Latest News

This is the latest from ML1 in the next installment of our season-long documentary series.

A good diet is at the heart of a footballer’s lifestyle, ensuring they are able to perform to the maximum of their abilities and continue to improve their strength and stamina.

Our head of sport science Andy Boles talks us through the work that goes into maintaining our players’ diets, while head chef Euan McInnes tests out some new recipes on some of the squad.

Needing points to keep out of relegation danger, Motherwell headed to Edinburgh for a tough task against high-flying Hibernian, knowing a win would lift spirits and also dent the opponents’ European aspirations.

Back off the field, the impact of Covid-19 one year on is still looming in minds.

Young midfielder Allan Campbell was part of last season’s squad forced to stay at home when the 2019/20 campaign was curtailed.

Well-known for his dedication to improving himself, he took the opportunity to build a home gym to keep himself ticking over. Still reaping the benefits of it – and using it on his days off – we visited him to see what his setup is like and how the year has been for him.

Livingston were the visitors to ML1 soon after, with the Betfred Cup finalists always a difficult proposition.

Racism in football, and society as a whole, remains a major issue.

The call for all players to “take the knee” at the start of the season was welcomed by all, in the light of several worldwide incidents last summer.

With the knee still being taken but little in the way of change, four players – Devante Cole, Charles Dunne, Sherwin Seedorf and Bevis Mugabi – sit down to talk about their experiences of racism, what needs to change and whether enough is being done to tackle it.

Please be aware that this video contains strong language and comments of a racist nature in the Black Lives Matter feature.

Motherwell will face Formartine United in the third round of the 2020/21 Scottish Cup.

The Steelmen will head north after Formartine beat Annan Athletic on penalties in the second round on Tuesday night.

The game will be played on Saturday 3 April at North Lodge Park. The date and kick-off time will be confirmed shortly.

Live streaming information will be provided as soon as possible.

Motherwell will end the 2020/21 season with three home Scottish Premiership matches.

The post-split fixtures will see the Steelmen host St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Ross County at home, with away trips to Hamilton Academical and Dundee United.

The run-in to the close of the campaign will start with a home match against St Mirren on Saturday 10 April.

A trip to Hamilton Academical comes second on Wednesday 21 April, followed by the visit of Kilmarnock to Fir Park on Saturday 1 May.

Motherwell head to Dundee United on Wednesday 12 May in the final away game of the season, before ending the campaign at home to Ross County on Sunday 16 May.

Dates and kick-off times remain subject to change, dependent on TV selection. As things stand, all home matches will be broadcast live at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Motherwell 2020/21 post-split fixtures

“When we play with intensity, we win games. When we don’t, you get today.”

Graham Alexander speaks after Motherwell’s 4-1 away loss at Kilmarnock.

Motherwell shot themselves in the foot with a collapse in performance in defeat at Kilmarnock.

Kyle Lafferty’s goal in the opening minute was cancelled out by Barry Maguire’s first goal in claret and amber to take the game in level at the break.

But a quickfire double from Rory McKenzie and Chris Burke before the hour mark put the hosts in the driving seat, before Mitch Pinnock added further insult to injury late on.

The afternoon started with the Motherwell team deciding to no longer take a knee before the match.

The squad spoke out beforehand to say the action had became an empty gesture, with further action required by those in power to fight properly against racism.

When the game got going, a minute hadn’t passed before the hosts took the lead.

Lafferty found room on the edge of the box and his snapshot caught Kelly off guard to find the bottom-right corner of the net.

Motherwell were shellshocked but started to get on the ball and would bring themselves level seven minutes later.

Jordan Roberts was denied at point-blank range by Doyle’s save but Maguire reacted quickest, finding the corner of the goal from the edge of the area with a precise finish.

The Steelmen were in level at the break despite not putting in their normal level of performance but would collapse 10 minutes into the second half.

A ball from the right wasn’t cleared and allowed McKenzie to be alert to nick the ball, round Kelly and slot home from close range.

Barely a minute later, they were 3-1 ahead. A cross from the left sailed unchallenged all the way to the back post, where Burke was on hand to fire into the roof of the net.

