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Vice Captain Stephen O’Donnell made his return from injury last weekend against Dundee United. The full-back has been impressed with how the team have been playing but insists there is still room for improvement. 

He says that hitting a points total that will keep Motherwell safe in the division is the first priority and anything beyond that will be assessed if it’s achieved.

O’Donnell is looking forward to playing on the Friday night, although he insists that competition for places is high in the squad and he’ll need to work hard to get back in the team.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell reveals he has spoken with head of referees Willie Collum following the match against Dundee United. Kettlewell discusses his thoughts on the use of VAR in Scotland, as well as how difficult a job the officials have. 

The Motherwell boss was in the stand for that win over United and is looking forward to being back in the dugout. He says the team are in a great spot but nobody is too high in these good moments, just like they’re not too low in the bad moments.

Saturday marked Stuart Kettlewell’s 80th match in charge as Motherwell manager. 

Arriving in February 2023 with Motherwell in the midst of a relegation scrap, the mood was gloomy in camp, with Raith Rovers knocking the Steelmen out of the Scottish Cup on the Saturday. St Mirren were the visitors to Fir Park on the Wednesday, with Stuart Kettlewell in charge on an interim basis.

A 2-1 win would follow, thanks to first-half goals from Kevin van Veen and Max Johnston, which would see the start of a glowing relationship between club and manager.

From that game until the end of the season, Motherwell were rejuvenated under the new boss. They gathered 30 points from a possible 42 and only missed out on a top-six spot on match day 33.

That successful run continued into the new 2023/24 season, where Motherwell went ten league games without defeat, their longest run without defeat since 2010.

Having been in charge for 82 matches, Stuart Kettlewell has guided Motherwell to fourth in the William Hill Premiership.

In that time, the Motherwell boss has accomplished plenty at the helm. In 82 matches, he has led the team to victory on 37 occasions, drawing 17. Kettlewell’s win percentage sits at an impressive 45.1% in all competitions. Going back 23 years, with statistics becoming slightly less reliable beyond that time, only Craig Brown’s win percentage sits higher.

And those numbers have proven to bring success across the board for Motherwell. They have beaten ten out of the 12 opponents they have faced in the top flight, with Aberdeen and Celtic being the two. It’s worth noting that Motherwell have drawn twice at Celtic Park in their last two visits.

The Steelmen have picked up a 1.44 points per match (ppm) average in the league. In comparison to previous managers, Graham Alexander had a ppm of 1.32 in the league, with Stephen Robinson sitting at 1.28ppm.

Consistency

As with any club, consistency is always high on the agenda. Being able to perform and produce results on a regular basis is the key to a successful league and campaign.

Kettlewell has been in charge for 68 league matches at Motherwell. In that time, they have picked up 98 points thanks to 27 wins and 17 draws.

That 98-point tally is only bettered by Aberdeen, Rangers, and Celtic in the time that Kettlewell has been in charge.

The late, late show

One characteristic Stuart Kettlewell has often mentioned that he wants his players to show is that never-say-die attitude.

In the dying embers of matches, the Well boss always wants his team to keep fighting and running. Fans hold the expectation that their team will fight to the death.

It’s fair to say that those non-negotiables have been taken on board by the players who have played under him.

Since his arrival in February 2023, Motherwell have scored 20 goals in 90+ minutes. Of those goals, 21 points have been gained, as well as progression to the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Perfect Blend

Previously holding the position of development coach, a big part of Kettlewell’s coaching philosophy is bringing through youth players from within, but also aiding the development of any player who crosses the white line at Fir Park.

He has given debuts to six players who were under the age of 20:

• Mark Ferrie
• Dylan Wells
• Brodie Spencer
• Ewan Wilson
• Georgie Gent
• Marvin Kaleta

A huge believer in trying to improve every player, trust is an integral part of the mechanism. Trusting young players to take centre stage and carry out their task on the pitch is key.

