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A stalwart of the Motherwell midfield, Lucy Ronald quickly established her place at the core of the squad after signing permanently from Glasgow Women in 2022, earning the women’s player of the year award in her maiden season, but the then 21-year-old soon had to face a cup heartbreak. 

The National Stadium beckoned, as the women of steel prepared to face Rangers in a highly-anticipated Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden Park, but less than a fortnight until the meeting in Glasgow; Ronald’s sixteen-month spell on the sidelines with an ACL-injury began. Over two-years on, the women of steel have the opportunity to return to Hampden Park for only the second time in the club’s history when they face Boroughmuir Thistle at Meadowbank on Sunday. Ronald remains focused on making up for lost time.

“Missing out on the Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden was heartbreaking,” Ronald explained.

“It’s been my biggest dream since I was young to play at the National stadium, so to miss out by a week when we had a massive double-header, playing one of our first games to be held at Fir Park only the week before the game at Hampden was a tough pill for me to swallow.

“The injury was incredibly sudden, so to head to Hampden two-weeks later, I was filled with so many mixed-emotions. I was so proud to watch the squad on the pitch, but at the same time, I was absolutely heartbroken to be watching from the stands because I knew that the opportunity to play at Hampden had been taken from me.

“However, I’ve used it as motivation through my rehab. I wanted to get myself back to performing at the same level with the belief that I could potentially have that opportunity again, but at the same time I’m remaining level-headed and taking every moment as it comes.”

Two-years on and Motherwell are on the road to Scottish Cup glory, cruising to a formidable 7-0 victory over Rossvale in their opening cup fixture before defeating Bonnyrigg Rose by six-goals to nil at K-Park. The women of steel will face SWPL2 promotion-chasers Boroughmuir Thistle at the Quarter-Final stage in the Scottish capital on Sunday, and Ronald is relishing the opportunity.

“Sunday’s game means a lot to me,” Ronald added.

“These occasions are what we live for as footballers, and ultimately you never know how many opportunities you’re going to have to play at these special venues in your career. Football is incredible sometimes though, because we have that opportunity to earn a place at Hampden again, and I am determined to do everything I can to support the team to another Scottish Cup Semi-Final.

“Boroughmuir Thistle will be an incredibly tough test. They are well-organised, performing to a high-standard in SWPL2, and will be fully motivated to cause a cup upset.

“They have a very strong side with a lot of experienced players, so we understand the challenge ahead won’t be an easy one. The squad consists of players that have played at the highest level for a number of years, so despite the difference in league position; they’re certainly not to be underestimated. We will be prepared for what’s to come and will be expecting a challenging contest.”

The women of steel have remained resolute since confirming their top-six SWPL status, with intense preparations continuing, as the squad prepare for Sunday’s Scottish Cup showdown.

“Preparations have been good,” Ronald said.

“Collectively as players, we know what’s at stake for ourselves and the football club. It’s a massive opportunity and a privilege to play at Hampden Park and we are all focused on securing our place at the Semi-Final stage. As a team and as a staff group, the expectations are always set at a high level, our standards and approach remain consistent whether in training or on a matchday. We have approached this week in the correct manner, and will be looking to replicate our performances on the training pitch this Sunday.

“Of course it’s an exciting prospect, as we’ve had a really good season so far. Securing the first top-six finish in the club’s history was a huge achievement, and we are determined ton continue that form into the cup competition. We are taking every game as it comes, preparing with the right mindset, as we know that Sunday will be a massive test for us.”

Callum Slattery was in the midst of fine form when he suddenly lost the woman closest to him, his mum. From there, he wanted to make sure he did her proud by having the season of his life.

To do that, he needed to be mentally and physically prepared for the gruelling season that awaited him. But he did all these things and was flying high when suddenly, in January 2024, he was dealt a cruel hand.

An ACL rupture in a freak training ground incident meant Slattery was going to be out of action for a year. And with his contract expiring in just six months time and with him just short of 100 games for the club he now calls home, his life was thrown into disarray.

In this two-part special, Slattery sits down to speak just days after the injury occurred to discuss the difficult year that was ahead of him and the uncertainty that accompanied it.

In the second segment, Slattery speaks from the same spot he did 13 months prior; only this time, he had come back to full fitness, signed a new contract and was close to being back to the level of player he was before this horrible knee injury.

It had been the hardest period of his life, but Slattery had rolled with the punches, and now the sky is the limit.

Dan Casey is your G4 Claims player of the month for February. 

