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Stuart McCall has insisted that it would be ‘a dream’ for Motherwell to reach the Scottish Cup final, ahead of this weekend’s semi-final against St Johnstone.

And the ‘Well gaffer has urged his side to summon up the spirit of 1991 – and give the fans a whole new set of legends to worship!

“It would be absolutely massive to our club, especially for the supporters, who want to roll back the years to the time Motherwell won it in ’91,” McCall enthused. “It would be a real dream for us.

“Derek (McInnes) and myself will be the same: we are both desperate to be involved in a Scottish Cup final.

“I don’t think we are favourites because St Johnstone are a good side, but I just want the lads to perform to their best ability and if they do that then – I’ve said before – I believe they are a match for anyone.”

There is certainly a palpable optimism in the Motherwell camp, as they approaching the club’s biggest game of the season.

The Steelmen have been on a superb run of late, currently four matches unbeaten, and secured a top-six spot for after the split with a superb 0-0 draw at Tynecastle last weekend.

Ally that form with a squad which is rapidly approaching full strength and Stuart McCall has some big, and difficult, decisions to make ahead of the weekend.

“We’re hoping to have a fully fit squad to choose from, which is brilliant,” the FA Cup and Scottish Cup finalist said contentedly. “And we are also going in to this match on the back of some great form. There are a lot of players playing at the very top of their game and we’ll look to take that into Saturday.

“Training will be fierce this week, with everyone desperate to be involved. I’ll probably have to calm it down a bit.

“We’ll wait until the back end of the week before looking to shape up a side, but I have some big decisions to make – not just for the starting eleven, but for the sixteen in the squad. You wouldn’t have thought that would be the case a couple of weeks ago.

“At the moment, for example, I have seven fit defenders who have performed well in the last month, so a couple of players will be left disappointed. You can look higher up the park for selection dilemma too, but it’s a great problem to have.”

Aside from the obvious, and burning, desire to reach a national cup final, Motherwell may also feel like they have some unfinished business at Hampden Park this season.

‘Well were narrowly defeated earlier in the campaign, as Rangers marched to the Co-operative Cup final with an arguably ill-deserved 2-1 victory – now McCall brings his troops back to the scene of that tortuously close defeat.

The manager clearly feels the painful experience was beneficial, and is now ready to take his squad back to Mount Florida to make amends.

He praised: “I was really pleased with the performance that day. We went in as underdogs but I thought the performance was very good and we certainly would have deserved to take Rangers to extra-time.

“But our squad, particularly the younger lads, will benefit from having already been there this season. They have also played European ties in front of great crowds so all-in-all everyone is in a really positive frame of mind.

“Our squad has generally produced in the bigger games. You can talk about overall consistency, but in the big games our team has been very consistent.”

Referee for Saturday’s Scottish Cup Semi Final clash with St Johnstone at the Hampden is the familiar face of Iain Brines.

Incredibly, Iain will be taking charge of his sixth ‘Well game of the current campaign, having been the man in the middle for the games against St Johnstone in early September, St Mirren at Fir Park one month later, Rangers on Boxing Day, Dundee Utd at Tannadice in January and Inverness in the Highlands last March.

A Nick Blackman wonder strike and an own-goal from Kevin Rutkiewicz was enough to earn the Steelmen all three points in Perth and late goals from Tom Hateley and Jamie Murphy gave ‘Well a 3-1 against Danny Lennon’s men.

Managerless ‘Well were thumped by Rangers despite John Sutton’s goal early in the second half. A Kenny Miller double along with goals from Vladmir Weiss and a Steven Saunders own goal gave Rangers a comfortable 4-1 win, United were comfortable 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Johnny Russell and David Goodwillie and last time out

To his credit, Brines was excellent in all five matches with the games at McDiarmid Park and the Caledonian Stadium passing off without a single caution; a rarity in modern football.

He will be a more than familiar face to ‘Well fans over the years. Last season, he looked after the games at Easter Road in December (2-0 defeat), the 1-0 home win against Kilmarnock in February and the 2-1 defeat at Celtic Park in April.

The 43-year-old, who has been a top-flight official for a decade and amongst FIFA’s elite group for five years, has had a busy campaign with Saturday being his tenth SPL fixture of the season.

