Latest News

Stuart Kettlewell is the new manager of Motherwell Football Club.

Joining the club in the summer initially as the Lead Development Coach, Kettlewell took charge of first-team duties following the departure of Steven Hammell.

Picking up two wins, against St Mirren and Hearts, in his two games in charge, the 38-year-old was subsequently offered the job on a permanent basis, with his deal running initially to May 2024.

“Stuart impressed the board, not only with how he has got the team going in the last two games against St Mirren and Hearts, but with his vision for the club,” Chairman Jim McMahon said. 

“We took time to speak to a number of impressive candidates, each of whom had their own strengths, but Stuart was, in our eyes, the best person to take Motherwell forward.

“He has managed at this level, he’s already won a league title and a domestic cup and we could sense from him a real desire and determination to take this role on and improve us across all areas of the football department.”

He retired in 2016, having made over 300 appearances in his career turning out for Ross County, Clyde, Queen’s Park and Brora Rangers.

After announcing he was hanging up his boots in 2016, he began his coaching journey with Ross County at Under 17 level.

Working his way up the ranks, Kettlewell became Under 20s manager at Ross County, winning the 2016-17 SPFL Development League.

When Owen Coyle resigned as manager of The Staggies in March 2018, Kettlewell and then academy director Steven Ferguson were appointed co-managers of Ross County.

In their time in charge, they brought silverware to County, winning the 2018/19 Challenge Cup. They were also promoted straight back to the top flight, winning the Championship, at the first time of asking.

Alongside promotion, Kettlewell was instrumental in generating money for the club through player sales and helped steer the club through the coronavirus pandemic and behind-closed-door matches.

In June 2020, Kettlewell was placed in sole charge of the Dingwall side before leaving in December of that year.

Joining Motherwell in August, Kettlewell has been working closely with the Under 18s and Development Team to continue the progress of our young and exciting youth prospects.

“I’m immensely proud,” manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“It’s been a whirlwind eight or nine days.

“I had a burning desire to take the job to see if I can take this club forward and be a catalyst to what we hope will be a good chapter for the football club.”

“I genuinely think I come to Motherwell a better manager than what I was previously and I hope that is something that appeals to the Motherwell supporters.

“There’s some real good players here. I wouldn’t have taken the job had I felt there was a real issue with the playing squad.

“This is a community club. It’s important that we join that up. I think this club is unique. It now becomes my job to drive it forward.”

Stuart will name his assistant manager in due course. The vacant lead development coach role will also be filled in the near future.

We take on Kilmarnock on Saturday 25 February at Rugby Park.

Kick-off is 3pm

Tickets

Our allocation will be situated in The Chadwick stand and will be available online by clicking here until kick-off on the day of the game.

Ticket Prices

• Away End tickets will be available ONLY in the Chadwick Stand only, if an away supporter purchases a home end ticket they will be denied entry.
• Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and T&C’s apply.
• If supporters require assistance, please contact the Kilmarnock FC ticketing team at tickets@kilmarnockfc.co.uk or call 01563 545311
• Ambulant disabled tickets can be purchased directly through the Kilmarnock FC Ticket Office.
• Wheelchair tickets can be purchased directly through Kilmarnock FC disabled supporters’ representatives:

1. Peter Orr –– 01563 406390
2. Mae Orr – 07909713098

How to follow game online

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

The Story of the Match

Stuart Kettlewell takes full charge for the first time as Motherwell go into this one on the back of two confidence boosting wins over St Mirren and Hearts.

Those two wins lift the Steelmen from bottom of the league to three points above Saturday’s opponents.

Rugby Park hasn’t been a happy hunting ground recently. The Ayrshire side won last time out, with Armstrong and Taylor cancelling out Van Veen’s goal in a 2-1 comeback win in August.

Match Officials

• Referee: Alan Muir
• AR1: Douglas Ross
• AR2: Sean Carr
• Fourth Official: Lloyd Wilson
• VAR: Andrew Dallas
• AVAR: David Dunne

Motherwell picked up the bonus point in the cinch Reserve League cup this afternoon against Kilmarnock at K-Park by winning the penalty shootout 4-2, with the game ending 1-1 after 90 minutes. 