The Irish centre-back was pivotal in the 2-1 win over Dundee in Michael Wimmer’s first game at Fir Park, netting a brace to get the win.

Congratulations, Dan.

Zander McAllister has been named in the Scotland Under 17 squad for fixtures later this month. 

Head coach Brian McLaughlin has named a squad of 20 for the crucial upcoming UEFA League B Round 2 matches against North Macedonia, Romania and Liechtenstein.

All the games are taking place at Broadwood Stadium. Scotland are aiming to secure top spot in the group, and with it, a return to League A.

• Scotland v North Macedonia
• Wednesday 19 March 2025 
• 3:30pm Kick Off
• Broadwood Stadium, Scotland

• Scotland v Romania
• Saturday 22 March 2025
• 7:30pm kick off
• Broadwood Stadium, Scotland

• Scotland v Liechtenstein
• Tuesday 25 March 2025
• 3pm kick off
• Broadwood Stadium, Scotland

A monumental matchday awaits the women of steel this weekend, as the National Stadium beckons the victor of Sunday’s Quarter-Final meeting with Boroughmuir Thistle at Meadowbank. 

Motherwell could return to Hampden Park for the first time since facing Rangers in the 2022 Scottish Cup Semi-Final, with the women of steel defeating Rossvale and Bonnyrigg Rose to secure their place in the Quarter-Final stage.

An exciting occasion awaits in the Scottish capital, as Motherwell target their first-ever piece of major silverware.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell 

Motherwell will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to title-chasers Glasgow City, as Paul Brownlie’s side fell to a 4-0 defeat in Springburn. The women of steel fought the 13-time champions closely, but fatigue in the latter stages saw the hosts cruise to a scoreline that failed to accurately reflect the entirety of the game.

Brownlie’s side will be looking to surpass their Sky Sports League Cup run, as the women of steel exited the competition at the Quarter-Final stage to eventual champions Rangers.

The women of steel head into Sunday’s encounter with a full matchday squad, as latest addition Brodie Greenwood could be set to make her Motherwell debut.

Boroughmuir Thistle

The SWPL2-side could prove to be a difficult opponent for the women of steel, as Boroughmuir continue to prove their worth in the second-division. Thistle sit level on 41-points with Kilmarnock in the chase for promotion to the SWPL and will be firmly prepared to secure their place at the National Stadium, Hampden Park.

Ticket Information

Adult – £TBC

Concession – £TBC

Under 11s – TBC

Managers and staff leaving a club is never a nice thing for players. It creates an environment of uncertainty and need for clarity. When the departure comes mid-season, the games keep coming, and everyone just has to keep going.

It was three weeks exactly between Stuart Kettlewell’s departure and the arrival of new manager Michael Wimmer, and in that time there were two games. Unfortunately for Motherwell, both those games ended in defeat, but the arrival of the new manager is the clarity everyone needed, and for Andy Halliday, the excitement to work under the new boss is prominent.

“In terms of the previous manager leaving, it was obviously a bit of a shock to everyone,” Andy Halliday said.

“The brutal nature of football is that you have to switch back onto the job at hand. It’s obviously been a transition, but there’s always an element of excitement within that. The gaffer has come in with a great pedigree of working with big clubs in Germany and Austria.

“We’ve had a short period of time to get the new style imbedded, and as a group of players, we always want clarity on how we’re going to play as a team. He’s made it clear what he expects from us, but it’s been great to get all the information so far. As a player, we need to be a sponge and take it all in.”

The appointment of German Michael Wimmer marked the club taking a different approach. The first non-British and Irish manager since Harri Kampman in 1998, Wimmer arrives having previously managed Austria Vienna for 18 months. With a foreign manager arriving at Fir Park, there’s always going to be alterations to the working week, and that has been clear from the off.

“I always feel anytime I’ve worked under a foreign manager, there’s been a more tactical approach,” Andy Halliday adds.

“It’s great because it’s so important in the game right now. Gone are the days when you put 11 names on a sheet of paper, say you’re playing 4-4-2 and go and get the job done. That’s a reflection of how tactical the game is now.

“We’ve not got eight or 12 weeks in pre-season to work on different facets; we’ve got a few days where we take in as much as humanly possible. The time has been spent wisely; we’ve had double sessions and meetings every morning, and we’re just trying to take it all in. New managers and turnovers take time, but as players, we don’t have time. It’s all about results; we’ll try and implement everything as soon as possible.

