3pm

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, but I've had quite a lot on in the last week or so.  I missed the 2-1 win over Livingston last week as I was in Budapest on a stag do, and had another stag yesterday, this time just in Glasgow.  Budapest was fantastic (can you believe we were allowed to try pistol shooting with live ammo???) although I still don't think I've fully recovered, either physically or financially.  Yesterday was good too, and not only did I end up in Fury Murry's for the first time in about 10 years, but the day out also included a trip to Ibrox for yesterday's Rangers v Motherwell game...

Many 'Well fans were optimistic beforehand that we could still make it into the top six, although to be honest it never looked like happening yesterday.  Aberdeen's win over Hibs rendered our result at Ibrox meaningless, and although we put up a decent showing we still went down 1-0.  We certainly had our chances, with Foran and Clarkson both forcing Waterreus into excellent saves, but the sloppy goal we conceded midway through the first half was enough to give Rangers all three points.  This was probably as well as we've played at Ibrox in a long time (although perhaps that's not saying much) and we possibly deserved a draw, but in truth Rangers are a very ordinary team and I'm a little disappointed we didn't go at them a bit more.

Anyway, Ricky's report of the game is available here.

Terry Butcher's post-match comments were as follows:
"I heard the Rangers crowd boo their goalkeeper and I wondered how many were booing at the end of the match because he made two wonderful saves and denied us a couple of strikes on goal.  It wasn't to be for us but I was very pleased with the way that we played.  It's disappointing that we didn't make the top six but Aberdeen are there on merit and we send out our congratulations to them."

With the 'Well consigned to the bottom six, our post-split fixtures look like this:

Saturday 15th April - Motherwell v Inverness CT
Saturday 22nd April - Falkirk v Motherwell
Saturday 29th April - Motherwell v Dunfermline
Wednesday 3rd May - Livingston v Motherwell (7.45pm)
Saturday 6th May - Motherwell v Dundee United

Interesting article on Richie Foran in today's Sunday Herald.

Terry Butcher has been named Manager of the Month and Brian McLean Young Player of the Month for March.  McLean insists he would be happy to stay at Motherwell once his loan period expires at the end of the season:
"I'm leaving it open just now but I hope it gets sorted out sooner rather than later so I can enjoy my summer holiday.  I'll be delighted whatever happens as long as I'm playing first-team football next season. I think the negotiations are going quite well between Motherwell and Rangers, and if everything adds up I'll be quite happy to stay at Motherwell for the next two or three years."

Apparently Gretna have been offered the use of Fir Park for their home European ties next season should they qualify.

The reserves drew 1-1 with their Livingston counterparts at Fir Park last midweek, with David Clarkson scoring for the 'Well.  Team:
Meldrum, Kane, Donnelly, Reynolds, P. Quinn (M. Quinn), Fitzpatrick, Connolly, Leitch, Thermeus, McGarry, Clarkson (Wright). 
Subs not used: Martin, Maguire, Coakley.