The proof is in the pudding, so to speak. This season, Motherwell have the second lowest average squad age in the Premiership at 25. St Johnstone have the youngest at 24.9.

With shining lights being put on Lennon Miller, who has picked up the captaincy in the process, Ewan Wilson has gone from playing in the junior divisions to top-flight football, as well as earning his first Under 21 Scotland cap.

Young Dylan Wells was given his first-team debut against Alloa in January 2023, with Mark Ferrie also picking up a handful of appearances.

And those on the cusp of action from the academy have been closer than ever. Since his arrival, Kettlewell has named 15 different academy graduates on the bench for a first-team game, excluding those who had already played first-team football by that point.

Never a Dull Moment

It’s a typical saying of a Motherwell supporter to talk about the rollercoaster you have to endure as a ‘Well fan.

In the last 68 league games, there has been action throughout. During Kettlewell’s tenure, Motherwell have scored in 53 out of the 68 league matches, with 105 goals scored in total.

And the action has been near and far.

Playing 35 games on home soil and 33 away from home, Motherwell have picked up 52 points at home, 53% of their total points tally under Kettlewell.

46 points have been gained on the road, including 12 wins and ten draws.

Back-to-back draws at Celtic Park have been followed up with a 2-1 win at Ibrox, the first Motherwell win in Govan since 1997.

Half Season Tickets

Our fan-owned community club is thriving on and off the pitch at present, with the club and Well Society working as one, however what matters most to us is your support.

Get ready for the second half of our William Hill Premiership campaign with a half season ticket.

You can get yours online now.

Valid from our home match against Rangers on Sunday 29 December, your half season ticket will get you entry to at least nine games at Fir Park.

Secure your own personally selected seat to view all the action at Fir Park, from where you want.

Not only do you get to see the action for a cheaper price, but you also get a range of benefits from local businesses.

Games eligible (all fixtures are subject to change):

• Motherwell v Rangers Sunday 29 December – 3pm Kick Off 
• Motherwell v Aberdeen Sunday 5 January – 2:30pm Kick Off 
• Motherwell v Celtic Saturday 1 February – 3pm Kick Off 
• Motherwell v Ross County Saturday 15 February – 3pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Dundee Wednesday 26 February – 7:45pm Kick Off 
• Motherwell v St Mirren Saturday 15 March – 3pm Kick Off 
• Motherwell v Hearts Saturday 12 April – 3pm Kick Off 
• Guaranteed at least two further home fixtures post-split 

Motherwell are in Friday night action under the lights when they take on Kilmarnock on Friday 20 December. 

Kick off is 7:45pm.

How to follow the game

What else is happening?

The match is being shown live on Premier Sports.

The Mark Sommerville Foundation will be on hand collecting money for a bucket collection. The Mark Sommerville Foundation aims to help those with an MND diagnosis as well as their loved ones.

They’re Just Giving Page can be found here.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan and Zach Robinson remain out for this game.

Tom Sparrow returned to action last time out against Dundee United. Tony Watt is eligible for selection.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell have bounced back from three straight defeats with two wins in their last last two. Saturday’s 4-3 win moved the Steelmen up to the fourth in the table.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos doubled his goal tally against United, with the Australian now on four goals.

Motherwell have faced Kilmarnock once this season, defeating Derek McInnes’ side 1-0 in the Premier Sports Cup thanks to an extra time winner from Moses Ebiye.

Opposition Report

Kilmarnock also won at the weekend, defeating Hearts 1-0 despite going down to ten men after just six minutes.

Robbie Deas will therefore miss the trip to Fir Park. That win over Hearts was Killie’s first win since the end of October, making it one win in their last seven games.

Bruce Anderson scored from the spot at the weekend, making him Kilmarnock’s top goalscorer this season with five. Anderson has scored in Killie’s last two outings, both from the penalty spot.

Marvin Kaleta didn’t take the traditional route to first-team football. Most would start young in the academy, working their way through the ranks before reaching the top. For Kaleta, he started to learn the trade at grassroots level with FC Sports.

