| 3 | Rangers | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 23 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | -4 | 18 |
| 7 | Dundee | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 15 |
Motherwell will host Friday night football in March when Aberdeen visit Fir Park.
The match, originally scheduled for Saturday 14 March, will now be played on Friday 13 March at 7.45pm.
The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport.
Our scheduled match with Celtic on Wednesday 5 February will also be televised, with BT Sport also showing the game. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
Stephen Robinson spoke about the international break, Bevis Mugabi’s new deal and facing Hibernian on Friday morning.
Here’s what he said to the broadcast media.
“It has been a good week. A frustrating week in a way, because a lot of the players aren’t around until the latter stages of the week.
“For Declan Gallagher, Liam Donnelly and Trevor Carson, this is the first day they will train today.
“But it also obviously allows you to pinpoint more individual training, and work on certain aspects of people’s games that we’ve identified can improve.”
“[Declan Gallagher] certainly didn’t look out of place. It’s brilliant for the boy’s confidence, as well as the Under 21 boys who went away, with Barry and Allan getting game time under their belt as well. Same for Bevis Mugabi who has gone away and got good results with Uganda.
“For Declan, I thought that his performances were very, very assured for Scotland. Maybe there’s a partnership going forward that will give Steve something to think about.”
“We’ve only had Bevis for a short period of time. We got quite lucky because Charles got injured the same day we had Bevis in. We were able to find the money to go and do it when we got the injury.
“We are delighted to get somebody who has calibre at that stage of the season. In the two games [at Celtic and Rangers] he came through very difficult games. And I think he acquitted himself very well.
“But he’s under no illusions that he’s got a real fight on his hands to stay in the team.”
“I think they’ve all got different attributes. They all add something to the team. But what all of them have got is they can all defend. First and foremost, they can defend. That’s what we pay them to do.
“I think in modern football, sometimes defenders forget how to defend and it’s all about what they do on the ball. And we’re very lucky that all three of them are very comfortable on the ball as well.
“But first and foremost, they’re willing to get hurt. They’re willing to go and be aggressive – and in both boxes.
“That’s what we judge them on first and foremost. And I think they’ll get better. ”
“I think we’ve had a lot more injuries in previous years than we have this year, touch wood.
“We probably seen after the two cup finals, we had a really hard time with injuries. Last season, I think we had 13 players out at this stage of the season. And not many of them from muscle injuries that you can do anything about.
“So we are okay where we stand at this moment in time, bar the longer-term boys. We’ve got a lot of competition for places.
“There’s a real fight for places and when I look at the quality we’ve got on the bench, that keeps people on their toes.”
“We go prepared as we always do. Hibs have a high calibre of players and spent a lot of money putting the squad together. They’ve got a lot of talent in the squad.
“So we definitely go there having to be at the top of our game as usual. But we don’t go there with any kind of fear.
“We defeated them already this season with a good result, and people were at the top of the game to get that result. And we’re going to need that again.”
Bevis Mugabi has signed a new deal with Motherwell.
The defender, who impressed during his initial short-term contract, will now stay with the club until the summer of 2021.
“I’m delighted to be staying with the club,” Mugabi said after agreeing to stay.
“I’ve had nothing but positive experiences so far with the club and I am glad to now have the chance to stay longer.”
Mugabi has made four appearances for the club since signing in September.
“Bevis gives us another fantastic option in defence and has taken to Scottish football with ease,” manager Stephen Robinson said.
“We’re pleased he’s agreed to stay with us.”
Fans have the choice of buying Hibernian v Motherwell tickets in advance, or buying from a ticket booth at Easter Road on Saturday.
Tickets are available online now for collection from the Fir Park ticket office until 4pm on Friday. You can also buy at the club until that time.
On the day of the match, tickets will be available from a ticket booth at the away turnstiles from 1pm until 2.45pm. The game at Easter Road kicks off at 3pm.
| Adult | £23 |
| Over 65s / 12-17s / full-time students | £14 |
| Children aged 2-11 | £12* |
Children price applies to pre-sale only. Tickets on the day will cost £14.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
The race towards the end of 2019 starts at Easter Road on Saturday, as Motherwell travel to face Hibernian.
Off the back of another international break, both teams have plenty incentive to try and take all three points in the Ladbrokes Premiership match.
Hibs have a new man at the helm. Jack Ross will be in the dugout for the first time on Saturday, having been named as Paul Heckingbottom’s replacement this week.
He arrives to inherit a team who have had a disappointing campaign so far. Eighth in the league table, they’ve mustered 12 points from their opening 12 games to leave them just two points above the play-off spot as things stands.
New Hibernian boss Ross will take charge of the Easter Road club for the first time when the Steelmen visit the capital.
Ross returns north of the border 18 months after departing St Mirren to take up the managerial reins at Sunderland. It was to be a chastising experience for the 43-year-old, who eventually paid the price for a mixed start to the 2019/20 season when he was sacked last month.
Previous successes with both St Mirren and Alloa demonstrate Ross’ managerial credentials and, after taking up the hotseat at Hibs, he has targeted challenging for a European spot.
After returning from a knee surgery over two months ahead of schedule, Australian international Martin Boyle will be keen to make up for lost time.
