| 3 | Dundee United | 23 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 37 |
| 4 | Aberdeen | 21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 34 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 23 | 9 | 4 | 10 | -9 | 31 |
| 6 | Hibernian | 23 | 7 | 8 | 8 | -2 | 29 |
| 7 | St Mirren | 23 | 8 | 3 | 12 | -11 | 27 |
The Fir Park Ticket Office will be open on Sunday ahead of the massive Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Celtic.
The office will be open from 10am to 2pm / kick-off for any fans wishing to purchase either home or away end tickets.
CLICK HERE for prices and information.
‘Well boss Stuart McCall is hoping for a first Old Firm win of the current season to boost his sides’ European ambitions.
The Steelmen have enjoyed an excellent campaign but have yet to pick up a single point against either Rangers or Celtic during the 2011/2012 season.
However, fresh from a free weekend and buoyed by recent home performances against Neil Lennon’s SPL Champions, former Scotland midfielder McCall is hoping for a positive outcome when the teams clash this Sunday at Fir Park.
“The lads are ready for it,” he said. “We’ve not had a game in two weeks and the likes of Jenno (Steve Jennings) and Hammy (Stevie Hammell) haven’t played for three weeks so we’ve had to curtail training in the past couple of days; there has been a real edge because they’re desperate to be involved.
“Three points is the key. It’s always nice to do it playing good football but the bottom line is that in the business end of the season it’s the points that count.
“I think we can take confidence out of the last two home games here against Celtic. We managed to beat them at the back end of last season and when they came here earlier this season I thought we definitely merited a point, likewise against Rangers last month.
“I think the most disappointing thing about both games is that we started well, got a goal, but inside three or four minutes both sides were back at us. If we can put in a strong performance, we’re very hopeful we can take something out of the game but I’m sure it will be a tight affair.”
-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-
English midfielder Nicky Law is targeting all three points when SPL Champions Celtic visit Fir Park this Sunday.
The 24-year old has been a part of a Motherwell team who have run Neil Lennon’s men close in the previous two outings although the Glasgow side have collected maximum points.
And the former Rotherham man is hopeful ‘Well can go one better and collect precious points in the race for third in the SPL.
“I think the last two games we’ve had against them, (both) home and away, have been a lot tighter,” he told MFC TV this afternoon.
“The first game at Celtic Park we didn’t really do ourselves justice but I’m looking forward to it. It’s always difficult when you play Celtic but the boys are all feeling fresh and hopefully we’ll get the result that we are looking for.
“I think with them going out of the Cup last week they’ll come here with a full strength team so I think for us we’ll just prepare for their best team and if we prepare that way, although it will be tough, we feel that on our day, particularly here at home, we can give anybody a game and we’re looking for 3 points.
“For us those points are massive.”
-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLY ON MFC TV-
Is your dream to play for Motherwell and run out at Fir Park? That can now become a reality with the first ever ‘Motherwell Matchday Experience’ this May.
The club and its partners have run various events in the past allowing fans and clients to play on the hallowed Fir Park turf, but none have ever been the true matchday experience.
You have this one opportunity to bid for this incredible event; for one day. You will feel and be treated like a first-team player.
‘Well boss Stuart McCall reckons the SPL is in for an unpredictable top-six as four teams battle it out for third place.
The Steelmen, along with St Johnstone, Dundee United and Hearts are all in a head-to-head scrap to nail the ‘best-of-the-rest’ tag and possibly secure a spot at the top table of European football, the Champions League.
Games amongst the four clubs provide little clue as to who might get their noses over the line and McCall thinks it’s almost too close to call.
“I would imagine that between now and the end of the season it is going to be difficult to predict how things will go. You don’t know if Rangers will now start fielding youngsters looking towards 2012/13.
“Now that Celtic have won the league and although Neil Lennon will be desperate to win every single game, will they start to blood some of their fringe players? You’ve even got Hearts, who are now in the Cup Final and what that might do for their priorities?
“Compared to last season when all eyes were fixed on the battle for the Championship, this year it’s about who will finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth and there’s obviously big prizes at stake.
“It’s going to be an exciting time but tense for all those involved and that sort of pressure can lead to unpredictable results. We are looking forward to the challenge.”
-QUOTES ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE MANAGER’S NOTES IN SUNDAY’S CELTIC PROGRAMME-
Midfielder Ross Forbes is the fifth ‘Well player to test his golfing talent in the MFC TV 10-yard Bucket Challenge.
Jamie Murphy kicked things off with a disappointing 101 and was quickly shown up by Irish defender, who did it in a solid 18. Former Scotland International Stevie Hammell shot a 41-over-par, 42!
Geordie Shaun Hutchinson raced into an incredible lead when he shot a 6 – a full ahead of fellow stopper Clancy.
Now it’s time to see if the former Scotland U21 star can snatch top of the leaderboard and scoop a fourball at one of Scotland’s top courses as a prize?
