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There’s a live stream available of Kilmarnock v Motherwell on Friday night.

Supporters in the UK and Republic of Ireland can watch a live stream online for £12.50.

To watch, just head to ppv.kilmarnockfc.co.uk and buy your pass.

Fans based outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland can watch as normal as part of their international subscription package at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Declan Gallagher and Stephen O’Donnell are in the latest Scotland squad.

The pair have again been selected as the national team prepare for three matches in quick succession.

First up is a EURO 2020 play-off semi-final at home to Israel at Hampden Park on Thursday, 8 September.

That’s followed by UEFA Nations League group matches at home to Slovakia on Sunday and Czech Republic the following Tuesday.

Gallagher and O’Donnell join Allan Campbell and Barry Maguire on Scotland national duty, with the young pair in the Under 21 selection.

Kilmarnock are our next opponents in a Friday night fixture in Ayrshire.

The Scottish Premiership match is the last before another international break for the team.

You can watch live if you’re in the UK and Ireland by visiting ppv.kilmarnockfc.co.uk for £12.50. Fans abroad can watch through their normal international subscription.

Kick-off at Rugby Park on Friday 2 October is at 7.45pm.

Tale of the tape

Motherwell are unbeaten in their last three against Kilmarnock.

A 1-0 win at Rugby Park in December 2019 came through Jake Carroll’s second-half free kick.

Before that, a 2-1 home win came after a 0-0 draw away in March 2019.

Form guide

Killie have won three and lost two of their last five matches in the Premiership.

Wins over Hamilton and St Mirren have made it two victories on the bounce for Alex Dyer’s side, with a previous success over Dundee United sandwiched between away losses at Rangers and Aberdeen.

The Ayrshire side sit three points ahead of Motherwell in fifth, with a seven-goal superior goal difference.

Motherwell’s 5-1 reversal at home to Rangers on Sunday came after the exertions of a good performance but 3-0 loss in Israel to Hapoel Beer-Sheva.

Before that, Stephen Robinson’s side had recorded back-to-back league wins at home to St Johnstone and away to Aberdeen.

Watch live

Supporters in the UK and Republic of Ireland can watch a live stream online for £12.50.

To watch, just head to ppv.kilmarnockfc.co.uk and buy your pass.

Fans based outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland can watch as normal as part of their international subscription package at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

“We got what we deserved. We were flat and tired. We need to get them firing again.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to the loss to Rangers.

A tired Motherwell toiled in a 5-1 home loss to Rangers on Sunday.

Rangers’ quickfire start settled the game by half-time. James Tavernier’s double from the penalty spot – and a third from Jordan Jones – gave the visitors control of the game.

A second half double from Cedric Itten made it a bit of stroll in the midday sun for the Ibrox men. An own goal from George Edmundson four minutes from time brought little celebration for the Steelmen.

Stephen Robinson made two changes from midweek. Bevis Mugabi returned to the centre of the back three, while Callum Lang replaced Christopher Long as the Fir Park attack had the envious task of overcoming the visitors’ mean defensive record.

On a superb pitch and day for football, all that was missing was the near-capacity crowd which usually accompanies this fixture.

Despite not having their massive support in the South Stand, Steven Gerrard’s men almost made the perfect start.

James Tavernier free kick in the first minute found the unmarked Alfredo Morelos and his glancing header was sneaking inside the post, until Trevor Carson leapt low to his right to push the ball behind.

The home box was peppered with several crosses before Calvin Bassey’s low ball bounced onto Mugabi’s hand allowing Bobby Madden to point to the penalty spot. It was harsh on the ‘Well centre back whose hand was by his side but under the new rules was correctly judged.

Tavernier showed little sympathy as he cracked his spot kick low and in off Carson’s right hand post to give the Ibrox men the upper hand with only 10 minutes on the clock.

The next penalty call came at the other end when Glen Kamara barged into the back of Allan Campbell. But as the ‘Well man tumbled to the ground, the referee ignored strong pleas.

The Steelmen then had a decent spell of play with Tony Watt looking lively in and around the box. And after Liam Polworth’s wicked inswinging cross was only partially cleared, the ball found its way to Watt but eight yards from goal his shot was blocked.

The ‘Well players, though, were finding it difficult to retain possession and match Rangers’ press and pace.

And that was highlighted after 27 minutes when Rangers went two ahead.

Scott Arfield sent Jones down the right channel and with Ricki Lamie unable to catch him, the former Kilmarnock winger cut into the box before driving the ball across Carson and inside the far post for a clinical finish.

Nine minutes later Rangers were handed a second penalty, this time with little debate as Liam Grimshaw’s raised arms blocked Kamara’s cross into the box. Tavernier comfortably steered the ball to Carson’s left to make it 3-0 and effectively kill the game.

Just before the half-time break ‘Well had a chance to reduce the leeway. Polworth’s drive from 15 yards was blocked and his second attempt deflected over Allan McGregor’s bar in a rare bit of action around the keeper’s goal.

