Rickoza

51 apps this season. That's not bad for someone who is "done". Craggs is so much needed on and off the park.

This shite from the Herald...........

Think we'll have to agree to disagree. He's an experienced international defender, who had he been sure there was no one forward of him he'd have let the ball go. Clearly he thought we had someone forward and deliberately handled the ball therby gaining an advantage. The Ref must have thought there was only one possible explanation to handle the ball but bottled it.

Jennings to stay? Jamie Murphy vowed to return to Hampden a winner as he came to terms with the disappointment of Motherwell's 3-0 cup final defeat by Celtic. Murphy was a key part of Motherwell's run to Hampden, netting impressive goals against Dundee, Dundee United and St Johnstone, but he could not make a major impact in a tight contest which Celtic wrapped up in the final 15 minutes. The 21-year-old, who played on the left of Motherwell's five-man midfield, has improved significantly this season and he is determined to have something to show for his efforts next term. "That's not something I want to go through again, standing there at the end as runners-up," he said. "Congratulations to Celtic, they won the cup but it's not something you want to do, stand there watching someone else lifting the trophy. "But it does give you determination to get back here and be the ones lifting the trophy." While Motherwell failed to get going in an attacking sense, they were never seriously stretched at the back. The game hinged on two long-range strikes in the first half. Ki Sung-yueng's 25-yard effort with his left foot flew into the corner in the 31st minute, before Motherwell left-back Gavin Gunning powered a shot against the bar from 35 yards. Motherwell failed to put Celtic under enough pressure afterwards and the game moved beyond them in the final 15 minutes following Mark Wilson's deflected strike and a late free-kick from Charlie Mulgrew. "We had a game plan, then Ki scores a goal like that," Murphy said. "I can't imagine he has ever scored a goal like that with his weaker foot. "That's the kind of break you need, they score theirs and ours hits the underside of the bar. We had a game plan and as soon as they scored it went out the window." Murphy was restored to the team after being rested for the final two games of the league season as Stuart McCall rotated his squad. But Murphy dismissed suggestions the tactic backfired by failing to ensure Motherwell were sharp enough. "It was the manager's choice to rest players and I think it was the right one, it's just that on the day Celtic were the better team," the former Scotland Under-21 international said. "It's not nice losing 3-0 in a cup final, I can tell you that, but we'll try to come back next year. We have got to be positive and try to get back here." Tom Hateley, who lined up at right-back yesterday, also pledged to learn from the defeat. The 21-year-old said: "I'm still a young footballer learning the game and building myself as a player and a person. "You have to learn from this experience and take it on the chin. "You want to be playing in massive games, in front of massive crowds. "It was magnificent coming out and seeing a sea of claret and amber. It was an amazing sight, it made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. It was a magnificent sight and we're sorry we couldn't get the right result." McCall now has to build for his first full season in charge with the retention of key players such as John Sutton and Steve Jennings the priority. Jennings revealed after the game he was eager to sign a new contract but Sutton's future is uncertain amid reported interest from Celtic and Hearts. Hateley said: "If we can keep hold of our players then hopefully next season we can have a good cup run and finish higher up the league, so hopefully in the summer anyone who is looking to get our players doesn't get them. "Being here shows what we can do. We want to get to semi-finals and finals every year. Hopefully, if the squad stays together, we can get back here next season." Meanwhile, Hateley refused to make much of referee Calum Murray's failure to send off Daniel Majstorovic in the first half. The Celtic defender had already been booked for a poor challenge on Sutton before handling the ball in the air with no-one near him. Murray gave the free-kick but did not follow it up with a yellow card for deliberate handball. However, Hateley said: "I don't want to start making excuses, I didn't really see it. "If he should have been (sent off) then the game would have changed. "But the referee made the decision and you have got to go with it."

Ball to hand? Why did he raise his hand when he knew the ball was flying over his head? No other reason than to stop the ball getting to what he thought was a Motherwell player beyond him. No question it should have been a second yellow.