His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is a bit of a mix bag. Of the 28 games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won nine, draw four and lost fifteen.

In those games, 98 players have seen yellow, 45 of which in claret and amber, while three have been sent for an early bath.

Iain will be assisted by Keith Sorbie and Billy Baxter with Bobby Madden on fourth official duties.

Excitement is building as Motherwell take on St Johnstone this Saturday in the Scottish Cup Semi Final.

Thanks to Carling, the official beer of the Scottish Cup, you can be at Hampden to cheer us on as Stuart McCall’s men aim to book a place in the final for the first time in twenty years.

Carling have given us a pair of Motherwell tickets to give away for the match, for your chance to win simply tell us (over 18s only):

Q: Who did Motherwell defeat in the last round of the Scottish Cup?

Email your answer, along with your name, address, telephone number and date of birth to scottstevenson@thesportsbusiness.co.uk with “Motherwell tickets” as the subject heading. 

Competition closes on Wednesday 13th April 2011 at noon.

Terms and Conditions:

• Over 18s only
• Travel is not included

If you’re over the legal drinking age, Like Carling’s Facebook page for the latest Carling news, offers and giveaways! www.facebook.com/Carling

Motherwell FC are today delighted to confirm ticket information for the forthcoming Scottish Cup Semi Final with St Johnstone at Hampden.

The Steelmen progressed last night thanks to a terrific 3-0 win over Dundee United and will now face Derek McInnes’ men on Saturday April 16th (kick-off 12.45pm)

Motherwell have been allocated sections O, P, C and B (see chart below) and tickets will go on sale tomorrow (Friday 1st April) morning to season ticket holders with no restrictions on the amount that can be bought.

Tickets will then go on full general sale on Saturday, again with no restrictions on the amount that can be purchased.

Tickets are priced at the following:

• Section O in the BT Scotland South Stand has been designated for corporate hospitality use.
• The Family Section will be located in the West Stand – Sections B6 to B8.
• A Juvenile ticket in the Family Section is considered to be children aged fifteen and under. Any adult attempting to enter the Family Section without a child aged fifteen and under will be refused entry to that section.
• At the request of a number of supporters, Sections C4 and C5 in the North Stand has been designated as a “Singing Section” for like-minded fans wishing to back the team in their own unique and vocal style. Please ask for this Section when purchasing tickets if you wish to sit there.

Tickets will be available either in person from the Fir Park Ticket Office or over the phone – 01698 333333 (option 2).

Further information about Club-run buses will follow shortly…

(Click Stadium Plan to enlarge)

It’s only £5 per person to travel officially with the club to Hampden from Fir Park! 

Excitement is already building for the Scottish Cup Semi Final, Motherwell’s first in seven years. If you want to travel from Fir Park to the National Stadium, just book your seat on the bus when you buy your ticket! It’s that simple!

The Claret & Amber Convoy will leave Fir Park for Hampden at 11.15am on the morning of the Semi Final (Saturday 16th April).

The Davie Cooper Suite will be open and licensed from 9am – more information coming soon!

For further information or to book a seat, contact us now on 01698 3333333 or email commercial@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Stuart McCall was visibly bursting with pride after watching his Motherwell side claim a top-six spot with a hard-fought draw with Hearts.

The Steelmen’s stalemate in Gorgie, allied with Kilmarnock’s draw with Inverness Caley Thistle, means that the Highlanders can now no longer catch McCall’s side in the race for the final top-half berth.

It was a result made all the more remarkable, coming a matter of days after many of ‘Well’s marquee stars appeared to be running on empty in the closing stages of the 2-1 victory over Dundee United.

“The players deserve real credit, as they have done everything we have asked of them in the last three weeks,” the manager praised. “I’m really proud of them. Hearts had most of the possession but we had some really good chances; we hit the post and the bar. In fact, for a nil-nil I thought it was a quite a decent game.

“When I came to the club people were saying it was a bad time to come and if you made the top six it would be a miracle.

“I have never been involved in this split and I could really imagine if you don’t make the top six after being there for a long part of the season your season could peter out.