-WATCH ROSCO TRYING TO CHIP IN-
Returning left-back Stevie Hammell says the Motherwell dressing room can’t wait to pit their wits against SPL Champions Celtic this Sunday.
Neil Lennon’s men secured the title with five games to spare with a thumping win at Rugby Park two weeks ago.
However, the Parkhead club were left disappointed by a controversial defeat by Hearts in the Scottish Cup Semi Final last Sunday.
Former Scotland International Hammell is sure the visitors will be on a mission to put things right but reckons Motherwell have it all to play for.
“It’s going to be difficult, no question,” the 30-year old said.
“They will be hurting after their defeat on Sunday after being favourites to win so they will come to Fir Park looking to bounce back.
“But we’re at home – we’ve got a lot to play for in the chase for third – so it has all the makings of a really good game.
“Everyone in the dressing room is really looking forward to the match.”
-WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY ON MFC TV-
Season Ticket Holders who sit in the Phil O’Donnell Stand should note the following information.
The club has once again sold tickets in a designated area to away fans in the Phil O’Donnell Stand.
In a change of direction however and after consultation with the Supporters Advisory Committee, it was agreed that we would test an away family section within this stand.
Only away supporters bringing a Juvenile to the match will be allowed into this area. No family tickets have been sold for the South Stand and access will be strictly monitored.
Supporter safety and security is paramount to everyone at the club therefore it is hoped that this test will work well and that, moving forward, we will be able to utilize the use of a family section in order to supply demand for these types of games and at the same time lessening the impact to home supporters.
However, should any Season Ticket holder wish to exchange their ticket(s) for either a Davie Cooper Stand or East Stand ticket(s), the club would be more than happy to facilitate that subject to availability.
Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said, “In the past fans have said to me that they understand the importance of the revenue that these big games bring. In consultation with the SAC it was suggested to me that we try a family section within the O’Donnell stand for away supporting old firm fans.
“This seemed like a good idea and opportunity so we have decided to test it to see if it will work. Hopefully it will work and will also help to solve the problem of demand and availability at old firm games.
“As a club we understand however, that some supporters may want to move to another part of the ground when it comes to sharing the O’Donnell Stand and we are happy to make this happen if the space is available.
“There is absolutely no requirement to do so, but if you would like to swap then feel free to contact the Ticket Office at Fir Park between now and kick-off.”
Referee for this Sunday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Celtic at Fir Park will be Stevie O’Reilly.
It will be Stevie’s fourth Motherwell match of the season and his second in consecutive weeks having overseen the 1-1 draw with Hibs last Sunday. Previous to that he took charge of the 1-0 win over Hearts in August. Both teams ended the match with ten men; Keith Lasley ordered off for the home side with Ian Black taking an early bath for the visitors.
His other match was the 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice in January. The Arabs had taken the lead via a Stephen Craigan OG but a late leveler from Michael Higdon gave ‘Well a point.
O’Reilly, promoted to the Category 1 list over five years ago, will be a familiar face to Motherwell fans having overseen five games last term.
After previously handling the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Fir Park back last September, the 1-2 home defeat by Hearts in December, the New Years Day 0-0 draw with Hamilton at New Douglas Park and the 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock in early February, the last SPL Motherwell appointment came in early April as the Steelmen ran out 2-1 winners over Saturday’s opponents Dundee United at Fir Park.
He also had the honour of being the fourth official at the Scottish Cup Final last May when McCall’s men took on Celtic.
O’Reilly’s overall record in charge of the ‘Well is a bit of a mixed bag. Of the ten games has officiated, Motherwell have won three, drawn three and lost four.
Thirteen goals have been scored and twelve conceded. Seventeen players have been cautioned in those nine games; five were wearing Claret and Amber with two sent off, Steve Jennings in the game against Hearts back in December of 2010, the aforementioned Keith Lasley one against the same side earlier this season and Jonathan Page against Hibs last time out.
Stevie will be ably assisted by Keith Sorbie and Stephen Mitchell with John Beaton on fourth official duties. Ray Morrison will be the referee observer with John Connolly appointed as SPL delegate.
Motherwell take on Celtic at Fir Park this Sunday and you could watch the big match in style from one of our Hospitality Suites.
Kick-back in comfort for the 2pm kick-off, with the option of enjoying the action from an exclusive executive box in the South Stand or from one of the club’s prestigious suites in the O’Donnell Stand.
91’ Scottish Cup legend Stevie Kirk will be your host as you are treated to a scrumptious three-course meal and drinks.
Whilst you wait for the big match to start, browse our award-winning matchday programme and mull over the managers’ selection with your official teamsheet.
In between times, you can expect a visit from first-team players and of course our photographer Craig Kennedy will be on-hand to take your photographs as a lasting memory of your afternoon.
When the match is finished you’ll return to the bar, hopefully toasting a famous victory for the Steelmen.
Prices start from just £95 per person. For more information or to discuss the options with a member of the club’s corporate staff, please call 01698 338008.
