The thoughts of Stuart Kettlewell on a dramatic late win over St Mirren in Paisley.
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Stuart Kettlewell reacts to dramatic win over St Mirren
Saturday 07 December 2024 -
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Reserves in cup action on Monday
Monday 12 November 2018
Stephen Craigan’s reserves side can book their spot in the semi-finals of the SPFL Reserve Cup on Monday.
The youngsters travel to Cappielow to take on Greenock Morton. Kick off is at 2pm. Entry is £5 for adults, and free for all other age groups.
A win or a draw will be enough to guarantee a place in the last four.
A defeat would hand Dunfermline Athletic the chance to take top spot on Tuesday, but they would require a seven-goal swing to take the group on goal difference.
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Scene Setter: ‘Well face Dons at Pittodrie
Thursday 20 September 2018
The first trip to Pittodrie since November 2017 awaits the Steelmen on Saturday, with a lot to play for at stake for both sides.
Here, we set the scene of what is sure to be an interesting game in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Tough to call
In the meetings between the two sides last term, Motherwell won three, keeping a clean in all three of those wins.
Likewise, the Dons won twice and kept two clean sheets as they collected six points from the three league meetings.
The Steelmen picked up three points, but knocked out the Reds in both the Betfred Cup and the Scottish Cup during two memorable cup runs.
Points to prove
Both sides find themselves towards the foot of the table, albeit after a mere five games.
However, Stephen Robinson and Derek McInnes will be keen to steer their sides up the table after reaching such highs in 2017/18.
Aberdeen finished second in the league, whilst the Steelmen reached two cup finals and finished seventh.
Searching for momentum
Saturday’s fixture isn’t only a case of getting points on the board, it also happens to be scheduled just a few days before the two sides go in to the biggest games of the 2018/19 campaign so far.
Both the Steelmen and the Dons find themselves in Betfred Cup quarter final action in midweek, and with a spot in the last four up for grabs, both will be eager to go in to the fixtures on the back of a win.
Stephen Robinson’s men face Hearts at Tynecastle on Wednesday night, while Derek McInnes’ side head to the capital to take on Hibernian on Tuesday.
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Players react to Hibernian defeat
Sunday 05 August 2018Peter Hartley, Andy Rose and Liam Donnelly said it’s a matter of bouncing back after Motherwell lose out 3-0 at Hibernian in their Ladbrokes Premiership opener.
The Steelmen lost in the capital to goals from Stevie Mallan, Oli Shaw and Martin Boyle but will pick themselves up to face Hamilton Academical next weekend.
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Robinson: ‘It’s just one game’
Sunday 05 August 2018Stephen Robinson insists his side won’t be too disheartened after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Easter Road.
The Northern Irishman believes that, despite the scoreline, there were positives to take from the league opener against Hibernian.
“It’s one game,” he said. “One game against a team expected to be right up there this season. We can take positives out of it but there’s also plenty of things to work on.
“I don’t look for excuses and I know we’ll take the positives from today’s game, but it’s never easy coming to Easter Road, especially with only two fit defenders able to start the game.
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Build-up: Hamilton Accies
Friday 29 December 2017Motherwell return to Premiership action on Saturday, with Hamilton visiting Fir Park for the second Lanarkshire derby of the season.
It is a welcome return to home comforts for Stephen Robinson and his squad, who have endured a difficult run on the road of late.
Motherwell won the only encounter between the two sides this season, with Peter Hartley’s finish from a corner enough for the win at New Douglas Park.
And manager Stephen Robinson is confident of drawing a close to the year with three points on Saturday.
Not only could ‘Well extend the gap over Accies in ninth, but there is the potential of sealing a spot in the top six going in to 2018.
[pullquote]It’s big. We have a longer break than usual coming up and there’s the potential to go in to the top six again with a win.[/pullquote]“We’re looking forward to it, it’s a local derby and obviously for the fans it’s something to get the bragging rights for.
“We need to turn our form around now. We’ve been away from home a lot so it gives us another opportunity to get the fans right behind us and we go in to the game confident again.”
