O’Donnell memorial emotion for Craigan

Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan admits the build-up to Saturday’s SPL meeting with Dundee United at Fir Park on Saturday will be emotional, as a memorial is unveiled to his predecessor, Phil O’Donnell, 90 minutes before the kick-off.

The Lanarkshire club’s supporters raised the money to honour O’Donnell, who collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack 12 minutes from the end of a 5-3 victory over United on 29 December, 2007.

The 35-year-old made 234 appearances in two spells with his hometown club, who named their main stand after him. “It is hard to believe it’s almost four years,” said Craigan, now also 35. “It’s nice the club haven’t forgotten about him. Sometimes, initially, it can be a big build up when you lose someone important, but then you forget. But the club and his family have kept it going. There were issues about whether the players would be involved as it might put us off our game, but it would be nice if some of the players to be there.”

The only current squad members who were involved in the game are Craigan, Keith Lasley and Jamie Murphy. Craigan added: “There’s only a few of us still at the club. It means more to some of us involved in the team than others and that’s understandable. But it’s nice that when we come in every day now we’ll see his memorial in the stand.

“At a time when it’s supposed to be about celebrations for people and their families, my thoughts go to Phil’s family.”