That was the last action for Polworth and Stephen O’Donnell who were replaced by Barry Maguire and Christopher Long for the second half.

That allowed Motherwell to change to a back four and pose more of an attacking threat with Lang and Long supporting Watt up front. However, 12 minutes into the half, Sherwin Seedorf replaced the on-loan Wigan man.

The ‘Well subs combined for the first goal threat of the half when Seedorf fed the ball to Maguire and his cross was met by the towering Mugabi. But his header flashed narrowly over the bar.

In the 64th minute Tavernier lined up for a free kick into the box and then elected to shoot for goal, forcing Carson to nip smartly across his line to gather the ball low at his right hand post.

Two minutes the ‘Gers’ full back came closer to grabbing his hat-trick and brought out a better save from Carson. This time Tavernier whipped the ball over the defensive wall forcing the ‘Well ‘keeper to stretch high to his right claw the ball off his line.

It was Rangers who netted again in the 74th minute, when substitute Itten struck a superb shot from 20 yards which gave Carson no chance of stopping.

Three minutes later, O’Hara came very close to matching that effort when his superb curling free kick from the left side of the penalty area was touched onto the bar by McGregor.

A couple of minutes later the ‘Well defence was caught sleeping when Arfield’s corner bounced around the six yard box before Itten swept it into the net to make it 5-0.

Four minutes later, Seedorf drilled a corner into a packed box and with Mugabi and White challenging the ball, it bounced off Edmundson and past his keeper to give Motherwell scant consolation from a very hard working 90 minutes.

Motherwell: Carson, O’Donnell (Seedorf), Gallagher, Mugabi, Lamie, Grimshaw, O’Hara, Campbell. Polworth (Maguire), Watt (White), Lang (Long).

Subs: Morrison, McGinley, Hylton, Crawford, Cornelius.

In football, timing can be everything.

From working out a pre-season schedule, to measuring the drop of a shoulder or a darting sprint to perfection to make space, it makes a huge difference.

For Motherwell, they may very well be timing their run into the metaphorical box perfectly.

A slow start left the Fir Park side well off the pace. But a grinding result producing a victory against Glentoran offered a glimmer of hope to supporters watching at home that their team wasn’t far away.

But in the last couple of weeks, this Motherwell team has clocked up performances – and more importantly results – to get tongues wagging that last year’s third-placed team is back in business, just as the fixtures and competitions start to stack up.

At times, it hasn’t been tricky. Glentoran, St Johnstone and Coleraine – the trip to Northern Ireland particularly – have come with challenges.

But, tail that with an emphatic 3-0 rout at Pittodrie, and the niggling doubt which may have lurked a couple of weeks ago has already dissipated as the season cranks up.

The performance away to Hapoel Beer-Sheva in Israel again underlined that, albeit in a 3-0 loss. But, regardless of that result, it is clear Motherwell are ready to take off once more.

“The game in Northern Ireland was a completely different game to Aberdeen,” said Liam Polworth, the Well midfielder.

“We knew it would be tough. But to come out of the traps at Aberdeen was fantastic. It was an amazing result and we nearly had the full thing put to bed in the first half.”

Motherwell’s win at Pittodrie was all-the-more impressive when you consider what had gone immediately before.

Two goals up in Northern Ireland to Coleraine at half-time, a testing second-half, a sending off, a nerve-jangling extra-time period and an emotion-zapping penalty shootout eventually saw the Steelmen progress into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.

And then there was the Showgrounds pitch…

“We knew it would be hard when we got there and saw the pitch,” said Polworth, the former Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder.

“I’ve not seen anything like it and I’ve played a couple of years in the Championship.

“The grass was long, it was bumpy, there were divots. You couldn’t pass the ball five yards without it going all over the place.

“I was saying this to the boys earlier. You work so hard to get into Europe and then you get dished a game like that. There was a bit of a downer when you got there, but we were just buzzing to get through.

“It’s testament to the manager and the coaching staff that we were able to go flying at Aberdeen at Pittodrie on the Sunday. We all worked hard but we’re fit, and ready to go. It was a long night on that pitch in Coleraine but we knew we had a job to do on Sunday.”

He added: “There’s times when it does go through your head that it’s not going to be your night. Especially with the way the first half went and then they pull it back in the second half.

“When they get the late penalty you start to doubt. But to get through was brilliant, and a lot of credit has to go to Trevor [Carson]. Everyone knew how good he was and is.”

The start of the campaign has been a testing time for most connected with the club, but perhaps Polworth more than some.

He was a major part of Motherwell’s thrust to third last season, leading the way in the Scottish Premiership in the way of assists.

However, due to the return of David Turnbull from knee surgery, he found game time hard to come by, often sitting on the bench as his team-mates found results tricky to get.

But now back in the team, the impact he has made has been clear.

“It was definitely frustrating,” he admitted. “Anyone in that position would be the same but you have to deal with it. You get on with it.

“When you get the chance back you need to take it, and prove to the manager that you deserve to stay in the team.”