One man in particular who is relishing the derby clash is Craig Tanner – who insists the Steelmen have not been short of determination despite a poor run of results in recent weeks.
The Englishman aims to head in to the winter break on the back of a win and is ready to continue his positive run of form, having notched five goals and six assists this term.
Speaking to the broadcast press this afternoon, the 23-year-old looked ahead to the game against Accies and also discussed the imminent departure of Louis Moult.
[pullquote]We’ve had the work rate for the club, the manager and the fans but it’s just been a case of results have been lacking. We aim to put that right on Saturday.[/pullquote]
“When you watch us in training I think our determination is there and even in the performances against Kilmarnock and Rangers you could see it. “
Hamilton will be without captain Michael Devlin through injury and Giannis Skondras through suspension, whilst the Steelmen will be missing Chris Cadden, Elliott Frear and Louis Moult through injury, whilst Carl McHugh is suspended.
Motherwell v Hamilton Academical
Saturday 30th December 2017 
3.00pm 
Fir Park 
Tickets on sale from the Fir Park Ticket Office or pay at the gate.
Admission prices are as follows:
ADULTS £23/£19 CONCESSIONS £16/£15 JUVENILES £12/£9 - Cheaper price is for the John Hunter stand.
- Concessions are applicable to 60 and over and full time students with a valid matriculation card.
- Juveniles are applicable to aged 15 and under.
If you can’t make it on Saturday, don’t miss the action by tuning in to mixlr.com/motherwellfc for live commentary or follow the match on Twitter @MotherwellFC
You can see the match highlights on MFC TV’s YouTube channel, as well as full reaction and a match report right here on the official website.
The Cooper Bar is open for both sets of supporters to enjoy pre-match food and drink from 11am. Children are welcome.
Chris Cadden and Elliot Frear will also be in the bar from 12.45pm in the Signing Zone. Come along and get your photograph taken and get an autograph.
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Matchday magazine tribute to O’Donnell
Friday 29 December 2017The 13th issue of Steelmen matchday magazine is on sale now ahead of Saturday’s Lanarkshire Derby.
The limited edition issue contains stunning artwork celebrating the life of the late Phil O’Donnell.
Both Steven Hammell and Stephen Craigan remember the legend in moving and emotive interviews.
Regular features, including updates from the manager and the captain and a look at Saturday’s opponents Hamilton, remain in the latest issue.
A look back at 2017 is featured, as writer Andy Paterson reflects on the past 12 months in part one of his latest piece.
All of this and much more is available for the regular price of £3.
Don’t miss your chance to get a copy of the limited edition tribute to a late, great ‘Well legend.
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Archive
Tanner: Our determination is there
Friday 29 December 2017Craig Tanner insists the Steelmen have not been short of determination despite a poor run of results in recent weeks.
The Englishman is relishing Saturday’s derby clash with Hamilton and aims to head in to the winter break on the back of a win.
Speaking to the broadcast press this afternoon, the 23-year-old looked ahead to the game against Accies and also discussed the winter break and the imminent departure of Louis Moult.
[pullquote]We’ve had the work rate for the club, the manager and the fans but it’s just been a case of results have been lacking. We aim to put that right on Saturday.[/pullquote]
He said: “I think that over Christmas, both up here and down south, it’s a busy schedule so I think any chance to get a little winter break to boost your legs and energise your body is silly not to take.
“When you watch us in training I think our determination is there and even in the performances against Kilmarnock and Rangers you could see it.”
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Robinson: We must turn around form
Friday 29 December 2017‘Well boss Stephen Robinson is eyeing a positive end to 2017 ahead of the Lanarkshire Derby on Saturday.
The Northern Irishman is confident his team can turn around a poor run of form in what will be just their third home match in ten league games.
Speaking to the broadcast press this afternoon, Robinson looked ahead to the final game of the year.
[pullquote]It’s big. We have a longer break than usual coming up and there’s the potential to go in to the top six again with a win.[/pullquote]
He said: “We’re looking forward to it, it’s a local derby and obviously for the fans it’s something to get the bragging rights for.
