Arbroath chairman Mike Caird ready for a ‘great day out’ at Gayfield after Motherwell Scottish Cup draw

Mike Caird is hoping Arbroath’s Scottish Cup tie with Motherwell will give the Angus club’s fans a ‘great day out’ at Gayfield.

Arbroath will face Motherwell for the first time in 23 years when the Lanarkshire side visit Gayfield on Saturday 21st January.

It will be the third time in just over 12 months Lichties have faced Scottish Premiership opposition at home.

They took St Johnstone to penalties in the League Cup last 16 in August 2021.

Craig Wighton then opened the scoring for Arbroath before they lost 3-1 to Hibernian in the Scottish Cup in February.

And now it’s Motherwell’s turn to make the trip north for the fourth round clash with a 2,500+ crowd expected.

“I’m delighted with the draw,” said Arbroath chairman Caird.

“It’s another home tie against Scottish Premiership opposition and it should make for a great day out at home.

“I know how much our fans love their away days.

“But this gives us the chance to maximise the amount of our support who can see us in the Scottish Cup.

“We love nothing more than seeing families packing into Gayfield so let’s hope we can have a big crowd to roar our side on.”

Mike Caird memories of Motherwell

Caird was on the Arbroath committee the last time the sides met in this competition.

Ironically, the tie is remembered more for the weather than the football itself.

Well travelled to Angus in early 2000, only for the initial tie to be abandoned at half-time due to gale-force winds at Gayfield.

Arbroath eventually drew the rearranged game 1-1 to force a replay at Fir Park.

That was subsequently postponed FOUR TIMES due to a waterlogged pitch before Well ran out 2-0 winners.

Caird added: “It’s a long time ago but I still remember that tie.

“I was on our committee at the time and I remember the winds were so strong at Gayfield that the ref called it off at half-time.

“We took it to a replay and then the rain kept delaying that before they beat us.

“It will be nice to play them again. You want to test yourselves against other clubs and we offer a warm welcome Motherwell and their fans to Arbroath.”