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Motherwell have today completed the signing of former Rangers and Scotland full-back Maurice Ross on a short-term contract.

The much-travelled 30-year old, who can also count Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves, Millwall, Viking, Kocaelispor and Aberdeen amongst his former clubs, was most recently with Chinese outfit Beijing Guoan.

He returned to Scotland this month and has spent time training with St Mirren. However, the 13-times capped Scotland defender has opted to join the Steelmen, bolstering a thin squad which has had recent injury problems.

Speaking exclusively to motherwellfc.co.uk, Ross said, “I am delighted to have signed for Motherwell, it’s an excellent opportunity for me.”

“It all came about really quick. I had been in training with St Mirren, with Danny Lennon and Ian Jenkins, and I would like to thank them for the opportunity. But it was taking a wee bit of time and Motherwell moved so fast to get things done and here I am.

“My aim now is to get myself as fit as I can, get myself in the side and take it from there.”

Referee for tomorrow’s clash with Aberdeen at Fir Park is rookie Steven McLean.

29-year-old McLean will be handling his third ‘Well game of the season. He made his Motherwell “debut”, if you will, in the 2-1 win over Dundee Utd back in October; his first even ‘Well match.

A couple of own goals gave The Steelmen the points despite David Goodwillie slamming home a penalty after McLean had adjudged Stephen Craigan to have handled inside the area.

His other Motherwell game came, ironically, against today’s opponents when the teams last met in February. A scintillating display from Stuart McCall’s men gave the Steelmen all three points after coming from behind to win 2-1. It was a difficult game for McLean to handle but, despite howls of protest from the home stands, the young official had an excellent evening and showed composure in the face of difficult circumstances.

McLean began his refereeing career back in 1997, aged just 16, but had to wait six years before being promoted to the SFA Senior List. It took him a further four years (June 2007) to get promoted to a Category 1 where he has spent the last three years handling SFL and ALBA Challenge Cup games as well as gaining experience as a fourth official at SPL matches.

He eventually made his bow in Scotland’s top league when he took charge of Aberdeen’s 1-0 away win at McDiarmid Park back in August.  A late Darren Mackie goal was enough to give the Dons all three points and McLean had a good afternoon, booking five players in a competitive contest.

He quickly followed that with another SPL match, this time the six-pointer between Kilmarnock and St Mirren at Rugby Park. Slightly more eventful for the young referee with Paul McGowan been shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident. Killie eventually won the game 2-1; goals from Dayton and Eremenko cancelling out Steven Thomson’s leveller just after the interval.

A busy debut season; this will be Steven’s eleventh SPL outing and he is on course to become one of Scotland’s top officials.

McLean will be ably assisted by John Gilmour and Raymond White with Des Roache on fourth official duties.

Stuart McCall was full of praise for his players after watching ‘Well blow away the Cup holders Dundee United to reach the semi-final at Hampden.

Goals from Jamie Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Francis Jeffers secured a 3-0 win for the Steelmen, as the home side produced a display of energy, incisiveness and hunger which the Arabs simply could not match.

Motherwell will now go on to face St. Johnstone – with a place in the Scottish Cup final tantalisingly close now.

“I am delighted to be part of it,” McCall said of a great night for the club. “It’s an achievement for the lads; and they deserve all the plaudits tonight.

“We decided to go 4-4-2. I think at home when we play like that, with the two wide men on the top of their game as they were tonight, we are difficult to play against.

“I thought Sutton and Jeffers were excellent as well. But it was a great team performance.”

McCall has now called on the players to believe in themselves, as they stand on the cusp of a very special season.

A win against Aberdeen on Saturday would go a long way to securing top-six football after the split, and Derek McInnes’ Saints are all that stands between ‘Well and a famous cup final berth.

And it is about time the players realised just how good they are, according to the gaffer: “I said after I was in the job only a couple of weeks that what we’ve got in the dressing room is a match for anyone.

