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Tom Hateley is expecting the usual tight affair when Rangers visit on Boxing Day, but thinks it might be time for the Steelmen to nick the points.

‘Well have performed admirably well in encounters with the SPL champions at Fir Park in recent years, none more so than the last time to two sides met in North Lanarkshire in February; a match in which Hateley scored a stunning free-kick and Motherwell were robbed of a victory due to a wrongly disallowed goal.

Indeed, you have to go all the way back to January 2007 for a Rangers league victory at Fir Park, with the last five SPL battles ending in stalemates.

A confident Hateley insisted: “When we play Rangers or Celtic there is a firm belief that we can go out there and win the game; it’s never a case of ‘Oh, here we go again, another defeat!’ We’ve pushed Rangers close here before and we will again on Sunday.

“A win against Rangers would give everyone at the club a massive lift. If you can beat one of the Old Firm then it is a massive thing for the club.

“We have some huge games in the next while and it will be hectic squeezing in the postponed fixtures, so a win over Rangers would be the perfect boost.”

The 21-year olds belief is refreshing, especially after a traumatic couple of weeks for the club. Nevertheless the former Reading man is staying focused on performing and winning matches for the Steelmen.

“It’s been a difficult couple of weeks, but that has been because of things that are beyond our control and there is nothing we can do about it,” the Monte Carlo-born utility man declared, referring to the recent loss of the ‘Well management team.

“As players all we can do is go out and win football matches, and we have an absolutely massive game on Sunday with Rangers which everyone is really looking forward to. Gordon (Young) has come in and taken training and everyone at the club has been upbeat and looking forward to coming in to train in the morning.

“The manager has left, but in our eyes nothing has changed – we will still be doing our best to go out and get three points for Motherwell.”

Fans please take note of the following changes to opening hours over the Christmas and New Year Period.

The Chapman Building / Ticket Office will be open at the following times:

Thursday 23rd December 2010: 9.15am – 4.30pm
Friday 24th December 2010: 9.15am – 12 noon
Saturday 25th December 2010: Closed
Sunday 26th December 2010: 10am – Kick Off (3pm)
Monday 27th December 2010: Closed
Tuesday 28th December 2010: Closed
Wednesday 29th December 2010: 9.15am – 4.30pm

Thursday 30th December 2010: 9.15am – 4.30pm
Friday 31st December 2010: 9.15am – 12 noon
Saturday 1st January 2011: Closed
Sunday 2nd January 2011: Closed
Monday 3rd January 2011: Closed
Tuesday 4th January 2011: Closed
Wednesday 5th January 2011: 9.15am – 4.30pm

Interim Motherwell gaffer Gordon Young is looking for his players to summon up the spirit of ’02 and put Rangers to the sword on Boxing Day.

The game falls exactly eight years to the day since Motherwell last beat the Glasgow giants at Fir Park, when a solitary goal from James McFadden proved enough to vanquish a Rangers side including the likes of Barry Ferguson, Michael Mols and Ronald de Boer.

The Gers may not have as many superstars as they did in 2002, but Young knows it will be still be a huge ask for The Steelmen to grab a win over the reigning champions and league leaders.

“Rangers are as tough as it comes at the moment,” the interim gaffer honest asserted. “They have a management team which I have huge respect for and have been very courteous to me any time I have spoken to them.

“I’ll extend them a warm welcome on Sunday but hopefully we’ll turn the clock back eight years to the last time we beat Rangers here and get a big win.

“Any victory at the moment would we welcome. The players, having performed so well at the start of the season, have been hit quite hard by this period of inactivity due to the weather.

“Thankfully, since the Hearts game I have managed to organise two bounce games. So I think the players now have the preparation and are ready for the match on Boxing Day.”

Sunday will see the focus turn to the action on the pitch at Motherwell for 90 minutes, but there is still plenty of intrigue behind the scenes as the board earnestly searches for the man who will replace Craig Brown at the ‘Well helm.

Gordon Young has already confirmed he does not wish to be considered for the role, but he is more than happy to take temporary charge for as long as it takes to find the perfect candidate.

