Clarkson's winner settles the 'Well nerves

Apr 2 2008 By Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL .................1 HIBERNIAN .......................0 Scorer: Clarkson 3

IN Saturday’s programme notes Motherwell manager Mark McGhee drummed the anti-football beat — suggesting that his side needed to ‘roll up their sleeves’ and start grinding out results.

“Gone are the days of expansive, mesmerising free-flowing football,” he warned the Fir Park faithful before the crucial six-pointer against fourth-placed Hibernian.

McGhee had suggested such a change in philosophy was in the offing when speaking to the Wishaw Press last week, saying it was more a change of mentality rather than a change in formation that was needed.

But it was not too much of a surprise when he did revert to a more rigid 4-4-2 formation in an effort to stem a worrying run of form that had resulted in a five-game winless streak.

The result? Change of formation, change of fortune as the Steelmen warmed up for their double header with Celtic with a display that should give their followers renewed optimism in the side’s pursuit of European football.

And what’s more, there was a delicious blend of ‘roll your sleeves up’ football and creativeness in their performance against Hibs that poured scorn over McGhee’s pre-match thoughts.

“We were first to most of the second balls, we got the knock downs and were brave,” a delighted Stephen Hughes observed after once again pulling the strings for the home side against a side that had beaten them earlier in the month.

He added: “But we also got the ball down and passed when we had to.”

Motherwell could and should have beaten Hibernian by three or four goals at the weekend but were more than happy to settle for the single goal victory that saw then leapfrog their Edinburgh visitors and join Dundee United on 49 points with two games in hand over The Terrors.

David Clarkson’s 13th goal of the season after just three minutes settled matters as he partnered Chris Porter up front – McGhee opting to bench Ross McCormack who had put in an impressive shift for Scotland under 21s in their midweek victory over Finland.

Clarkson drifted past a docile Martin Canning on the right edge of Hibernian’s box before slotting past Andrew McNeil with a low right-footed shot.

‘Well could have been two goals up a minute later when Paul Quinn – restored to the starting line up after a short spell on the sidelines – shot just wide from 25 yards. And when skipper Quinn contrived to miss from just six yards out with the goal at his mercy it appeared the hosts had missed the chance of finishing the match as a contest within the first 15 minutes. But Hibernian were very ordinary on the day and only created two chances during the whole 90 minutes and clearly missed striker Steven Fletcher who picked up a knock on his Scotland debut against Croatia last Wednesday.

Dean Shiels hit the bar from outside the box in the first half and Motherwell keeper Graeme Smith deserves tremendous credit for pulling off an excellent save near the end of the match when Clayton Donaldson found room in the box and shot powerfully.

Smith’s firm right hand kept the striker at bay – the only time he was made to work all afternoon. David Marshall must be performing miracles at Norwich to be preventing Smith making the Scotland senior squad at present.

Clarkson – who was lively throughout his 70-minute shift — found space in the box in the first half once again. But instead of going for goal himself he chose the wrong option, attempting to square the ball to an outstretched Chris Porter who could only get a toe poke to it and the chance was squandered.

Clarkson’s all round performance was epitomised by him sprinting back 30 yards to thwart a Hibs counter attack in the second period. Instead of kicking it out for a throw in he instinctively back heeled the ball and found room to set up another Motherwell attack.

“Clarkson and Porter ran their socks off for us up front and there is nothing better when the front two are holding the ball up and making runs and are being inventive,” Hughes enthused.

He added: “It just makes it so much easier for the rest of us. And, obviously, with Ross (McCormack) coming off the bench when he is such a goal threat it really makes a difference.

“We have been pleasing on the eye (this season) but we have maybe been out-muscled in previous games. If it hasn’t been going for us we have not had that other side. But we have worked hard in training on that other side of the game and I think that showed in the match.”

Whilst a defeat would not have been the end of the road in their pursuit of the coveted European spot, it would have sapped a lot of energy from players who have put in such efforts during a testing campaign both on and off the park, especially with Celtic — smarting from their Old Firm defeat — on the horizon.

Indeed, Clarkson felt his goal was the most important of the season. But despite the fact Celtic will have to pick up six points against Motherwell to stay in the championship race, midfielder Hughes is confident his side can end their title aspirations.

And the former Rangers player admits he is relishing the challenge. “Those are the games we want to play in,” he said.

“It’s one of these games where there are 60,000 fans. They will be going for the win and we are aiming for third spot so it should be a good game.

“If you are in the bottom six it looks like your season is over with Gretna relegated but we have Europe and the club is buzzing.

“We won’t go there and play 4-5-1 and just sit in.”

“We will go there and try and get something. That is what the gaffer has instilled in us.”

However, there is no doubt that fans will take a drab ‘roll your sleeves up’ nil nil draw in both encounters.

Motherwell - Graeme Smith, Paul Quinn, Mark Reynolds, Stephen Craigan, Stephen Hughes, Simon Lappin, Keith Lasley (Steven McGarry, 86), Marc Fitzpatrick, Chris Porter, David Clarkson (Ross McCormack, 72), Robert Malcolm

Subs not used – Luke Daniels, Brian McLean, Darren Smith, Jamie Murphy, Mark Archdeacon

Bookings – Malcolm, Fitzpatrick.

Hibernian - Andrew McNeil, Chris Hogg, Rob Jones, Merouane Zemmama, Felipe Morais (Clayton Donaldson, 69), John Rankin (Abdessalam Benjelloun, 45), Dean Shields, Colin Nish, Ian Murray, Paul Hanlon, Martin Canning

Ref – Kenny Clark

Att: 6580