“Thankfully tonight we were at it. We have matched Celtic, we matched Rangers in the (Co-operative Insurance Cup) semi – and I probably have more belief in the players than they have in themselves.
 
“The three goals were outstanding, they deserve all the plaudits they get for their all round game, they are a credit and it was great to have the supporters behind us.”

The Motherwell boss was typically keen to get back to business straight away, and within minutes was already looking ahead to the Aberdeen game on Saturday, but the gaffer does admit the Hampden semi-final will be special.

“The lads are all talking about it,” the 46-year old admitted. “Our players got a little smell of it in the League Cup semi with Rangers, and I think they showed tonight how much that meant to them to get back there. Throughout the side they were all heroes.

“This eclipsed beating Celtic here, but we are back in tomorrow for a huge game with Aberdeen on Saturday”

Pictures from the 3-0 win over Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup Quarter Final replay at Fir Park.

These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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Craig Fowler at Fir Park

Motherwell roared their way into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a 3-0 demolition of Dundee United at Fir Park.

Jamie Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Francis Jeffers all bagged terrific goals in a game that could have brought more for the home side.

Motherwell’s football from start to finish was nothing short of scintillating, and United just couldn’t deal with the play and passion of their opponents.

Stuart McCall made three changes to the side that lost 3-1 to Kilmarnock in the club’s last league fixture. Steven Saunders dropped out through injury, while Stephen Craigan had to take up a place on the bench having just played 90 minutes of football for Northern Ireland the night before. Jonathan Page also dropped to the bench as Stevie Hammell, Keith Lasley and Francis Jeffers came into the starting line-up. For United Prince Buaben and Craig Conway came into the side in place of Morgaro Gomis and Johnny Russell.

Motherwell started the brighter of the two sides with a couple of promising attacks in the opening five minutes. The atmosphere was vibrant inside the ground with the home crowd fuelled by the army of singing United supporters that had invaded their territory. But the tangerine army was soon silenced.

A long ball launched forward was missed by Jeffers but bounced up invitingly for Sutton to get his head to. Anticipation rose as Sutton’s flick-on dropped into the path of Murphy running through free on the left. The young attacker still had a lot to do but finished expertly with a perfectly angled left-footed drive into the far corner of the net.

The early blow rocked United and they would have to survive another couple of attacks within the first 15 minutes. First, Jeffers got into a similar position as Murphy but his shot was pushed away by Pernis. Then Hutchinson, under pressure, headed wide of goal following a corner on the left.

Around the 20 minute mark, United started to come into the game and enjoyed their first spells of possession in the opposing half. But it was Motherwell, and Murphy again, who would carve out the next opportunity. Twice the21-year old received the ball on the touchline and drove inside looking for goal. His first effort from distance was well held by Pernis, but he blasted his second effort, from the edge of the penalty area, high over the crossbar.

Murphy was playing like a man possessed but he left it to his teammates to put Motherwell 2-0 up on 35 minutes. Jeffers knocked the ball back for Hammell to send in a swinging cross from the left. The ball was behind the run of John Sutton but the striker fought and twisted to get his head to it. The flick-on took the pace out of the cross and it dropped invitingly for Humphrey to smash Motherwell into a two-goal cushion.

A tremendous first half almost became perfect on 44 minutes. Hateley’s free-kick from 25 yards had Pernis rooted to the spot but dropped wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.

The second half began in a calmer fashion than the first before bursting into life on 56 minutes. First Murphy almost added to his tally with a curling right foot shot from 20 yards that had Pernis scrambling. Action then followed at the opposite end. United fan’s felt their side had a legitimate penalty shout as Goodwillie went down under a challenge from Hammell. The ref ignored the striker’s claims, and from the resulting penalty box scramble Dixon prodded a deflected shot wide.

A couple of minutes later, Motherwell were on the attack again. This time Sutton couldn’t quite get himself over a Hateley cross and his header fell into the grateful arms of Pernis.

