| 7 | Motherwell | 35 | 13 | 6 | 16 | -17 | 45 |
| 8 | Hearts | 35 | 12 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 43 |
| 9 | Kilmarnock | 35 | 11 | 8 | 16 | -16 | 41 |
| 10 | Dundee | 35 | 10 | 7 | 18 | -21 | 37 |
| 11 | Ross County | 35 | 9 | 8 | 18 | -24 | 35 |
| 12 | St Johnstone | 35 | 8 | 5 | 22 | -28 | 29 |
Robbie Mahon has joined Edinburgh City on loan for the season.
The wingers joins the League One outfit for the 2023/24 campaign having been on loan at Dunfermline last season.
Winning the League One championship with the Pars, Mahon made 13 appearances and looks to kick on again this season.
Best of luck, Robbie.
Shane Blaney has got his first Motherwell pre-season under his belt after he made the switch from Sligo Rovers last January.
The Irish centre half discusses the mood within the Motherwell camp and the demands that Stuart Kettlewell has put on all the players.
Motherwell FC are delighted to announce the signing of Aberdeen midfielder Bailley Collins on a permanent transfer.
The 19-year old featured 32 times for the Dons last season, netting four goals.
“I’m delighted to have joined Motherwell,” Collins said.
“A club with great management and a strong squad of players that I know will help me improve.”
Collins will be the ninth acquisition of the summer transfer window, as the women of steel prepare to challenge for the top-six this season.
“Bailley is a fantastic, versatile young player who will provide real energy and drive to this team,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.
“She possesses the quality we need to help strengthen the squad.”
Bailley will be available for Motherwell’s upcoming pre-season friendly with Boroughmuir Thistle on Sunday.
In his first press conference of the season, manager Stuart Kettlewell sits down to address the recent departure of Riku Danzaki, Kevin van Veen and Max Johnston.
He also discusses the importance of these Viaplay Cup group matches and how they are competitive matches.
Motherwell continued their pre-season preparations in a behind closed-doors friendly with Celtic at Barrowfield on Wednesday night.
A valiant display from an experienced and youthful Motherwell side proved not to be enough as the hosts held a comfortable five-goal advantage at the final whistle.
It wouldn’t take long for the Scottish Cup champions to break the deadlock, with the opener coming on the third minute.
Celtic were able to exploit the high Motherwell backline, and despite an exceptional reaction save from Rebecca Cameron at the initial attempt, the rebound was prodded home into the empty net.
Nevertheless, the women of steel continued to threaten and minutes later, they netted the equaliser.
Katie Rice’s floated corner kick sailed invitingly towards the near post, and Kaela McDonald-Nguah expertly escaped her marker to apply the finish from close range.
Motherwell’s route back into the game was however quickly undermined, as Celtic restored their advantage.
The visitors were dispossessed deep into their own territory, leaving Cameron in no mans land, and the Celtic forward rounded the keeper with ease, before placing her strike into the empty net.
On the 20-minute mark, the hosts had their third, with Motherwell the architects of their own downfall.
Cameron looked to quickly build from the back, but her short throw was easily intercepted and coolly dispatched for Celtic’s third of the evening.
Motherwell threatened with efforts from Rice and Canavan coming close, but ultimately couldn’t find their second of the game.
A previously arranged water-break on the half hour mark allowed both sides to make several alterations to their line-ups.
With both alternated sides struggling to settle into the tempo of the game, Celtic received a penalty, which was drilled high into the roof of the net. A harsh start for the changed squad.
Canavan came close to narrowing the deficit as the second half resumed after connecting with Rice’s corner kick, but the forward’s looping header narrowly cleared the crossbar.
A mix-up at the back allowed Celtic through again for their fifth of the evening before a late strike from the edge of the box sealed a comprehensive 6-1 win for the hosts.
Head coach Paul Brownlie will have several positives to take from this evenings contest, as the scoreline didn’t fully represent the course of the 90-minutes.
The women of steel will continue their pre-season preparations with a visit from Boroughmuir Thistle on Sunday.
Tara McGonigle has joined the club from Hamilton ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The former Spartans and Glasgow Women forward will make the short trip across the river Clyde after featuring 22 times for Accies last season.
“I am really excited to sign for Motherwell,” McGonigle said.
“I’m eager to learn a lot under Paul and Leanne, and I’m really looking forward to getting the season started.”
McGonigle, who has featured for Scotland at U16, U17 and U19 level, will be the eighth new addition to the women of steel this summer.
“Tara will be a great addition to this team,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.
“I’ve worked with Tara previously at youth national level, so I’m well aware of the qualities she has to offer.
“I’m delighted to get her on board.”
Riku Danzaki has left the club.
The Japanese attacker joined the club in January of this year and made four appearances in his time at Motherwell.
Danzaki leaves with our best wishes for the future.
Kayla Jardine has re-joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Rangers.
The 18-year-old, who netted three times across her first spell in Lanarkshire, extends her stay at the club after signing a short-term loan deal in January.
“I was really welcomed by all of the girls and enjoyed being back at the club for half of last season” Jardine said.
“I’m really excited to be back and can’t wait to get started.”
Jardine, who has competed internationally for Scotland at U15, U17 and U19 level , will be Brownlie’s seventh summer acquisition.
“I’m really happy to get Kayla back on loan for the coming season,” head coach Paul Brownlie said.
“Having spent the last six months with the club, Kayla’s impact during that time was exceptional; scoring some big goals along the way with some very impressive performances to match.”
The manager reflects on this afternoon’s friendly win against Dundee United.
Motherwell played their final pre-season match behind-closed-doors against Dundee United this afternoon, with the game ending 0-1 at Tannadice.
In their fourth pre-season match, Stuart Kettlewell’s side had their noses in front at the interval with a fine strike from Conor Wilkinson, which proved to be the only goal of the game.
In the first period, Motherwell controlled most of the possession and had the bulk of the chances. Callum Slattery was first to go close. His free kick deflected off the wall, with the keeper left stranded, the ball ended up just going wide of the post.
On the half hour mark, Slattery was again involved but this time turned provider. He played a lovely one-two with 16-year-old Lennon Miller, who unleashed a strike with his left foot but was saved by the keeper.
Five minutes later, another opening emerged. Wilkinson showed some great hold up, danced past the defender before feeding his strike partner Jon Obika who had a go but his driven strike went wide.
Just a minute later, came the opening. Miller got stuck into a slide tackle with Dundee United in possession, Slattery picked up the ball and dropped the shoulder to get past two players before driving forward. He fed Spittal who slid a perfectly weighted pass for Wilkinson on the left edge of the box. The summer signing unleashed a left foot strike which flew high into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead at the break.
Motherwell’s first chance in the second half came in the 51st minute. Stephen O’Donnell beat his man before finding Obika, he held off his man before setting Miller whose shot went narrowly wide.
Just shy of the hour mark, Dundee United registered a shot on target. Glen Middleton stung the palms of Aston Oxborough.
With seven subs made on the 60 minute mark, Motherwell continued to look for the second goal. Harry Paton travelled towards goal, slipped in Ross Tierney who was tripped just on the edge of the D. Miller stood over the free kick and forced a save out of the goalkeeper.
The next notable opening came on 86 minutes. Tierney stood over a free kick in the middle of the pitch and played a quick dink over the top for Barry Maguire who brought the ball down and hit on the half volley. His effort was always rising and went over the bar.
Another 90 minutes of pre-season action was perfect preparation for Motherwell’s trip to Elgin City in the Viaplay Cup in four days times.
