Toxteth O'Grady

I see the "team news" page of the Official website has finally been updated... https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/club/team-news/

Stephen Robinson: Leaving Motherwell was 'right thing to do'

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/exclusive-declan-gallagher-set-fir-23341573

https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/19018246.dundee-utd-want-motherwell-scotland-defender-declan-gallagher-amid-celtic-english-champ-links/

Mugabi, for the second week in a row

The season needs to be finished in time for the Euros starting in June.

Motherwell: Declan Gallagher yet to speak to new boss over future clarity

Yup, perfect time for us to play either Kilmarnock or St Mirren

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-board-confirms-three-week-suspension-of-professional-football-beneath-spfl-championship/?rid=14258 Monday 11 January 2021 The Scottish FA Board met last night to discuss the escalating COVID-19 situation across the country and its impact on the national game at all levels. While the updated Scottish Government guidance permits the continuation of professional sport, the board meeting, which followed a Joint Response Group discussion on the matter last Friday, nevertheless considered the implications of doing so at all tiers of the Scottish football professional pyramid, against a backdrop of increased positive cases across the country. In particular, the board gave extensive consideration to making a decision in the interests of public health, taking cognisance of the government’s wish to reduce travel and possible contact with others whilst safeguarding commercial broadcasting contracts that sustain the professional game. Following a meeting between the Scottish FA and the Minister for Public Health Sport and Wellbeing, both parties have agreed to impose a temporary suspension of all football beneath the Scottish Professional Football League Championship, encompassing all predominantly part-time tiers of the Scottish professional pyramid, from midnight tonight. The impacted leagues are: SPFL League One, SPFL League Two, Scottish Women’s Football Premier Leagues 1 & 2, Highland League, Lowland League, East, West & South of Scotland Leagues, Scottish Junior FA Leagues and the North Caledonian League. Based on the imperatives of acting in the best interests of public health and participant safety, whilst ensuring professional clubs’ survival, the SPFL Premiership will be exempt from the suspension, provided it continues to adhere to the stringent testing protocols. The SPFL Championship will also be able to continue provided it commences weekly PCR testing. The suspension of the game below the SPFL Premiership and Championship will be for three weeks, until 31st January, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the Scottish FA Board in partnership with Scottish Government. The Scottish Cup will also be suspended, with any matches scheduled to be played prior to the 1st February to be rescheduled in due course. Rod Petrie, Scottish FA President: “The Scottish FA is well aware of the efforts all clubs take to comply with the exacting protocols that were conditional on elite football being given an exemption to continue amid the pandemic. “None the less the continuation of football at all levels has weighed increasingly heavy on me as President, my colleagues on the board and the Joint Response Group as we have watched the new strain of the virus spread rapidly. “While the national sport has been afforded the privilege of elite sporting exemption, the risk of mass transportation of untested, largely part-time players is something that cannot be sustained as the cases continue to rise and available hospital beds become increasingly scarce. “After discussions with the SPFL, the Premiership and Championship will continue on the proviso that both adhere to the existing testing regime. The vast majority of teams in those divisions are full-time professional clubs and so the risk of transmission remains manageably low. The cost implications to lower-division clubs was one factor but so too the realisation that many – with some notable exceptions – consist of part-time players who are either prevented from working due to the virus or have to work. “In either case, the risk is currently too great amid the developing nationwide spread of the virus. “Much has been said of football’s relationship with the Scottish Government during the pandemic. As President of the Scottish FA and Chair of the Joint Response Group, I am grateful for the clinical expertise provided by government specifically to football and for the timely award of £30m in grant and loan funding for the game. “We reiterate our commitment to playing our part in the collective effort to eradicate the virus.”

Will we get the opportunity to watch this game live? Do teams at that level have ppv?

