| 3 | Dundee United | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | Rangers | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 6 | Dundee | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 7 | St Mirren | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -2 | 5 |
Full-back Brannan McDermott has joined Lowland League side Broomhill on loan until January.
The 18-year-old played a part in the friendly match against Livingston at Fir Park in July, and also made his competitive debut for the club against Edinburgh City in the Premier Sports Cup.
McDermott heads out to Broomhill, in what is his first loan move in his career.
Good luck, Brannan.
Having impressed with Falkirk in the second tier of Scottish football, Billy Davies brought Martyn Corrigan to Fir Park in 2000.
Not even Corrigan could have foreseen this as the start of an eight-year relationship with the club, and nobody could have predicted that he would become a Hall of Famer.
But that’s exactly what happened. And despite his stint playing for Motherwell lasting eight years, he now has a lifetime contract with the club in terms of his love and admiration for the place.
“There’s only one club for me, and that’s Motherwell,” Corrigan said.
“When I first came to Motherwell, the supporters welcomed me in straight away. We fell in love together. The day I left broke my heart, but that’s football. From the first day to the last, I loved the club.
“Billy Davies was there when I first signed and John Boyle came in. They were trying to build a team that would be successful. I walked into the dressing room and saw the standard of quality of the players in there.
“I had to work really hard to get up to that standard. After Billy left, Terry Butcher came in and he was magnificent for me. He was a winner, a defender and a ball player. He suited me perfectly.”
In his eight years and over 217 appearances, Corrigan played his fair share of cup football. From Hampden to Stranraer and everything in between, there is one moment in particular that stands out.
“The semi-final of the CIS Cup when we played at Hearts at Easter Road,” he explained.
“Halfway through that game, I broke my hand. The physio said I needed to come off; my middle finger was going in the wrong direction!
“I’ve got a strange body, so when I break a bone, I don’t really feel it. I said strap it up because I’m not coming off. I’m playing on. He did that and I played the rest of the game. We won the game and got to the final, which was actually the next game I played.”
Most Motherwell fans will recall that late Marc Fitzpatrick winner well at Easter Road under the lights. The jubilation in the away stand behind the goal was clear to see as thousands of Motherwell fans celebrated with relief and joy that they would get to see their team play in the final.
But the supporters of the club do more than just support and sing. As a player, Corrigan always felt the expectation from the stands, which helped him perform to a higher standard.
“One thing about Motherwell is, it’s always been a family club,” the Hall of Famer said.
“It’s always a group of players who are together and work hard. That’s down to the supporters. They demand that.
“It makes you work harder as a team to please them. In my time there, it didn’t matter who came in; we demanded that standard from everyone.”
With the prospect of playing at Hampden Park in a semi-final now a reality for the class of 2024/25, Corrigan believes the squad now has the capabilities to secure more.
“Hampden was one of my favourite stadiums to play in,” he added.
“The atmosphere when you’re running out onto the park is top class. Whether you’ve played there before or it’s your first time, it’s an honour.
“Obviously some of the boys, like Stephen O’Donnell, have played there numerous times. Andy Halliday has some experience there too.
“It’ll be great to have that experience within the ranks to help the boys who aren’t familiar with that feeling.”
As Corrigan reflects back on his time, he can’t help but recall the special relationship he had with the fans and how much that helped him through the not-so-good moments.
“I remember we played in a semi-final at Hampden against Celtic and I was at fault for the last goal,” Corrigan explained.
“Hampden was full and the fans had come out in their droves. I was the last man who passed the ball back to Graeme Smith and he had to check his run. He saved it because he was making the run wide, so Celtic got an indirect free kick.
“Shaun Maloney scored with the last kick of the ball and they got through to the final. I apologised to all the players because I didn’t realise ‘Buzz’ was making a run to the side. Terry Butcher told me not to worry about it, but I was devastated.
“When we got back to Fir Park, there were 1000 Motherwell fans singing my name. That’s what it’s all about; they were always there for me. I’d cost us a cup final chance and they were singing ‘Kasier, Kaiser’.
“I made sure I came out the following week and did well!”
Now retired from playing and teaching people how to drive a car, Corrigan still finds time to come back to Fir Park to follow the team.
“I’m part of the ex-player supporters club,” he smiled.
“I love going back. I know some of the players and know Stuart Kettlewell really well. I still know David Clarkson, who is there, and Alan McDonald, the kit man. They’re all great guys and there are a lot of good people out with them who are still there.
“It’s always been a great club, and it’s so close to my heart. I wish all the boys all the very best.”
Filip Stuparevic has joined Greenock Morton on loan for the rest of the season.
The forward, who joined in the summer, scored his first Motherwell goal back in the group-stage of the Premier Sports Cup against Clyde.
With four Motherwell appearances to his name, the Serbian joins Dougie Imrie’s side on a loan deal until the end of the season, as he seeks regular minutes.
Good luck, Filip.
Marvin Kaleta reviews the transition from an Under 21 environment, to first-team football. The Wolves loanee made quite the impact in his last match against Dundee United, where he was delighted to give something back to the fans.
The right-back has taken plenty advice from senior pros so far, including Steve Seddon and Stephen O’Donnell.