It was there he played without any sort of coaching restrictions and simply enjoyed the game for what it was.

“It was my PE teacher who tried to convince my parents to let me play football,” he explained.

“He tried since I was in Year One, and eventually, when I was in Year Five, I joined the team. I was there for two years and then ended up at City Select type of thing. I was there for two months before I got a trial at Manchester City’s academy.

“The guy who scouted me was actually there to watch my friend on the other pitch. He ended up watching my game. I played well, and it all started from there.”

At the age of 13, Kaleta was in the City Academy, playing alongside Rico Lewis. It was at this point that he realised how much work he’d need to do to reach the level required.

“Being at City was a big achievement,” he said.

“At grassroots level, I was good. But when I got to the academy, it opened my eyes a lot. I trialled at Stoke and didn’t get in; I was at Blackburn at one point too. Going to these places helps you learn so much about football because growing up, I just played in the park, and it was all about beating my mates. It got more real and structured.

“I was actually a striker, believe it or not, a good one too! I used to play across the front line, moved to the wing, and then at City I went to right-back.

“With me, it was always about educating myself because I missed out on the fundamentals of football, the stuff kids learn from under 6s to under 12s. I played in parks my whole life; I needed to learn about the game.

“I feel like it shows with the way I play; sometimes I do things only I’d do. It just stems from how I used to play growing up.”

Having not been offered a scholar at Manchester City, Kaleta was on the move in 2021. Many clubs showed interest, but in the end he would choose Wolverhampton Wanderers as his new home.

“I just thought it would be the best move for me,” Kaleta added.

“It’s been good for me there. I’m my harshest critic. In my second year as a scholar, I lost focus a bit. I thought everything was going to be ok. I realised at the end of that season that it wasn’t a great year for me.

“I got injured due to lack of discipline. I wanted more f rom myself. I knew my contract was coming to an end, so I couldn’t play around.”

Having given himself a pep talk, Kaleta bucked up his ideas and started to really show his best. In the 2023/24 season, he was voted by his teammates as Players’ Player of the Year following the conclusion of the Premier League 2 season. As he racked up the playing minutes at Under 23 level, he always knew there would be another level that he’d have to reach.

“A loan move was always something I was looking at doing,” the 20-year-old explained.

“It just depended on how my season went. I actually tore my hamstring in March; that kind of changed the perspective on when I’d go on loan.

“I thought it wouldn’t be until January, but to my surprise, Motherwell came in. I wasn’t turning that down; no team comes twice. I knew it was sink or swim, so I told my agent I wanted to go.

“Here, I’ve learnt how hard you need to compete. Anyone can beat anyone in this league, and every week you’ve got to be prepared.”

With the loan move complete during the summer months, the next issue was fitness. With Kaleta not playing a competitive game since March and having only been back a week into the Wolves pre-season, a programme was designed to help build the full-back’s sharpness up.

“I returned to training in May, and then in the offseason, I was more in the gym to make sure the injury didn’t return,” he stated.

“I’d only played 45 minutes of football on the Friday and then moved on the Sunday. I heard there was a right back injured; that was how the loan materialised. It was a good opportunity; loans are for learning.”

Featuring in the B side’s Trust Trophy match and some appearances off the bench in the latter stages of matches, Kaleta was slowly building up. And with patience and determination, the day arrived.

“I had been training normally during the week,” he said.

“On the Friday, the manager pulled me and told me straight that I’d be starting against Celtic. He also said to me that he trusted me and believed in me. That gave me the confidence.”

Having been handed his first start in professional football against the Scottish champions, Kaleta was chuffed with himself. And with a midweek game following shortly afterwards, not everything went to plan.

“The Dundee United game was on the Wednesday, and I was really ill,” he laughed.

“I remember hearing I was starting again, and I thought, I can’t tell the gaffer I’m ill! He’s just given me my first start. I’d worked so hard to get the shirt; I couldn’t put it back in his hands.

