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Motherwell are back in action at Fir Park on Saturday as Partick Thistle make the short trip down the M74.

The Steelmen go into the game unbeaten at home so far in 2018, having defeated Hamilton Academical and Ross County, and looking to pick up points to help cement a place in the Ladbrokes Premiership’s top six.

“We’ve got four big games coming up now, starting with Partick Thistle on Saturday and including the Scottish Cup too,” manager Stephen Robinson said of the match.

“Three of those games are at home as well so it’s a great opportunity for us to build momentum again.”

The Northern Irishman also discussed new arrival Stephen Hendrie, after he joined the club on loan.

“First and foremost we think he’s a very good footballer,” the ‘Well boss said. “But the fact he’s Scottish and has played over 100 games in the Premiership and then got himself a very good move.

[pullquote]With Stevie Hammell retiring and Ellis Plummer picking up a long-term injury, it’s a position where I felt we needed someone.”[/pullquote]

‘Well’s new number three believes he has become a more experienced player, ready to tackle the Scottish top flight again at the age of 23.

“I have no regrets moving to West Ham. It feels good to be back home though and to have a chance to play regular football.

[pullquote]Obviously when you’re down in England you learn things and I think the experience down there and the players I played with have given me more experience.[/pullquote]

“I didn’t get much game time down there so I’m just delighted to be back up here to be honest.”

Ryan Bowman, George Newell and Ellis Plummer are all unavailable for Motherwell through injury.

	Motherwell v Partick Thistle
	Saturday 3rd February 2018
	3pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate

Admission prices are as follows:

• Cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.
• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.
• Away fans will be housed in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand. Cash gates are in operation.

The Cooper Bar is open for both sets of supporters to enjoy pre-match food and drink from 11am. Children are welcome.

Ryan Bowman and George Newell will also be in the bar from 12.45pm in the Signing Zone. Come along and get your photograph taken and get an autograph.

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 Hendrie says he has no regrets following a shorter than expected spell down south.

In fact, ‘Well’s new number three believes he has become a more experienced player, ready to tackle the Scottish top flight again at the age of 23.

Speaking to the broadcast press, the left-back looked ahead to some important fixtures and reflected on his first few days around Fir Park.

[pullquote]I have no regrets moving to West Ham. It feels good to be back home though and to have a chance to play regular football.[/pullquote]

“Obviously when you’re down in England you learn things and I think the experience down there and the players I played with have given me more experience.”

Born in Glasgow and with more than 100 Premiership appearances under his belt, the defender is excited to be back.

“I didn’t get much game time down there so I’m just delighted to be back up here to be honest.”

Stephen Robinson is preparing for a run of important fixtures as he eyes a return to winning ways.

First up for the ‘Well is Partick Thistle, and the Fir Park boss is confident his side can regain momentum.

“We’ve got four big games coming up now, starting with Partick Thistle on Saturday and including the Scottish Cup too,” he said.

[pullquote]Three of those games are at home as well so it’s a great opportunity for us to build momentum again.”[/pullquote]

The Northern Irishman also discussed new arrival Stephen Hendrie, after he joined the club on loan.

“First and foremost we think he’s a very good footballer,” the ‘Well boss said. “But the fact he’s Scottish and has played over 100 games in the Premiership and then got himself a very good move.

“With Stevie Hammell retiring and Ellis Plummer picking up a long-term injury, it’s a position where I felt we needed someone.”

Motherwell are back in Ladbrokes Premiership action at home to Partick Thistle on Saturday.

Stephen Robinson’s side are two wins from two at Fir Park in 2018, having seen off Hamilton Academical and Ross County earlier in January.

After two away trips to Edinburgh, it’s back to home turf and a chance to see the team in action as they push for a spot in the top six.

Adult prices start at just £19 for the big match, and don’t miss out on our family deal, where one adult and one child can go for as little as £23.

To buy, visit the ticket office at Fir Park or pay at the gate on the day.

	Motherwell v Partick Thistle
	Saturday 3rd February 2018
	3pm
	Fir Park
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate

Admission prices are as follows:

• Cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.
• Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.
• Away fans will be housed in the McEwan Fraser Legal South Stand. Cash gates are in operation.

Referee for Saturday’s match against Partick Thistle is Nick Walsh.

It marks the referee’s second ‘Well appointment of the 2017/18 campaign, after the 1-0 loss to Aberdeen at Fir Park back in September.

The young official took charge of his very first Premiership game in the 2016/17 season, and his involvements with the Steelmen last term were his only involvements with the club in his career so far until this season.

Prior to that 1-0 loss against Aberdeen at Fir Park, ‘Well had a 100% record, albeit just in the two matches the official had taken charge of.

In those three games, Walsh has handed out 14 yellow cards, eight of those flashed at a player in claret and amber.

His assistants on Saturday are Jordan Stokoe and Drew Kirkland.

Motherwell tried to mount another second half comeback in Edinburgh in the space of a week but couldn’t overcome a two-goal deficit as they lost 2-1 to Hibernian.

Richard Tait, Charles Dunne and Andy Rose gave their assessment after the match.

Richard Tait: “It’s a hard one to take. We were well in the game, even at 2-0.

“[We conceded] sloppy goals. Defensively on my part for the second but especially the first one. It came from nothing.”

Charles Dunne: “We’ve just got to take positives and move forward. We’ve got three important games coming up, so we just need to concentrate on them.

“Hopefully we can get nine points from the three of them and cement our place in the top six.”

Andy Rose: “In spells throughout both halves we looked pretty comfortable. We moved the ball around well and created some opportunities.

“We had a couple of chances at the end and felt we were going to get one to make it 2-2, but it wasn’t to be.”