Boyle initially sustained the injury in December of last year while preparing for the Asia Cup with the Aussie national side. On returning in the Betfred Cup back in July, he played two games before sustaining a re-occurrence of the injury against Elgin City.
A second course of surgery was required. But Boyle has battled back to fitness quicker than expected and he marked his return to the team by netting a last-gasp equaliser in Hibs’ 2-2 draw with Livingston last month.
When Christian Doidge scrambled home the opening goal in Hibernian’s 4-1 victory at St Johnstone, the relief on the striker’s face was clear for all to see.
It was his first Scottish Premiership goal and he would add a further two goals against Saints to cap an impressive display, as well as sending a message to some of those questioning his slow start to life at Easter Road.
Doidge joined Hibs from Forest Green Rovers on a three-year-deal this summer, during his time with the Green Devils he netted 59 times in 108 appearances.
Tickets are available online now for collection from the Fir Park ticket office until 4pm on Friday. You can also buy at the club until that time.
On the day of the match, tickets will be available from a ticket booth at the away turnstiles from 1pm until 2.45pm. The game at Easter Road kicks off at 3pm.
| Adult | £23 |
| Over 65s / 12-17s / full-time students | £14 |
| Children aged 2-11 | £12* |
Children price applies to pre-sale only. Tickets on the day will cost £14.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Hibernian v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.
Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.
Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.
Declan Gallagher earned his second Scotland cap as the national side defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 at Hampden Park.
After falling behind in their last EURO 2020 qualifying match, Steve Clarke’s side rallied to record back-to-back wins with the Motherwell man at the heart of the defence.
John McGinn scored twice, with Steven Naismith also netting a header. Scotland now await a play-off for the competition in March, with Gallagher having staked a claim for a place for those matches.
Elsewhere, Trevor Carson and Liam Donnelly watched on as Northern Ireland took an early lead in Germany, but were ultimately dismantled as their hosts rallied to win 6-1.
Motherwell return to Ladbrokes Premiership action on Saturday, with a trip east to face Hibernian.
Stephen Robinson’s team return from the international break looking to keep their lofty league position intact throughout the busy run to the end of the year.
Motherwell sit fourth from 13 games this season, having won two of their last three games before the break.
Victories over Kilmarnock and Livingston were followed by a strong performance – but defeat – at Celtic last time out.
Jack Ross is in charge of his first game at Hibernian this weekend, having been appointed as manager this week.
Their 4-1 win at St Johnstone last time out, while under the caretaker charge of Eddie May, arresting a run six games without a victory.
Motherwell were victors in the first game of the season between the pair, running out 3-0 winners at Fir Park in late August.
Hibs had won four of the previous five between the two teams, with Motherwell’s sole victory in that run coming in a 1-0 victory in January 2019.
Tickets are available online now or from the Fir Park ticket office. Pre-purchase is advised.
The game at Easter Road kicks off at 3pm.
| Adult | £23 |
| Over 65s / 12-17s / full-time students | £14 |
| Children aged 2-11 | £12* |
Children price applies to pre-sale only. Tickets on the day will cost £14.
Fans who require ambulant or wheelchair access should contact Andy Sim on 07428 225254 or email tickets@mfcdsa.com.
If you’re outside the UK/Ireland, you can watch Hibernian v Motherwell and the majority of our Ladbrokes Premiership games this season on our live streaming service.
Priced at £12 a month, just head to tv.motherwellfc.co.uk to subscribe.
Wherever you are, there’s also live audio commentary available on our streaming service for £5.99 a month.
Bevis Mugabi’s international break ended on Sunday with a role in Uganda’s 2-0 home win over Malawi.
Following a positive 0-0 draw at Burkina Faso last week, the Motherwell defender again featured as his side went top of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations group.
Three of our players have games still to play before returning to Fir Park.
Declan Gallagher is looking to win his second Scotland cap in their match with Kazakhstan at Hampden on Tuesday.
Trevor Carson and Liam Donnelly are also hoping for minutes as Northern Ireland play a dead-rubber tie at Germany on the same day, as they gear up for March’s play-offs.
Declan Gallagher made his Scotland debut from the start as the national side beat Cyprus 2-1 on Saturday.
Ryan Christie and John McGinn netted the decisive goals in the Euro 2020 qualifier, with the Motherwell man impressing in central defence.
His international debut marks an exceptional season so far, having shown consistent improvement in his game as part of Stephen Robinson’s side.
Gallagher’s chance for a second cap comes on Tuesday, as Scotland host Kazakhstan at Hampden Park.
In other internationals on Saturday, both Liam Donnelly and Trevor Carson were on the bench for Northern Ireland as they held the Netherlands to a 0-0 draw in Belfast.
The result put Michael O’Neill’s side out of the running for automatic qualification for next summer’s tournament, but other results mean they will feature in March’s play-offs.
Before that, they travel to take on Germany on Tuesday.
Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire featured as Scotland Under 21s suffered a late 1-0 loss at home with Greece on Friday.
Campbell captained Scot Gemmill’s side as they conceded a penalty at the death to 10 men, after Daniel Harvie handled in the box in the UEFA European Under 21 qualifying match.
With James Scott also an unused substitute for his country, his Motherwell team-mate Campbell had the ball in the net in the first half, but the goal was disallowed.
The Under 21s are next in action in March, with a home game against Croatia followed by a trip to Greece.