“There are similarities to the previous regime, but there are also things that are completely different. It’s all about pressing and high intensity. Change can sometimes be good; it’s a clean slate for everyone and a chance for us to impress the new manager. That leads to competition for places, which I think ensures everyone gives a little extra. You want the jersey, and when you get it, you want to keep it.”

It’s been an injury-ridden season for the Motherwell squad, with over ten first-team players missing from matchdays, but it’s also meant a large contingent of players. However, Halliday has been able to navigate the campaign without missing a match.

“I’ve played every game so far this season, which is important to me,” he explained.

“Last season was a frustration. Going from not playing for six months to coming and breaking down with a calf injury, the first muscle injury I’d had since I was a teenager. I thought I would recover quickly, and then I picked up a hamstring injury on the second last day of the season.

“But it was maybe a blessing in disguise, as it meant I focused on my rehab all summer, making sure my body was ready for preseason. It prepared me for a long season, and it’s resulted in me playing in every game.

“Like most, I’ve been happy with most of my performances. Yes, there’ve been bits within games or certain games I should’ve done more in, but I’m happy overall so far. But I’ll never change; I only care about what the team is doing. Success will never be how many man of the matches, player of the months or player of the year awards you win; none of that. It’s all about how many points you get on the board.”

Away from Motherwell, Halliday is not one for sitting around on the couch. 11 months ago, he launched his own football academy, where he helps nurture and coach young players alongside his brother.

“I think it’s something I’ve been interested in since I was maybe 26 or 27,” he noted.

“I’ve always loved the tactical side of the game, different styles and ideas. Having played under so many coaches, I’ve picked up things I liked and things I don’t like. I decided when I was 26 to start my B licence; I’ve since got my A and coached under 18s and 20s. I then decided to start the academy.

“It’s been 11 months, and I’m delighted with how it’s going. I said before I came to Motherwell that I loved seeing Scottish footballers having a pathway to the first-team. I have a real passion for youth development, so it made sense to start my own thing.

“At the end of the day, we’ll never not take boys at all development stages. I was at development football at one point; so was every player in the dressing room, so we’ll never be the ones to say we’re only taking advanced players because we feel they’ve got a better opportunity.

“It’s a real reward to see boys coming in with a smile on their face, willing to learn and wanting to listen; they’ve been with me, and then they get their opportunity to go into academies. I won’t say the exact number of players who’ve gone from grassroots to academy, but it’s high, and that’s really rewarding.

“But for me, we’re only a 1% part of whatever that player’s journey is. They’ve been coached by other people, and they’ve been with their teams. If we can make a small difference, then that’s great. We’ve got nine coaches that work for us, and we have a blueprint that we expect our coaches to abide by.

“A big thing we talk about is if the players are there for an hour, they must have a ball at their feet at all times. It’s all about getting as many touches of the ball as they can and repetitions, whether that’s working on the basics or more advanced, and making it a fun and engaging environment. If they’re enjoying their football, they want to do it more, and if they do it more, they’ll improve.

“When I was a kid, I could play football for 12 hours and not get bored. I see that in a lot of young kids now. They come straight from school to train with us and then go to their grassroots team at night. For me, that’s refreshing to see because over the last number of years, I don’t think you see the same amount of kids playing on the streets.”

The academy project has been a successful one thus far for Halliday. But what has made this journey more special is that his most trusted and loyal friend is by his side. His younger brother, Robbie.

“He’s actually got more coaching experience than I do,” he laughed.

“My younger brother was at Partick Thistle’s youth academy as a coach for six or seven years. He’s played junior football for over a decade and got his A-License before me. So he’s well qualified.

“He’s someone I always lean on. Everyone has that person who, after a game they’ve watched or played in, they’ll go to and trust their opinion a bit more than others. He’s always been that person for me. With all due respect to the boys in the dressing room, I tend to talk to him more about the games than I do with them.

“We do have similar ideas about how the game should be played, and it was always the idea that if I started something, it was always going to be with him. I took an Under 20s team a couple of years ago, and it was with him. We’ve always had a close relationship.

“Although we have similar ideas, there is stuff we disagree on as well, which is good. It’s healthy, and it always leads to a constructive conversation where we try and find that middle ground to take things forward. He’s got good experience in terms of his own playing career, but he’s also got a strong coaching background too. It’s not because he’s my brother that we do this.

“If he was hopeless, I wouldn’t do it with him! It’s as simple as that. We’ve got a good mix, and everything is going according to plan so far.”