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Motherwell have a number of players out on loan at present. Below, we take a look at how they got on in the last four weeks. 

Seven of our academy graduates have had their loans extended until the end of the season earlier this month.

Those who will remain at their respective clubs until the end of the campaign are:

• Dylan Wells (Edinburgh City)
• Mark Ferrie (Bonnyrigg Rose)
• Matty Connelly (East Kilbride)
• Olly Whyte (Cowdenbeath)
• Max Ross (Albion Rovers)
• Brannan McDermott (Broomhill)
• Luca Ross (Annan Athletic)

Matty Connelly

With two games postponed in the last four weeks, Connelly has made a further two appearances for East Kilbride. The 21-year-old is on 22 appearances now.

EK won both of those games, against Berwick Rangers and Albion Rovers. Kilby remain top of the tree in the Lowland League, two points clear of Caledonian Braves, with three games in hand.

Max Ross

Defender Max Ross has turned out a further five times for Albion Rovers in the last four weeks, taking his number of appearances this season to 13. His last two games have been postponed, but M.Ross started the three games prior.

Rovers are seventh in the league, on 31 points, with their eyes looking up the table.

Brannan McDermott

Brannan McDermott is still yet to miss a minute of action for Broomhill in the Lowland League. With 13 appearances to his name and one goal, McDermott’s side was on the losing side against Gretna last time out.

Broomhill sit second from the bottom of the Lowland League table but are only six points off East Stirlingshire in 13th place, so will be optimistic about moving upwards.

Olly Whyte

Another team that has felt the effects of the weather is Cowdenbeath, where Olly Whyte currently plays. The midfielder is on 25 appearances for the season, with two goals to his name.

Rested against Caledonian Braves, Whyte played the full 90 minutes in the other three matches since our last report. One win, one draw, and one defeat in their last three has Cowdenbeath 14th in the table on 21 points after 21 games.

Dylan Wells

Dylan Wells has made a further two appearances for Edinburgh City in the last four weeks. He is currently on five games for the Citizens but has missed the last four games.

Edinburgh City went unbeaten in six games before losing three of their last four matches. They are currently in the promotion playoff race, with manager Michael McIndoe picking up the manager of the month award in League Two for December.

Filip Stuparevic

Filip Stuparevic is back fit and has featured heavily for Morton in the last four weeks. He’s now made 14 appearances and scored his fifth of the season against Partick Thistle last month.

Morton have won two and drawn two in the last four, with Dougie Imrie winning the manager of the month award in the Championship for December, with Cameron Blues named the player of the month for December also.

Morton are yet to play in 2025, with their most recent match against Raith Rovers cancelled due to a gas leak at the stadium.

Luca Ross

18-year-old Luca Ross has seen his minutes for Annan Athletic rise in the last four weeks. Not featuring in November, L.Ross has played in each of Annan’s last five matches, starting the last two. Annan have drawn three of their last five, winning one.

Annan are trying to maintain the gap to Inverness, who are currently in the relegation playoff spot. They are seven points clear of Caley and are four points off of Montrose in seventh.

Mark Ferrie

Forward Mark Ferrie has turned out another three times for Bonnyrigg Rose in the last four weeks. Starting the last two matches, Ferrie has been deployed in various positions across the front three.

Rose have lost three of their last three games, leaving them in the relegation playoff position. However, the league is congested with fourth place only ten points away from Bonnyrigg Rose. They also have games in hand on those above.

With Motherwell playing their seventh game in 21 days, the Steelmen travelled East to the capital to face an in-form Hibernian side. 

The manager made six changes to cope with fatigue and injury and in the opening stages, the game lacked any real moment of quality. A misplaced pass from Andy Halliday was pounced upon by the hosts who opened the scoring through Martin Boyle.

It was a quick-fire double for the Hibees as pressure on the Motherwell backline paid off, with a second goal secured before the break.

Stuart Kettlewell made changes that did make an impact with the Steelmen growing into the game. Callum Slattery made the most of a free kick on the edge of the box, neatly placing the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal in almost 500 days due to missing over a year of action.

However, with the Hibs support and players seemingly on edge, the referee would point to the spot to aid their nervous energy after Stephen O’Donnell was adjudged to have held Miller in the area. Boyle converted down the middle to secure the points, meaning Motherwell returned to North Lanarkshire empty handed.

Having sold all tickets from our initial allocation for Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie against St Johnstone, supporters now have access to more tickets at McDiarmid Park. 

Tickets are now available in the North Stand for Motherwell supporters.

These can be bought online.

• Ticket sales are online only (with the exception of the wheelchair & PA tickets)
• Disabled/ambulant supporters must be in receipt of PIP/DLA and will be asked to verify this when purchasing online
• Personal assistant tickets cannot be added to an order without the age-appropriate ambulant disabled ticket being added first
• U12 tickets cannot be purchased without an adult/concession ticket (max 2 x U12 per order), the adult/concession ticket must be added first

Wheelchair & PA tickets can be purchased directly from the St Johnstone FC ticket office on 01738 459090.

