MJC_MKI

I'd be happy with a draw aswelll, but only if it's not a 'draw snatched from the jaws of victory' like it was on the two Fir Park meetings with them in 09/10 when O'Brien's shocking penalty and that bungling twat of a linesman stopped us winning both games.

Ahh a Motherwell v Rangers thread, so why don't save everyone the bother of posting the usual comments for this thread by listing them all? "Rangers are there for the taking" "We're long overdue a win over this mob so what better time to get it?" "We've got to beat them some time" "I've got a feeling we're gonna end our poor run against them" "This is the worst Rangers team in years, why can't we beat them?" As for how the game itself will go, I reckon the very best we can hope for is a draw as there is no way we will be able to beat them. They have a big, strong physical defence and we don't have much in the way of firepower up front so I can't see us scoring against them, but they can be held so I reckon we're looking at best at a 0-0 draw, if not then they'll nick it 1-0 or 2-0.

I wonder how long before Celtic come in for him. They're still looking for a goalkeeper and would it surprise anyone if they made a move for Randolph before the transfer window shuts?

What can be said about that result yesterday and our start to the season? Fan-fucking-tastic. Even if we weren't top of the league a last minute winner against those deluded Paisley tramps in their own shitehole is something to be lapped up and savoured. Bring on the Rangers eh? Maybe they'll only beat us by three goals this time.

No it wasn't, it was against Inverness. Killie was our third game that season.

Good draw for us and one that we should win but you never know with Motherwell. Hopefully we don't underestimate Clyde and are professional enough to get through this one without any hitches. The road back to Hampden starts here

Christ is Murphy the new Reynolds on here? Maybe, just maybe Craig Levein hasn't picked Murphy because he doesn't think he's done enough to merit it just yet? Anyway I'm not complaining that he's missed out as Murphy playing for Scotland would get him more recognition which would increase the interest in him and hamper our chances of keeping him even more so from a Motherwell point of view this is a good thing.

I'm not saying he should be abused or booed but he certainly shouldn't be applauded when playing against us. As for Richie Foran, he doesn't deserve any sort of recognition from Motherwell fans as far as I'm concerned, he was/is one of the most over rated Motherwell players of the last decade and a lazy bastard into the bargain.

We shouldn't be applauding ANY former players who are playing against us. While John Sutton was a far better player than Richie Foran ever was IMO he will be playing for Hearts, against us, trying to score against and beat us. I've nothing atall against John Sutton, he was a good striker for us while he was here but he's moved on now and we have to do the same.

That could change yet again should Rangers fail to qualify for the Champions League and enter the Europa League as they would be due to play on the Thursday night (18th) so their game against us would probably be moved to the Sunday.

Okay I'll put my hands up and admit I worded that wrong. He has more chance of a regular game at Ibrox but even if he went to Celtic I still think he'd get his chance even if he wasn't an automatic first team starter. Celtic will want strength and depth to their squad for the domestic and Europa league campaigns this season and Jamie Murphy would definately provide that. I think you'll see some of their fringe players moving on before the end of August, like Daryl Murphy, maybe even Shaun Maloney, players who don't seem to be going anywhere at Celtic Park so maybe they'll see Jamie Murphy as one for the future. But anyway, even if he doesn't get near the first team at Celtic, he'll still be trebling his wages should he sign for them and that's what does the talking in football. If Celtic want him and they are prepared to pay a fee for him and he wants to go there, he will go, simple as that.

He would, especially if he signed for Rangers IMO. Murphy can play up front or on the left and Rangers in particular are crying out for a player like that.

Yes but even if he isn't getting a regular game down South or at Celtic/Rangers or wherever, he will be getting mentored by a higher standard of coach and training/learning alongside players of a higher quality which will benefit him greatly in the longer run. If he signed for Celtic or Rangers he'd get a regular game, I'm sure of that and would do very well at either club as he's proved already with us that he can cut it in the SPL and has the potential to get even better. I hope Jamie Murphy stays with us but it's looking increasingly unlikely and I'll be surprised if he's still here when the window shuts.

He did aye, how could I forget?

It'll be a tough game but I fancy us to nick a narrow 1-0 win with Murphy getting off the mark for the season.