Fraser Murray put Kilmarnock ahead with ten minutes remaining but Olly Crankshaw levelled the game in the 89th minute to take the game to the shootout.

Aston Oxborough would go on to save two out of Kilmarnock’s four penalties in the shootout, with Motherwell converting all four of their spot kicks.

It would be a game of few chances in the first half. Crankshaw had the ball in the net midway through the first period. The winger cut inside onto his right foot before finishing into the top corner but was adjudged to have been offside by the officials.

Oxborough was called into action to save Bobby Wales’ effort, which looked to be finishing into the corner. The Englishman got his hand to it to clear it away.

Oxborough would be involved again in the second half, with two saves from distance to keep the game level.

But Kilmarnock would dominate the ball more as the half went on and would make it count on 79 minutes. Kian Leslie crossed the ball into the danger area after some good work on the wing and Murray was on hand to head into the far corner to open the scoring.

The goal would kick Motherwell back into life and Crankshaw fired Motherwell on level terms in one of the last actions of the game. Crankshaw picked up the ball and drilled an effort from 20-yards into the bottom corner. 1-1.

Motherwell would have a golden chance to win the game after 90 minutes. Some good work from Ross Tierney would unleash Crankshaw who went through on goal but his effort was saved by the keeper.

Daniel Hunter, Stuart McKinstry and Olly Crankshaw all scored from the spot. Oxborough would save Kerr McInroy’s spot kick, with a strong hand to the bottom right.

Killie would score their next penalty however Oxborough got down well to the bottom right to save Murray’s effort from 12-yards.

Ross Tierney stepped up knowing if he finished, he would secure the bonus point for his side and he did just that, sending the keeper the wrong way.

Motherwell made it a six point week as Stuart Kettlewell made it two wins out of two in the cinch Premiership as interim manager. 

Third placed Hearts made the trip to Lanarkshire as they looked to continue their fine run of form.

But Motherwell, fought with everything and Job Obika got his side ahead with his first goal for the club on 40 minutes.

Blair Spittal scored after just 22 seconds in the second half to double the Steelmen’s advantage and to take the wind out of Hearts’ of sails.

A second win the space of four days, moved Motherwell further away from the bottom of the table as they now look to their next ‘cup final’ against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

It’s derby week as Motherwell take on Hamilton at K-Park on Sunday 26 February.

Kick-off is 1.10pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets for the match cost £8 for adults, with concessions and kids costing £3.

Cash and card are accepted at the turnstiles. There is no facility to buy tickets online before the match.

Story of the match

An international break last weekend meant both side weren’t in action.

Motherwell advanced comfortably to the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup with a 4-0 win over Montrose in their last outing.

The women of steel are unbeaten in their last four.

Accies lost their last two games 1-0, against Partick Thistle and Spartans respectively. Their last win came against Glasgow Women in the mid January.

“The game management was outstanding throughout the game.

“But we can’t get carried away. We’re still in a dogfight.”

A superb 2-0 win over third placed Hearts moved ‘Well six points clear of the foot of the table.

Another hard working and well managed performance from the Fir Park men saw them earn a second win in five days and demonstrated a strong case for working under Kettlewell on a permanent basis.

To highlight the significance of the win Robbie Neilson’s side are the third most consistent side in the cinch Premiership with only one defeat, since the sides last met at Tynecastle in November.

And while it was only a last minute penalty that denied Motherwell a hard earned a point on that occasion, Kettlewell’s men were determined to take all three points after goals from Jon Obika and Blair Spittal either side of the interval put them in the driving seat.

Not surprisingly, ‘Well’s interim manager made stood by the same starting eleven which made such a dynamic start against St. Mirren before ultimately claim three precious points.

Fir Park fans hoping for a repeat against third placed Hearts were disappointed as the Edinburgh side, backed by a travelling support of 2,400 that packed the Tommy McLean stand, started the game on the front foot.

For the opening six minutes ‘Well were pinned back in their own half as the Tynecastle side controlled the game with almost complete possession and forcing a couple of early corners.

The first foray into the Hearts’ half came after seven minutes Jon Obika and Kevin van Van combined on the right but the final ball into the box was too far in front of ‘Well’s Dutch striker.