“Regardless of what happens in the interim with regard to an appointment we will continue to work and do what we’re doing in preparation for Boxing Day,” he confirmed.

“My understanding is that the club has had a fantastic volume of applicants, and quality of applicants. Therefore we are doing our due diligence and taking our time to get the right candidate and when he does come in we have the platform already in place for him to hit the ground running.

Whoever the new boss is, he will be hoping the likes of Alan Gow, Nick Blackman and John Sutton stick around for the foreseeable future. With several contracts approaching their expiry dates the wheels are in motion to secure the future of several ‘Well stars.

“Without pre-empting anything, it seems that the players who are approaching expiry are keen to stay,” a positive Gordon Young insisted. “But I can understand a player waiting to see who a new manager is before signing; having said that, the way the players are treated here and with how close the group is I think there is a good chance they will stay.

“Motherwell is a fantastic club, and we have been very good to many of the players who are here. I think if they have a step back and see how good it is to be performing at a club like Motherwell and how much it is helping them personally then they will be keen to sign.”

Referee for this Sunday’s Boxing Day Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Rangers at Fir Park is the experienced Iain Brines.

Brines will be taking charge of his third ‘Well game of the current SPL campaign, having been the man in the middle for the games against St Johnstone in early September and St Mirren at Fir Park one month later.

A Nick Blackman wonder strike and an own-goal from Kevin Rutkiewicz was enough to earn the Steelmen all three points in Perth and late goals from Tom Hateley and Jamie Murphy gave ‘Well a 3-1 against Danny Lennon’s men.

To his credit, Brines was excellent in both matches with the game at McDiarmid Park passing off without a single caution; a rarity in modern football.

He will be a more than familiar face to ‘Well fans over the years. Last season, he looked after the games at Easter Road in December (2-0 defeat), the 1-0 home win against Kilmarnock in February and the 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park in April.

The 43-year-old, who has been a top-flight official for a decade and amongst FIFA’s elite group for five years, has had a busy campaign with Saturday being his tenth SPL fixture of the season.

Brines is no stranger to a Motherwell versus Rangers clash here in Lanarkshire. He was the man in the middle for the Co-operative Insurance Cup clash back in October 2007 when Paul Quinn’s late goal couldn’t prevent ‘Well crashing out 2-1 thanks to goals from Boyd and Novo.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mix bag. Of the 25 games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won nine, draw four and lost twelve.

In those games, 95 players have seen yellow, 44 of which in claret and amber, while three have been sent for an early bath.

Iain will be assisted by John Gilmour and Tommy Johnston with Craig Charleston on fourth official duties.

Tomorrow’s match with Aberdeen has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

No date has, as yet, been scheduled for the re-scheduled game.

Tickets previously purchased for the match will be valid for the re-arranged fixture.

The Steelmen face Rangers on Boxing Day and we want you to enjoy one of the biggest games of the season from the comfort of one of our hospitality suites.

Incredibly, it’ll be eight years to the day since Motherwell last beat Rangers, Boxing Day 2002, when a single James McFadden goal past Stefan Klos gave Terry Butcher’s men all three points.

Can the Fir Parkers repeat that feat some 2922 days later? Let’s hope so!

It’s the day after Christmas after all and what better way to enjoy the big match in style from our recently refurbished Centenary Suite.

You will be welcomed on arrival with a glass of bubbly, then sit down to a fantastic three course meal.

Complimentary Motherwell labelled wine will be served at your table and a pay bar facility is available via our attentive staff offering a drinks service to your table.

Relax until before kick off with your complimentary matchday magazines and teamsheet before taking your seats in the centre of the Phil O’Donnell Stand for the match.

Half time refreshments are served again in the Centenary Suite and a pay bar is available after match.

Prices start from £119!

We also have amazing packages available in both the South Stand Boxes and the Millennium Suite.

If you are interested, then contact Diane or Wilma on 01698 338062 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

The Trust’s Fans Forum on Thursday evening provided an entertaining few hours thanks to Andy Devlin and the four guests who fielded all questions thrown at them.

