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Steelmen skipper Stephen Craigan is set to reach another milestone in his Motherwell career after being included in the latest Northern Ireland squad.

Craigan, 34, has amassed a terrific haul of 52 caps for his native country, 49 of which have been achieved whilst playing at Fir Park.

However, with his latest call-up to the squad for the International Challenge Match against Morocco next midweek, he has the opportunity to claim his fiftieth and cement his place in Motherwell folklore with a record that is unlikely to ever be surpassed.

Craigan will be joined by fellow SPL starts Jonathan Tuffey from Inverness CT, Steve Davis and Kyle Lafferty from Rangers and Nial McGinn and Paddy McCourt from Celtic.

FULL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Taylor (Birmingham City), Tuffey (Partick Thistle), Blayney (Linfield)

DEFENDERS

Evans (Manchester Utd), Craigan (Motherwell), McCartney (Sunderland), McAuley (Ipswich Town), Hughes (Fulham), Baird (Fulham)

MIDFIELDERS

McCann (Peterborough Utd), Brunt (West Bromwich Albion), Gorman (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Evans (Manchester Utd), Davis (Rangers), McGinn (Celtic), Clingan (Coventry City), McCourt (Celtic)

FORWARDS

Feeney (Oldham Athletic), Lafferty (Rangers), Patterson (Plymouth Argyle)

Picture: PressEye

Motherwell youngster Steve Saunders has cemented his growing reputation with a place in the new-look Scotland U21 squad.

Saunders, 19, has had a superb start to the 2010/11 campaign, playing sixteen times already.

He joins twenty other players in the pool for the Under-21 International Challenge Match against Northern Ireland at Firhill on Wednesday 17th November.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Michael Andrews (Falkirk on loan to East Stirlingshire), Jamie Barclay (Falkirk), Mark Ridgers (Hearts on loan to Airdrie United)

Defenders

Callum Booth (Hibernian on loan to Brechin City), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Paul Hanlon (Hibernian), Ross Perry (Rangers), Steven Saunders (Motherwell), Craig Thomson (Heart of Midlothian)

Midfielders

Tom Cairney (Hull City), John Fleck (Rangers), Kyle Hutton (Rangers), Bradden Inman (Newcastle United), Liam Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday), Nicholas Ross (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), David Wotherspoon (Hibernian), Gregg Wylde (Rangers)

Forwards

Leigh Griffiths (Dundee), Alex MacDonald (Burnley), Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield Town), Johnathon Russell (Dundee United)

It’s two months until the transfer window opens but Mark Reynolds is already hearing the usual chatter that he’s set for the Fir Park exit – and he’s doing his best to ignore it.

For the last two years speculating about the classy stopper’s future has become as much a Scottish football tradition as pies, bovril and slaughtering referees.

Now, at last – after a failed s750,000 bid by Rangers in January 2009, and interest from countless clubs including PSV Eindhoven, Wigan and Newcastle – this could be the window when the will-he-won’t-he saga finally reaches its inevitable conclusion.

Serie A side Bari are the latest club to be linked with the 23-year-old and Well would find it hard to resist if the reported s250,000 bid comes in for a man who could leave as a free agent in the summer.

Craig Brown’s admission that he’ll have to sell a player before he can add to his squad only poured more fuel on a debate.

It’s a good job then that laid back Reynolds isn’t the type to get carried away, which is why he has never slapped in transfer requests.

And it’s also the reason why his belief never suffered each time a window closed without his promised big move materialising.

Reynolds said: “I can see why some boys would let it get to them when nothing comes of the speculation but it didn’t knock my confidence.

“The speculation has followed me about since Rangers put the bid in but you learn quickly to put that aside as you can’t influence things like that.

“The way football is now turning towards clubs restricting their finances, you have to realise that moves are less common.

“But I’m happy at Motherwell, always have been, and if the right move – both for me and the club – came up in January then great.

“However, if the manager thinks it’s better to keep me then we’ll sit down and discuss it.

“The good thing is I have two guys in the management team whose judgement I can trust implicitly.

“The manager and Archie Knox are in it for you, there’s no hidden agendas or any element of looking after themselves.

“The advice they’ll give is purely in your best interests and geared only towards advancing you as a player. You can’t ask for any more than that and, sadly, there’s a lot of players out there who don’t have that.

“It’s not something I want to dwell on and as long as I’m focussed on improving at Motherwell the rest will take care of itself.”

Steve Jennings has urged Well loan star Nick Blackman to stay at Fir Park – after the striker apologised to his mates for his showing against Caley.

The Blackburn frontman bagged a lucky winner in the Highlands to cement third spot in the SPL for the Steelmen.