A minute later van Veen lifted the ball over Alex Cochrane providing Max Johnston with a chance to claim his second goal of the week but from an offside position he dragged the ball wide of target.

Gradually the Steelmen became the side to take control of possession and with Hearts pressed into their own half for a lengthy period James Furlong, who a great 90 minutes, on a few occasions found himself with time to cross into the box but his final ball was misplaced.

After 20 minutes the visitor’s finally made a break towards the home goal but from 20 yards Stephen Humphreys fired his shot well wide of Liam Kelly’s goal.

At the other end in a congested box Obika nudged the ball to Blair Spittal and his firm drive towards goal was blocked by Jim Hill.

There were claims for a penalty when van Veen dragged the ball past Robert Snodgrass before tumbling to the deck but referee Don Robertson waved play-on.

Snodgrass then turned provider, when after winning the ball at the edge of the box he clipped a delightful ball towards the unmarked Lawrence Shankland. The league’s top scorer looked to be adding to his tally until his well placed downward header across Kelly rebounded from the foot of ‘keeper’s right hand post.

Seven minutes from half-time a terrific save from Zander Clark rising high to his right hand corner to turn a 20 yard drive from Sean Goss over the crossbar denied ‘Well the opener.

The goal was only delayed until the resultant corner from Furlong came into a packed box. When the ball was cleared only as far as Goss at the edge of the box his drive was again on target but Obika’s touch from six yard made sure the ball ended up beyond Clark to silence the Hearts’ support behind his goal.

As the Fir Park men pressed to double their lead before half-time Neilson’s men came close to an equaliser.

Callum Butcher, who was a rock at the heart of the home defence, was adjudged to handle the ball 25 yards from goal. Stephen Kingsley with an impressive record of free kicks from that area curved the ball over the defensive wall only to watch it clip the top of the crossbar and leave Motherwell holding on to a slender lead at the break.

In a dramatic start to the second half, though, ‘Well doubled their advantage within a minute.

Again Obika and van Veen worked well on the left before the latter’s inswinging ball was backheaded by Spittal. And when the ball rebounded from Clark’s left-hand post it was the former Ross County man who followed it up to calmly whip the ball into the net and make it 2-0.

Encouraged by the vociferous home support, ‘Well chased a third and it almost came when Obika laid the ball into Dean Cornelius and his low drive took a slight deflection to carry it just wide of goal.

With the equally vocal Hearts’ fans demanding a response from their side, the visitor’s passed up a great chance to pull one back after 55 minutes. From a Hearts’ corner, Hill’s header towrds the back post found Toby Sibbick a yard from goal but he tamely rolled the ball to the waiting Kelly.

In an attempt to get back into the game Neilson made double substitution but it was Motherwell who looked more likely to extend their lead.

And Goss typified the Steelmen’s determination and tenacity when he held off three opponents before winning a free kick on the left side of the visitor’s box.

From Spittal’s inswing free kick Clark was forced to turn the ball over the bar before van Veen was flagged offside.

Hearts looked more menacing around Kelly’s goal and the ‘Well stopper had a couple of comfortable saves to claim efforts from George Grant and Shankland.

It was the home side who came close agin, with Clark turning Butcher’s header over the bar before Dan Casey, who had set up the chance was flagged offside.

As the game entered its last 10 minutes, Kettlewell aiming to keep a firm hold of his side’s two goal lead, brought on Slattery and Stephen O’Donnell.

Three minutes from time Slattery produced a well timed sliding tackle to deny Shankland a clear shooting chance from six yards.

The six minutes additional time provided Hearts with some hope of taking something from the game.

But with Bevis Mugabi replacing Butcher in the centre of the home defence, Motherwell looked assured and in control as they enjoyed a standing applause from the appreciative home fans at the final whistle.

It was a win against St Mirren but that’s all it was. That was the message from Stuart Kettlewell as he takes his second game in temporary charge of Motherwell against Hearts on Sunday.

Kettlewell wants the team to get the fundamentals correct again and insists that any chat about the next permanent Motherwell manager, is at the back of his mind and the players should be thinking the same.

Jon Obika says Wednesday night’s win against St Mirren in the cinch Premiership was long overdue and what this team needed.

He recognised the importance and meaning of the win for supporters and wants to repeat that again on Sunday against Hearts.