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Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the defeat to Rangers.

• Players deserved to get more out of the game

• Operating at a good level

• A bitter pill to swallow

Manager Stuart Kettlewell was full of praise for Sunday’s opponents Rangers, having watched them overcome Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday night. 

Kettlewell has reinforced the message that matches against the old firm are not Motherwell’s fight however, that doesn’t mean they will lie down and not show fight and spirit.

Stephen O’Donnell discusses his recent return to regular action and how much he has benefitted under Stuart Kettlewell.

Once a Scotland national team regular, O’Donnell says the manager’s detail and thoroughness towards his work ensures there is clear clarity when he steps onto the pitch.

With one of the most difficult matches of the season on Sunday, a trip to Ibrox, O’Donnell knows the challenge that awaits and says if Rangers are even the slightest bit off of their top form, that the Steelmen need to make the most of it.

Kayla Jardine has left the club and will return to Rangers after being recalled from a season-long loan deal.

The 18-year-old, who netted three times across her first spell in Lanarkshire, extended her stay at the club this summer after signing an initial short-term loan deal in January last season.

However, the forward has returned to her parent club having yet to make her first appearance in claret and amber for the 2023/24 campaign.

We thank Kayla for her efforts at Motherwell and wish her all the best for the future.

Global steel supplier Steel Plate & Sections and Management consultancy Faithful+Gould, since rebranded as AtkinsRéalis will become our new official U14s regional and national academy squad sponsors until the conclusion of season 2023/24.

With over 50 years of industry experience, SPS were the first and continue to be a leading supplier in high-yield steel for offshore fabrication and have been committed to ensuring the needs of numerous industries across the globe.

“We are delighted to announce that SPS Profiling have proudly sponsored Motherwell Football Club’s women’s U14 Academy squad,” SPS Division Manager, John Lynas said.

“Known as ‘The Girls of Steel’, this support pays tribute to the area’s steelmaking heritage, epitomised by the men’s team, “The Steelmen.”

“This partnership underscores the connection between local industry and community, fostering youth development and unity. It’s a symbol of the enduring legacy of steelmaking and a bright future for young athletes in the community.

“Our sponsorship equips the U14 girls with new training gear and features the SPS Profiling logo on their match day kits.”

AtkinsRéalis, previously named Faithful+Gould, design and deliver major projects on the built and natural environments all around the world, by advising and supporting public and private sector clients with the delivery of complex, outcome-focused projects.

The U14 national squad sponsor, build relationships based on understanding, integrity and collaboration. Engineering a better future for the planet and its people.

“We are thrilled to be sponsoring Motherwell Girls National Academy Programme under 14 Football team,” Director Tom McDougall said.

“Empowering the next generation of females is a cause close to our hearts, and we believe in fostering their passion and dedication.

“By sponsoring this talented group of girls, we hope to have contributed in a way that the girls have the resources, coaching, and opportunities they need to excel on the field and beyond.”

It’s the most important time of the year for a professional football player, as they find out their ratings on the new EAFC game.

From finding out who is the fastest to who is the highest rated in the squad, the Motherwell players are shown their newest cards for the year.

Motherwell take on Rangers this Sunday at Ibrox. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

Ambulant supporters pay the age-appropriate price with carer free of charge. All wheelchair and ambulant supporters should contact the ticket office to purchase.

Tickets are on sale from the ticket office and online.

We have been sent physical tickets so no there will be no e-tickets available for this match, postage and collection from the Fir Park ticket office only. Postage will be available until Wednesday 20th September.

There will be no ticket sales at Ibrox. The Fir Park ticket office will be open from 10am to 12pm Sunday morning.

Tickets can be purchased 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.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Team News

Jon Obika, Calum Butcher and Mika Biereth all remain missing for this match.

Conor Wilkinson and Pape Souare are doubts. Paul McGinn returns from suspension.

Motherwell Fortunes

Despite a defeat in their last match against St Mirren, Motherwell have started brightly in this cinch Premiership campaign.

A second-half Scott Tanser volley was enough to ensure the three points went to St Mirren, however it was Motherwell who had all the chances and showed ample creativity throughout the 90.

It was the Steelmen’s first loss in the league this season and only Stuart Kettlewell’s fourth as Motherwell manager.