The good natured banter covered lots of topics, some were specific to Motherwell but many issues relating to the new SPL and McLeish proposals were covered. The well placed panel members were able to illuminate the topics from their different perspectives and it is to be hoped that the views of the audience would be taken on board as information flowed in both directions.

The inclusion of Neil Doncaster in the panel was particularly relevant as the SPL seems set to undergo another transformation. Time and time again he made it clear that we are not living in an ideal world and that the financial imperative of securing the best TV deal was one of the main reasons that led to the hope of a ten team top division.  He also felt that a season starting in early July would help to fill the TV schedules with ‘our product’ when our neighbours south of the border were still on their summer break. The introduction of Colt teams would, in his view, help to promote the  development of young players.

Leeann Dempster, our Chief Exec, accepted that some of the ideas in the proposed package were acceptable but suggested that others would need further discussion. She pointed out that there would have to be compromises on all sides. The search for a new manager was going well. There was lots of interest and it was hoped that initial discussions with candidates could start very quickly. She expected that some good news regarding use of the Ravenscraig Facility might be announced in the near future.  She stressed the importance that the club placed on working in and with the community. We must encourage the lost generation of youngsters to find the habit of watching live football.

Gordon Young was delighted at the attitude of the squad following the departure of the manager. There were no prima donnas needing their egos massaged and they were working hard. He echoed Leeann’s thoughts about our young fans.  His job in youth development was to bring in lots of youngsters and search for the elite in the hope that they could be developed. If that didn’t happen then his job was to ensure that they became Motherwell supporters.

Bill Leckie entertained with his football views that, at times, were at odds with the establishment. ShoUld the Old Firm get out of Scottish football? “I’ll drive the bus”!  Has glad that there seems to be a growing transparency in the SPL and that should be encouraged. He was sad that football was now seen as a business where “the bottom line” seemed to be everything. Football was better before that idea became rooted.

Questions from the audience made it clear that there should be provision made for safe standing areas and that prices are excessive. There was no support for the ten team league. It would lead to over familiarity and an all pervasive fear factor. Neil Doncaster countered that the scrap at the bottom would deliver “excitement”.

Trust chairman, Joe Smith, closed the night by thanking all participants and presented them with a gift. The Trust signed up more members on the night. If you have not joined yet then visit www.mstonline.net.

Motherwell Football Club have today (Thursday) issued the following statement regarding the departure of Craig Brown and Archie Knox to Aberdeen.

“During a difficult time for Scottish football and when clubs are about to enter discussions on a major league re-structuring, we are of the view that it is not in anyone’s best interests for two Scottish Premier League clubs to be involved in an ongoing dispute.

“Following constructive discussions with Aberdeen, we have reached an agreement to draw a line under the matter and have formally withdrawn our complaint to the SPL in relation to their employment of Craig Brown and Archie Knox.

“We have always maintained a good working relationship with Aberdeen and look forward to that continuing in future.

“We strongly believe this action is in the best interests of the club and will make no further comment on the matter. We will now focus all our resources on employing a new management team to take the club forward.”

Craig Brown and Archie Knox face taking a bitter blast from Motherwell fans at Pittodrie tomorrow.

All the duo will get from Fir Park caretaker-boss Gordon Young is a warm handshake and his gratitude.

Young understands why the supporters are raging over Brown and Knox quitting to join Aberdeen after having originally stated they were staying at Well.

He, however, has nothing but respect for the veterans – and a real appreciation of the stunning job they did in the dugout for the Steelmen.

Young is still desperate to beat them, though, and gain his first victory as stand-in.

He said: “I’d like to think I’d speak to Craig and Archie on an ongoing basis.

“They are far too worldly-versed and they have assured me I can call on that. Maybe not this weekend, though.

“Craig texted a message to the players before the Hearts game on Tuesday wishing them all of the best and told myself and the staff he wished us good fortune and that we could be successful.

“I’m not going to trot out old clichés, but life goes on and we all have a hard job. We mention pressure – but it’s a pleasure and we come to work for fulfilment.