Adult/concession wheelchair tickets are £20/£12 respectively. A personal assistant ticket is included in the ticket price.

There are a limited amount of disabled parking bays for visiting supporters to book in advance (£5 – cash on the day). Supporters should email dao@perthsaints.co.uk with their name and vehicle registration to enquire about booking.

Buses

A third bus has also been put on, running to McDiarmid Park from Fir Park.

The price is £15 per person.

The Cooper Bar will be open from 11.30 for refreshments, with coaches leaving at 13.15.

To book, please visit our ticketing platform.

Alternatively, call us on 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell kick off their 2024/25 Scottish Cup campaign against St Johnstone on Saturday 18 January. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

Having sold all tickets from our initial allocation for Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie against St Johnstone, supporters now have access to more tickets at McDiarmid Park. 

Tickets are now available in the North Stand for Motherwell supporters.

These can be bought online.

• Ticket sales are online only (with the exception of the wheelchair & PA tickets)
• Disabled/ambulant supporters must be in receipt of PIP/DLA and will be asked to verify this when purchasing online
• Personal assistant tickets cannot be added to an order without the age-appropriate ambulant disabled ticket being added first
• U12 tickets cannot be purchased without an adult/concession ticket (max 2 x U12 per order), the adult/concession ticket must be added first

Wheelchair & PA tickets can be purchased directly from the St Johnstone FC ticket office on 01738 459090.

Adult/concession wheelchair tickets are £20/£12 respectively. A personal assistant ticket is included in the ticket price.

There are a limited amount of disabled parking bays for visiting supporters to book in advance (£5 – cash on the day). Supporters should email dao@perthsaints.co.uk with their name and vehicle registration to enquire about booking.

Buses

A third bus has also been put on, running to McDiarmid Park from Fir Park.

The price is £15 per person.

The Cooper Bar will be open from 11:30 for refreshments, with coaches leaving at 13:15.

To book, please visit our ticketing platform.

Alternatively, call us on 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

Ross Callachan, Zach Robinson, Steve Seddon, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Aston Oxborough and Lennon Miller are out for this game. Harry Paton and Liam Gordon will be assessed.

Paul McGinn came off against Hibernian and will be assessed. Jair Tavares is back in contention, missing Saturday’s match against his parent club. Jack Vale is available as his suspension will only be active for Premiership matches.

Matty Connelly is cup tied.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell suffered defeat on Saturday against Hibernian, following a draw and a win in the six days prior. That makes it three wins, three draws, and three defeats in the last nine games for the Steelmen.

Stuart Kettlewell’s side has played St Johnstone twice this season and won twice with a 2-1 scoreline. It took a Moses Ebiye header in stoppage time to get past the Perth side last time out at McDiarmid Park.

Kettlewell has faced St Johnstone seven times as Motherwell boss, winning three and drawing three.

Opposition Report

St Johnstone were in Sunday action against Rangers, falling to a 3-1 defeat.

They have struggled to find form this season, winning one of their last 13 matches, with the Saints sitting at the foot of the William Hill Premiership table.

Benjamin Kimpioka is currently the top scorer for Simo Valakari’s side, with the striker finding the back of the net 11 times this season; however, it’s Mackenzie Kirk who has been highly impressive this season. The 20-year-old has seven goals to his name so far in his maiden season in the top flight.

The women of steel toasted their first matchday of 2025 in style, coasting to an assured victory in the City of Discovery, hitting hosts Dundee United for six at Foundation Park. 

Head Coach Paul brownlie named two changes from the side that held high-flying Hearts to a goalless stalemate in the final matchday of 2024 at K-Park.

Defender Chelsie Watson returned to the Motherwell backline, replacing the injured Jo Addie, with Sarah Gibb featuring in midfield in place of Laura McCartney. Midfielder Georgie Robb also returned to the matchday squad after an extensive injury spell left the youngster on the sidelines since joining the club from predecessors Dundee United.

Motherwell almost immediately imposed their attacking strengths onto the fragmented 13-player United squad, with striker Laura Berry firmly picking up from where she left off in the previous calendar year. The forward drove dangerously across the right-flank before slicing through the 18-yard-box and accurately dispatching a low-finosh underneath the on-rushing United goalkeeper.

Berry secured her brace after 14-minutes, dispatching a strike from the penalty spot after Louisa Boyes’ was brought down narrowly within the 18-yard-box.

Chelsie Watson made it three less than a minute later, prodding home Katie Rice’s whipped free-kick before repeating the feat shortly before the half-time break to ensure the women of steel headed into half-time with a comfortable four-goal cushion.

