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  • First team

    Motherwell 1 – 3 Celtic

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell reacts to Celtic defeat

  • Women

    Eve Donald: It was a relief to be back playing football

  • First team

    Ricki Lamie signs pre contract with Dundee

  • First team

    Jon Obika previews Celtic

  • Club

    Welcome Leisure Connect and Greenversity Renewables

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell ahead of Celtic

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell remains at club until May 2025

  • Women

    SWPL Post-Split fixtures

  • First team

    Jili Buyabu returns to Sheffield United

  • First team

    Motherwell 1 – 3 Celtic

    Motherwell 1 – 3 Celtic

    An afternoon of déjà vu for the steelmen, as an emphatic first-half display was soon undone, with Celtic striking twice in the final moments to ensure the points went back to Glasgow.

    An unstoppable Blair Spittal opener fairly rewarded Stuart Kettlewell’s side for a dominant opening 45-minutes, with the hosts firmly in the ascendency at the break, but substitutes Adam Idah and Luis Palma both added stoppage time goals to secure a second late victory for the visitors at Fir Park this season.

    Motherwell started firmly on the front foot, forcing the defending champions into trading possession deep into their own half, with the Steelmen capitalising on the visitors in-decision in the opening phases of play. The breakthrough looked imminent and was almost confirmed, as Theo Bair latched onto Lennon Miller’s pinpoint through ball before skilfully cutting inside and placing an accurate finish beyond the reach of Joe Hart, but the flag quickly went up; cutting the celebrations short.

    A lively Jack Vale was continuing to cause the visitors problems, twice breaking through the offside trap and escaping the Celtic backline. The first chance was thwarted by the agile Celtic defence, who recovered well to put the ball out for a corner. The forward then hit the deck inside the box moments later, but Willie Collum looked disinterested in the adamant pleas of the Motherwell players.

    Georgie Gent almost netted minute later, with Blair Spittal teeing up the defender from the edge of the box, but the youngster couldn’t steady himself and his strike sailed over the bar.

    Motherwell looked comfortable, with Celtic limited to a single chance, as Kyogo drilled a low effort across the face of goal which Liam Kelly was more than equal to, saving with his feet.

    The Steelmen finally got their reward and it came in stunning fashion. Lennon Miller beautifully spun his man before picking out Spittal, who coolly dispatched a curling effort past Joe Hart from 20 yards.

    As the second half resumed, Celtic’s tactical alterations prevailed, with on-loan Norwich City striker Idah rising highest to divert Greg Taylor’s cross beyond Liam Kelly.

    Idah netted his second of the game deep into stoppage time, refreshing the memories of a late defeat to Celtic in September. With the final few seconds ticking by, Palma expertly escaped his marker to prod home Yang Hyun-Jun’s floated delivery, securing all three points for the Glasgow-side.

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell reacts to Celtic defeat

    Stuart Kettlewell post Celtic.

    • Played well bar the last two minutes
    • Strong first-half showing
    • Picking up a lowly dressing room

  • Women

    Eve Donald: It was a relief to be back playing football

    Eve Donald: It was a relief to be back playing football

    A central component in the heart of Dundee United backline, defender Eve Donald cruised to the finale of the 2022/23 SWPL campaign, restoring top-flight football in the City of Discovery for another season.

    Featuring 27-times for the Tangerines, the set-piece specialist and composed centre-half caught the eye of Paul Brownlie, who sought to enhance his defensive options, by attracting the 23-year-old to Lanarkshire.

    “The Manager at Dundee United had informed me that an approach from Motherwell had come through,” Donald explained.

    “After speaking with Paul and Leanne, I was really impressed with the professionalism at the club and their positivity about myself as a player. The conversation gave me a real feel of what the club is all about and it was an opportunity I simply couldn’t turn down.”

    A central defender by trade, Donald’s versatility and consistency proved to be an enticing acquisition to an already weakened Motherwell backline, with Murron Cunningham facing an arduous spell on the sidelines. However, a sudden long-term injury ruled the experienced defender out of action for several months.

    “It was one of the toughest times I have went through in football so far,” Donald emphasised.

    “During a traditional warm-up in training, I had turned my body at speed to sprint and I instantly felt sharp pains across my back and suddenly couldn’t make any minor movement at all.

    “After an assessment with the physio, I had twisted and irritated joints in my lower back which was hard to take as I understood that it wouldn’t be a fast recovery. I struggled to come to terms with everything the first couple days, but I knew I had to stay positive.”

    After an extensive spell on the sidelines, with Donald featuring only twice in claret and amber since making the switch in the summer, the defender returned to competitive action, making her first Motherwell start against Glasgow City last weekend.

    “Coming to a new club and getting an injury so early in the season was difficult to process and accept. Setbacks are always hard to accept but I just had to be positive and look forward to my return,” Donald said.

    “Making my first start was a proud moment for me personally. There were nerves, but excitement as well. It’s something I’ve been working towards since my return from injury and I am delighted to be back on the pitch.

    “Stepping back onto the pitch with the team following a long time out is one of the best feelings as a footballer. It’s a relief to finally be back playing football and playing my part, as we head into the final part of the season. Donald’s return comes at the perfect moment for the women of steel, with a trip to the capital to face Spartans preceding the post-split finale to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign.

    “[The Spartans game] is a massive game for us, and it’s one we are all up for,” Donald outlined.

    “Our performances against top of the table teams recently have been exceptional. We’ve went toe to toe with full time teams and played some really good football which we take positives from.

    “We have shown what we are capable of, but we have to get the results that fairly reflect our performances which hopefully comes against Spartans, but it’ll be one we need to work hard for.”