The attention and focus now turns to today’s visit of Rangers, a side the Well have not beaten at home in the league since Boxing Day in 200.

Polworth reckons now may be the time for that to change.

While only a couple of weeks ago Motherwell could not buy a win despite playing well while Rangers’ defence was impenetrable, Motherwell have strung together wins, gained confidence and started scoring goals.

Couple that with Rangers finally conceding in the form of the 2-2 draw at Easter Road, and there is a renewed hope that a shock – at least to those outside of Fir Park – could be on the cards.

“We know when we play to 100% that we have a right good chance,” he said.

“We need to be right at it, they have a lot of quality players. But at home we will be right up for it and know what we can bring to the game.

“Obviously we hope that it all works to our benefit and they come on to us. Hopefully it means we can break away and win the game.”

Rangers are our next opponents in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, 27 September 2020.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 12pm.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Season ticket holders can watch for free online at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

International subscribers can also see the game as part of their package.

There will be no pay-per-view available in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Form guide

Both sides were in UEFA Europa League action on Thursday, with both experiencing different fortunes on their travels.

Rangers were comprehensive 4-0 winners in the Netherlands against Willem II, while Motherwell were more than a match for Hapoel Beer-Sheva before losing out 3-0.

On domestic duty, Rangers’ seven-game clean sheet run ended with a 2-2 draw at Hibernian last weekend.

They remain unbeaten in the league this campaign, winning six and drawing away with Livingston and the aforementioned Hibs.

Motherwell go into the weekend with two league wins on the bounce. A 1-0 home win over St Johnstone was followed up by the notable 3-0 away win at Aberdeen last Sunday.

Tale of the tape

Rangers have won the last four competitive meetings between the sides, dating back to November 2018.

Before that, the Steelmen recorded two high-scoring home draws against the Ibrox club, with back-to-back games finishing 3-3 and 2-2.

Competitively, Motherwell’s last win in the fixture at Fir Park came in the Premiership play-off in May 2015. On league business, the last home win for the men in claret and amber came in December 2002 in a 1-0 victory.

“It’s tinged with disappointment. We were the better side for large periods of the game.”

Stephen Robinson reacts to Motherwell’s European exit.

Motherwell suffered a European exit at the hands of Hapoel Beer-Sheva at the third qualifying round stage.

Goals from Miguel Vitor, Joseu and Elton-Ofoi Acolatse did the damage in a 3-0 win, with Declan Gallagher seeing red in the incident which gave the Israelis a penalty to go two up.

But the Steelmen were more than a match for their illustrious opposition for the most part in humid conditions and, on a different night, would have seen their chances pay.

On a humid evening in Petah Tikva, Motherwell started brightly, finding joy on the right side with O’Donnell and working balls into the opposition box.

Long then had the golden chance with 20 minutes played. Spinning clear of his marker on the right side, his shot flashed across the face of goal and came within centimetres of dropping in at the left post.

Watt then also had a close range effort denied, with the ball getting caught under his feet on the first attempt, and his second being blocked by the defence.

Beer-Sheva’s opener came after Motherwell were denied a drop ball after being in possession after a clash of heads in the box.

The hosts went up the other end and won a free-kick on the left. Joseu swung it in, with Vitor breaking clear to head home with four minutes left in the half.

Soon after, there were fierce calls for a dismissal. Watt was smashed in the back of the head by an irate Beer-Sheva player, after a coming together just before.

Instead, the referee chose to book both, before blowing the half-time whistle.

Motherwell came out of the blocks at pace again in the second period and had a host of chances to pull level.

First, O’Hara saw a near post header from Polworth’s corner kept out by the ‘keeper, and Gallagher headed over soon after from another great Polworth set play.

Motherwell were in the ascendancy but were to be dealt a blow with 20 minutes to go.

Gallagher was booked for giving away a free-kick on the right and from the resulting delivery, his wrestle with the forward saw a penalty awarded and a second yellow shown.

Joseu made no mistake from the spot, slotting into the bottom right corner.

Lang and White were introduced as ‘Well went chasing but the hosts would kill the game with 10 minutes to go.

Acolatse found room on the left, cut inside and sent a low powerful drive past Carson into the net.

Motherwell: Carson, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Lamie, McGinley, Grimshaw, O’Hara, Campbell, Polworth (Maguire), Watt (White), Long (Lang).

Subs not used: Morrison, Hastie, Cornelius, Seedorf.

Our match with Hapoel Beer-Sheva will be broadcast live online.

Priced at £10, the game is now available to buy for supporters in the UK and Republic of Ireland at ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Supporters based outside of the UK/Ireland can watch via their normal subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk. If you’re based in Israel, you will not be able to see the game.

Kick-off in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round match is at 6.30pm BST. Please buy your pass and log in early to avoid a last-minute surge.

PLEASE NOTE that if you are an existing season ticket holder in the UK or Ireland, your existing log in will not work. You must create a new account at ppv.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Due to the complex technical logistics of getting a video feed from Israel, we unfortunately will not have commentary on the feed. You will hear the noise from the stadium instead.