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Vice-captain Stephen O’Donnell says this week has been filled with emotion and shock but the focus has shifted onto the match against Celtic on Sunday.

O’Donnell knows the task that awaits the team this weekend in the William Hill Premiership.

Stephen Frail has taken the reigns since Stuart Kettlewell’s departure, and has had to draw a line under the manager leaving earlier in the week so the players and staff can focus on the difficult task of the Champions visiting Fir Park on Sunday in the William Hill Premiership. 

Frail talks about the great fanbase the club has and wants everyone to be connected going forward.

Chief Executive Brian Caldwell speaks for the first time since Stuart Kettlewell left the club. Caldwell discusses the process in which Kettlewell handed in his resignation, and the thought process of the former manager.

He also talks about why the club were transparent on the issue and revealed that there has been high interest in the vacant position.

The trials and tribulations, the illustrious icons and the storied legacy of the Scottish Cup will add another chapter this weekend, as Motherwell welcome Bonnyrigg Rose to K-Park. 

Motherwell coasted through to the fourth round, defeating SWPL2 side Rossvale by seven-goals to nil at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. There were seven different goalscorers on show, as Sophie Black, Bailley Collins, Louisa Boyes, Jenna Penman, Lucy Barclay, Sienna McGoldrick and Mason Clark all etched their names on the scoresheet.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie’s side will return to East Kilbride this weekend for the first time in 2025, facing Bonnyrigg Rose following back-to-back victories over Dundee United and Montrose on the road.  A six-nil and four-nil victory have maintained motherwell’s unbeaten start to the new year.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell started 2025 on the right note, defeating relegation-survival hopefuls Dundee United with an assured display in the City of Discovery. Motherwell face a closely-fought race to the finish line to achieve a top-six place this season, with the women of steel five points clear of nearest league rivals Partick Thistle, who have a additional game in-hand. Motherwell continued their strong opening to 2025, defeating Montrose with an assured performance on the North-East coast.

The women of steel will be looking to rectify their disappointing early exit to last season’s Scottish Cup campaign, with Motherwell exiting the competition at the first hurdle after reaching the Semi-Final in the previous season.

Bonnyrigg Rose

SWF League One side Bonnyrigg Rose head to K-Park looking to cause a cup upset after overcoming Ross County and Morton to secure their place in the last-16. The Rose defeated the Stages by three-goals to two before another narrow 2-1 away victory against the Ton.

Ticket information 

Supporters can purchase their ticket on the day, with pay-at-the-gate in operation. Both cash and card payments are acceptable.

Adult – £8

Concession – £3

Under-11 – Free to enter.

The trials and tribulations, the illustrious icons and the storied legacy of the Scottish Cup are all memories to last a lifetime. 

The famous competition returns to the forefront of the domestic calendar this weekend, as Motherwell welcome SWF League One side Bonnyrigg Rose to K-Park. The defeated Finalists to Hibernian in 2018, and Semi-Finalists to Rangers in 2023, Motherwell are on the hunt for Scottish Cup glory, with the weekend visit of Bonnyrigg Rose standing in their way of a place in the Quarter-Final stage.

Midfielder Sarah Gibb discusses the importance of Scottish Cup success for the women of steel.

“The Scottish Cup means absolutely everything to the squad,” Gibb explained.

“You never know how many chances you’ll have to lift silverware in your career. There’s always financial disadvantages between the full-time and part-time teams in the SWPL, but cup competitions are one-off matches where you have the opportunity to defy the odds and reach stages where you’re competing for silverware.

“This weekend will be a massive test for us. Bonnyrigg are a lower-league opposition, but in no way are we expecting a simple route to the next round. They will be motivated and determined to cause a cup upset, and we have to ensure that we have prepared in the correct manner to achieve a positive result. ”

Motherwell overcame four-sides before succumbing to a closely-fought two-nil defeat to Rangers in the first-ever domestic women’s match to be held at the National Stadium, Hampden Park back in 2023. Celtic loanee Amy Sharkey and Lucy Barclay were both unused substitutes for the eventual champions, with Laura Berry featuring in the latter stages for Rangers in the proceeding final.

Paul Brownlie’s side sought to replicate the cup success of the previous season, but their ambitious aspirations failed to live up to expectations. A disappointing run the following year saw the women of steel eliminated at the first hurdle, with a 4-2 defeat to close league rivals Partick Thistle.

“The cup exit last year was a sore one,” Gibb noted.

“We battled Thistle close, but ultimately we weren’t at the standards we knew we were capable of. It is something that the entire squad haven’t forgotten, and we are determined to give a better account of ourselves. We are focused on building back from that disappointing defeat last season, and are ready to put it right this weekend.

“We have been performing to a high standard in the league, picking up two back-to-back victories in 2025, and maintaining our position in the top-six of the SWPL table. We’ve been prolific in the final third and defensively sound in our own half, scoring 10-goals and conceding none from our last two-games. These are encouraging signs, but we understand that we need to be consistent in our performances.

“The game against Bonnyrigg could prove to be a difficult afternoon if we don’t start the game on the front foot, but the atmosphere in training has been positive. We’ve had a few players back from injury and a couple new additions in the squad, so we are really coming together as a team.