But after one of his poorest performances since arriving from Ewood Park in the summer, Blackman said sorry in the dressing-room at half-time and was eventually hooked by boss Craig Brown.

Despite that, midfield ace Jennings would love Blackman to hang around in Lanarkshire until the end of the season and is almost certain he will stay put. Blackman’s deflected goal and Alan Gow’s header were enough to see off Inverness who replied late on with a Stuart Duff strike but now drop to fifth.

Jennings was terrific in midfield and said: “I would love Nick to stay beyond January and I’m 99 per cent sure it will happen. I don’t see any reason for either party not to allow it.

“He’s playing first-team football up here and I know he’s enjoying it. He came in at half-time and apologised to the boys for not playing well. But he still got the winning goal and he’s a fantastic player for us.

“He has everything you want in a striker – he’s strong, sharp and can take people on. Hopefully he’ll still be here after January to help us to maintain our position in the SPL.”

Well gaffer Brown was pleased with the win but not his side’s performance.

He said: “We’re grateful for the three points but not proud of our display. We can do much better than that. It was patchy from us. On balance we deserved to win but it was a nail-biter near the end.”

Pictures from the 2-1 win against Inverness CT in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at The Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

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[tab:Match report]

First half goals from Alan Gow and Nick Blackman earned Motherwell a hard-fought three points against Inverness Caley Thistle this afternoon.

Gow opened the scoring on 33 minutes with a neat header from a Chris Humphrey cross. Then, just before the break, Blackman doubled the lead with a deflected strike from distance which looped over Ryan Esson.

Stuart Duff pulled one back for the home side in the second half but the Steelmen held on to record another away win and consolidate third place in the table.

‘Well boss Craig Brown made just one change from the side that lost to Hamilton seven days ago. John Sutton returned to the starting eleven in place of Ross Forbes, with the youngster having to be content with a place amongst the substitutes. Jamie Murphy returned to the squad but could only make the bench.

Both sides started brightly in the highlands and there were early chances at both ends. It took just three minutes for Nick Ross to flash a low shot just wide of Darren Randolph’s post with the Irishman at full stretch.

At the other end, Humphrey outpaced Graeme Shinnie on the right flank before cutting it back for John Sutton. The big striker managed a decent low shot but Esson brilliantly turned it round for a corner.

The game settled down with both teams trading possession in midfield. However, Inverness almost got ahead via former ‘Well fans favourite Richie Foran on19 minutes. Jonny Hayes’ cross from the right looked comfortable for Steven Saunders but the defender slipped allowing the winger in. However, Randolph was quick off his line though and did brilliantly well to turn round.

Three minutes later, Hayes was again involved, this time firing a low shot across goal but again the former Charlton man was on hand to tip round.

‘Well weathered a the storm and then had two quick-fire opportunities to take the lead as the half hour approached. Blackman almost took advantage of slack defending from a corner but his snap shot was instinctively beaten away by Esson again. Two minutes later, the keeper made another save, this time denying Tom Hateley from a free-kick.

Brown’s men were beginning to get the upper hand and Esson was eventually beaten on the half hour. Humphrey played a quick one-two corner with Hateley before hanging a lovely ball towards the back post where Gow had the simplest of tasks to convert from close range.

Two minutes later, he almost grabbed a second but his stinging drive from the edge of the box was tipped over by Esson with the Inverness defence at sixes and sevens.

So it was no surprise that just before the break, ‘Well doubled their lead. Blackman picked up the ball about 30 yards from goal and his first time shot deflected off Grant Munro and looped over a stranded Esson and into the net.

It was the last action of a good first-half for the Steelmen and Brown’s men started the second with the same intent; both Sutton and Blackman went close to adding a third but neither could take advantage of decent chances inside the area.

Motherwell continued to dominate proceedings, playing some lovely football to boot. However, they were struggling to add the decisive third despite numerous chances.

Steven Saunders almost got his first of the campaign but his shot, after a bursting run, was deflected away for a corner. Two minutes later, the same player got on the end of a Hateley cross from the right but could only head a yard or so wide of the post.

Inverness had rarely threatened in the second half but they almost scored when Ross Tokely reacted first to a quick free-kick and delivered a lovely ball into the middle for Rooney, but the striker could only head over the bar.

They did get back into the game with 15 minutes remaining though following a super goal by former Abderdeen man Stewart Duff. Rooney teed up the midfielder and from all of 30yards and he smashed a low drive past Randolph and into the net.

The home crowd were buzzing and Rooney almost produced an equaliser two minutes later. Picking up on a loose ball on the right flank, he cut inside and curled a shot that flew inches wide of Randolph’s post.

Shortly after, substitute Sutherland again went close with a shot from the edge of the area but Randolph always looked comfortable watching it wide despite the screams from the home support.

