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Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts after his side drew 2-2 with Hibernian.]

• A clearance away from three points
• Showed massive personality in last two games
• Using the break to get players back

Pape Souare has departed the club following the expiry of his contract. 

The Senegalese international made six appearances in his time at Motherwell and is recovering from a serious ankle injury with associated fracture sustained in October.

We thank Pape for his efforts and wish him well for his recovery and future.

Their last win came against Hearts on 3 September and the pressure had been mounting for the Steelmen to get their first win in 15 attempts. 

Bottom of the table Livingston were their last opportunity in 2023 to do so, and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

A commanding first half performance seen Blair Spittal and Theo Bair find the back of the net and the ‘Well 3-1 up going into the break.

Conditions worsened in the second half that seen very little action but Stuart Kettlewell won’t care, as his side moved up to 8th in the table with the 3-1 win.

Making the switch to ML1 in the summer of 2021, then Rangers loanee Laura McCartney had the world at her feet after breaking into the Ibrox first-team and consistent appearances on the international stage, but a serious injury sidelined the midfielder throughout her spell in Lanarkshire.

Looking for consistency at the domestic level, McCartney signed on a season-long loan deal with ambitions of establishing her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield, but a major injury sustained prior to her debut in claret and amber left the youngster on the sidelines for over two-years.

“I was returning from an ACL injury at the time,” McCartney explained.

“After returning from such a long period on the sidelines, I was looking to get back to a regular playing and training regime and Motherwell seemed the perfect place to be able to do that.

“After suffering an ACL injury previously, I was really excited to move to Motherwell and get back to playing football. For that to be curtailed with another stint on the sidelines with a cartilage injury was disappointing.”

McCartney’s highly-anticipated move to Lanarkshire proved to be a challenging process, as the combination of historical and fresh injury concerns left McCartney to face an extensive and unpredictable spell on the sidelines.

“At first, it was difficult to give an exact time frame,” McCartney outlined.

“With it being a cartilage injury, I knew that I would ultimately be on the sidelines for another long spell. Having already been through that experience and come back from an ACL injury, it was obviously really difficult to take.”

Despite having not featured for Paul Brownlie’s side across the following two seasons, the Head Coaches faith in McCartney’s ability persisted, with the 21-year-old signing on a permanent basis ahead of the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

“It was really encouraging,” McCartney noted.

“At the time it was really important for me to be able to return to play but not in a rushed manner. Paul and the rest of the coaching staff as well as the team were great in being able to facilitate that for myself and eventually get me back onto the pitch.

“Ultimately, it is about working hard and having a positive impact on the game. When I’m given the opportunity, I always try to have an impact by working hard, sticking to the game plan and creating opportunities that will hopefully be capitalised on.”

After 855 days on the sidelines, McCartney returned to action against her former side in September, before re-introducing herself back to the K-Park faithful with an exceptional long-range strike in a prolific six-goal thriller over Dundee United.

“It was really special,” McCartney said.

“To see former teammates and staff that helped me through the process of getting back onto the pitch was great and to finally make a contribution to the team was a long time coming.

“Having not experienced that feeling for such a long time, you almost forget what it feels like. For that strike to hit the back of the net, it was a really special moment for me.”

The women of steel will return to competitive action next weekend, as the Scottish Cup returns to the domestic calendar, with Paul Brownlie’s side looking to replicate their successes of the previous season.

Motherwell etched themselves into the history books by becoming one of the first women’s sides to contest a domestic cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park after a comprehensive four-goal victory over Glasgow Women in the previous round.

Forced to watch from the sidelines, McCartney is motivated to reclaim the lost experience at the national stadium.

“The team did well last year to be able to make it to that stage of the competition,” McCartney explained.

“To be able to do it with the group of players that we have now, it would be special and ultimately it would be great to be able to have the opportunity to continue to compete for silverware.

“Having missed out on the opportunity last season, I’m focused and motivated to get back to that stage and experience playing at the national stadium.”

Motherwell travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian on Tuesday 2 January. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

Tickets can be purchased online.

This game for supporters is hidden on the main e–ticketing website and can only be accessed through the above link. We advise supporters to ensure they have created an account with Hibernian FC first, before then attempting to purchase tickets. Supporters can register by clicking here.

Supporters will need to create an account on the single sign on platform, verify their email and then click back in through the link again to access the matchday tickets. Tickets will only be available as e–tickets.

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.

Injury Update

Dan Casey and Lennon Miller will be missing for this match.

Shane Blaney and Oli Shaw came off against Livingston with suspected hamstring injuries, they will be assessed ahead of this match.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It was a long awaited three points for the Steelmen on Saturday, with Theo Bair netting a double and Blair Spittal breaking the deadlock against Livingston. A comfortable 3-1 win earned Motherwell their first win since September, and moved them up to 8th in the table.

The two sides met on the second game of the season at Fir Park, when a certain Mika Biereth introduced himself to the Motherwell supporters with a superb 30 minute cameo which involved an assist for Conor Wilkinson’s opener and a goal to help his time to a 2-1 win.

Opposition Report

Hibernian weren’t in action prior to the New Year, with their last match coming on Wednesday 27 December against City rivals Hearts.

A late Lawrence Shankland goal sank the Hibees, after Martin Boyle missed from the penalty spot earlier in the match.

Currently sixth in the table, their last win was a 1-0 victory over Livingston at the start of December.

