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24th December 2024
The emphasis is likely to be on youth again when Motherwell visit Tannadice on Saturday for the last home game of this season.After using a relatively experienced line up in the derby against Dundee on Saturday past, manager Paul Sturrock is considering giving more of his youngsters top flight experience.
Following his impressive SPL debut against Celtic last midweek, teenage centre-half David McCracken is a strong candidate to line up against the Steelmen. McCracken was again in fine form on Monday evening as the under-21s recorded a 1-0 league victory over Kilmarnock, a game that was switched to Tannadice.
It's a busy week for the kids and they will be in action again on Wednesday when they face Dundee at Dens. Another of their number who is a "possible" for top team duty at the weekend is Kevin McDonald. Like McCracken, he showed up well against Killie.
Under-21 international goalkeeper Paul Gallacher may have to wait a while for another taste of SPL action, but the management team are very happy with his progress and while he still has a year of his contract to run, the summer will see discussions with him regarding an extension. "Paul has come on in leaps and bounds and in the last few months has been performing consistently well," says boss Paul Sturrock. "He definitely benefited from the loan spell at Airdrie around the turn of the year and is picking up good experience with the Scotland under-21 team as well."
With Canadian Pat Onstad back on the road to full fitness after his recent knee operation, in-form number one Alan Combe will face even stiffer competition for his place if he agrees a new deal for next season.
Meanwhile, the ankle injury Craig Easton picked up against Dundee is responding to treatment and hopes are high he will make the squad for the Motherwell game.
That match will be defender David Partridge's last club fixture this term. He starts a two match suspension the following week, but will see action for the Welsh under-21s against Scotland and Ireland at the end of the month.
Following his impressive SPL debut against Celtic last midweek, teenage centre-half David McCracken is a strong candidate to line up against the Steelmen. McCracken was again in fine form on Monday evening as the under-21s recorded a 1-0 league victory over Kilmarnock, a game that was switched to Tannadice.
It's a busy week for the kids and they will be in action again on Wednesday when they face Dundee at Dens. Another of their number who is a "possible" for top team duty at the weekend is Kevin McDonald. Like McCracken, he showed up well against Killie.
Under-21 international goalkeeper Paul Gallacher may have to wait a while for another taste of SPL action, but the management team are very happy with his progress and while he still has a year of his contract to run, the summer will see discussions with him regarding an extension. "Paul has come on in leaps and bounds and in the last few months has been performing consistently well," says boss Paul Sturrock. "He definitely benefited from the loan spell at Airdrie around the turn of the year and is picking up good experience with the Scotland under-21 team as well."
With Canadian Pat Onstad back on the road to full fitness after his recent knee operation, in-form number one Alan Combe will face even stiffer competition for his place if he agrees a new deal for next season.
Meanwhile, the ankle injury Craig Easton picked up against Dundee is responding to treatment and hopes are high he will make the squad for the Motherwell game.
That match will be defender David Partridge's last club fixture this term. He starts a two match suspension the following week, but will see action for the Welsh under-21s against Scotland and Ireland at the end of the month.