“The atmosphere within the dressing room has been unbelievable. We have a really close-knit squad, who are there to support you through the good and bad times on the pitch, and we are all heading into the game this weekend full of confidence.”

The K-Park faithful have turned out in their numbers to support the women of steel this season, and Gibb is hopeful that a strong home following could help support their efforts of achieving a place in the next round of the Scottish Cup.

“The supporters have been great so far this season,” Gibb said.

“We’ve had a really strong following at K-Park, and one that is only continuing to grow. We are looking forward to seeing you all in East Kilbride this weekend, and are ready to give a performance deserving of your support.

“We hope to see you all there.”

There will be a food bank collection at the upcoming match between Motherwell and Celtic on Sunday 2 February.

The collection will benefit the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank, and supporters from both teams are encouraged to bring items to donate.

The goal is to collect food and other essentials to provide parcels for those in need.

Items needed are:

• UHT Long Life Milk Semi Skimmed & Whole
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Meals (Mince, Curry etc etc)
• Tinned Potatoes
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned Fish
• Tinned Custard / Rice Pudding
• Tinned Fruit
• Jars of Pasta Sauce
• Savoury Rice
• Tinned Hotdogs
• Tinned Meatballs
• Jars of Coffee
• Toiletries

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

We appreciate everyone who is able to contribute. Your help will go a long way.

Motherwell welcome champions Celtic to Fir Park on Sunday 2 February in the William Hill Premiership.

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

• Young Adults tickets would ages 14-17.
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

There will be no online sales as we need to check they have a continuous purchase history

Supporters are able to buy tickets by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – 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.

The match is live on Sky Sports.

What else is happening?

There will be a food bank collection at the upcoming match between your team and Celtic on Sunday 2 February.

The collection will benefit the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank, and supporters from both teams are encouraged to bring items to donate.

The goal is to collect food and other essentials to provide parcels for those in need.

Items needed are:

• UHT Long Life Milk Semi Skimmed & Whole
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Meals (Mince, Curry etc etc)
• Tinned Potatoes
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned Fish
• Tinned Custard / Rice Pudding
• Tinned Fruit
• Jars of Pasta Sauce
• Savoury Rice
• Tinned Hotdogs
• Tinned Meatballs
• Jars of Coffee
• Toiletries

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

We appreciate everyone who is able to contribute. Your help will go a long way.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

There are no returning players from last weekend. Archie Mair has been ruled out due to a hand injury.

Jack Vale remains suspended.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Stevie Frail will lead the team on Sunday following Stuart Kettlewell’s departure earlier in the week. The Steelmen are on a two-game losing run in the Premiership, but remain fifth in the league as they look to close the gap to fourth.

Celtic have won both matches against Motherwell this season, with the most recent being a 4-0 win on Boxing Day.

Opposition Report

After a blip against Glasgow rivals Rangers at the start of 2025, Celtic have reacted to their second defeat of the season in all competitions. They have won five of their last six, and secured a spot in the knockouts of the Champions League.

They will round off their League Phase campaign in Europe on Wednesday night against Aston Villa. It’s been a busy week of transfers for the Hoops also, with star man Kyogo leaving for pastures new in France with Rennes. However, the Celtic support were compensated with the return of favourite Jota for his second spell at the club.

Motherwell Football Club can confirm the Club Board of Directors have very reluctantly accepted the resignation of Stuart Kettlewell today.

Stuart approached Chief Executive Brian Caldwell on Monday morning to explain why he wished to resign.

Stuart explained that some of the personal abuse was now affecting his family, to the point where they didn’t wish to attend games.

As a result, he felt it would be best if he tendered his resignation.

Since being appointed manager in February 2023, Stuart has managed 92 games overall, boasting a win percentage of 41.3%, the highest of any Motherwell manager since Stuart McCall.

He guided Motherwell to safety, narrowly missing out on top-six football in his first three months in charge, collecting 30 points out of a possible 42.

The good form ran into 2023/24, when Motherwell went ten league games without defeat, the longest run since 2010, and again, narrowly missed out on top-six football.

This season, he guided the club back to Hampden for the first time in six years in the Premier Sports Cup and has the team sitting fifth in the league currently.

All of this was achieved despite the sale of a number of key players for substantial transfer fees.

“It’s really sad that Stuart felt that the time was right to move on,” Chief Executive Brian Caldwell said.

“He had an exceptional record and has generated an impressive amount of transfer income for the club.

“He has been a critical factor in the development of Motherwell Academy Graduates, as well as developing young loan players during his tenure.

“When Stuart approached me, I was very disappointed to learn the effect this was having on his family and how he was feeling. No Manager, player, or club employee, every one of whom gives their all for the club, should feel this way.

“We therefore had no option but to reluctantly accept his resignation in the best interests of Stuart and his family. As a fan-owned, community-driven football club, we will always look after our own.”

The club wishes to thank Stuart for his hard work and total dedication during his time at the club. We wish him and his family all the very best for the future.

Assistant Manager Stephen Frail will take charge of the team for Sunday’s match, assisted by Jon Obika, Richard Foster, and the backroom staff.

The club will make no further comment at this time.