“You want to be involved in live games and be involved in the games which will decide the title and then finish as high as we can. Also our budget will be slightly better and I can’t throw that carrot to the players.”

The result also has the added bonus of ensuring Motherwell can enjoy a stress-free week in the build up to their vital Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone – with no danger of having to look over their shoulders to see how Inverness are doing.

And with the likes of Carswell, Jones and Forbes coming in and impressing the race is now on to claim a jersey for the trip to Hampden.

“When someone has two games at home to make the top six – and I wouldn’t have put it past big Butch to do that – you are always looking over your shoulder,” McCall confessed. “We can now relax a bit looking forward to the semi-final knowing the first part of our mission has been accomplished.

“We are now looking forward to next week on a run of good form and with a lot of players playing very, very well. It will not only be very difficult naming an eleven, but also leaving players out of the sixteen. A lot of players will be disappointed not to make the eleven never mind the sixteen.

“I have a lot of tough decisions to make ahead of next Saturday tonight after a lot of good performances today.”

Pictures from the 2-2 draw with Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League at Tynecastle.

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

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[tab:Match report]

A battle-weary Motherwell side fought bravely for a point at Tynecastle today which has secured their place in the top-six of the SPL.

With first-team players such as Francis Jeffers, Gavin Gunning, Stevie Hammell, Steve Jennings, Keith Lasley, John Sutton and Jamie Murphy all missing from the starting eleven, it looked a daunting prospect for the Steelmen against the league’s third best side.

However ‘Well, including 17-year old debutant Stuart Carswell, more than matched the Georgie side and twice came within inches of grabbing the lead but both Steven Saunders and Ross Forbes were denied by the woodwork.

It caps an incredible ten-day period for Stuart McCall’s men who now have a Cup Semi Final at Hampden to look forward to next weekend.

The Motherwell manager made three changes to the starting eleven that overcame Dundee Utd during the week. Lasley, Murphy and Sutton all dropped to the bench, replaced by Jones, Casagolda and debutant Stuart Carswell, who took his place in a three-man centre midfield partnership.

The home side, who looked to have third place in the SPL all but sewn up, started on the front foot and threw a couple of cross balls into the area and forced two corners in the opening exchanges, but nothing that would trouble ‘Well stopper Darren Randolph. In actual fact, it was the Steelmen who threatened first and could, and perhaps should, have taken the lead after just a few minutes.

Esteban Casagolda did well to close down a clearance, allowing the 34-year old Northern Irishman to collect just inside the area. Jinking past one challenge, the goal looked to be gaping but the winger fired over the bar from close range much to the relief of goalkeeper MacDonald.

Hearts’ reply was instant and Steven Elliot almost made himself the hero for the Jambos once again after netting the equaliser at Easter Road last weekend. Rudi Skacel won the ball on the left flank and wasted no time whipping an inviting cross towards the near post. Elliot met it but could only smash an effort way wide of goal.

If that was close, the Steelmen had Randolph to thank, again, for keeping the scores level three minutes later with yet another wonder stop. This time from Templeton, the winger blasted a stinging half-volley at goal after Hutchinson’s headed clearance. It looked to be heading for the bottom corner but for the outstretched hand of the Republic of Ireland International, the keeper managing to turn it away before it was eventually hooked clear.

After an end-to-end start, all the signs pointed to a cracking game. But, in truth, the remainder of the first half was poor with little or no goalmouth action. That was until Steven Saunders woke everyone up with a bouncing low effort which cannoned back off the right hand upright. The Scotland International collected on the edge of the area and drilled a decent effort – it whizzed past MacDonald but couldn’t beat the post; Hearts cleared the rebound and it was level at the break.

McCall introduced Steven Hammell in place of Saunders at the interval, the defender feeling his hamstring again after recently returning to the side from a two-week lay-off. However, it was the hosts who would again come out the traps on the front foot and the Steelmen once again had Randolph to thank for keeping things all-square.

The big keeper stood up excellently to block Templeton’s first effort from just inside the box after only two minutes gone in the half. What’s better, he was up quickly to save the rebound at the expense of a corner which was easily cleared by Hutchinson’s header.

