“As much as you always have mixed emotions when you sell a player, everyone at the club is very proud of James as he takes the next step in his career,” chief executive Alan Burrows said.

“We have secured an excellent fee from a great club who have a rich history of developing talent and trading them on.

“It’s also another fantastic example of the unrivalled work of our youth academy’s scouts and coaches, the coaching staff at the club, as well as dedication of James himself.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC thanks James for his contribution to the club and wish him every success going forward.

Rolando Aarons has joined Motherwell on loan for the remainder of the 2019/20 season.

The exciting, left-footed wide forward arrives from Newcastle United, having agreed a deadline day move to the club, subject to international clearance.

“We’re delighted to be bringing Rolando into the club,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“He will bring even more pace and energy to our front line and he will give us options across all of the three forward positions.”

“His arrival will also allow us to move Mikael Ndjoli into his more natural position as a central striker, instead of playing in wide positions.”

Aarons, 24, spent the first half of the season on loan at League One promotion chasers Wycombe Wanderers. He played 669 minutes across 13 appearances, scoring two goals.

The former England Under 20 international has also had loan spells at Hellas Verona, where he made 11 Serie A appearances, Slovan Liberec and Sheffield Wednesday.

He also scored on his second English Premier League appearance for Newcastle United back in 2014, and has featured 27 times for the Magpies, scoring four goals.

Casper Sloth has left Motherwell Football Club by mutual consent.

The Danish international midfielder made one appearance during his time at Fir Park, playing 45 minutes as a substitute in the Betfred Cup group stage win over Annan Athletic in July.

“Sometimes in football, things don’t work out for any number of reasons,” manager Stephen Robinson said.

“But Casper has been professional throughout his time here and has continued to apply himself.

“His presence has also helped push on younger players in his position to excel. We wish him well for the future.”

Everyone at the club wishes Casper well for the future.

Stephen Robinson discussed trying to hold on to prized assets, the closing of the transfer window and the weekend visit to Livingston at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.

On the return from the winter break

“We’ve come back and we’ve started really well. I thought our performance against Hibs was brilliant. It’s funny when I speak to some fans, they don’t think it was as good as I did because we didn’t win. But everyone’s dictated to by results.

“But so much of what was so good throughout the team and to watch, we’ve played some terrific football.

“We needed an end product. Now we’ll have Christopher Long back, we’ll have Jermaine back, and potentially we’ll have James as well.

“So our lineup will be a little bit different hopefully. But we’re going to to a very, very in-form team in Livingston. I have so much respect for them. They are a club with similar resources as ourselves.

“They have won five in a row at home. We’ve won five in a row away from home. So it has the makings of a very, very good game.”

On facing Livingston

“They’re not quite as direct as everybody makes out. That’s a myth. They play a lot more football than people give them credit for. They get the ball early forward, make no mistake. They play to their strengths.

“They’ve got Lyndon Dykes, who I think is a very, very good footballer. They played to him and when they get the ball up there, they play some very good football. They can handle the ball and they can put balls into areas that’ll hurt you.

“So they’ve got to be admired for what they’ve done and respected. But again, if we go and play the way we can play, we go and put on an Aberdeen performance with the steel that we showed and the level of quality we showed against Hibs, then I’m confident that we can go and get a result.”

On potential departures on deadline day

“The timing is not great. But I accept the parameters. I’ve accepted them for almost five seasons now that we will lose players.

“But the timing of deadline day and the chance to actually replace people on the level of quality that we may have to let go, it’s difficult, very difficult, for a club with our resources.

“But it’s football isn’t it? We’re at the mercy of people with more money than us and you have to get on with it.

“We’ve got people in the building that I still very much believe in.

“It’s a real difficult one, cause you have to be fair to everybody. We sell ourselves on developing young players and on selling them. And we do terrifically well.

“You’ll have seen the boys in the stand on Saturday. Louis Moult, Marvin Johnson and Cedric Kipre. If you’re selling the club as, we develop them and sell them and then all of a sudden you hold them back from life-changing money, it’s very, very difficult to keep players happy.

“So there has to be a parameter that works for everybody. For the club with the right money, and for the player. And we’ve always done that and we always will. But we certainly won’t be undervaluing our players. No way.”

There’s live audio commentary available from Livingston v Motherwell on Saturday.

All fans can listen to the action direct from the Tony Macaroni Arena. Kick off is at 3pm GMT. Live video is not available for this match.

If you’re abroad, you subscribe and get all Motherwell home matches – and the majority of away games. Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk now and sign up.

If you’re in the UK or Ireland and can’t make it, don’t worry. We’ve also got live audio commentary every week for just £5.99 a month.

Head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to sign up. Just choose the UK/Ireland commentary option.

2019/20 Motherwell streaming service matches

Livingston are our weekend opponents, as we travel through to West Lothian in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Here’s a look at the Lions.

The story so far

Having won plaudits for winning promotion and staying up in the top flight in 2018/19, Gary Holt’s side have continued to defy expectation this term.

Despite losing a host of key men, including Declan Gallagher, Craig Halkett and Liam Kelly, they’ve played their way into top six contention with a string of impressive results.

Sitting eight points above seventh spot, Gary Holt’s men are only another couple of victories away from guaranteeing their place in the top half come the split.

Form guide

Livingston’s recent form demonstrates their ability to get results. With four straight wins in all competitions, and only one defeat in their last 10, they are one of the top form teams in the league.

Ominously, they’ve also won their last five at home, and are unbeaten there since a 1-0 loss to Rangers in early November.

Three to watch

Marvin Bartley

Livingston captain Marvin Bartley has often been the shining light for the Lions in a season in which Gary Holt’s side have continually impressed.

His ability to break up the play and protect the defence has also given licence for the likes of Scott Pittman and Craig Sibbald to demonstrate their attacking threat – with both men getting on the scoresheet in the 4-2 win at Hamilton last weekend.

Bartley has already accumulated 30 appearances this season for Livi, scoring his only goal in the 1-1 draw with Hearts at the tail end of 2019.

Steven Lawless

Coming through the ranks at Fir Park, Steven Lawless found first team opportunities hard to come by. But he has gone on to enjoy a successful career with Partick Thistle and now at Livingston.

With three goals in three matches so far in 2020, the 28-year-old will be desperate to continue his rich vein of form when he comes up against his former side.

Lawless scored Livi’s equaliser in their 2-1 defeat at Fir Park earlier on in the season and since departing ‘Well has proved to be a bit of a thorn in the side of the Steelmen – netting four times against them since departing the club back in 2012.

Lyndon Dykes

In a season in which Livingston are yet again showing their ability to defy the odds, Lyndon Dykes has proven to be a magnificent signing for the West Lothian side.

The Australian-born striker, who is eligible to play for Scotland through his parents, was linked with a call-up to the Steve Clarke’s squad after putting Celtic to the sword in 2-0 victory back in October and his goal tally for the season currently sits at 11.

Dykes has now pledged his allegiance to Scotland and his excellent form must have propelled him on to the radar of the national boss. His combative style alongside his power, pace and finishing abilities will make him a real handful for any defence.

Buy in advance to save queuing

Tickets are available online now. Pre-purchase is advised to avoid queuing at away ticket booth at stadium on matchday. Cash turnstiles will not be in operation.

Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.

Can’t make it? Listen live

Wherever you are, there’s live audio commentary available on our streaming service.

Starting at £5.99 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.