Last time out against Rangers, Stuart Kettlewell suffered his first defeat as Motherwell manager, when Rangers won the match 4-2. Kevin van Veen opened the scoring in the first three minutes of the match, before Bevis Mugabi drew the sides level in the second half.

Fashion Sakala scored in controversial fashion in the second half before Callum Slattery seen red for a supposed elbow on Todd Cantwell.

Opposition Report

Rangers got off to the worst possible start in the league this season, losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock on the opening weekend at Rugby Park.

Since then, the Gers have won five, drew two and lost in all competitions. They have dropped into the Europa League group-stage, where they begin their campaign at home to Spanish side Real Betis on Thursday night.

In their last outing in the league, Rangers beat St Johnstone 2-0 on the road, with Danilo and Robbi Matondo scoring, with the former picking up a head injury in the process.

With plenty new faces at Rangers this season, it has been a familiar one who has made a bright start to the season. James Tavenier is on four goals and one assist already this season. A revived Matondo will also be looking to add to his tally this season, with the Welshman on two goals and an assist in seven games.

With the September international break over, Motherwell returned to action at Fir Park. 

St Mirren made the trip through from Paisley, with the Steelmen looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat to St Mirren last month in the Viaplay Cup.

With both teams undefeated so far in the cinch Premiership, Motherwell continued where they left off prior to the break. With a continual stream of chances presenting themselves to the home side, nobody could find the breakthrough in the first half.

Those missed chances would cost Motherwell when Scott Tanser netted the opener after the interval, against the run of play.

The chances would keep coming for Motherwell with Theo Bair, Bevis Mugabi, Callum Slattery, Blair Spittal and Oli Shaw all having the opportunity to score, but nobody could.

A performance that warranted a win, Motherwell’s afternoon would be summed when substitute and debutant Georgie Gent rattled the bar with a half volley in stoppage time to somehow prevent Motherwell from getting on the scoresheet.

A tough week for the women of steel was further compounded, as visitors Hibernian narrowly edged a 0-1 victory to end Motherwell’s unbeaten home run in a closely-fought encounter at K-Park on Sunday.

Jorian Baucom’s second-half strike proved to be the difference, as Motherwell failed to capitalise on numerous goalscoring opportunities and were consigned to defeat, with Hibernian securing their third successive victory.

Head coach Paul Brownlie made one change from the midweek defeat to Rangers, as goalscorer Carla Boyce returned to starting XI, with Bailley Collins taking place on the bench. Injury woes have continued to hamper the side, as Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald continue their return to full fitness.

Eagerly looking to impose themselves from the off, the visitors sprayed several deliveries across the Motherwell penalty area, with Baucom denied the opener early on by Emily Mutch. A skilful turn at the edge of the box allowed Baucom to evade Jo Addie before firing a low strike across the face of goal, but Mutch reacted well to produce a comfortable stop.

Motherwell came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with unarguably the best opportunity of the opening 45-minutes. Amy Anderson’s incisive through ball accurately picked out Kaela McDonald-Nguah lurking within the penalty area, and the striker expertly shifted the ball onto her stronger right foot, but her dangerous effort drifted agonisingly wide of the top-right corner.

With both sides failing to break the deadlock before the break, Motherwell picked up where they left off, threatening the visiting goal. Captain Gill Inglis’ exceptional solo-run saw the defender cruise past three or four Hibs jerseys, before a late lunging tackle from former Motherwell defender Lauren Doran-Barr, denied Inglis from getting a shot on goal.

Inglis was again called into action moments later, this time at the other end of the pitch, as Abbie Ferguson’s driving run on the counter-attack allowed the midfielder to coast into the Motherwell penalty area, but a late tackle from Inglis diverted Ferguson’s effort wide of the target.

With both sides looking evenly-matched throughout and the game seemingly destined for a closely-fought stalemate, the visitors found the breakthrough.

Ferguson’s through ball from the right fell kindly to the feet of Baucom deep inside the Motherwell penalty area, and a clever turn allowed her to escape pressure from Chelsie Watson and Amy Anderson before picking out the top-left corner with an unstoppable strike.

Brownlie’s side pushed forward until the final whistle, but were unable to find the eventual equaliser and were consigned to defeat. The squad will now face a short international break before returning to cup action, with Montrose standing in their way of a place in the next round.

Stuart Kettlewell discusses today’s loss against St Mirren.

• The best we’ve played since February

• A draw would have been disappointing

• Avoiding this becoming a habit