The goals have very much been coming from the attacking options for Nick Montgomery’s side, with Martin Boyle and Elie Youan on seven for the season and Dylan Vente on six a piece. Boyle and Liam Miller won’t be playing due to international duty with Australia.

Stuart Kettlewell spoke after his team’s 3-1 win over Livingston.

•Positive start

• Not achieved anything yet

• Looking ahead to Tuesday 

A double from Theo Bair and a Blair Spittal strike secured Motherwell’s first win since September. 

The three first-half strikes ensured a 3-1 win and three points for the Steelmen to round off 2023.

Stuart Kettlewell’s faith in his players and especially Thoe Bair was repaid in some style.

A superb first half and opening spell found the Steelmen two up inside the first 20 minutes with goals from Blair Spittal and Theo Bair. And although Scott Pittman pulled one back, a sensational solo effort from Bair restored ‘Well’s two goal advantage at the interval.

While Livingston had the bulk of the chances in the second half, for once the Fir Park men’s impressive first forty-five and solid second half were enough to secure a long over due win.

The ‘Well boss made two attack minded changes, providing Bair and Oli Shaw with a starting place along side Mika Biereth. At the heart of the home defence Paul McGinn, after coming on as a substitute last week, was deemed fit enough, minus his protective face mask, to make a full return since dislocating his jaw against Kilmarnock in early November.

It took only 20 seconds for the home side show their intent.

Straight from the kick-off Shane Blaney fired the ball towards the Livi box and after Biereth cut the ball back, Bair’ shot was deflected just wide of the post.

A few minutes later Georgie Gent cross from the left found Bair but his shot was parried clear by Shamal George.

Another burst down the left and cross from Gent forced Ayo Obileye to head clear from almost under his own cross bar as the visitor’s goal came under incessant attack.

And the home side were duly rewarded after 14 minutes.

Biereth stole possession at the edge of the box to set up Bair 12 yards from goal. But rather than shot he passed the ball inside to Spittal who slide the ball beyond the stranded ‘keeper.

Five minutes later the favour was reciprocated. Spittal sent the ball towards the Livi box and as George raced from his line Bair dinked the ball past the ‘keeper and into the empty net for a fine finish.

Nothing was seen of Livingston in the home penalty area until they pulled a goal back after 23 minutes. Christian Montano floated the ball towards the penalty spot and Pittman swivelled to volley the ball past Liam Kelly for another impressive finish.

That gave the West Lothian a boost as the confidently gained possession in the Motherwell half.

However, it was short lived as Bair conjured up a wonderful third goal. Biereth sent a low ball down the right channel inviting the ‘Well striker to race into the box with Mickey Devlin. A quick turn left the Livi defender on his backside before Bair with a sublime touch clipped the ball past George.

It might have been a fabulous, if fortuitous, first half hat-trick for Bair after Oli Shaw’s downward header rebounded from his heel before trundling over the line, but on this occasion, VAR wasn’t required to confirm that Bair was offside.

Bevis Mugabi replaced Blaney just in time to see the ‘Well goal have a narrow escape. Bruce Anderson cut in from the left holding off Stephen O’Donnell and squeeze his shot past Kelly, only for the ball to rebound off the post and back to the grounded ‘keeper.

Shaw’s injury after 57 minutes gave Callum Slattery a solid half hour to make an impression on the game.

Instead, though, it was the Lions who looked more likely to reduce the leeway as a couple of headed efforts sent the ball racing wide of Kelly’s goal.

With 15 minutes remaining David Martindale’s men appeared to have lost their momentum as the Steelmen regained their attacking threat.

Another run and layoff from Biereth gave Bair a chance of claiming a deserved hat-trick for hi overall performance, inleading the line. Once again he held the ball up for Slattery who lost possession at the edge of the box before he could get his shot away.

The failure to make it four and even the torrential downpour couldn’t dampen the appreciation of the ‘Well fans as they stood to applaud the players at full time.

Brodie Spencer says the call off yesterday hasn’t effect the team and the full focus has now turned to the Livingston match this weekend. 

He says the team had prepared properly for the match against Aberdeen and now he is aware of the magnitude of this upcoming match.

Stuart Kettlewell says although this weekend’s match against Livingston in the cinch Premiership has been labelled as a six pointer, the game presents no added value to any of the games that have come before.

Kettlewell also talks us through the process in which the game against Aberdeen got called off last night, with the team already in Aberdeen for the match.

The boss also gets asked about speculation surrounding Kevin van Veen and potential January incomings.

We take on Livingston at Fir Park on Saturday 30 December, in what is our final match of 2023. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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 this match.

Injury Update

Dan Casey, Lennon Miller and Pape Souare will all be missing for this match.

Calum Butcher remains a doubt for the game.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell’s most recent match was postponed due to weather conditions against Aberdeen. Their last outing was against Rangers on Christmas Eve, where the title challengers came away with a 2-0 win at Fir Park.

It’s been five draws in the last eight for the Steelmen, with their last win coming at the start of September.

Motherwell are currently 11th in the table, four points ahead of Aberdeen. The last match between the two sides, ended in a 2-0 win for Livi, however the game changed on the stroke of half time when Lennon Miller was sent off.

Opposition Report

Livingston were in midweek action against St Johnstone on Wednesday night, with the match ending 0-0. That result means Livingston remain bottom of the table, four points adrift off 11th on 12 points.

Their last win was against the Steelmen back in October, and have since played 11 and registered two points.

James Penrice has been one of the more consistent performers in the West Lothian side, playing in every match this season. With five assists to his name, his attacking presence has caused issues for the opposition.