“So, I remember the first-half was tough. Playing against a good winger, but at half time the gaffer backed me. He said to play to my strengths. The second-half was much better, and we got a good result going into the semi final.

“I was more nervous for that game at Hampden, but to have that experience at the age of 20 is special. I’m really grateful. All the chatter in the build up was about how these chances don’t come around a lot.

“Hopefully, I’ll get more opportunities to play in a semi, but I’ll be better for that experience.”

Kaleta is making the most of his chance in the first-team. A strong November saw him nominated for the club’s player of the month award, as well as making the league’s team of the week for his performance against St Johnstone. He’s taken the transition to first-team like a duck to water and puts a lot of that down to the changing room.

Accountability is a big thing here,” he said.

“The environment invites people to be themselves. If you make a mistake, you can hold your hands up. It’s not a toxic changing room; people accept mistakes. We demand better f rom each other, which has helped me settle in. You’ve got the backing from your teammates.

“Steve [Seddon] is a big help to me. He’ll help me on or off the pitch, giving advice on scenarios. The move has exceeded my expectations to this point. I want to avoid injury and keep gaining experience.”

It wad fourth versus fifth in the William Hill Premiership at Fir Park, with Dundee United making the trip down from the city of discovery. 

Both teams knew that the winner would sit fourth in the table following the match, and a tight game was what followed.

Motherwell got off to the best possible start with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos netting inside the first minute. A dubious penalty decision would get United level before ten minutes.

Andy Halliday and Stamatelopoulos got on the scoresheet prior to the half time mark, with the Steelmen sitting pretty. However, Jim Goodwin’s side didn’t go away and Sam Dalby would find the back of the net to half the deficit.

Tom Sparrow returned to action and made an impact from the bench, scoring his third of the season. Former Motherwell man Louis Moult got his second goal of the season at Fir Park but Motherwell held on for an impressive win.

Motherwell couldn’t replicate their competitive display from midweek, as hosts Hibernian overcame early attacking pressure to coast to a commanding four-goal advantage, as Motherwell were swept aside at Meadowbank on Sunday. 

The visitors had a productive opening start to the game, with Laura Berry and Louisa Boyes all having attempts parried clear by the Hibernian stopper, Noa Schumacher. Despite their positive passages of play, Eilidh Adams opened the scoring against the run of play, moments before the half-hour mark. Striker Rosie Livingstone doubled Hibs’ advantage seconds into the second-half, with Kathleen McGovern making it three with eight-minutes left to play. Siobhan Hunter sealed the three points with a fourth in the final stages of the game to compound a disappointing visit to the Scottish capital.

Head Coach Paul Brownlie named two changes from the side that were narrowly defeated by title-chasers Rangers on Wednesday evening. Defender Bailley Collins returned to the starting XI alongside striker Laura Berry, with Rachel Todd and Amy Sharkey both settling for a place on the bench.

The hosts broke the deadlock midway through the first-half, with Adams capitalising on the visitors hesitation at the set-piece, coasting into the box before dispatching a precise finish off the side of the post. Motherwell rallied for the remainder of the first-half and looked competitive, as both sides headed into the half-time break. However, within the opening exchanges of the second-half, Hibs’ had their second. Motherwell failed to clear their lines, with the ball ricocheting through numerous jerseys before falling kindly to the feet of Livingstone, who powered home from close-range.

Motherwell struggled to regain their early signs of momentum, with the first goal against the run of play and second shortly after the half-time break both altering the visitors mindset and gameplan. The hosts capitalised, with McGovern picking out the corner with a delicate finish off the post.

The fourth came minutes later, as Hunter latched onto Ciara Grant’s floated corner kick before forcing the ball home from a few yards out.

Motherwell will regroup ahead of the final matchday of 2024, with Hearts the visitors at K-Park next weekend.

