2pm

I was at a wedding yesterday and therefore didn't make it to Tynecastle, but from what I hear I don't think I missed too much as the match was a drab 0-0 draw.  Still, at least it brings our run of four consecutive defeats to an end, although we have now gone five matches without scoring a goal.  Interestingly, TB dropped Stephen Pearson to the bench for the game, with Jason Dair taking his place in midfield.

Team (4-4-2): Marshall, Quinn, Corrigan, Craigan, Hammell, Lasley, Adams, Leitch (Fagan 86), Dair, Burns (Pearson 62), Clarkson (Craig 84).
Subs not used: Corr, McDonald.

Booked: none.

Crowd: 10,046

After the game, Terry Butcher spoke of his decision to drop Stephen Pearson and insisted that no deal has been done with Celtic or any other club for the Scotland midfielder:
"People are saying a deal has been done but there has been no deal done.  There has been talk and communication between a few clubs but no fees agreed.  There are quite a few clubs interested in him but that is as far as it has gone.

"He showed a great attitude when he came on and he wanted to show that he should have been playing from the start.  I would not say he's angry, he might be angry that he was not playing, but he did show the right reaction. There is massive expectation on him and he does not know what's happening.  He is a shy Motherwell boy and it's a big burden for him to carry, and I think it has affected him."

As far as the match itself was concerned, TB said:
"It wasn't the best of games I think both teams cancelled each other out both managers will be disappointed that neither side played anything like the way that they can. In the end we are delighted to come off twenty points and move on to twenty one, delighted to end a four match losing streak and come to Tynecastle and not lose a goal. Ironically we played better here twice last year and lost both times, that’s football.

"They had one or two good chances with Valois at the end we’ve not and I don't think either side played as well as they can but both teams are probably a little low on confidence not the best of recent form by both teams.

"That’s the first nil nil in my time at Motherwell, we’ve been close on a number of occasions but lost a goal, I thought when Hearts got the free kick in stoppage time I would need to re-write the speech again!"

"It wasn’t good, it wasn’t pretty but sometimes when you come to Tynecastle and grind out a 0-0 you have to be happy with that."

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