8pm

There's still been no confirmation of Jason Bent's signing, even though the Canadian midfielder was widely expected to agree terms today.  Speaking yesterday, Terry Butcher said:
"Hopefully, we will be able to sign Jason Bent tomorrow.  We’re waiting for one set of results, but we’re very confident of signing him, which would provide a major boost as he is a good player who has played at a high level.  He’s a right-sided midfielder and he knows the role well. I hope he can take over from where Keith Lasley left off, because while Kevin McBride and Shaun Fagan have done well in the role this season it’s not their natural position."

Meanwhile, one player who could be on the way out of Fir Park is Alex Burns.  The striker has been attracting interest from former club Partick Thistle, and TB said:
"Alex Burns was the subject of transfer activity from Partick Thistle on the deadline day but nothing happened.  Like any other SFL team they have two ‘joker’ signings they can make outside the transfer window, so if they are keen to come back in, they can. There was talk between the clubs but nothing happened."

Let's hope they DO come back in!

Butcher went on to say:
“I’m happy with my squad.  I would like to have more players but I’m pleased with the hunger and the attitude that my squad have shown so far so see no reason to change it.

"We played very well (against Hearts) and I was really pleased because it was a wonderful second-half from us against a very good Hearts team.  It has been a wonderful week for us as well after a good victory at Dundee and then at Morton and now against Hearts.  On the back of that I’m pleased we have a week off because it lets us recover, get our levels of fitness and hunger back up and draw breath.  People might think that the week off would break the momentum but that didn’t happen last year and I think everybody here is professional enough to pick up where they left off.  Having three tough games in one week can drain you so it’s good to have the chance to recuperate.  You have fits and starts throughout the season now with international weekends and double-headers."

And on the subject of the forthcoming international matches, he added:
"I hope nobody else gets injured during the Internationals.  We have players off playing on Saturday and then Wednesday.  What happens in that instance is that — if it’s a far journey like Stephen Craigan, who’s representing Northern Ireland in Azerbaijan, which is a six-hour journey — they play a second full international on Wednesday, maybe travel back on the Thursday, arrive at the club on Friday and play on the Saturday.  It’s not enough time to get back into the club way of things, and travel time can really drain you.  I would like games to be postponed the Saturday after an international double-header and played on the Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week. Even the Sunday would make a big difference."

TB has denied reports that Motherwell turned down a £200,000 offer for Stevie Hammell on transfer deadline day.  He said:
"It was talked about but it was never going to happen.  It wasn't a case that we had an offer from Celtic which we found unacceptable and then turned it down - we were never at that stage."

The day after the Sun reported that the club had made a £1 million profit in the last year, the following statement appeared on the Official Site:
The club's annual accounts to May 31, 2004 have been approved by the club's directors and will be presented at an annual general meeting next month.

The accounts show the club registered an operating profit of approximately £1 million, mainly due to the sale of players James McFadden and Stephen Pearson.

The operating profit was utilised with the club paying out approximately £590,000 to creditors before emerging from interim administration in April. A further £250,000 was required for under-soil heating and stadium repairs and administration-related costs amounted to approximately £255,000.

Motherwell's chairman, Bill Dickie, said today (Thursday): 
"The club is back on an even financial keel following a very difficult period in interim administration. We paid out what we could to creditors and there have been other substantial costs to bear including under-soil heating which was mandatory. However, we are pleased to be facing the season ahead on a firm financial footing.

"These accounts reflect the enormous effort that has been made by everyone at the club. Every club has gone through extremely challenging financial circumstances but it is possible to work through those tough times and look to the future on a sound financial basis."

Our CIS Cup game will go ahead on Wednesday, September 22 at the Caledonian Stadium, Inverness with a 7.45pm kick off.  Meanwhile, our home game with Rangers which was originally schedule for Saturday, October 16 will now take place on Sunday, October 17 and 2pm and will be broadcast live on Setanta.

The reserves beat their Dundee counterparts 2-0 at Fir Park on Tuesday, courtesy of two second half Richie Foran goals.  Paul Quinn played the full 90 minutes after a spell on the sidelines through injury.  Team:
Corr, Cowan, Quinn, Fagan, Higgins, Partridge, Keogh (Grant), Fitzpatrick, Foran, Wright (Coakley), Reynolds (Connolly). 
Subs not used: Soutar, Calder

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