Kilmarnock forward Greg Kiltie goes quite close to a fine individual goal after jinking his way into the box.

Hamilton, though, manage to force him wide enough that the angle is tough and Kiltie rolls the ball past the far post.

Kilmarnock players are screaming for a penalty.

Chris Burke's corner is headed by Stuart Findlay and the ball appears to strike Accies striker David Moyo's outstretched arm.

Referee Grant Irvine says no penalty.

Dylan Connolly is taken out by Mark O'Hara and the Motherwell midfielder is booked.

Falls like the one Connolly just had are probably that bit sorer on a cold day like today.

Kyle McAllister takes the free-kick short to Jamie McGrath and he fires wide.

Motherwell do not clear their lines, opening up a chance for Marcus Fraser, whose volley drifts wide. Good chance for St Mirren.

Not too much to report at Rugby Park as both sides ease their way in.

Aaron McGowan just floated a cross into the Hamilton box, but it was comfortably held by goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay.

A positive start from Motherwell in Paisley. Allan Campbell makes his presence felt around 20 yards from goal and feeds Devante Cole, whose shot is deflected wide by Joe Shaughnessy.

The talking is over...here come the games (well, those few that are left anyway)!

St Mirren manager Jim Goodwin admits he was not expecting to get Eamonn Brophy into the club from Kilmarnock so early after the player signed a pre-contract agreement before joining on loan.

"I didn't think it was fair to throw him straight into the side, but he will make his debut at some point," he tells BBC Scotland.

"Motherwell have a new manager and you are expecting that bounce, but for me the squad of players have underachieved.

"We just hope that reaction is not against us today. Us adding a bit of quality up front can only help."

Debutant Motherwell manager Graham Alexander tells BBC Scotland: "Really looking forward to it. This is what I've been itching to get back involved with - match-day experiences.

"I've spoken to a lot of people about Scottish football and Motherwell in particular. I'm delighted to be the next custodian of the manager's hot seat. I can't wait to get going.

"I've only had the one training session. We tried to put a couple of tactical things in, but we don't want to overload them. These are good players, I can see that. It's about going and doing it on match day."

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With the backlog of fixtures as a result of call-offs resulting from Covid-19 being added to by postponements due to freezing temperatures, some are calling for Scotland's semi-professional leagues and the Scottish Cup to be called to a halt.

Would you agree with that decision? Thumbs up for yes, thumbs down for no.

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice has been bemoaning his latest stroke of Covid-related bad luck as defender Aaron Martin has been forced to withdraw late on.

"Just before 12 o'clock today, Aaron Martin - who's been outstanding for me - through his track and trace app has been told he has to isolate," Rice tells BBC Scotland.

"Obviously he's been in contact with someone. It's a blow because the team was picked, the tactics were done. To lose him and Brian Easton from a back five that's kept two clean sheets in a row is hard to take. It's the curse of Hamilton!"

Perhaps the secret to Graham Alexander getting off to a flying start as Motherwell manager is to ensure his side do not lose the first goal in Paisley.

Well are the only side yet to gain a point from a losing position in this season’s Premiership.

Indeed, they have lost all 11 of their games in which they have fallen behind and new St Mirren signing Eamonn Brophy will be among those looking to add to that misery.

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Michael Stewart
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Lowland League club Dalbeattie Star have called for the season to be ended in light of the pandemic, while the Highland League are having a meeting on Monday over its immediate future.

National clinical director Jason Leitch told BBC Scotland: “The question about the leagues, I think the football authorities will have to look at that over the next few weeks.

"We just want people to be so careful and professional sport may have to play a role in that. Professional sport has to be on its absolute best behaviour to keep those doors open as long as we can.

“Vaccination is working. We’ve got vaccine, we know it’s safe to give, we know it’s effective when you give it and it appears the virus isn’t running away from us – yet."

Graham Alexander begins his tenure as Motherwell manager against a side whose recent progress has been the direct opposite from today's hosts.

While the Fir Park have side have now gone 10 games without a win, St Mirren have lifted themselves five points clear of bottom spot into seventh.

However, after a run of 11 games unbeaten, Jim Goodwin's side have stuttered in recent weeks, winning just once in four outings.

While Well are unbeaten in four visits to Simple Digital Arena, they are without a win against the Buddies in four.

Celtic's trip to Dubai for a winter training camp was called into question by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week - and we'll bring you the club's latest response to that in a few minutes.

National clinical director Jason Leitch told Off The Ball earlier that people professional sports people are able to attend winter training camps.

"There's the rules and then there's the spirit of the rules," he said. "They are not allowed to go on a holiday like the rest of us. That exemption, if they stay in their bubble, means they don't have to quarantine when they come back."

However, he pointed out that the United Arab Emirates now has double the number of cases of Covid-19 than Scotland.

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