Toxteth O'Grady

Unbelievably, it is TWENTY FIVE YEARS to the day since this game. My first Euro away trip, and even though we lost it is right up there with my favourite ever Motherwell games

BBC Gossip... Motherwell have offered in-form midfielder Liam Donnelly a new contract, with the 23-year-old entering the final 12 months of his current deal. (Daily Mail, print edition)

Desperately sad news https://twitter.com/MotherwellFC/status/1171128804749840384?s=20

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/motherwell-fear-they-ll-need-to-wait-three-years-for-chris-cadden-fee-1-4999700 Motherwell fear they’ll need to wait three years for Chris Cadden fee Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows has revealed that the Lanarkshire club might have to wait until 2022 for the £200,000 they are due following Chris Cadden’s summer switch to the USA. The 22-year-old had been at Fir Park for a decade, making 129 first-team appearances and featuring in the Scottish Cup and League Cup finals two seasons ago. He also faced Mexico and Peru for Alex McLeish’s Scotland side last year. He joined MLS outfit Columbus Crew as a free agent in June but was immediately sent on a season-long loan to League One outfit Oxford United. Oxford had wanted to sign Cadden last season but were unwilling to fork out the £320,000 for his cross-border development fee. There had previously been no official agreement with the MLS compelling them to pay a development fee for young players from abroad. However, they agreed in April to honour Fifa’s training and solidarity system, which guarantees compensation for clubs which have nurtured their own talent. Motherwell’s negotiations with the US authorities have come to nothing and they are now ready to take Cadden’s case to world ruling body 
Fifa. Even so, Burrows, pictured inset, doesn’t anticipate a swift resolution. “We’re still in discussions with MLS, who handle these negotiations,” he said. “In America, the MLS – rather than the clubs – own the players’ contracts. There have been a few offers from them so far but there hasn’t been one we could accept. “The SFA have offered us support with a watching brief but Fifa insist that both parties give each other a fair chance to resolve any disputes prior to them becoming involved in arbitration. “I would say we’re coming to the end of that stage now. The talks with MLS have been amicable but we’re looking for a significant sum for a player we took on as a young boy and turned into a full international player.” However, while Cadden has been playing for Oxfords on a weekly basis, Burrows expects to wait for years before they are recompensed for his loss. “Fifa are trying to speed up the process for dealing with this kind of thing but their wheels tend to move slowly and I know of a similar appeal involving two British clubs which has been in their system for three years now,” he said. “Put it this way… it wouldn’t surprise me if the compensation fee for Chris won’t be included in our accounts for 2019-20 – and they won’t be published until December of next year. “It does seem ridiculous that Chris left us when his contract expired on May 31 but we won’t be compensated for that loss for a year or two. It also – quite by accident – exposes a loophole which European clubs could use to avoid paying development fees for young players.”

From today's BBC Gossip:

I see Seedorf is in the BBC's team of the week, which I find baffling. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49545579

I don't know what you are all on about. This is quite clearly a free kick for Hibs. https://twitter.com/IXIThePatriot/status/1167821815848296449

He also mentioned that he's offered new contracts to both Mark Gillespie and Trevor Carson. Bit earlier than normal for us to be doing be doing business like that, no?

Hartley starts, as do both Scott and Long. Edit: no Tait or Caroll either. https://mobile.twitter.com/MotherwellFC/status/1165243687590334464

I see you can now pay on the gate.

From today's BBC gossip

There's a quote from Levein here: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/steven-naismith-injury-blow-hearts-18945879

And it's 3-0

Now 2-0

He was with them last week against Spartans too.

I see Rangers have signed a winger from Manchester City. Hastie even further down the pecking order?

Just noticed this: https://www.hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk/ticket-price-changes/ Ticket Price Changes Ticket prices to home fixtures against Celtic, Motherwell & Rangers will be increased to £25 Adults, £15 concessions & £15 wheelchair/Ambulant supporters. After discussions with our board of directors and recent fan feedback, these prices will be increased for both home & away fans going forward for season 2019/20. Prices for every other fixture will remain at £22 Adults, £12 concessions & £12 wheelchair/Ambulant supporters.

Is there likely to be a long queue for tickets if buying at the stadium on the day?

Wee bit on Seedorf from the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49059070

I did wonder about this on Saturday... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-49002546

Robinson keen to extend his contract https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4478413/stephen-robinson-motherwell-contract-talks-new-deal/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48962956 Not sure why this is under the Celtic section of the BBC football website.

I've just watched SR's interview ahead of the QoS game. It doesn't sound like any more players will be coming in.

Today's BBC gossip.

Standing at Raydale Park on Tuesday night, you've got to wonder if Brooks Mileson ever thought a town the size of Gretna could support a top flight side. I always thought he came across as a decent guy, but I'm guessing he was on a major ego trip with that one.