8.10pm

Today's result: Hearts 2, Motherwell 2.

Dontcha just love away days in the Scottish Cup?  I'm just back after a cracking day out in the capital, and while today's game was always going to be a notable occasion given it was our first match since the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell, it was made all the more memorable when the team battled back from 2-0 down to deservedly earn a replay.

My mate Graeme and I decided on an early start, although we didn't expect to see quite so many fellow 'Well fans on the 10.04 train from Motherwell.  We were so early in fact that we arrived to find that two of my favourite Edinburgh boozers, The Guilford Arms and the Cafe Royal, were still shut.  After a quick drink in Milnes we headed for a full Scottish breakfast in Frankenstein's (absolutely fantastic) before rounding off our pre-match session with a stop off at The Haymarket.  But what of the game I hear you ask?

Well, there were no surprises when we found out that Keith Lasley would face the difficult task of coming into the side to replace Phil O'Donnell, but otherwise the team was unchanged.

Motherwell were poor in the first half, with our only real chance coming from David Clarkson early on.   It was no surprise when the home side took the lead after 10 mins courtesy of a cracking finish by Cesnauskas.  To be honest, we simply weren't at the races in the opening 45 mins with the midfield in particular well off the pace, and we were glad to go in just 1-0 down at the interval.

Things went from bad to worse when Hearts added a second shortly after half-time, although the refereeing in the build up to the goal was questionable to say the least.  I must admit I thought the game was over at this point, however Motherwell picked themselves up and finally began to show glimpses of the form that has taken us to 3rd in the league.  Firstly, the outstanding Lasley setup the equally excellent McCormack, who squared for Chris Porter to fire home from close range.  Then after 78 mins Porter grabbed his second with a virtual carbon copy of his first to send the 3,500 'Well fans behind the goal into raptures.  Hearts hit the bar late on but in the end both sides were forced to settle for a replay.

After the final whistle, the players and management team came across to acknowledge the supporters, with a special round of applause quite rightly saved for David Clarkson.  Real lump in the throat stuff.  

All in all it was a great day to be a Motherwell fan, and we should be proud of the team for their second half comeback when all seemed lost.  If only we could have an atmosphere like that every week.

Team (4-3-3): Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, McGarry (Darren Smith 63), Lasley, Hughes, Clarkson (Fitzpatrick 90), Porter, McCormack. 
Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Brian McLean, Murphy.

Motherwell Scorer: Porter (64, 78).

Booked: Quinn, Craigan.

Attendance: 13,651.

Mark McGhee's post-match comments were as follows:
"We came here determined to enjoy it regardless of the result.  There was a big crowd, our crowd were brilliant, I just wanted it be a football match worthy of a Scottish Cup tie. I think everybody went home with their money's worth.  Obviously we made it difficult for ourselves going two behind but even at 2-0 I said to Scott Leitch 'there is still something here for us'.

"Firstly the players showed the ability they have, they didn't do it just by launching it, they did it by passing it. Some of the play aside from the goals was excellent.  But one of the things I have seen over the last couple of weeks that I didn't know before is that they are a group of guys who are great mates, not just colleagues.  I have seen them reacting and interacting to each other in the circumstances and they have been brilliant."

McGhee also denied reports that Ross McCormack was set to hold talks with Premiership club Middlesbrough.

The replay will take place on Tuesday, January 22 at Fir Park, with the winners facing a home tie against Huntly or Dundee in the fifth round.

Following the tragic loss of Phil O'Donnell, Paul Quinn is the surprise choice to be named by Mark McGhee as the new club captain.  The 22-year-old says he is "honoured" by the award:
"It's an honour for me and I don't think it has really sunk in yet. It shows how much I am thought of by management and that is the most flattering. It was a surprise but at the same time, a huge privilege to even be in contention for the band never mind the manager officially naming me.

"At this time, given the previous captain, it's a huge responsibility for me and it's something I intend to do to the best of my ability. I have to represent the club everywhere and everything I do - It's very exciting

"I do think there will be a few eyebrows raised at my appointment but age doesn't come into it for me. Despite being quite young, I've got a bit of experience in the first-team and I've spoken to a few captains of other clubs after being initially told on Wednesday. Some of these guys play for massive clubs and they are still learning despite being mature and experienced players. The manager even told me that Phil was learning new things every year so it's a learning curve for me too. I want to get closer to the fans and closer to the club and use this honour to advance my footballing career."

Meanwhile, the club have announced that the Main Stand will be renamed after Phil O'Donnell, with the signage and a commemorative plaque to be unveiled at the start of next season.

At Tynecastle today, the players wore specially designed shirts which featured Phil O'Donnell's embroidered signature.  The jerseys will be worn for the remainder of the season, and if anyone knows how I can get my hands on one of them then please let me know. 

It seems that Mark McGhee is on the SFA's five man shortlist to be the new Scotland manager.  When asked about it at a press conference yesterday, he again declined to distance himself from the position:
"If they (Scotland) required me to leave now then I could only do it with the absolute consensus of everybody here. I'd need everybody here to give me their support and say 'we want you to go and do this'.  If I am needed longer here, at the very least to the end of the season, then I'll be here. I said yesterday that I will not be walking out in any way that leaves any resentment."

Our match with Celtic has been rearranged for Wednesday, January 30, while the game at Easter Road will now take place on Wednesday, March 5.

Martyn Corrigan has left the club to join Kilmarnock.  We wish him all the best for the future, especially after reading this article in the Daily Record.

Meanwhile, we've signed 23-year-old striker Martin Grehan from Junior side Dundonald Bluebell.

Newspaper reports suggest that West Brom goalkeeper Luke Daniels will join on loan for the rest of the season.

Danny Murphy and William Kinniburgh have both extended their loan periods at Dunfermline and Partick Thistle respectively until the end of January.

Maurice Malpas has been named as the new manager of Swindon.  Best of luck to them!

Finally, here are a few newspaper articles covering the events of recent weeks that might be of interest:

The Guardian

The Times

The Daily Record