Long and Lawless were introduced to try and spark the team back to life but, save for Roberts’ volley hitting the post, Graham Alexander’s men couldn’t get a foothold back in the fixture.

Then, with seven minutes left, Pinnock got the better of Magloire down the left to find himself one-on-one with Kelly, picking his spot to give the Ayrshire club a vital victory in the fight against relegation.

Our players have stopped taking the knee before matches, effective immediately from our Scottish Premiership match on Saturday 20 March.

Motherwell Football Club stands united with this collective decision and their reasons. We fully endorse the following statement from the players. It is time for action on racism, not empty gestures.

The players of Motherwell FC said:

“When we started taking the knee at the start of the season, it had an impact. For the first few weeks, the message was loud and clear. Now it has been lost.

“Taking a knee has become something someone does now for the sake of it. It has completely lost its meaning.

“As a squad, we spoke and asked ourselves ‘why are we doing this anymore? Is it having any impact at all?’. The answer was a clear no.

“Taking a knee has become an empty gesture. Instead, we want those in power to take real and immediate action on racism.

“Apathy and complacency have set into the routine. We want our actions to cause a realisation and a reaction.

“Racism is apparent everywhere in the day-to-day life of society. People need to realise change is required.

“Players, clubs, authorities and society now need to unite, and fight for a level playing field for all.”

“Every point is vital. We have to fight hard to make sure we take them.”

Graham Alexander looks ahead to the final game before the split away at Kilmarnock.

Win a share of cash and other great prizes with our new, free-to-play Steelmen Selects predictor game.

Every Motherwell match week, we’re giving away £500.

To play, head to our dedicated Steelmen Selects game page and create an account.

Supporters compete on a peer-to-peer basis, predicting a series of match outcomes including goals scored, corners taken and saves made.

The more predictions you correctly make, the more points scored and higher up the leader board you move.

Steelmen Selects is in partnership with Low6.

“We are excited for the launch of Steelmen Selects and our partnership with Low6, Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC, added.

“In the current climate, it is more important than ever to ensure our supporters remain connected to the club.

“The partnership will provide an additional revenue source for the club and with the game free to play and a £500 minimum prize pot from each game, it really is a win-win.”

Low6 Commercial Director Chris Hector added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Motherwell FC to produce the new free-to-play Steelmen Selects game.

“Bringing together an innovative, gamification-styled product to a brand with such an engaged audience is very exciting.”

*18+. T&Cs apply. Please play responsibly. Begambleaware.org.

Motherwell head to Kilmarnock on Saturday, in the final match before the Premiership split.

Here’s the key topics going into the fixture.

Every point matters

Saturday could be crucial for both teams in the fight against relegation danger.

As it stands, Kilmarnock are bottom of the table, a point behind Hamilton in the play-off spot and 10 behind Motherwell.

A victory for Graham Alexander’s side would put them 12 clear of Killie with 15 points left to play for, which would be a strong position to take into the split.

Defeat, however, narrows the gap to seven and depending on other results, could set up a nervous few weeks.

Contrasting fortunes

After a mid-February blip, Motherwell’s form has picked up again.

A battling point at St Mirren was followed by victory at Hibernian, before a 3-1 home win over Livingston to make it five wins in the last 10 matches.

Killie meanwhile have lost nine of their last 10, with the only respite coming in a 1-1 home draw with Dundee United in late February.

Head to head

Motherwell have had success in recent trips to Ayrshire.

The last two encounters away have ended in 1-0 victories. Allan Campbell netted in the win in February this season, with Jake Carroll’s free-kick sealing the same scoreline in December 2019.

Prior to that, a 0-0 draw makes it three matches undefeated for the Steelmen away.

Kilmarnock v Motherwell on Saturday is available to stream live, wherever you are in the world.

If you’re in the UK or Republic of Ireland, a live stream of the game is available to buy on a pay-per-view basis for £12.50 direct from Kilmarnock.

International-based supporters can watch via their usual subscription at live.motherwellfc.co.uk.

Kick-off at Rugby Park on Saturday is at 3pm.