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Motherwell's matches postponed

Motherwell fans look at tributes left outside Fir Park stadium in Motherwell, Scotland, on Sunday following the death of club captain Phil O'Donnell. PHOTO: AP

Motherwell's upcoming Scottish Premier League matches against Hibernian and Celtic are to be postponed in memory of captain Phil O'Donnell, who died on Saturday.

The 35-year-old former Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder collapsed when about to be substituted toward the end of Saturday's 5-3 win against Dundee United at Fir Park and died after being taken to hospital.

Motherwell, third in the table, had been due to play Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow before facing leaders Celtic at Fir Park on Sunday.

"For any of us to contemplate going on a training ground, never mind a football ground at this moment in time is impossible," Mark McGhee, the Motherwell manager, said on Sunday. "We are all going to need time to get back to work."

McGhee met with O'Donnell's family on Sunday before reading out a statement on their behalf to reporters at Fir Park.

It said: "None of us yet can comprehend what has happened. We have been overwhelmed by the support and messages from people inside and outside the football world. We are grateful for all the support we have received. In the meantime we would appreciate our privacy is respected and we are given time to grieve."

"As far we we are concerned, exactly the same applies," McGhee said "Everyone, the players, the supporters, every one inside the executive are devastated and absolutely dumbfounded by the event of Phil's death."

"We had a meeting this morning with the players and obviously they have taken it very, very badly and we are going to have to help them through that," he said. "We are going to miss a guy who was a fine man, a guy who was a fantastic example to all of his colleagues."

"He was a man among boys in every sense, in his attitude, his professionalism and integrity and sincerity," former Scotland striker McGhee said. "I'm honored to have been his manager."

O'Donnell was set to be replaced by substitute Marc Fitzpatrick in Saturday's match but fell to the pitch as the change was taking place. He received some five minutes of treatment on the field before being carried off on a stretcher and was subsequently taken by ambulance to hospital.

His nephew, David Clarkson, who scored twice in the match, was substituted after being alarmed at the sight of his uncle's collapse.

The cause of O'Donnell's death is unknown. He is survived by his wife and their four children.
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