If the bookies are anything to go by then it would appear to be a done deal https://www.oddschecker.com/football/manager-specials/motherwell/next-permanent-manager

Announcement within 48 hours... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55546870

Jordan Archer has joined Middlesbrough https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2021/01/05/jordan-archer-joins-middlesbrough/

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/stoke-city-target-motherwell-scotland-23260639 Stoke apparently interested in Stephen O'Donnell

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/55534868

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6475879/motherwell-lasley-job-robinson/ KEITH LASLEY will be given four games to land the Motherwell job. The Fir Park legend has been placed in temporary charge of the Steelmen following Stephen Robinson’s resignation. SunSport understands the Well No 2 wants the job for keeps, but must prove his credentials in upcoming matches against Hamilton, St Mirren, Rangers and Aberdeen. Robinson quit after the 2-0 defeat to Kilmarnock  —  a result which leaves Well tenth in the table, just two points off the bottom. It’s understood Robbo, who led Motherwell to two cup finals, third place in the Premiership and the Europa League during his four years in charge had been considering his position for a number of weeks. Even on Thursday morning, Fir Park chiefs tried desperately to talk the ex-Northern Ireland star into staying. But with his mind made up, the hunt for his successor is now under way. Tommy Wright, John Robertson and ex-Well ace Derek Adams are among the contenders. But Lasley and first-team coach Maurice Ross will be given the first opportunity to impress. With the January transfer window open for business, Well are conscious they will need to move fast. As well as success on the pitch, Robinson generated over £6million in player sales during his second spell at the club. He said: “I would like to thank everyone at Motherwell for their support throughout my time here, both as manager and assistant. “We have qualified for Europe, reached two cup finals and achieved a third-place finish, on top of also developing some wonderful players. “We cleared the club’s external debt through player sales, cup runs and league positions. “My goal was always to leave the club in a healthier position. I believe I have done this. “I now feel it is the time for someone new to take the club forward, as I feel I have taken it as far as I can.”

Lamie was probably Kilmarnock's man of the match.

Off topic, but there's sad news emerging from Tannadice this evening... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50338260

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55433000 Scottish Premiership: 3-0 wins 'suspended' after St Mirren & Kilmarnock appeals Last updated on23 minutes ago23 minutes ago.From the sectionScottish Premiership Kilmarnock and St Mirren have appealed against the SPFL decision The 3-0 Scottish Premiership victories awarded after Covid regulation breaches by St Mirren and Kilmarnock have been "suspended pending appeals". Motherwell were given wins over both, and Hamilton Academical were handed the points for a game against St Mirren - all of which were postponed in October. But after St Mirren and Kilmarnock protested, the punishments are on hold. It means Motherwell slip to 10th in the Scottish Premiership and Hamilton are now just a point off the bottom. Kilmarnock & St Mirren lodge appeals Premiership duo forfeit fixtures St Mirren and Kilmarnock admitted infringing social distancing rules on buses and at meals, and players from St Mirren also shared cars to and from training. Both clubs admitted the violations and were fined £40,000, suspended until 30 June. The appeal against the decision taken by a sub-committee of the SPFL will be heard by the Scottish FA on 14 January. The SPFL say that they "will update the Premiership table pending the outcome of the appeals process". Motherwell slip from sixth to 10th, and Hamilton are now just a point off the bottom

Any streams on the go?

Archer, O'Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, Grimshaw, O'Hara, Maguire, Campbell, Watt, Lang, Long. Subs: Chapman, Johnston, McGinley, Lamie, Devine, Crawford, Polworth, Cole, Hastie.

Archer, O'Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, McGinley, O'Hara, Campbell, Polworth, Lang, Long, Watt. Subs: Chapman, Devine, Lamie, Grimshaw, Maguire, Crawford, Cornelius, Seedorf, Hastie.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/motherwell-boss-stephen-robinson-tells-23115019

Oh my gosh https://spfl.co.uk/news/kilmarnock-fc-and-st-mirren-fc-disciplinary-outc

Don't forget his "players lives are at risk" comments following the semi final, in which his team didn't even feature. Unsurprisingly, nobody in the media called him out on it. Edit - here's a link https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/15614309.brendan-rodgers-scottish-refs-are-threatening-lives-and-careers-of-players/