Latest News

Former Rangers and Scotland midfielder Stuart McCall was officially unveiled as the new Motherwell boss earlier today. Here are some exclusive pictures from our friends at SNS.

[svgallery name=”mccall301210″]

Stuart McCall insists he will bring an exciting brand of football to Motherwell after taking over the reins at Fir Park.

McCall, who enjoyed a glittering playing career with the likes of Rangers and Everton, as well as a spell as Bradford manager, joins the club on a two-and-a-half year deal and has made no secret of his managerial philosophy.

“I would rather win a match 5-4 than 1-0,” the 46-year old smiled. “I’m well aware that there are many different ways to win a football match – and it can be horses-for-courses to an extent sometimes – but I can guarantee that I will always send the team out to win.

“My philosophy, like any other manager, is to try and win football matches, and I try to do that in an entertaining way.

“In all honesty I came to the interview for the experience, having never been to an interview in my life – although obviously I wanted the job. After speaking to the club I was very excited about the opportunity, and I’ve nothing but praise for the way the club has handled the situation.”

McCall’s first job will be to stop the rot of five SPL matches without a win for the Steelmen as Motherwell travel across Lanarkshire to face Billy Reid’s struggling Hamilton side.

The new gaffer analysed: “The last few games have all been tough, and against teams high up in the table.”

“Against Rangers, they were at their best and Motherwell were not; against Hearts I thought Motherwell deserved a point and were unlucky not to get one; and against Celtic I thought the lads had a little bit of a hangover from the Boxing Day defeat but improved massively in the second half.

“There’s nothing we can do about previous results, but we will hopefully get back to winning ways against Hamilton.”

Another important aspect of the former Scotland midfielder’s new role with Motherwell will be overseeing the squad as contracts and loan deals approach expiry dates.

Alan Gow and Nick Blackman have deals which expire in January, while the likes of John Sutton, Stephen Craigan and Mark Reynolds have contracts which expire in the summer. McCall has conceded that he will be looking to weigh up the respective scenarios as quickly as possible.

“I have a meeting with a few out-of-contract players over the next few days, and we’ll try and address Nick Blackman’s loan quite quickly,” McCall said. 

“Obviously if we are to lose any players then there will be room move to move and bring in other players on like-for-like wages.

“But I’m well aware of the parameters that I’m working with, which is great. I know the situation so there are no excuses. I’ll quickly assess the underbelly of the squad: the lads who haven’t been playing and the young lads, and hopefully we’ll find a gem.

“But the squad, as a whole, has done very well in recent times and we will now look to kick on with the players we have.”

Motherwell Football Club today (Thursday) confirmed the appointment of Stuart McCall as manager.

McCall becomes the clubs’ 22nd manager, replacing Craig Brown who departed for Aberdeen three weeks ago.

Commenting Motherwell FC Chairman Mr John Boyle said: “The Board are truly delighted to welcome Stuart McCall to the club and begin a new era for the Motherwell family. We are enormously grateful to everyone who applied for and advised on this crucial appointment for our club.

“In Stuart we have secured the services of a proven winner with huge experience in the game and all of the attributes on our target list. He is a natural leader and has impressed us enormously with his thoughtful assessment of how he will go about the job.

“Stuart will fit in well at Motherwell and will play an important role in all we want to achieve in building a modern club with family and community appeal. All Motherwell fans will wish Stuart every success and a long and happy tenure at the club.”

New Motherwell manager Mr Stuart McCall added: “I am excited by the job and will give it my all. I know Motherwell very well as a club and have long respected what they are about. They have produced some special talent over the years and done so in an entertaining way. It’s a family club at the heart of the Scottish game and they are doing all the right things to be successful and sustainable.

“I have inherited a good squad with a proven system for identifying new and young talent. I want to build on that starting today to ensure we compete for success in league, cup and Europe.”

Motherwell stalwart Stevie Hammell is excited about what the future holds for Motherwell after a few words from Stuart McCall.

The former Scotland midfielder, who is expected to be confirmed as manager on Thursday afternoon subject to finalising a contract, introduced himself to the squad in the dressing room at Celtic Park after the 1-0 defeat and it seems he is keen to hit the ground running.

“Stuart came in and introduced himself after the game,” ‘Well’s left-back confirmed. “We spoke about the game and had a chat about things that we can be doing better – especially after the first half.

“I’m looking forward to impressing the new manager, and that is what we all need to do, starting on Saturday with a win against Hamilton.”

Celtic claimed all three points thanks to a solitary Paddy McCourt goal in the first half. The home side could have extended their advantage in the first period, as Gordon Young’s men struggled to deal with the home side’s fluid attacking play.

