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Stephen Robinson is targeting yet more surprises from his Motherwell squad as they go into a tough run of Ladbrokes Premiership fixtures.

Celtic are the visitors to Fir Park on Sunday, before the return from the international break sees Rangers and Aberdeen come to Lanarkshire in quick succession.

The Steelmen are chasing a top six finish as the split looms on the horizon and the manager says his team will maintain a positive outlook as they look to be in the top half.

“The attitude we have is we’ll try and take maximum points from them all,” Robinson said.

“Is that realistic? It’s definitely what we set out to do. Whether we achieve that remains to be seen.

“We will go positive. We will go against people and make sure that we are competitive.

“We do need to take points, of course. We’ve got the three games coming up at home and we’ve got a very good home record.

“We will make sure they are tough, tough games and we will go into them confident. Why not?”

Motherwell will come off the run with an away trip to face St Johnstone, before heading to Hampden Park for the fourth time this season in their William Hill Scottish Cup semi final against Aberdeen.

Expectations have long been surpassed in the cup competitions but Robinson says his targets remain the same as always.

“My objective from the board is to stay in this division,” he said. “My aims are much higher than that. We’ve been able to achieve that this season with a final and a semi final. We’re sitting seventh in the league.

“But first and foremost, let’s get the points that make sure we are in the division. Everything else is a bonus.”

Craig Tanner faces between four and six months out after picking up a knee injury in training.

The forward, who has nine goals and eight assists to his name this term, will have an operation after an injury to his patella tendon at Dalziel Park yesterday.

“Craig suffered an unfortunate injury through the week,” the manager said.

“It was a freak incident that happened with nobody near him as he tried a cross field pass.

“Sadly for Craig, and for us, we’ll be without him for a few months.

”He’s been an important part of our setup and we’ll give him all the support he needs as he works his way back.”

Everyone at Motherwell FC wishes Craig a speedy recovery.

Motherwell host league leaders Celtic on Sunday looking to keep themselves in the race for a top six finish in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The reigning champions were so nearly toppled on their last visit to Fir Park, with the Steelmen coming within two minutes of a famous win before being denied by a last-gasp penalty.

Stephen Robinson’s men are still in the chase to cement a top half place ahead of the league split and your support could be the key to spurring the team on to a huge win.

Tickets are available at the Fir Park ticket office or by calling 01698 333333.

Celtic 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. The cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.

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.

Motherwell will face Aberdeen in the semi final of the 2017/18 William Hill Scottish Cup.

The Dons progressed to the last four after defeating Kilmarnock on penalties in their quarter final replay on Tuesday night.

The match at Hampden Park will be played on Saturday, April 14. Kick off is at 12.15pm.

Information on when tickets will go on sale will be available shortly.

Ticket information for the match is as follows:

North and William Hill South Stand

£30 Adult / £15 Concessions

East & West Stands

£20 Adult / £10 Concessions

Concessions are regarded as those aged under 16 and those aged 65 and over.

Getting to Hampden

The club are operating a bus from the Cooper Bar on the day of the game. The bar will be open before departure for food and drink.

The bus, which will take supporters to and from Hampden Park, will cost £8. Supporters can buy by calling 01698 333333 or visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Semi final hospitality

Come and enjoy the day in style with our pre and post-match hospitality here at Fir Park.

For just £80, you can get:

• Your match ticket
• Hot breakfast roll
• Match programme
• Official bus to and from Hampden Park
• Pay bar facility at Fir Park
• Hot buffet served at Fir Park on your return

You can buy online or call to book on 01698 333333.

Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell have been called up by Scotland Under 21s.

The Motherwell pair return to Scot Gemmill’s squad as they prepare to face Andorra in qualifiers for the 2019 UEFA European Under 21 Championship.

Cadden has seven caps for his country at Under 21 level, having scored his first goal for the dark blues against England in October last year.

Campbell made his international debut in that fixture against the Auld Enemy and has since gone on to make four appearances.

Trevor Carson has been called up to Northern Ireland’s squad for their forthcoming friendly with South Korea.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper has earned a recall to Michael O’Neill’s selection after a fine season with the Steelmen.

Carson has been in previous squads for his country but is yet to win a full international cap.

Northern Ireland host South Korea at Windsor Park on March 24.

Extended highlights from New Douglas Park as ‘Well lose 2-0 to Hamilton Accies.

Richard Tait, Andy Rose and Gaël Bigirimana speak after the loss to Hamilton Academical in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Stephen Robinson didn’t recognise his team as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against local rivals Hamilton Academical.

Goals in either half put ‘Well to the sword in what was a dismal afternoon at the Superseal Stadium.

Reflecting at full time, Robinson expressed his disappointment with his sides third defeat of 2018

[pullquote]That’s not the team we’ve come to know. We didn’t compete today from start to finish.[/pullquote]

In terms of the game I think our set play delivery was poor, whereas theirs was good and caused us problems.

The first goal was poor defending from a set piece, which isn’t like us.

It’s tough to take because the players have shown over the course of the season that they’re far better than they showed today.

Phil McGhee at the Superseal Stadium.

In what had been an impressive run of four wins in five games, Motherwell’s good form came to an end with a poor showing in the Lanarkshire derby.

In truth, Hamilton Academical were the more determined side as they secured a 2-0 win at the Superseal Stadium, and fought hard to protect Marios Ogkmpoe’s early lead.

And when slack play allowed David Templeton to add a second midway through the second half, there was no way back for the under par Steelmen.

In truth, the opening goal was the first real effort of the match with just ten minutes on the clock. The ‘Well defence failed to clear Templeton’s corner and as the ball bounced around the six yard box, Ogkmpoe cutely back healed the ball high into the net despite Richard Tait’s attempt to head the ball over the bar.

For the remainder of the half, ‘Well bossed the middle of the park but without exposing the Accies defence, as they struggled to test the home goal for the remainder of the game.

Good build up midway through the half found its way to Tait on the left of the box who cut inside on to his right foot before driving the ball narrowly past the post.

Shortly after, Tanner fed the ball through to Curtis Main, who turned at the edge of the box before his low shot forced a routine save from Gary Woods.

In the final action of the first half of a rather poor 45, Main’s head flick directed Tait’s cross narrowly over the bar.

The weather failed to improve in the second half, but ‘Well came out looking rejuvenated for the second half. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Stephen Robinson made a double substitution with Nadir Ciftci and Gael Bigirimana bringing a bit of composure to the visitor’s play.

Almost immediately Bigirimana, sent Tait in behind the home defence and when his cross was nodded out to Carl McHugh it was an invitation to repeat his winning goal against Hearts. However, on his favoured left, the ‘Well captain struck a sweet volley narrowly over the bar.

But the sucker punch arrived 20 minutes into the half when miscommunication between McHugh and Bigirimana allowed Templeton to pick up the ball  the ball inside the centre circle. And although he chased the Accies man back into his own box, he couldn’t prevent Templeton steering the ball low past Carson to double Hamilton’s advantage.

And despite placing the home defence under some sustained pressure in the closing stages, Accies never looked like surrendering their lead.

With five minutes remaining and the bulk of ‘Well’s 1700 fans heading back across the Clyde, Ciftci curled a free kick wide of goal as the Accies ‘keeper still waited to make his first meaningful save.

And to sum up ‘Well’s day in the final minute of injury time, Woods produced his first stop, diving full length to push Bigirimana’s curling shot round his post to deny the Fir Parker’s a consolation goal.