On 62 minutes, the match was won and Motherwell’s passage into the next round was assured. Jeffers received the ball 30 yards from goal, turned his marker and fired in a low shot from the edge of the area that powered past Pernis.

With two minutes of the game remaining, Motherwell should have added to their tally. Jennings received the ball in the middle of the park and curled a beautiful outside-of-the-boot pass to Murphy running through on the right. The striker had plenty of time but a bad first touch allowed Pernis to collect.

The full-time whistle went and was immediately followed by a triumphant roar from the home fans. They will now get the chance to see their team face off against St. Johnstone for a place in the Scottish Cup Final.

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Graham Barnstaple at Fir Park

Post Match: As Arthur Montford (one for the oldies) once said – “Well done Boys!!” Remember we also knocked out the holders in 1991….

Post Match: Just another quick note that was Big Darren’s 17th clean sheet of the season!!

FULL TIME – Hampden here we come, bring on the Saints on Saturday 16th April. Lets hope this is the Well side that turns up that day!

90mins – We are taking the proverbial as United almost turn a Jones cross into their own net!

90mins – Randolph’s first save as he tips over a dipping shot from Scott Robertson, with three minutes being added on

86mins – Its Ole chants as we get close – only a couple of minutes to go!!

84mins – Craigan on for Hammell, sponsors announce the MOTM as Jamie Murphy – not my choice! Big Sutton or Jeffers for me

82mins – The South Stand doesn’t quite have 3500 people in it now!! Lucky if 1000 are left as the Well fans start to believe – is it too early??

80mins – second sub for Well with Humphrey off and Steve Jones on, Murphy moves over to the right. Utd left back will be glad to see Humph off!

78mins – 2nd ball of the night hooked over the East Stand, something for the Knowetop kids tomorrow?

76mins – First sub for ‘Well with the impressive Jeffers being replaced by Forbes, looks as though we are tightening things up in midfield

74mins – The attendance has been announced as 8337, with about 3500 from Dundee – good attendance, well worth a tenner

70mins – Sorry for lack of updates there appears to have been a problem with Twitter tonight, let’s hope it holds out for the last 20 minutes

69mins – Murphy fires another great effort across the United goal

68mins – Three nil now after 68 minutes other two goals from Humphrey and Jeffers. Three great goals worth seeing the highlights when they are shown

8mins – GOOOOAAAAAALLLLL – Murphy makes it 1-0 drilling home a Sutton flick on from 15 yards out.

5mins  -Game underway, but its all a bit frenetic in the opening five minutes

Pre-Match: East Stand boys have just shown a banner with a plea, “Time for New Heroes”, with a shirt for all 13 of the 1991 heroes – no pressure!!

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Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“The group of players can give anyone a game when they’re on top of their game and I think they proved that. “The fans deserve it and (the semi-final) is something to look foward to.”

“All credit to the boys; I had the sense in training this week they were really up for it and, from the first whistle to the last against a good Dundee United side, the boys were outstanding.

“The players gave their all tonight and all you can ask is that they get what they deserve and they did. The lads are desperate to go back to Hampden, they gave a great performance against Rangers in the (Co-operative Insurance Cup) semi-final.”

Dundee Utd manager Peter Houston:

“We had our second shot on goal in the 89th minute. We were second to every ball and the hungrier side won. It was a poor performance and we’ve let a lot of fans down.”

“They were hungrier, sharper, quicker to the ball and we stood off people.

“Motherwell got in our faces and, in cup ties, you have to do that. They played it like a cup tie and thoroughly deserved to go through: good luck to them.”

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Chris Humphrey admits that it would be a special achievement to reach the a second semi final this season, but knows there’s still a lot to be done.

The Steelmen face Dundee United in the quarter-final replay on Wednesday night, with a mouth-watering tie against St Johnstone the reward for the winners, and many ‘Well fans are already dreaming of a famous afternoon at Hampden.