It was certianly a nervous finish to the game but Motherwell held on for all the victory to put a four point gap between the two sides.

[tab:As it happened]

90mins FT: Inverness 1 – 2 Motherwell

80mins – Caley are battering the ‘Well goal. Rooney fires wide, as does Sutherland. Come on ‘Well – please hold on!

73mins – GOAL Inverness CT! Stewart Duff. From nothing Inverness are back in the game. Long range shot by the former Don that flies past Randolph.

70mins – Great chance for Caley. Quick thinking by Tokely from a free kick followed by a great ball into the middle but Rooney heads over

67mins – Free-kick for ICT on the right but the cross is cleared by Hammell!

65mins – Saunders goes close again… Hateley ball from the right is met by the full-back but his header drops wide.

63mins – Motherwell are playing some great stuff! Saunders broke into the box but his shot is deflected wide.

54mins – Great free-kick from Hateley almost leads to a third but Saunders can’t connect at the back post.

51mins – Superb ball from Gow plays Blackman in. Defenders do well to get back to cover but his shot flies just over the bar.

48mins – Motherwell almost make it three. Great wee free-kick has Hammell dinking it up for Sutton but the header drops wide.

46mins – Inverness get the second half underway. No changes from either side!

HT: Fingers crossed for the second half! Good on Nicky Blackman for getting his fifth of the campaign.

HT: Great first-half from the Steelmem. Game is still alive though and you fancy we’ve not seen the end of the scoring.

45mins – HT: Inverness CT 0 – 2 Motherwell.

43mins – GOOALLLLLLLLL Nick Blackman! Out of nothing, Motherwell double their lead. Long range shot deflected off Grant Murno before looping over Esson and into the net.

33mins – GOOOOALLLLLLL Alan Gow! Humphrey plays a 1-2 with Hateley from a corner. Cross takes out the GK and Gow heads home from a few yards out,

30mins – Hateley free-kick from 20-yards is once again well saved by Ryan Esson. Good wee game here at Caley!

28mins – Down the other end, ‘Well almost take advantage of slack defending in the Caley area but a Blackman shot is well saved by Esson

25mins – Low shot by Hayes is turned round by Randolph for another corner. Caley on top at the minute…

22mins – Caley should go one ahead. Hayes cross from the right looked comfortable for Saunders but he slipped. Foran in, shot is saved by DR

19mins – Craigan loops a header at goal, following a Hateley free-kick, but it is comfortable for Esson in the home goal.

14mins – ‘Well fans are singing the name of former boss Terry Bucher… Still appreciative of what the big man achieved whilst at FP.

5mins – Great move by the Steelmen there and an even better save by the ICT keeper. Good start to the match…

5mins – ‘Well almost take the lead… Humphrey bursts down the right. His cut back finds Sutton but his low shot is turned away by Esson.

3mins – Nick Ross almost puts Caley ahead with a low shot that drops inches past the post. Close shave…

1mins – Motherwell kick-off

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell midfielder Tom Hateley:

“It was great for Nick to get a goal as well. Sometimes they go over the stand and other times they go in the net but thankfully this one went in.

“He worked hard, up against two good centre-halves. It was always going to be a battle for him and sometimes our delivery wasn’t great.

“But he did what he had to do and got on the scoresheet as well. He’s been great for us since coming here and hopefully he stays longer when his loan spell is up. Everyone at the club wants to keep him here including the fans because he’s scored so many important goals, like against Rangers and Hearts.

“With that left foot of his he must be one of the most entertaining players in the SPL in full flight.”

Inverness Caley goalscorer Stewart Duff:

“I don’t know how we can do so well against Rangers then be so poor just a week later. Our gaffer Terry Butcher has said some harsh words to us and we’ve all held up our hands.

“All the boys realise the performance was not acceptable but maybe we’ve believed a bit of our own hype last week after what we did at Ibrox.

“What we’ve achieved so far has all been about hard work and determination but that wasn’t on show out there against Motherwell.

“It looks as though we’ve rested on our laurels after last week’s result.My goal gave everybody a lift and we tried to get back in the match. But it would have been a robbery if we had taken a point.

“We now need to get ourselves up for the game on Tuesday night against Aberdeen.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Darren Randolph admits he is desperate to get back into action and right a few wrongs from last weekend’s derby day defeat.

Despite being expected to beat the neighbours from the south, Craig Brown’s men slumped to a 1-0 defeat to the Accies and the Irish keeper is honest enough to express his disappointment at the way things went.

“Everyone was a little bit embarrassed by the defeat,” The big stopper said candidly. “We were expected to win and we didn’t play well and we lost at home. So everyone is itching to get back on the pitch and correct last week.