“We need to turn our form around now. We’ve been away from home a lot so it gives us another opportunity to get the fans right behind us and we go in to the game confident again.”
The Fir Park manager added: “It’s big. We have a longer break than usual coming up and there’s the potential to go in to the top six again with a win.”
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Archive
Craigan: We lost more than our captain
Friday 29 December 2017
A decade on, Stephen Craigan reflects on the day Phil O’Donnell passed away on the Fir Park turf.
The Northern Irishman, emotional yet full of happiness when remembering Motherwell’s famous number 10, speaks so freely and openly about a man who epitomised so many important qualities as a team-mate and a captain of the Steelmen.
“Sometimes it does feel like ten years when I think about how much has gone on in my life, but in football terms, it seems as though it was just yesterday,” Craigan said.
“I still vividly remember the game in general. And the reason I’m mentioning the game is because during that match Phil looked so happy.
“We had been at Ibrox a few days before and he was happy and content ahead of the game against Dundee United. His energy levels were good.
“The way the team played that day was terrific, he was box-to-box and it was almost as though he was rolling back the years to his younger days at Motherwell.”
When ‘Well boss Mark McGhee decided to withdraw O’Donnell from the action, Craigan recalls the horrifying moment the club captain collapsed to the deck.
“Mark McGhee was making a substitution, and I generally remember he looked round and I said to him, “Phil, it’s your number. Time to go off.” Then I just remember his last words: “I don’t feel very well.
“Then from there it was all so fast. He collapsed and before you knew it we were there trying to help him. At first I remember thinking he might have swallowed his tongue. But when I tried to put my fingers in his mouth ,he bit down on me, so I jumped back, then the doctor was there.
“The game was going so well. We were 5-1 up I think and everyone was feeling good. It was a festive time of year and then, all of a sudden that one incident, quite rightly, overtakes everything. The whole darkness of coming off the pitch, going into the dressing room and not knowing what had happened, really took over.
[pullquote]We sat in the dressing room for quite a while after the game, just in our kit, nobody really spoke and everybody was checking their phones waiting for a little bit of information.[/pullquote]
“It was horrific, it really was. Towards the end of the game it was just silence. As players, we just looked about. You’re thinking about David Clarkson, his nephew, on the pitch, his family in the stands, so when you think about all of that, that’s the dark side of it.
“But then you think of Phil as a guy. He wasn’t just a teammate. He was like a father figure to us all. Even though I was a bit older than most of the lads, I was early 30s and Phil was 35, he still felt like that to me.
“No matter what problems you had, if your car had broken down you could ask Phil and he’d know somebody who could get it fixed for you. If you didn’t know how to change a light bulb, he’d probably tell you how.
“He was the type of figure you’d go to if you had a question, and irrespective of whatever question you asked, he’d have an answer.
“Terry brought him back for that reason, to be a good influence in the dressing room. A lot of people maybe questioned if he’d be ready or if he’d be fit, and he more than proved that he was capable to get himself fit and keep himself injury free.
“First and foremost though, he brought a personality to the team. In a quiet way though. He wasn’t loud, he wasn’t shouting and screaming, like I said he was like a father figure.
“But he wasn’t at Christmas time though. At that time of year he became a big kid, probably because he had a young family of course, but just how excited he’d get. He’d talk about going to Lapland, all the presents he would be getting for his family, just so many joyful things about him.
“It didn’t seem like he had a care in the world and, to me, he just seemed like the happiest man in the world with his family, his kids and his wife.
“That came across in his personality too. Sometimes you can tell when people are happy, when they don’t have any underlying problems or when they do, but he just seemed so free and easy, and he enjoyed his life.”
And it was a memorable life Phil lived, fondly remembered by everyone he crossed paths with.
Craigan captured the loss and emptiness that so many felt around Motherwell Football Club in just a few words.
He said: “We didn’t just lose the captain of our team. We lost a huge personality from our dressing room, and I think that was the biggest void.
“Football comes and goes and can be replaced but as a personality in the dressing room, as a father figure and as someone we could all look up to is easily what we missed the most.”