Motherwell’s only sniff in the opening exchanges of the second period came when Tom Hateley danced round four challenges on route to goal. The former Reading man’s final touch was a little heavy though and the chance was gone. Six minutes later Motherwell were back inside the box and had a half-decent claim for a penalty when Steve Jones went over in the area. Referee Thomson was right up with play and pointed for a goal kick; on reflection he probably called it right.

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies introduced three subs on the hour mark but it was a starter, Rudi Skacel, who brought about the next chance, firing a stinging drive from distance that Randolph was glad to watch wide.

Motherwell introduced a sub as well; John Sutton brought on to replace Esteban Casagolda who put in a punishing shift up front on his own. And it was the fresh legs of Sutton who almost created the opener for his side, setting up Ross Forbes with a neat head flick. Midfielder Forbes collected and looped a dipping drive over MacDonald but his shot smashed the bar on the way over and the chance was gone.

The crucial moment came with just five minutes left on the clock when the quite brilliant Randolph produced another astonishing save to deny Craig Thomson. The defender’s free-kick came through a ruck of bodies and looked to be sneaking in at the near post but Randolph reacted quickly, somehow managing to throw down an arm to keep it out.

He got the rewards his save deserved when Maurice Ross was on hand to make an equally as important block when he deflected the rebound onto the outside of the post and Motherwell survived.

Indeed, the Claret and Amber men could have nicked it late on but chances for Ross Forbes and John Sutton weren’t converted and the game finished 0-0. With Inverness held to a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park, it confirmed Motherwell’s place in the top-six for the second successive season.

[tab:As it happened]

Graham Barnstaple at Tynecastle

93mins – Game over 0-0, another hard working performance, and its Darren Randolph’s 18th clean sheet of the season

90mins – Three minutes being added on, Tynecastle not as atmospheric as it was described at the satrt

87mins – Forbes shot whistles wide of the post, crowd announced as 13800

85mins – Craig Thomson’s free kick aimed at front post is saved brilliantly by the quick reactions of Randolph, and then scrambled clear

82mins – our first corner, but Hateley’s kick is cleared by head of Palazuelos

80mins – Murphy on forHumphrey, and is immediately fouled by Bouzid who is shown a yellow

77mins – Jason Thomson shown yellow for blatant body check on Humphrey knowing he couldn’t cope with his pace

75mins – Sutton head flick on to Forbes whose lob crashes off the cross bar and bounces over.

73mins – Well sub, John Sutton on for Esteban Casagolda

71mins – Skacel shot from 20 yards fizzes just past the post

61mins – 3 changes for Hearts, Black, Elliot and Tmpleton off and on come Suso, Robinson and Driver

60mins – half hearted penalty claim as Jason Thomson bundles over Steve Jones

54mins – solo run from Hateley, waltzes past four or five, but his touch is too heavy as he heads into box

46mins – a harsh early yellow for Maurice Ross, then double save by Randolph from Templeton at the near post

45mins – Half Time – 0 – 0!

43mins – Wow, that shot woke everyone up! Half hearted pen claim from ‘Well in there too but nothing doing at all.

43mins – Steven Saunders hits the post from distance. So unlucky from the young defender!

36mins – Ian Black’s shot from distance has the ‘Well fans in the Roseburn Stand diving for cover.

31mins – to back that up Templeton has just hit a shot 20 yards wide that we wouldn’t normally mention!

30mins – Our internet connection is solid, it’s just nothing much to report here at Tynie. Would not be too bothered if it stayed that way.

14mins – Darren Randolph pulls off another stunning save low to his right from Templeton, it looked as though it was heading in

11mins – First chance for Hearts with Stephen Elliot senidng a Skacel cross over the top.

9mins – Jones latches on to loose ball but lashes shot over from close range, good work by Casagolda in build up

7mins – Ian Black is down injured and getting treatment. Former ICT man looks in some pain…

1min – Game underway, with Well kicking off and hitting towards the Gorgie Rd end

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“All in all I’m so proud of them and delighted with them.

“I’ve got a really difficult job next week, not only to name the 11 but to name the 16 (against St Johnstone).”

Hearts manager Jim Jefferies:

“There was plenty of effort from the players but we just lacked in that final third either a break or that little bit of quality that would’ve created more chances.

“I think at the end of the day, it was a fair result.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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