It is a desire which has only been exacerbated by Motherwell’s Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final display against Rangers, in which ‘Well performed admirably in-front of a raucous Steelmen support.

“We’ve got such a young squad that I’m sure it would mean the world to everyone to play in a cup final,” Humphrey enthused. “The last match we had at Hampden was a fantastic experience. The result was disappointing but the whole day was brilliant.

“We are desperate to get back there for the semi-final – and from there we can dream about getting back there for the final.”

But Humphrey is acutely respectful of the qualities of the sides left in Motherwell’s path, with the cup holders Dundee United and the exceedingly well organised St Johnstone still barring the way to a date at Hampden in May.

“It’s all about Wednesday,” the Jamaican-born winger acknowledged. “Dundee United are a really good side and it’ll be difficult to beat them first.

“And St Johnstone are in the semis for a reason so no one should underestimate them either. We can’t look too far ahead and we won’t think about Hampden until after a tough match against Dundee United.
 
“The game against United is the most important thing and we’ll not be thinking about anything else.”

The Steelmen have enjoyed something of a hiatus in the recent international break; a welcome change from the packed calendar of February and early March, and Humphrey is determined that there will be a visible freshness about the home side.

He insists that the players have also been working hard in training to rectify the mistakes of the recent defeat against Kilmarnock.

He continued: “We feel really refreshed and the break has come at the right time – especially with this game coming up.

“We’ve done a lot of work in training and we believe that we have done enough work to get past Dundee United of Wednesday night. Everyone is buzzing for the game, training has been superb, and all eyes are on a positive result now.”

Stuart McCall has called on all ‘Well fans to roar the Steelmen on to Hampden when Dundee United visit this Wednesday.

Should the men in claret-and-amber traverse the Peter Houston’s cup holders they will face St. Johnstone in the semi-final in April.

Although there are still substantial obstacles in the way, this could be the club’s best chance to reach a Scottish Cup final for many years.

And with entry for this vital tie set at just £10 for adults and £5 concessions, the Motherwell gaffer is hoping for a bumper crowd at Fir Park.

“This is the most important game since I have been at the club,” the gaffer previewed. “It would certainly eclipse beating Celtic.

“For the fans – to give them some excitement and something to look forward to – it would be wonderful to get to another Hampden semi-final. But we know how tough a task it will be against Dundee United. The players know the prize which is waiting for them if they can get through this tie, and if we play to the level that I know my players can then we are good enough.   

“The club has reduced the prices to make the game affordable, and hopefully with a big home crowd roaring the boys on we can get to where we want to be – and that’s in the semi-final.”

The ‘Well boss is sure that his troops have enough in their locker to defeat the Terror’s, who are on a prodigious run of eight matches unbeaten in all competitions.

The Steelmen turned in a marvelous display at Tannadice in the first encounter of this tie, and were unlucky to only come away from Tayside with a 2-2 draw.

Similarly, the last time Motherwell played home game it was the fantastic 2-0 win over an in-form Celtic side. The boss has admitted that inconsistency has plagued his side, but there is little doubt that ‘Well have shown an ability to match the best sides in Scotland at times.

“The last time my players walked off the pitch at Fir Park it was to a standing ovation, after beating Celtic,” McCall recalled, “and it was well deserved.

“We were fantastic that day and we have shown on occasions that we have good quality in our squad. I thought we were excellent in the first game at Tannadice too, and more of the same will be required on Wednesday.

Everyone at the club is acutely aware that the next few days could be season-deciding for Motherwell, with the club battling for a place at Hampden and also facing Aberdeen at home as ‘Well chase a top-six berth.

Both goals could be vital for the prestige of the club and, more importantly, for the future plans as Stuart McCall looks to build his own Motherwell side.