Watch extended highlights from Easter Road as Motherwell lose 2-1 to Hibs.

Stephen Robinson believed his side were unlucky not to take something away from a second trip to Edinburgh in the space of five days.

Goals from and Florian Kamberi and Brandon Barker had Hibs two up at Easter Road before Curtis Main fired in his third goal in as many games to halve the deficit.

It was too little too late on the evening though, and Robinson was keen to take the positives from a hard-working performance.

[pullquote]The second goal they scored was poor from us defensively, very poor, and they have the players up the top end of the pitch who will punish you.[/pullquote]

“We’ve played a lot worse than that and won football matches,” the Northern Irishman said.

“Even in the first half we had a lot of good chances and I think we controlled large parts of the game, so to come to Easter Road and play like that is positive.”

The manager also reflected on a busy January transfer window, with the deadline nearly behind him.

He added: “I think we’ve got a stronger squad than what we went in to the window with. I believe we’ve set ourselves up to go on and have a strong second half of the season now, and it starts on Saturday.”

Grant Russell at Easter Road

Motherwell fought hard to complete a second comeback in the capital in the space of a week but ultimately came up short as Hibs ran out 2-1 winners.

Curtis Main’s second half strike reduced the deficit after goals from Kamberi and Barker but it wasn’t enough to take a point.

Manager Stephen Robinson made two changes to the team which started the weekend draw at Hearts. Nadir Ciftci and Chris Cadden dropped out, with Craig Tanner and Liam Grimshaw directly replacing them.

With just five minutes on the clock, the hosts came within inches of taking the lead.

Tanner’s attempt at a short free kick backfired, allowing Brandon Barker the chance to run the length of the park. The ball eventually fell to Martin Boyle to get a shot away from just inside the area.

With the ball beating Carson, the ‘Well were thankful for the late intervention of Cedric Kipre, who slid in to stop the effort inches from crossing the line.

From the resulting corner, the visitors were in danger again. The deep ball to the back post caused Carson problems and allowed Paul Hanlon the header, but it cannoned back off the woodwork.

Motherwell took time to settle but it didn’t stop them carving out chances. Curtis Main was first to try his luck from outside the area, with his opportunistic left-footed shot whistling past the left post.

Hibernian though were enjoying the lion’s share and made the breakthrough with 27 minutes on the clock.

A low cross from the left flank was well cut out by Charles Dunne but his clearance found its way to the edge of the box, where debutant Kamberi was lying in wait to cannon the ball home off the underside of the crossbar.

Motherwell continued to look for opportunities on the counter and Allan Campbell came close as the first half wound to a close.

Andy Rose’s ball from the left was well held in by Tanner in the box. With his back to goal, he laid the ball neatly into the path of the onrushing Campbell but his left foot shot skidded past the right hand post.

Campbell continued to be the scourge in between Hibs’ defence and midfield and he set up a chance for Tanner soon after. Robbing McGregor, he played the ball wide to the forward but the left foot shot dipped into Marciano’s hands.

The second half was barely a minute old when Hibs doubled their advantage.

Boyle found space down the left hand side and his cut back found Barker, who steered the ball past Carson and into the net.

Chris Cadden and Gael Bigirimana replaced Liam Grimshaw and Andy Rose on the hour mark and the pair instantly combined to carve out a big chance for the visitors.

Cadden engineered space on the right to swing in a cross to the near post but it was just too high for the unmarked Bigirimana to get his head on.

Cadden was again involved on the 77th minute mark. The ball breaking to him on the edge of the box, he caught the half volley well but Marciano got down well to stop it.

Seconds later, ‘Well got the goal back that their pressure deserved. Main’s strength got him a shooting chance at an angle on the left of the area and his low shot found the back of the net.

The introduction of Nadir Ciftci gave the Steelmen plenty in attack as they pressed for an equaliser, with an aerial threat from Tom Aldred also joining the attack on occasion.

In the dying moments Motherwell continued to push and Main came desperately close to grabbing the equaliser. His chipped shot looked like it might just dip under the crossbar but Marciano  was quick to tip it over.

A second trip to the capital city in a matter of days lies in wait for Motherwell on Wednesday night, with Hibernian the opponents in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Steelmen go into the game unbeaten so far in 2018, having defeated Hamilton Academical and Ross County before the weekend draw at Hearts.

Manager Stephen Robinson says his side go in to the match brimming with confidence.

“We’ve won two out of three and got a brilliant draw away to Hearts, and deservedly so. So there’s a real good atmosphere and we have another tough game against Hibs.

[pullquote]But we go in to it confident. It leads us in to three home games in the league and offers us a chance to build on what we’ve already done.”[/pullquote]

Defender Richard Tait believes Motherwell have rediscovered their winning mentality after a refreshing winter break.

The defender said that confidence is firmly back in the dressing room ahead of their second trip to Edinburgh in the space of five days.

[pullquote]Hibs are a very good team. They’ve got a lot of pace and players who can make things happen and I enjoy going there and playing against them.[/pullquote]

“Getting a point in the last minute against Hearts is something we can take confidence from,” the 27-year-old said. “The boys kept going all the way until the end so I think we got what we deserved.

“The break did us some good. We went away and came back refreshed.

“I think playing Hamilton straight away not only allowed us to get back from that loss at the end of the year, but allowed us to get our winning mentality back.”

Elliot Frear, Ryan Bowman, George Newell and Ellis Plummer are all unavailable for Motherwell through injury. New signing Stephen Hendrie is expected to go straight into the squad, pending international clearance.

	Hibernian v Motherwell
	Wednesday 31st January 2018
	7.45pm
	Easter Road
	Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate

Admission prices are as follows:

Cash turnstiles will be in operation on the day

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.