Striker Mark Ferrie has joined League Two side Bonnyrigg Rose on loan until January.
The 18-year-old has made 12 appearances so far for the Steelmen.
Good luck, Mark.
Manager Stuart Kettlewell was ecstatic at the turnout on Friday night, and has hopes that non-regular supporters will attend the match this weekend against St Mirren.
Kettlewell provides a thorough update on our injured players, as well as discussing the recent departure of Steven Naismith.
The women of steel return to South Lanarkshire this weekend encouraged by their emphatic display over newly-promoted Queens Park, as they prepare for the first Lanarkshire derby of the 2024/25 SWPL campaign.
The women of steel cruised to a comfortable six-goal advantage over the Glasgow side, with deadline day addition Laura Berry finding the target four-times alongside a Bailley Collins double to complete a resoundingly positive performance at Ochilview last weekend.
The Tale of the Tape
Motherwell
Motherwell return to competitive action following a convincing victory over the Spiders last weekend, as the women of steel prepare for their first matchday in the Sky Sports Cup in a second-round encounter against local rivals Hamilton in the first Lanarkshire derby since the Accies relegation to SWPL2 last season.
The women of steel will look to retain their derby day dominance when they take to the K-Park turf this Sunday after two assured performances over Hamilton last season, with Paul Brownlie’s side cruising to a 4-0 and 4-2 victory respectively.
Hamilton
The Accies have found a resurgence in form since adjusting to life in the Scottish second-tier, remaining unbeaten in their opening five league games, picking up five victories and one draw throughout that time.
Ticket information
Cash & card payments are also available for this fixture.
How to follow the action
Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from K-Park at 4PM.
Manager Stuart Kettlewell has provided another fitness update ahead of Saturday’s match against St Mirren.
Stephen O’Donnell came off holding his shoulder early in the second-half against Dundee United, with Kettlewell confirming the injury is not as bad as first feared.
“Stephen hasn’t trained this week,” he said.
“We’re hopefully it isn’t too bad. It needs to be accessed over the next two day, but it’s not as bad as we first feared.”
With John Koutroumbis and Shane Blaney edging closer to their return, the manager also provided some detail on the duo, as well as some of our other injured players.
“Koutroumbis is back into full contact training,” the manager confirmed.
“Shane Blaney comes into full contact training today [Thursday], all the long-term injured players are making good progress.
“Sam Nicholson is making good progress. Callum Slattery is in a good place and is hitting all his milestones. Ross Callachan has the leg brace off after the operation he had.
“Harry Paton is a couple weeks out from getting into full contact training.”
We are now in a position where can provide an update on the pricing of semi-final tickets.
The club have been given an initial allocation of 7,500 tickets, with the potential of up to 14,000 depending on sales. Motherwell fans will be in sections of the South and East stands at Hampden Park.
The price of tickets can be viewed below:
We are expecting the delivery of physical tickets next week, and will look to go on sale thereafter. It will be physical tickets only for this match, however a link will be made available to buy online prior to the game. Collection and postage will be available.
The club will be running hospitality packages at Fir Park, bus to and from Hampden and returning to Fir Park.
We will also be running a number of coaches from the Cooper stand.
At our last semi-final match back in 2018, we sold 7,500 tickets. We would love to see if we can at least match that number this time round.
Further timelines, bus details and our sales plan will all be announced in due course.
St Mirren are the visitors to Fir Park on Saturday 28 September in the William Hill Premiership.
Kick off is 3pm.
12 noon – Cooper Bar will open for food and drinks before the match and one-hour post-match
12.30 – Beer Garden will open – drink only and open to home fans.
Hospitality
Availability in all areas.
Season ticket holders can upgrade to hospitality from as little as £49pp in the Centenary Suite or £79pp with an inclusive bar option in the 91 Lounge. To book, please call 01698 338003 or email hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk
We will be wearing our home kit for this match.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos made his return from injury on Friday night against Dundee United. Tony Watt is available for selection, after being ineligible for the Dundee United cup tie.
Jack Vale will be missing for at least 10 weeks with a calf injury. Stephen O’Donnell was substituted at the start of the second-half against Dundee United and will be a doubt for this match.
Shane Blaney and Johnny Koutroumbis edge closer to full fitness and are doubts for this game.
Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Ross Callachan and Sam Nicholson remain out for this game.
It was a night to remember for Motherwell last week as they returned to winning ways against Dundee United, to reach the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup.
Zach Robinson got off the mark with a sensational first-half strike, before Lennon Miller slotted home a stoppage-time penalty.
A narrow defeat against undefeated Aberdeen in the league two weeks ago ended Motherwell’s three game winning run.
St Mirren have also made a fast start to the league campaign. Joint second highest scorers in the league, with only Celtic ahead of them, they are fifth in the table on eight points, just one point ahead of the Steelmen.
They defeated Hearts 2-1 in their last match in Paisley. That was their first win in seven games in all competitions.
Toyosi Olusanya has hit the ground running this season. The forward has four goals in the league, scoring in each of the last three games. Netting twice in Europe, Olusanya is only one goal away from levelling his 2023/24 season tally.