However, the Steelmen were much improved in the second half and succeeded in restricting the hosts’ chances as the game descended into a turgid battle. There was even a late chance for an equaliser after a scramble in the penalty area, but the Celtic defence smuggled it clear.

“The way we played in the first half I didn’t think we would have a chance of getting a point,” Hammell asserted honestly. “But we were much better in the second half and moved the ball much better.

“We had a chance at the end which also could have went in for us, but that’s just one of those things. We have to build on the good things about today and get back to winning ways.”

The match finished 1-0, with very few talking points, but Hammell found himself involved in some drama after being scythed down by Celtic captain Scott Brown, prompting referee Stephen Finnie to produce a second yellow card for the fiery midfielder.

“It’s not as if I’m trying to get the boy sent off,” the 28-year old insisted. “I’ve cleared the ball up the field and he’s obviously followed through, but I don’t really remember much about the incident.

“I don’t know whether it was a booking or a straight red; I haven’t seen it again, but the referee’s decision is final. The tackle certainly didn’t hurt, it was the fall that was painful.”

Gordon Young watched Motherwell lose 1-0 to Celtic tonight and then admitted he is ready to hand over his role as manager.

Young’s temporary charges succumbed to a single goal defeat at Parkhead thanks to a solitary Paddy McCourt strike in the first half.

However, there was much intrigue off the pitch as well as on it, with former Rangers midfielder Stuart McCall watching from the stands.

“I’m now happy to hand over to Stuart if things are confirmed tomorrow,” said Young, who will now return to his role as Head of Youth Development.

“It was always going to be the case that I would come in and stabalise the club in the interim period and keep the players organised and disciplined.

“Stuart came in after the game and told us that we were nervy in the first half but excellent in the second, and he made it clear that he was delighted to get the chance to work with this group of players.”

Motherwell struggled to cope with a lively Celtic side in the first period and, in truth, the half-time score could have been much more damaging than merely 1-0, but ‘Well improved immensely in the second half and could have nicked a surprise point late on.

A rash Scott Brown challenge on Steven Hammell, which saw the midfielder sent off, epitomised the panic among the Celtic players as Motherwell came into the ascendancy as the second half wore on.

“The longer the game went, the more we grew in stature,” Young insisted. “We didn’t start the game very well and we were nervous but after half-time I firmly believe that we were the better team. We were composed and tenacious.

“You’re not going to win every game, and I think the last couple of defeats have just been a blip. The second half performance makes me think that we have emerged from the doldrums and are back to where we were.

“I expect, with a new manager, the team to kick on.”

Pictures from the 1-0 defeat to Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Celtic Park. These action shots and more are available to buy online at www.motherwellpics.com.

[svgallery name=”celtic291210″]

[tab:Match report]

Despite a spirited second half showing, Motherwell crashed to a narrow 1-0 defeat to 10-man Celtic this evening.

A tepid fixture was settled by a rare moment of quality midway through the first half when Paddy McCourt managed to avert three challenges before curling a superb effort past the sprawling Darren Randolph from just inside the area.

‘Well pushed for an equaliser in the second period, but chances were at a premium. In fact, any noteworthy moments were at a premium until Scott Brown received his marching orders for a late foul on Steven Hammell.

Gordon Young responded to the weekend’s defeat to Rangers by bringing in Marc Fitzpatrick in the place of Nick Blackman, adding a little bit of apt steel to the Steelmen midfield.

Conversely, there was no hint of defensive compromise from Neil Lennon’s ultra-attacking starting eleven, with the attacking riches of Stokes, McCourt, Kapo, Forrest and Joe Ledley all lining up against ‘Well as Celtic aimed to hit the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

It didn’t take long for Lennon’s troops to register their attacking intent. Welsh midfielder Joe Ledley latched onto a clearance to drive a shot from the edge of the box which was heading for the bottom-corner. It was well saved by Randolph, but the rebound fell perfectly for Emilio Izaguirre, who blasted high and wide from six yards.

Ten minutes later Celtic thought they had taken the lead when Scott Brown fired in a low shot from 25 yards, which was deflected into the net by Olivier Kapo. As Celtic Park erupted the assistant referee held his flag aloft to disallow the strike. That was immediately followed by Patrick McCourt heading just wide at the far post after some lovely build-up work from James Forrest.

Motherwell managed to ride out the green and white storm until just before the half-hour mark, and then they were undone by a swift corner routine. James Forrest came short to receive the pass and the home side worked the ball to McCourt on the edge of the area. The Northern Irishman breezed past a couple of challenges before curling the ball into the corner of the net from just inside the area.

It should have been two for Celtic ten minutes before the break. A lovely passing triangle between Kapo, Stokes and Joe Ledley set the midfielder through on goal but, with the goal gaping and Reynolds struggling to make up the ground, he could only drag his shot wide.

Both clubs celebrated the life of Phil O’Donnell at halt-time on the third anniversary of the death of the Motherwell and Celtic legend. His wife Eileen and children Olivia, Luke, Megan and Christopher came on the pitch along with Simon Donnelly and Jackie McNamara – all of whom, along with many others, completed a walk from Motherwell to Glasgow for a heart disease awareness charity in Phil’s honour.

A montage of Phil’s greatest moments was paraded on the big screen at Parkhead, providing a fitting sense of perspective midway through a football match whose importance pales into insignificance in comparison to the loss of O’Donnell – a loss still felt by everyone at Motherwell Football Club.

The second half started in scrappy fashion with neither side really getting a hold of the ball. This break in fluency actually worked to ‘Well’s advantage, with the visitors gradually coming into the game after a disappointing first half effort. Indeed, Motherwell almost created a chance for an equaliser when Steven Saunders burst down the right flank before fizzing in a teasing cross – but Rogne managed to clear with Gow waiting to pounce.

As the half progressed the contest descended into a turgid affair, with both side struggling to pass the ball, and with the game being littered by petulant fouls, odd refereeing decisions and yellow cards. A McCourt run and shot with 20 minutes left temporarily livened up a drab encounter, but Randolph gathered comfortably.

Motherwell introduced Nick Blackman to the fray late on as they chased an unlikely point, but they couldn’t force any discernable chances and Celtic managed to hang on for a 1-0 win, however there was another moment of note as Scott Brown was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Stevie Hammell.

[tab:As it happened]

90mins – 1-0 win for Celtic. Well missed a late chance after a scramble, and Brown was sent off.

76mins –  Murph off for Nick Blackman as we look to nick a goal and grab a point.

72mins – McCourt drives through on goal but his lashed drive is gathered by Randolph.

56mins – Motherwell look the more likely here. Getting into the game while Celtic seem asleep after their good 1st half.

54mins – Interesting note, Sub Murphy has been subbed for Kayal. Off to a less than positive reception. He doesn’t seem the most popular.

53mins – As you can see, we are back in the second half. Motherwell actually look more lively this half.

44mins – Ref decks it!!! The most entertaining thing from a well perspective to happen all half. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

43mins – Bring on the half-time whistle. Celtic could be 2 or 3-up. But we are still in this.

27mins – Goal Celtic: McCourt curls home from 18 yards. 1-0 

21mins – Motherwell succeeding in keeping Celtic out at the moment, but struggling to create much up the other end.

12mins – Under cosh again! Kapo has goal rightly disallowed before McCourt heads inches wide after good work from Forrest. 

10mins – Thankfully things have calmed down a little here. That was a shaky 1st 5 mins!!

4mins – ‘Well already hanging on! McCourt dances to the bi-line and teases a ball to the back post which thankfully evades everyone!

2mins – Celtic could have been ahead immediately! Decent drive from 18 yards parried by Randolph – Izaguirre blasts rebound over from 6ydrs!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell interim manager Gordon Young:

“Close but no cigar. I’m so proud of the players, I thought they were excellent in the second half.

“In the first half we looked as if we needed a bit more belief and at half-time I charged them with proving that they were good players and I thought they answered that call.

“I made a statement in the dressing room before the game saying that we’ve gone through a blip and they’ve got to put a marker down now and say that the Motherwell of old are back and I think they’ve answered that, Motherwell are back.

“He (Stuart McCall) was pleased with what he saw in the second half, it gives him great confidence. He reiterated my points about us just having a bit more belief and retention of the ball so I think we’ll be singing off the same hymn sheet.”

Celtic manager Neil Lennon:

“I know Rangers have got two games in hand, but I’m delighted that we’re psychologically top of the league for however long it is.

“It’ll give the players a lift going into Sunday.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

[poll id=”25″]

Motherwell and Celtic will both pay tribute to Phil O’Donnell on the third anniversary of his tragic death this evening.

Both clubs meet in a vital league encounter but rivalries will be put to one side to remember our late Captain, who tragically passed away three years ago today.

Players on both sides will wear black armbands in tribute to O’Donnell, who enjoyed significant success at both clubs.

The day also sees the now annual Walk 10 for 10 fundraiser leave from Fir Park as the O’Donnell family continue their excellent work in raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

For more information on Walk 10 for 10, visit their website by Clicking Here