In almost inexplicable circumstances, United pulled one back with their only shot of the game, catching Emily Mutch out with a 50-yard strike directly from kick-off, baffling the Motherwell squad.

Berry completed her hat-trick on the hour mark, latching onto Jenna Penman’s pinpoint through ball before racing through and placing her curled finish beyond the reach of the United goalkeeper. Second-half substitute rounded off proceedings in the latter stages of the game, converting Mason Clark’s drilled delivery across the face of goal.

The women of steel will face a one-week break before returning to league action against Montrose in a fortnight’s time.

The sunshine failed to shine in Leith, as Motherwell were defeated by three-goals to one at a frosty Easter Road on Saturday afternoon. 

The Steelmen proved to be the architects of their own downfall, gifting the hosts three-goals across both halves to cement a disappointing end to a congested fixture list.

Manager, Stuart Kettlewell named six-changes from the side who held Kilmarnock to a goalless stalemate at Rugby Park on Wednesday evening. The departure of West Ham loanee Kristian Hegyi and an injury sustained midweek by Aston Oxborough prompted Motherwell to secure the signature of a replacement before the game in the Scottish Capital.

Goalkeeper Archie Mair was thrusted into his Motherwell debut after agreeing a season-long loan deal from Norwich City late yesterday evening, with Kai Andrews awarded his first Motherwell start alongside Stephen O’Donnell, Paul McGinn, Shane Blaney, and Tom Sparrow who all returned to the starting XI.

The hosts had the breakthrough shortly before the half-hour mark, as Nicky Cadden advanced across the left-flank before teeing up Martin Boyle, who calmly converted from a few yards out.

The second followed moments later, as Ewan Wilson was caught in possession deep into the Motherwell half, and Nectarios Triantis drilled his strike past Mair into the bottom-right corner.

Motherwell skipper Paul McGinn had an unfortunate return from a recent injury spell, with the 34-year-old forced off early in the first-half.

Second-half substitute Callum Slattery announced his return from injury in style, curling home a magnificent free-kick to earn a late Motherwell lifeline, but despite looking firmly in the ascendency, the visitors conceded a penalty kick in the later stages. Boyle stepped up and converted his second of the game to seal all three points for Hibernian.

Striker Jack Vale then received his marching orders with seconds left to play after contesting a Hibs counter-attack, which prompted the referee to brandish a straight red card.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts as his side end a gruelling run of games with a 3-1 defeat to Hibernian in Edinburgh.

Goalkeeper Archie Mair is our second January arrival. 

The 23-year-old shot stopper has joined from Norwich City on loan until the end of the season.

Mair started his career with Aberdeen before joining the Canaries in 2020. Since then, he has been out on loan on six occasions with King’s Lynn Town, Lincoln City, Dartford, Notts County, Gateshead, and, lastly, Morecambe.

One of his most notable moments on loan came for Notts County in the play off final, where in a penalty shootout, Mair saved two from the spot to help County get promoted back to the football league, having been subbed on specifically for the shootout.

He spent the first half of last season on loan at Gateshead, making 26 appearances and keeping seven clean sheets. He returned to Norwich early and moved immediately to Morecambe in League Two. There, Mair played 21 times.

This season, Mair has been named on the bench for Norwich six times, including their trip to Premier League side Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup.

Representing Scotland from Under 17 level through to 21s, Mair returns to his homeland for the first time since leaving in 2020.

Krisztián Hegyi has been recalled by West Ham United. 

Hegyi made two appearances in his time at Motherwell, both coming in the Premier Sports Cup.

“It’s great to get Archie on board for this afternoon’s match against Hibernian. He’s played plenty of games at various levels and carries some experience as a result,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“It hasn’t been an easy situation to navigate over the last 24 hours. Losing Krisztían to West Ham and then Aston Oxborough to injury, but we’ve got a really good goalkeeper through the door who will challenge Aston for that number one spot.”

Matty Connelly has returned to Motherwell, with the club exercising the option of an emergency short-term recall from East Kilbride.

For clarity, this is not a permanent recall, and the goalkeeper will return to East Kilbride shortly. Connelly is available for selection immediately.

Captain Paul McGinn spent months on the sidelines, missing out on the semi-final in the process, but the Motherwell skipper is pleased to be back in the fold. 

McGinn talks of the frustration on missing out in important matches, as well as talking about the importance of gaining results this month.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell says Liam Gordon will be assessed ahead of this weekend’s trip to Easter Road, with the defender coming off as a precaution after two head knocks on Wednesday night. 

Kettlewell goes into the detail about the danger of backing into a defender who is in the air. He also touches on the importance of having leaders like Paul McGinn and Stephen O’Donnell back on the pitch.

Motherwell are preparing for their seventh game in 21 days, with Kettlewell left a bit confused as to why the schedule has been so tight.