The women of steel swiftly return to action this weekend after an action-packed week of football, with Motherwell defeating SWPL2 outfit Rossvale last Sunday before facing league leaders Rangers in the league on Wednesday evening. 

Motherwell, who were the defeated finalists to Hibernian in 2018, placed seven-goals past Rossvale in an assured performance that secured their place in the Quarter-Final stage, where they will meet another SWPL2 side in Bonnyrigg Rose after being drawn together on Monday evening. After turning their attention back to the league campaign on Wednesday, Motherwell battled league leaders Rangers to the final whistle and will be encouraged with their competitive display despite leaving K-park empty-handed after being unable to overturn the visitors one-goal advantage.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Paul Brownlie’s side will continue to complete the remainder of SWPL fixtures in 2024 this weekend, as they travel to the Scottish capital to face Edinburgh-side Hibernian. The women of steel’s last victory over the Hibees came in 2022, with Jo Addie, Lori Gardner and an Amy Anderson penalty kick securing a 3-2 victory over the hosts. Motherwell will look to get back to winning ways against the hosts on Sunday, with the visitors defeated in their last four meetings between the sides.

Despite the challenges with facing a full-time side, Motherwell will be encouraged and motivated to replicate their midweek display over league leaders rangers, as the women of steel closely-fought the Gers to the final whistle and were unfortunate not to receive any points for their efforts despite a limit on squad selection. Rangers loanees Laura Berry, Mason Clark and Sophie Black will all return to the matchday squad this weekend after being ineligible to face their parent club on Wednesday.

Motherwell have had a range of goalscorers on the scoresheet in recent weeks, with Sophie Black netting her second Motherwell goal against Rossvale last weekend. Bailley Collins also netted in the first-half to provide the women of steel with a two-goal cushion at the break. Louisa Boyes continued her remarkable goalscoring form, converting a third shortly after the restart, with Jenna Penman lashing one into the top-right corner from distance soon after. Second-half substitutes Lucy Barclay, Sienna McGoldrick and Mason Clark all found the target, as Motherwell coasted to a productive seven-goal advantage.

Hibernian

Hibs have maintained their push to narrow the gap to the top-four, sitting two-points behind defending champions Celtic in the SWPL table. Hibs unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end last weekend, as they exited the Scottish Cup in the third round after being defeated by a single-goal against st the fierce local rivals Hearts. Aside from that, Hibs were unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions, picking up three points in six, whilst drawing against Rangers and Partick Thistle last month.

Ticket information

Supporters can purchase tickets on matchday, with the clubs turnstile in operation.

• Adult – £8.
• Concession – £4.
• Student – £5.

How to follow the action 

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on X formerly Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match. Kick-off from Meadowbank Stadium at 1PM.

Assistant manager Stephen Frail speaks following Motherwell’s 4-3 victory over Dundee United in the William Hill Premiership.

Motherwell produced a wonderful attacking performance to edge out Dundee United in a seven-goal thriller and leapfrog the Tannadice side to claim fourth spot in the William Hill Premiership table.

Goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Sam Dalby inside the first five minutes set the scene for an action-packed afternoon. Two quickfire goals from Halliday and Stamatelopoulos set up the Fir Park men for a thoroughly merited 3-1 lead at the interval.

A slice of fortune then allowed Dalby to narrow the gap before Tom Sparrow came off the bench to make it 4-2. The points looked safe until Louis Moult pulled one back for United, leaving eight minutes of pulsating action before ‘Well could deservedly claim all three points.

With last week’s match winner, Tony Watt, unable to face his parent club; Tawanda Maswanhise came in to partner Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in the ‘Well attack.

The United front line was led by the former Fir Park goal hero, Louis Moult, who scored against the Steelmen on his last visit in September.

But the home side made the perfect start, finding the net after only 47 seconds.

Marvin Kaleta worked a quick exchange on the right-hand side of the box before sweeping the ball into the six-yard box, where Stamatelopoulos nipped in front of Declan Gallagher and prodded the ball past Jack Walton.