Havin seen that dirty Swedish git's tackle and then the deliberate handball, and noticing that the Ref and Linesman had perfectly clear views on each, you can only assume that Mr Murray was desperate to ensure that he wasn't the subject of the Celtic paranoia which has been so evident. Majstorivic (or whatever his name is) could have broken Sutts leg and it was a straight red. Handball on such a deliberate scale is a yellow. Murray, yer a wank.

Ach, gutted but still proud. As a Motherwell fan I can hold my head up high and look forward with pride.For such a small squad and so limited resources, we've played more games this season than (I'm sure) any other team in Scotland, to fall short just at the end whilst disappointing aint the end just the beginning. One thinkg got me today - why did Mastorovic not receive a second yellow for a deliberate handball? Callum Murry yer a spineless bawbag.

Considering how much our winning the cup would f*ck up both of their starts to the season is all the more incentive to win now!

Pretty sure that was 2-1 to Motherwell and it was a league game. Still a win!

This Saturday for me...............

That;s the friendlies finished with. You WILL see a vastly different Motherwell next Saturday.

5-0 to Rangers. Think that Celtic might be somewhat deflated now, get tore in Motherwell.

Celtic are taking all the risks if you ask me. Keep at it Motherwell.

Aw come on, even you don't seriously believe that! Today's team - Motherwell XI: Hollis, Saunders, Hammell, Hutchinson, Gunning, Carswell, Hateley, Forbes, Jones, Humphrey, Jeffers Subs: Randolph, Jennings, Murphy, McHugh, Page, Casagolda, Pollock

I think we can take advantage of the nervousness Celtic will show tomorrow. After all, we've nothing to prove and the longer we keep it to 0 the better. Indeed, it'd be interesting if Kilmarnock actually made a game of it tomorrow and, with 10 minutes left, both games were level.

Today's Daily Star, make of it what you will.... LIVERPOOL are heading the chase for Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey. Chris Humphrey has caught the eye of a host of sides south of the border after a string of dazzling displays for the Scottish Cup finalists. Now Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is considering a shock summer move for the lightning fast wideman. Dalglish is scouring the market for wingers to supply his £35m striker Andy Carroll. Anfield chief Dalglish has been linked with big-money moves for Aston Villa pair Ashley Young and Stewart Downing but is weighing up Humphrey as a cheaper option. Liverpool are expected to run the rule over him again at the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic at Hampden a week tomorrow – but they won’t be the only ones. Bitter rivals Everton, who were keen on Humphrey when he left Shrewsbury in 2009, will again check out the £1m-rated starlet whose contract runs out next summer. Bolton, Birmingham, Newcastle, Swansea and Rangers are also interested and due to assess Humphrey, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica.

Hmmmm.... Sport Exclusive: Palace boss eyes Motherwell striker Thursday, 12 May 2011 By Richard Cawley CRYSTAL Palace boss Dougie Freedman is tracking Motherwell striker Jamie Murphy. The Eagles boss will make a personal check on the Glasgow-born front man when the Steelmen play Celtic in the Scottish Cup final on May 21. Freedman made a trip up to Scotland this week to watch both 11-goal Murphy and Dundee United winger Craig Conway. But Murphy, 21, missed Motherwell’s midweek 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.

Mebbes not. If we win tonight and Celtic lose, could then be dwon to whichever reserve side wins at Parkhead on Sunday.........

If you react to a nasty tackle you are more likely to be sent off than the offender. Same applies here, irrespective of what Boyle said, retaliation is what should carrry greatest punishment. Unless you are a wee puppy dog like Grandpa Broon and yer pals run the SFA of course.

Nah, according to the Sportsound commentator, that was at McDairmid tonight...........

We've always been the Pride of Lanarkshire as it is!

Unbelieveable. Only Brown and Boyle know what was actually said, and it could have been anything. Brown's reaction should have seen HIM as the one fined or worse, not Boyle. FFS.

Agreed. However, if Black plays against him tomorrow night he could always do us a favour for a change!

Indeed. On the run up to the final I seem to recall us getting torn apart at Pittodrie, 3-0 I think it was.

Judging by their recent results he's not exactly doing his job........