“We seem to react well to setbacks. There is a lot of belief in the squad. We know we can play a lot better so we will go to Inverness with a positive mentality.”

It may take more than just a positive mentality to defeat Terry Butcher’s side.

The Highlanders have started this season in blistering form, and welcome ‘Well to town on the back of a superb 1-1 draw at Ibrox – ending the champions’ 100% record this season.

The challenge of the trip north is certainly not lost on Randolph, who has some inside knowledge of the Caley camp: “You can tell by their league position that they have been doing okay. Hopefully they are better away from home than they are at home, and we are good away from home – apart from the Rangers game.
 
“Jonny Hayes and Adam Rooney were both in my Irish team when we were younger and hopefully they make me look good on Saturday! I’ll have to have a word with them before we play.

“Adam and Jonny have had a great start to the season and when you think about Inverness they are definitely the danger men. So if we can stop them, hopefully it will make the game a little bit easier.”

Talking to the assembled press, the 23-year old’s keenness for a shut-out shines through, and he is looking to combine that with a winning performance which will see Motherwell extend their lead in third spot.

Caley have overachieved magnificently this season and a win will see them jump into third spot, adding more spice to a match the ‘Well keeper is already itching to get played.

“I’m happy I’ve managed to keep quite a few clean sheets, and hopefully I can get another one at the weekend on the way to a win,” he insisted. “But I’m more interested in just keeping that third position.

“As long as we win, I’m not really bothered. We have played everyone now apart from Inverness and we believe we can keep third place.”

Randolph’s belief in Motherwell’s best-of-the-rest credential is admirable, but he is analytical enough to realise there will be plenty of challenges between now and the end of the season, in an SPL where it seems anyone can beat anyone.

That was perhaps summed up best last week as Hamiton (11th at the time) defeated ‘Well (3rd).

“Even the teams that we’ve played that were at the bottom of the table have impressed me,” he admitted. “Some of them certainly haven’t played like they were at the bottom. It’s a league where everyone can beat everyone”

“Obviously that doesn’t count – barring the odd upset – the top two, but we hope to be just below them.”

Craig Brown is desperate for ‘Well to continue their excellent away form this season with a win in Inverness, and at the same time banish the memories of a disappointing Lanarkshire Derby to the recesses of history.

The Steelmen have only lost one away match this campaign, and can look back on successful trips to Hearts, St. Johnstone and Kilmarnock so far – but the mammoth trip to the Highlands could be the toughest so far.

Naturally, the gaffer is keen to carry on the excellent record on the road: “Having only lost one away game we can go to any venue without any inferiority complex; we know we are capable of winning in difficult places.

“We were well in the game against Rangers up until around the hour mark, so even that defeat was not reflective of our performance.

“I think it is fashionable to win away from because the onus is on the home team to attack, the crowd is sucking them forward and it is hard to keep the defensive discipline when the expectation is that you should attack. That is something we will look to exploit.”

Despite Brown’s palpable confidence, he is all too aware that Terry Butcher’s high-flying Caley will pose a huge threat to his troops.

The newly-promoted Highlanders currently sit in fourth spot in the SPL, and could leapfrog the Lanarkshire men into third spot with a win on Saturday.

By most accounts Caley have overachieved, but it isn’t something that surprises the ‘Well boss.

He continued: “Inverness have a winning mentality after being promoted last year. Because a team is used to winning matches they keep on winning and play well.

“Every team which comes up usually does well, you can see that with the likes of Blackpool and, previously, Hull City in the English Premiership. That is the norm.

“It will be a case of retaining that in the face of adversity, which more established teams might be used to.”

‘Well are looking for a good response following the controversial 1-0 defeat against Hamilton last weekend, but the boss refutes any suggestion Motherwell were poor in the defeat. Instead he is looking for a turnaround in fortunes.

“I thought our response in the second half of the match was good,” he said. “But there were mitigating circumstances last week.

“We had all the possession and all the attack; the corner count was ten against two. If we were hopeless and never in the game then I would be worried, but apart from the goal we were good, and there is certainly no despondency about.

“We missed a penalty and arguably should have had another two, but these are ‘ifs and buts’, and I don’t like to dwell on those.”

Two players who will have a huge bearing on Saturday’s result – whether due to their presence or their absence – will be Keith Lasley and Jamie Murphy.

Both players missed out on the defeat to Hamilton last weekend, and Brown is keeping his fingers crossed they could make a welcome return at the Caledonian Stadium.

“Lasley and Murphy will travel to Inverness and they are in contention for selection,” he confirmed.

“We’ll know more after our final training session, but at the moment we are hopeful they will be available.”