“I feel sorry for guys who have to labour and toil. I can only talk for myself, but I’m a supporter and take people the way I find them. I can’t change.

“The pair were amicable and hospitable towards me.

“Whatever the fans think, they are more than entitled to because, next to the players, they are the most important people in our business. I would never tell anyone what to say or think but when people are upset, it’s not a back-handed compliment, it’s a massive compliment to what they achieved.

“Everyone has their reasons to make changes and they will, hopefully, justify it.

“A year ago here there was a different mindset and a morale-lifting exercise had to be undertaken.

“A year down the line, the place is stabilised.”

Young’s been in charge twice as a caretaker – this season and last – and each time endured defeat.

Nothing would give him more pleasure than victory tomorrow, although it still wouldn’t change his mind about not wanting to be a candidate to replace Brown.

The youth chief said: “I really enjoy the role I have at the club.

“What did manifest over the past year was an ascension to a No3 position. Craig was quick to highlight a person who could help players make the transition from youth team to first team. As a club which depends on promoting young players, it was good there was that sounding board to get them from youths all the way to the first team.

“I’m flattered if anyone thinks I could be good enough for the main job.

“I genuinely believe my skill-set is geared to other things with assistance to whoever comes into the job. From my heart, I believe Motherwell should be looking for a sound, professional boss. Not underselling myself, but they need a skill-set which can take Motherwell forward.

“You have a personal pride. I have been fortunate enough to work with a lot of great managers such as Billy Davies, Terry Butcher, Eric Black, Maurice Malpas, Paul Hegarty, Chris McCart, Scott Leitch, Mark McGhee.

“Even Jim Gannon, it’s been a great learning curve.

“I’m not so naive that I don’t know how to organise – but it is horses for courses. It’s a challenge for me to win. Forget that Craig and Archie are my friends; I have to make sure Motherwell get the three points.

“I just hope that the weather is kind. The players are desperate to get the game on and this would be a good game to have live on TV. I think people are self-motivated.

“We are not going there with a point to prove but I’m encouraging the players to go there as leaders.

“Regardless of who is in charge, they have to show they don’t rely on someone at the side of a pitch. You have to remember, we started early in the season. We have had a European campaign, we’ve been in the top six all season, we were in the top three up until the bad weather.

“The boys are desperate to get back on the rails and prove to people we can finish in the top four.”

Interim boss Gordon Young was disappointed his debut in the Fir Park dugout ended in defeat.

Young, head of Motherwell’s Youth Development Programme and a lifelong fan, was in charge following the departure of Craig Brown and Archie Knox.

And although the hosts showed some positive signs, the three and a half week break looked crucial as a rusty ‘Well side crashed to a 2-1 defeat to on-form Hearts.

Young said: “The players were desperate to get back into action after three and a half weeks out, it was ideal we got back into the game just before half time. The feeling in the dressing room was we could build on it and I don’t think we kicked on, and losing the penalty definitely didn’t help. I thought we looked a bit leg weary as the game went on, and I’ll need to galvanise the team before the weekend.

“In terms of the lack of games, if we had won I would have said no (it wasn’t a factor), but I do think it is a contributing factor but it is a game under our belts, and we have a reserve game tomorrow for the guys who didn’t play. Therefore by Friday the squad will be in a much healthier position.”

Young did salute the never-say-die attitude of his players despite going down to ten men.

The Steelmen quickly hit back after Hearts’ opener and although the visitors took the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second period, Motherwell continued to have a go. Young praised the spirit and hoped it would prove a springboard for Saturday’s big match at Pittodrie.

“That (scoring immediately after Hearts) gave us a great opportunity and I thought we passed the ball a lot better, and Motherwell’s game plan is about getting the ball and playing combination passes and trying to move through the middle of the park in an offensive manner. We had to overcome the long ball game Hearts play and the dominating fashion they do it. I felt we were coping with it really well and going in 1-1 at half time gave us a great chance.

“But it makes Saturday a big game now, with all the additional factors attached to it that makes it a reporters dream but as a football match, Motherwell have to use the next couple of days to get their legs back and prepare for the game in the normal fashion.”