Great result today, even if the 3-0 scoreline did somewhat flatter us as they did have a good few chances but we deserved to win that game. I thought Murphy's goal was an excellent effort, good move and a cool finish and as for Lasley's screamer? Superb strike, even if just about everyone in the stadium thought he'd sky it when he went to hit it. Really hope we can hold on to Murphy beyond the transfer window as he is getting better all the time, something that other clubs are clearly aware of as there were apparantly up to eleven scouts watching him today and although we're more than likely going to lose him sooner than later, I just hope it's later and he sticks around and continues to improve and develop his game further. As for Higdon, he was a bit sluggish and off the pace today but he's still getting up to full fitness so I think he deserves the benfit of the doubt from us. He's not a John Sutton type player who will hold the ball up, he's a penalty box striker who will score goals if he gets the right kind of service and I think he'll come good for us. Beautiful day all round, sun's shining and Motherwell sit proudly top of the SPL. Happy Days

No, but the gap in quality between us and the other non 'Old Firm' clubs in the SPL is a lot smaller than that between the non 'Old Firm' clubs and the 'Old Firm' themselves. Chick Young is a sensationalist muppet, but he's a journalist and he's made a career out of it. He is right in saying that it is extremely unlikely that Celtic and Rangers will be split - even if he does phrase his belief in a fairly extreme manner - because they are both streets ahead of the rest of the SPL and even though as you say Hearts are currently leading and dominating at Ibrox and might even get a result there today, that won't matter a jot come the end of the season. Hibs thumped Rangers 3-0 there last season, we beat Celtic comfortably at Fir Park, but those were one off games and on their day, either of them can be beaten, but over the couse of a season, no team has the ability to show the sort of consistency needed to be able to challenge or split Celtic and Rangers in the final league placings.

Don't see much wrong with what he's said there, the 'Old Firm' have been split only twice in the last sixteen years and the gap between them and the rest is as big as ever. Celtic in second place finished 29 points ahead of Hearts in third place last season, what does that tell you? Do you seriously think that any other team can actually cut that gap or even finish above either of them this season?

Have to say, on first look I like it. Very impressed.

I certainly am, even though it's been the shortest ever close season, I'm glad the football's back. I think the fact that our last real game was that Damp Squib at Hampden in May and that has made the close season drag in for me and it'll be good to get back playing competitive football again and start putting all that behind us.

Games against Inverness are never easy and I can't see this one being any different. Stick on draw I reckon. 1-1

Can't agree with that atall sorry. Craigan has been a magnificent servant to his country and now he's almost 35 and is in all probability his last season as a professional footballer he's decided to bow out and concentrate on his club football for the remainder of his career. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that whatsoever as International football is a demanding business especially for a player of his age when he's playing regularly for his club aswell. As a firm believer in club before country, I'm very glad that Stephen Craigan has chosen to dedicate his final season to us. Good decision Craggs

Has he really? Well I think I'll hold off on getting excited about that just yet as history has taught me that what footballers say and what footballers actually do are two different things. When did he actually say this incidentally? I assume this wasn't a public announcement as I've never read or heard anything about it through the media or anything so has he told some Motherwell fans this personally that he intends to finish his career here?

Typical pre season friendly fare but the night was about Stephen Craigan and it was good to see a decent turnout from both sets of supporters (even if Thistle fans are, in general, bangers, but fair play to them tonight). The result wasn't important of course but it's not often you'll see us win 1-0 thanks to a goal from Stephen Craigan, and it was a very well taken penalty aswell, maybe he's the answer to our spot kick woes, you never know. And it's always good to beat Partick Thistle, no matter how meaningless the game may be so that's a plus point. I liked what I saw from Nicky Law tonight, that was the first I'd seen him and he looks promising. Nice touch and good movement, he could be key for us this season. One thing that did concern me was the lack of threat we carried upfront. We are really going to miss John Sutton this season if tonight is anything to go by. Hopefully Higdon can get up to full fitness and become a real target man for us like Sutton was before him.

I've read some crazy stuff on these boards over the years but some of the talk on this thread tops the lot. Us sign McFadden? Jeezo... Wake up guys, he's long gone and he's no comin back