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Stephen Craigan celebrated his 50th appearance for Northern Ireland with a victory as Nigel Worthington’s side recorded a famous win against Slovenia.

The 33-year-old Motherwell defender was inspirational at the back, helping his country keep a clean sheet in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Maribor.

Slovenia squandered a host of chances throughout the match and found Craigan and co. in no mood to concede.

Northern Ireland showed more urgency than their hosts in the early stages, hustling and quickly closing down the Slovenians.

But they created nothing of note with Grant McCann firing his 25-yard free-kick against a defender in the fifth minute. Slovenia were the first to threaten on 13 minutes as striker Novakovic failed to connect with Andraz Kirm’s inswinging free-kick.

Chris Baird dragged his shot wide before debutant Craig Cathcart put in a last-ditch tackle to deflect Ljubijankic’s effort over the bar. David Healy was harshly booked as he struck a defender instead of the ball with an attempted overhead kick, two minutes before his weak curling shot was easily saved by Samir Handanovic.

Slovenia grew more dangerous as the half progressed and Novakovic squandered another opportunity, heading straight at Maik Taylor from Kirm’s cross. Ljubijankic broke free on the right only to blast wide while there was no-one to turn Kirm’s dangerous ball across the goalmouth into the net just before the break.

Slovenia assumed complete control on the restart but their pressure failed to produce a deserved goal. Valler Birsa’s deflected volley flew just wide after 49 minutes as they mounted attack after attack.

Changes were needed and Worthington brought Kyle Lafferty and Corey Evans on for David Healy and Grant McCann.

And the introduction of Evans proved to be an inspired substitution as the visitor’s took a surprise lead with their first meaningful attack on 70 minutes.

Cathcart supplied a low cross to the far post and the young Manchester United midfielder sneaked ahead of his marker to slot in from two yards.

It was a case of hanging on to the final whistle and Slovenia continued to threaten, with Taylor saving from Josip Ilicic before Ljubijankic blasted into the side-netting.

Northern Ireland players and fans celebrated at the final whistle in what was an unlikely success on the road and the first win in 11 games.

Northern Ireland: Taylor, McAuley, Cathcart, Craigan, Baird, Davis, McCann (Evans 67), Healy (Lafferty 67), Feeney, Brunt (Gorman 89), Hughes. Subs not used: Tuffey, Clingan, Paterson, Patterson.

New signing Alan Gow posed for pictures today after completing his move to Motherwell. As always, our friends at SNS were there to capture all the action.

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Alan Gow admits he can’t wait to get started at Motherwell after joining the club on a short-term deal.

The forward, who finished last season on loan with Hibs, passed a medical this morning before meeting the press at lunchtime.

There, he explained how much Craig Brown and Archie Knox influenced his decision, and how pleased he was to be at Fir Park for at least the next six months.

“It’s good to sort my future out and hopefully I can get back playing as soon as possible,” he said.

“I’ve just been keeping myself fit and waiting to sign somewhere eventually. I’m just looking forward to playing now.

“I spoke to a few clubs. But I’ve probably made a few moves that I shouldn’t have and this time I wanted to take my time making a decision and find somewhere that suited me.”

“Craig Brown and Archie Knox being in charge was a massive influence and I can’t wait to get started.”

Gow began his career with local club Clydebank before spells with Airdrie and Falkirk eventually led to a dream move to Rangers.

However, he made just two cup appearances during his spell with the Glasgow giants and went out on loan to Blackpool and Norwich.

A move to Plymouth followed but he was released in the summer after spending the second-half of the season at Hibs.

Despite a frustrating few years, Gow insists he has no regrets about the path his career has taken.

“I started off playing for Clydebank and never really did much before so everything I’ve done has been a great achievement for me,” he said.

“I’m never going to complain about things that didn’t work out. I’ve no regrets, I would still make the same moves I made before.”

As for his short-term deal at Motherwell, he admitted: “I don’t really know where it can take me.

“I’ll just take one step at a time. I need to come back and play and show everybody that I can be fit for a season at least.

“I’ve signed a six-month contract and I need to prove to the management that I can get myself into the team and stay there.”

Motherwell skipper Stephen Craigan will captain Northern Ireland when he wins his 50th cap against Slovenia in Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier.

The defender, 33, has become a regular in Nigel Worthington’s side after making his international debut in February 2003.

It is the fourth successive time he has worn the armband with Aaron Hughes standing down as his team-mate reaches his milestone.

Northern Ireland boss Worthington said: “Stephen will get his 50th cap and I’m delighted for him.

“I have left him and Aaron to sort out the captain’s armband but I think I know where it is going. He fully deserves it as well.

“Aaron has been outstanding when it comes to something like this. It is the sign of a good leader.

“I have known Stephen for the last three years and what you get from him is a solid performance.

“He is always there. He is a terrific servant, a fantastic professional and great to have around the group.”

The club are delighted to announce the signing of Alan Gow, subject to a medical tomorrow morning.

Forward Gow has been without a club following his release from Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season.

He started his career with his local side but moved to Airdrie United following the demise of the Kilbowie club. He impressed at the Diamonds but it was at Falkirk where he really shone, eventually securing a move to Rangers.

Things didn’t quite work out at Ibrox though and after loan moves to both Blackpool and Norwich City, he eventually won a £200,000 move to Plymouth .

The 27-year-old spent last season on-loan at Hibernian from and was released from his contract following Plymouth’s relegation to League One.

Gow has been courted by several clubs but eventually chose Motherwell and has signed an initial six-month contract subject to a medical.

Following a successful completion, he will be paraded at Fir Park at 1pm tomorrow.