Before the Steelmen could build on that lead, though, United were level thanks to VAR’s intervention.

Referee Nick Walsh saw nothing wrong with Liam Gordon’s challenge as the defender cleared the ball before colliding into Moult. But after the referee reviewed the incident on the trackside monitor, he pointed to the penalty spot. Dalby converted with a side-footed effort into the net, sending Aston Oxborough the wrong way to make it 1-1.

‘Well had an early chance to restore their lead when Andy Halliday fed the ball through to Harry Paton. With the goal begging 12 yards away, Emmanuel Adegboyega’s sliding challenge robbed the Canadian midfielder of a strike.

United’s reply was a close-range effort from Dalby, which Oxborough reacted superbly to push the ball round the post.

That was the only relief on the visitors goal as ‘Well pressed United into their own half.

Lennon Miller’s pass allowed Maswanhise to turn at the edge of the box before driving the ball across Walton and beyond his far post.

A couple of minutes later, the home side came close again. Halliday swept the ball from the right into Stamatelopoulos’ path, who drilled his shot narrowly past the other post.

Finally, after 33 minutes, the Steelmen found the target again. Maswanhise wriggled clear on the right before crossing the ball beyond the far post. Steve Seddon took a touch and then fired the ball low back across the box for Halliday to force it into the net.

Jim Goodwin’s men had no time to reply before falling two behind.

Miller slipped the ball to Halliday, and his lofted pass towards Walton’s goal found Stamatelopoulos rising unchallenged, and the Australian guided his header high past the ‘keeper to make it 3-1.

And it might have been a fourth in additional time when Luca Stephenson’s high boot caught Paton inside the box, but on this occasion the referee and VAR decided it was not a penalty.

The second half started with Motherwell showing the same intent.

A neat move after 51 minutes found Kaleta on the right, and his ball across the box gave Stamatelopoulos a chance to test Walton with a low shot.

Two minutes later, though, United were back in the game. Glenn Middleton’s high cross into the six-yard area enticed Oxborough from his line. But when the ‘Well ‘keeper failed to connect, the ball bounced off Dalby and into an empty net.

As the visitors chased an equaliser, the play became rather frantic, and Stuart Kettlewell freshened things up, bringing on Tom Sparrow and Ewan Wilson.

However, it took two miraculous saves from Oxborough to atone for his error and preserve his side’s lead.

Moult was the provider in the 64th minute when his cross was met by Dalby, whose downward header was brilliantly palmed away from his goal line by the ‘keeper’s left hand.

Two minutes later, Moult almost added to his haul of goals at Fir Park, but his thumping drive was superbly touched on to the face of his crossbar by Oxborough.

That proved a crucial save as a minute later, ‘Well regained their two-goal advantage.

Stamatelopoulos gathered the ball at the edge of the box and rolled it in front of Sparrow, who deftly drilled it low past Walton to make it 4-2.

Two more changes from the home bench saw Stephen O’Donnell return from injury and Moses Ebiye join the attack.

And with his first touch, the Nigerian striker’s low drive forced a diving save from Walton.

With Sam Nicholson making another late appearance on his comeback from serious injury, the points looked safe and secure until United pulled another goal back four minutes from time.

Middleton’s corner was firmly met by Holt, who powered home his header and set up a nail-biting finish.

Given the explosive opening to the game, four minutes of additional time provided action for more goals.

Well had the chance to make it five, and round off a wonderful game when O’Donnell broke from his own half. But with four in claret in amber racing towards the United goal Walton raced from his line to end the threat but unable to deny the Steelmen a terrific win.

Motherwell team: Oxborough, Kaleta, Casey, Gordon, Blaney, Seddon, Halliday, Paton, Miller (C), Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos.

Motherwell subs: Hegyi, O’Donnell, Balmer, Zdravkovski, Sparrow, Nicholson, Wilson, Ebiye, Tavares.