The former Everton midfielder continued: “There’s no doubt that our budget for next season will be much better if we can get to a semi-final or even a final – likewise if we can finish in the top six.

“That’s the finances of football everywhere at the moment. Until you know where you are going to be then it is hard to plan ahead.

“The players know the situation, and it is perhaps another motivational tool that a win could see another couple of pence put on a new contract offer – but the players won’t need any extra motivation for tomorrow night.”

The seventeenth edition of the Motherwell Matchday Magazine is on sale this Wednesday when Dundee Utd visit Fir Park.

It’s a massive game for both clubs with the winner progressing through to the Scottish Cup Semi Final and a Hampden clash with St Johnstone

And the featured-packed, 64-page programme will again be on sale with all the latest from Fir Park…

This week, Stuart McCall looks back at the defeat at Kilmarnock and assesses the chances for the remainder of the season.

There’s a fantastic 8-page interview with Ross Forbes, the young midfielder reflects on a rollercoaster two-years in the Motherwell first-team and details his hopes and aspirations for the future.

We have a ten-page section dedicated to our visitors, Dundee Utd, including a player-by-player account of the Arabs side. Peter Elder also takes us back through time to recall some of the good and, erm, not so good encounters between the sides.

Alan Temple looks at how United are bucking the fatigue trend as well as examining how the tie has lived up to some rather famous predecessors.

And that’s not all… We look back at the 2-2 draw at Tannadice and the 3-1 defeat at Kilmarnock eight days ago.

We also look at the recent Cashback for Communities windfall, Stephen and Chloe Craigan in Play Talk Read the latest commercial and community news as well as all the latest ticket information for the last few games before the split.

The programme, priced at £3, will be available in the ‘Well Shop with sellers in and around the ground from about 6pm.

Referee for Wednesday’s Scottish Cup Quarter Final replay with Dundee Utd at Fir Park is Calum Murray.

Murray will be handling his third ‘Well game of the current campaign after previously overseeing the 1-0 defeat at McDiarmid Park in January and the original match at Tannadice which finished 2-2.

Saints won that night courtesy of a controversial penalty award when Stephen Craigan was adjudged to have clashed with Michael Duberry inside the area; Liam Craig dispatched the resulting kick from the spot.

The draw at Tannadice won wide applause for being end-to-end and exciting and Murray played his part with an excellent display, including getting a number of penalty calls spot on.

Last season, he was the man in the middle for the 1-1 draw with Rangers; Tom Hateley netting a sensational equaliser for the Steelmen. That game was also marred by a controversial call when Ross Forbes’ goal was somehow disallowed for offside despite television pictures showing the midfielder to be at least two yards onside.

He also took charge of the 3-2 home defeat by Sunday’s opponents Dundee Utd in April last year when a John Sutton double wasn’t enough to give ‘Well the points.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is fairly decent. Of the fifteen games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won seven, drawn three and lost five. The Fir Parkers have scored twenty-two whilst nineteen have hit the back of the ‘Well net.

42 players have seen yellow on those fourteen matches, 22 of which were shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber. Only one player has been sent for an early bath, Bob Malcolm in the famous 1-0 win over Celtic back in early 2008.

Calum will be ably assisted by Brian McGarry and Charlie Smith with Alan Muir on fourth official duties.

Fans are reminded that tickets for this Wednesday’s Scottish Cup clash with Dundee United have been reduced to £10/£5.

In what is surely Motherwell’s biggest week of the season, a win for McCall’s men would set-up a Semi Final date with St Johnstone.

Both Motherwell and United have agreed to slash the prices once again – with adults paying £10 and concessions just £5*. What is more, Season Ticket holders have until the day of the match to purchase their regular seat for what is certain to be a Cup cracker.

For further information or to pre-buy your regular season ticket seat, pop into the Fir Park Ticket Office now – please note that phone bookings can now no longer be taken.

*Concessions are listed as U16s, Over 60s and full time students with a valid matriculation card.