Craig Brown is cautiously optimistic about his side’s chances against Brechin City following this afternoon’s Co-operative Insurance Cup draw.

The Steelmen managed to avoid SPL opposition in the third round but face a tough trip to Glebe Park against Second Division City.

The teams met in pre-season of course as Motherwell prepared for the Europa League clash with Breiðablik.

‘Well turned in a decent performance back then, winning 3-1 thanks to second-half goals from John Sutton, Ross Forbes and Keith Lasley.

Brown expects things to be tougher this time around but is hopeful his team can do a professional job on the night.

“I suppose, in many ways, it is a good draw for us,” said the manager.

“We’ve been there recently and it’s a nice wee place. I expect it to be a really decent cup tie although we would have obviously preferred to be at home.

“I know Jim Weir from having him in the Scotland U21 squad. He’s a good lad and he’s fast becoming a very good manager. Brechin have some very good players, some of whom have played in the SPL, and will be very dangerous opponents.

“We have to go there, do a professional job and hopefully that will be enough to see us into the next round.”

Motherwell will play Second Division Brechin City in the third round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

The match will take place at Glebe Park on Tuesday 21st September, kick-off 7.45pm.

The two teams met in pre-season when Motherwell ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Ross Forbes, Keith Lasley and John Sutton.

The full draw is as follows:

• Rangers v Dunfermline
• Kilmarnock v Hibs
• Aberdeen v Raith
• Falkirk v Hearts
• Celtic v Inverness
• Ross County v Dundee United
• St Johnstone v Queen of the South
• Brechin City v Motherwell

All ties are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 21st or Wednesday 22nd September.

Steven Meechan, Peter Innes and Steven Lawless have all joined Scottish Third Division side Albion Rovers on six-month loan deals.

The trio will remain at Cliftonhill until January, gaining valuable first-team experience with Paul Martin’s team.

Midfielder Meechan has played two senior games for the club against both halves of the Old Firm last season.

And striker Lawless has already been out on loan this campaign, spending a month at Annan Athletic and scoring one goal.

Midfielder Innes was captain of the U19s who finished second to Celtic in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19’s league and was named the inaugural Gordon Russell Players’ Player of the Year for the youth team.

Manager Craig Brown said, “These three going out on loan is a part of the strategy we have in developing our young talent, preparing them for life in the first-team squad.

“We already have Dario Quinn at Linlithgow Rose, Jordan Halsman at Annan and Gary Smith at Dumbarton.

“Competitive football will do these guys the world of good and we hope, when they return, they will be in a much better position to challenge for a spot in our starting eleven.”

The club can confirm that goalkeeper Michael Fraser has agreed his release and will leave Fir Park with immediate effect.

Fraser joined on a pre-contact agreement from Inverness Caley last summer but has struggled to hold down a first-team place.

He was back-up to John Ruddy last season and has found himself third in the pecking order this term, behind Darren Randolph and Lee Hollis.

Despite having nine months left on his contract, he has come to an agreement to leave early in order to find regular first-team football.

“I am really gutted to be leaving because I love the club and the people at the club,” said Fraser.

“Things didn’t work out for me and I am sad about that but, you know, that’s football. I stay in Uddingston, I really like the area, so ideally I would like to stay down here and get a club in the central belt.

“Craig Brown and Archie Knox have been brilliant with me and they’ve not forced me out or cut me adrift. It’s just one of those things.

“I would like to thank Motherwell for the opportunity and wish the club all the best going forward.”

Craig Brown believes the international break is coming at the right time for his weary troops following the 1-0 defeat to Celtic.

The Steelmen looked tired throughout the SPL clash at Fir Park as their midweek Europa League exertions appeared to take their toll.

Celtic were able to make five changes from their team which lost to Dutch side Utrecht, Craig Brown was forced to rely on the same group of players.

This difference in resources told as a fresh-looking Celtic dominated the encounter.

And after five games in two weeks, Brown is focusing on getting his players fit and rejuvenated over the forthcoming international break.

“We didn’t do enough to take anything from the game,” said the Motherwell boss. That was the poorest we have been all season so far and I attribute that to the nine games we have played so far this season – six in the Europa League and three in the SPL, with the same group of players.

“We can’t refresh the group at the moment due to the fact we don’t have huge resources and when Jennings and Hammell go off injured, as happened today, we have problems.

“This will be resolved in the next fortnight. We don’t have a match for a couple of weeks and the freshness will return. We can also get back to the normality of one match in a week, whereas so far this season we have been playing on a Thursday then on a Sunday.

The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot after Steven Saunders was sent off for a professional foul on Shaun Maloney.

It was a heartbreaking way for Motherwell to concede, having defended bravely for so much of the match.

And Brown felt the penalty award and sending off was a contentious decision from referee Dougie McDonald.

“It was a through ball with both players running through on goal, and there was perhaps a slight coming together,” he said.

“Dougie McDonald is not in the best position and there were a few bodies between him and the incident – yet he was very quick to give it.

“I acknowledge there was some contact but Maloney went down very, very easily.

“We can also fault ourselves because young Saunders shouldn’t have made the challenge. Steven is an outstanding talent but he should have just run alongside Maloney and not given the referee the opportunity to give a penalty.”

Brown was keen to point out to the assembled press that he felt the better team had won the match and despite the disappointing nature of the penalty award, he had no arguments against Neil Lennon’s side being worthy all three points.

“Celtic were the better team and they deserved to win the match,” he said, “Although with a little luck on the penalty decision, we could have shared the points.

“Their new player Izaguirre was fantastic, a very assured debut – and they can just go out and strengthen their squad with players like that, so we can only be envious of the resources they have at Celtic.”