  • First team

    Ricki Lamie signs pre contract with Dundee

    Ricki Lamie signs pre contract with Dundee

    Ricki Lamie has signed a pre contract with Dundee that will commence when his current loan agreement ends in May. 

    The centre-back, who has been on loan at Dens Park since the summer, will become a permanent Dundee player this summer.

    Lamie arrived from Livingston the summer of 2020 having made 47 appearances for the Lions. His consistent performances saw him attract interest but he would remain at Fir Park in 2021.

    He scored a last minute levelled against his former side in 2021 that earned a Motherwell a top six spot that season, before firing home against Hearts in the final home match of that season to take his side to the Europa Conference League.

    Joining the 100 club at the start of this season, Lamie’s last appearance for Motherwell came against Queen of the South in July.

    We thank Ricki for his service and professionalism and wish him well for the future.

  • First team

    Jon Obika previews Celtic

    Jon Obika previews Celtic

    Jon Obika says it’s great to be back playing again after his recent injury layoff. 

    The number nine believes his team are ready for the challenge that Celtic will pose and thinks that the Fir Park crowd could prove to be vital in their quest for three points.

  • Club

    Welcome Leisure Connect and Greenversity Renewables

    Welcome Leisure Connect and Greenversity Renewables

    Leisure Connect and Greenversity Renewables are the new partners of the Davie Cooper Stand. Both brands now feature on the top of our stand behind the goals.

    Kevin McAlear, managing director at Greenversity Renewables quoted: “We are delighted to partner with Motherwell FC for the next three years.

    Our aim is to have Greenversity as the premier solar and renewable energy installer in Scotland and teaming up with Lanarkshire’s premier football club will help us achieve that. We are all very excited and wish all at Motherwell FC the very best.

    John McShane, director of Leisure Connect, added: “We have worked extremely well with the club over the last few years and have always admired the great work that Motherwell FC does in the community, and we very much want to be a part of it.

    We are delighted to continue to work with the club over the next three years as we look to grow our brand awareness and implement our strategy of building fibre broadband networks across Scotland in conjunction with the Scottish government as part of the Scottish broadband infrastructure framework.

    We will be providing local communities with affordable super-fast Wi-Fi whilst at the same time providing support and investment to fantastic initiatives within the Lanarkshire area. We look forward to working closely with the club.

    “I am delighted to welcome both companies to the Motherwell family,” Suzanne Reid commercial director said.

    “Their investment and commitment over the next three years is much appreciated by everyone at the club.”

    Look out for both companies on social media to win hospitality places and tickets.

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell ahead of Celtic

    Stuart Kettlewell clarified his contract situation after it was confirmed he would be staying at the club until May 2025. The manager, who has been in the post for a year now, says he is looking forward to the future and hope to be in the position for the long run. 

    Kettlewell also gave us an update on team news going into the match, as well as discussing the club’s most recent AGM.

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell remains at club until May 2025

    Stuart Kettlewell remains at club until May 2025

    Following a discussion at last night’s AGM, the Club wishes to clarify Stuart Kettlewell’s contract position.

    The Motherwell manager was appointed back in February 2023, having won his two games in interim charge against St Mirren and Hearts.

    Kettlewell then signed a contract to become the permanent manager. The deal ran initially until May 2024 but it was agreed, should Motherwell remain in the top flight, that deal would be extended 12 months until May 2025.

    We would like to apologise to both our fans and Stuart for not properly communicating the terms of the extension in May last year and for the uncertainty this has clearly caused.

    “Although during the 12 months of his time here there has been some highs and lows, we firmly believe that Stuart can take this group of players and the club forward,” Chairman Jim McMahon said.

    “He came in at a difficult point last season and rejuvenated everyone at the club. This season, we are in a position to move up the table towards the end of the campaign. He has worked tremendously hard to this point and we will continue to back him.

    “I ask that everyone gets behind the team as we push into the last segment of this season. The support this season, at home and on the road, has been impressive and we’re all hugely appreciative of it. We will need that as we head into a crucial point of the season.”

  • Women

    SWPL Post-Split fixtures

    SWPL Post-Split fixtures

    Motherwell will end the 2023/24 season with a trip to the City of Discovery to face Dundee United.

    The post-split fixtures will see the women of steel travel across the river Clyde to face local rivals Hamilton in the third Lanarkshire derby of the campaign before a double-header in East Kilbride, with Aberdeen and Dundee United the visitors.

    A trip to the capital to face Spartans will precede another home double-header with Montrose and the return tie with the Edinburgh side. Paul Brownlie’s side will then face a lengthy run on the road, with encounters against Montrose and Aberdeen.

    The run-in to the final two fixtures will open with a home encounter against Hamilton in the final Lanarkshire derby of the 2023/24 campaign before a visit to the City of Discovery to face Dundee United in the finale to the SWPL season.

    Dates and kick-off times remain subject to change, dependent on TV selection.

    Motherwell 2023/24 post-split fixtures
    • Hamilton Accies (A) – Sunday March 17th
    • Aberdeen (H) – Sunday March 31st
    • Dundee United (H) – Sunday April 14th
    • Spartans (A) – Wednesday April 17th
    • Montrose (H) – Sunday April 21st
    • Spartans (H) – Wednesday May 1st
    • Montrose (A) – Sunday May 5th
    • Aberdeen (A) – Sunday May 12th
    • Hamilton Accies (H) – Wednesday May 15th
    • Dundee United (A) – Sunday May 19th
  • First team

    Jili Buyabu returns to Sheffield United

    Jili Buyabu returns to Sheffield United

    Defender Jili Buyabu has returned to his parent club Sheffield United for personal reasons. 

    Buyabu made one appearance in his time at Motherwell, when he was a second-half substitute against Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup.