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Juhani Ojala has left Motherwell by mutual consent. 

The 33-year-old Finnish international joined Motherwell in the summer of 2021 and went on to make 24 appearances for the Steelmen, scoring one goal.

“Juhani leaves with our best wishes,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“He is an excellent professional, but we feel it is in the best interests of both parties that he should look for opportunities to play more regular football elsewhere.”

Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to thank Juhani for his efforts during his time at Fir Park and wish him every success in his future career.

Motherwell entered the Premier Sports cup at the second round stage, two games away from Hampden.

Their first obstacle was Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who travelled to Fir Park looking to cause a cup upset.

However, Motherwell put in an excellent performance to assert their dominance in the match with Kevin van Veen continuing his fine goalscoring run, adding three more to the tally.

Four goals and a clean sheet secured, Motherwell are drawn against cup holders Celtic in the Quarter-Finals as they bid to continue their cup run.

“It was a good performance and I felt from start to finish we controlled the game.”

Motherwell cruised into the quarter finals of the Premier Sports Cup after blowing Inverness Caley Thistle away in a blistering first half.

Inverness, having narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership last season and finishing top of their League Cup group, came south to North Lanarkshire intent on producing a cup shock.

Any such thoughts evaporated after only nine minutes when Kevin van Veen claimed his fifth goal of the season. ‘Well were ruthless in the first half and after Daniel Devine turned the ball over his own goal line, van Veen converted a penalty to make it 3-0 before the interval.

The Steelmen continued to dominate the game after the break but despite carving out numerous chances to extend their lead, it was left to van Veen to claim his hat-trick from the penalty spot and round off a superb evening’s work for the home side.

Steven Hammell made three changes to the side which disappointingly lost at Kilmarnock. On loan left back Matt Penny made his debut, Ross Tierney replaced Dean Cornelius and Joe Efford was preferred to Connor Shields up front.

That gave ‘Well a more attacking looking formation. And it didn’t take long for Efford to impose himself on the hard pressed visitor’s defence.

With four minutes played the American winger’s pace and quick feet carried him to the byeline but with three team-mates waiting in the six-yard box Efford inexplicably rolled the ball into the side netting.

Five minutes later he made amends. Callum Slattery’s low through ball sent Efford towards the penalty area. After cutting inside Cameron Harper he squared the ball to van Veen who calmly steered it into the net from 10 yards and make it four goals from his last four games.

Before the Highlanders could recover it was almost two nil. Van Veen turned provider cutting the ball back for Blair Spittal whose drive from the edge of the box was blocked on its way to goal.

The Motherwell attacks were swift and incessant and Spittal repaid the favour when he laid the ball back for van Veen but form the ‘D’ the Dutchman drove his shot wide of Mark Ridgers’ goal.

A second goal was on the cards but when it arrived in the 25th minute it was via the Inverness captain.

Penney, who had a fine debut on the left flank, worked his way to the visitor’s byeline before whipping a low cross into the six yard box where Devine’s outstretched leg diverted the ball past his own ‘keeper.

There was no sense of the Fir Park side being content with a two goal lead, though, and eight minutes from the break it was 3-0 to effectively kill the tie. A quick exchange between Slattery and Goss sent the latter into the box and sprawling as David Carson’s foot caught the ‘Well midfield man.

There was never a doubt about the penalty award or its conversion, with van Veen hammering the ball high over the diving Ridgers and into the ‘keeper’s top left hand corner.

Thistle’s half time substitute Steven Boyd almost made an immediate impact and reduce the leeway but his 20 yard drive was palmed away by Liam Kelly at full stretch.

‘Well’s response was a couple of shots from Efford and Ross Tierney which were comfortably taken by Ridgers.

The Inverness ‘keeper had to then thanks his defenders who cleared cut backs from Spittal and Efford with van Veen lurking in front of goal for his hat-trick.

The Fir Park striker was not to be denied though and after 66 minutes he claimed his third goal and the match ball.

This time the penalty award was rather harsh on Carson as van Veen’s attempt to play the ball into the six yard box saw it bounce up striking the Inverness man’s hand.

Van Veen showed little sympathy driving the ball low under Ridgers to take his total to seven for the season.

With 20 minutes remaining Hammell made a double substitution giving on loan players Rolando Aarons and Stuart McKinstry their first taste of action.

It was almost a dream return for the former youth player McKinstry when he set up van Veen inside the six yard box but from the tightest of angles his cute effort slipped past the far post and his chances of grabbing a fourth goal.

Five minutes later van Veen left the field to a standing ovation as he made way for Connor Shields looking to bag his first goal of the season.

More changes followed the most notable being the introduction of Lennon Miller who only celebrated his 16th birthday last week to become the youngest player to make his first team debut.

Ross Tierney should have been celebrating goal number five but his downward header from Shields’ perfect cross was blocked on the line by Ridgers’ feet.

However, by then ‘Well fans weren’t complaining as Steven Hammell’s men produced their best 90 minutes of the season to set up a glamour home quarter final tie with Celtic.

Sondre Solholm is dreaming of a first trip to Hampden with Motherwell.

However, as much as the prospect of playing in the national stadium is a special one, the centre half is only focused on overcoming a tricky Inverness side at Fir Park.

Steven Hammell is looking for a reaction from his Motherwell side after a disappointing result against Kilmarnock.

The manager has been part of Motherwell squads that have reached the final of cup competitions, therefore is fully aware of how difficult the task is ahead.

We kick-off our Premier Sports Cup campaign on Wednesday night against Inverness CT at Fir Park.

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Click here to buy your tickets online or visit the ticket office at Fir Park in person.

Ticket office opening times

On matchday, the ticket office is open from 9am until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

Away supporters can purchase tickets from the Tommy McLean stand from 6.30pm from the ticket booth up until kick-off (cash and card available).

Ticket prices:

Important Information

• Concession prices apply to those aged 60 and over and full-time students with a valid matriculation card.
• Young adults are 12 to 17 year olds and Juniors are for children aged 11 and under.

The Story of the Match

Inverness CT have had a sticky start to the league season but came through their Premier Sports Cup group undefeated, beating Livingston away from home in the process.

The Steelmen will be looking to bounce back quickly from defeat to Kilmarnock at the weekend. Steven Hammell’s men won their last home game and will be looking for more of the same under the floodlights on Wednesday.

The tournament reverts to a traditional knock-out format from this onwards, with ties decided by extra time and penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

Match Officials

• Referee: Kevin Clancy
• AR1: Dougie Potter
• AR2: Stuart Stevenson
• Fourth Official: Euan Anderson

Hospitality

The Centenary Suite and Cooper Suite are both open and welcoming all fans to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere from 5pm on a first come first serve basis.

Fans and families of both clubs are encouraged to come along and enjoy pre-match food and drinks at the stadium bars.

No reservation required.

Jamaican international winger Rolando Aarons has joined Motherwell on loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town.

The 26-year-old will be familiar face to ‘Well fans after a brief spell at Fir Park in the months before the Covid-19 pandemic closed down football, where he featured 8 times, scoring once.

“Rolando is a target I had earmarked even before I got the job as I saw first-hand his qualities and potential when he was last here,” boss Steven Hammell said.

“When I spoke with him, you could tell he was very keen to join us. He’s a player with so much to offer. He has pace, he’s direct with a lot of energy and will give us more options on either the left or right flank.

“He’s had a frustrating time with injuries in the last year or so and just needs to get back playing regularly again. We think Motherwell is the perfect platform for him to do that.”

Aarons, who has joined on a season long loan, came through the youth ranks at Bristol City before joining Newcastle United, playing 27 times for the Magpies in both the Premier League and the EFL Championship, scoring four.

During his seven years at St. James Park, he also enjoyed several loan spells including at Hellas Verona in Serie A, Slovan Liberec in the Czech First League and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.

After his curtailed stint in North Lanarkshire back in early 2020, he would join Huddersfield Town but is now back in the SPFL Premiership.