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Stuart Kettlewell speaks after Motherwell’s 3-0 win over Edinburgh City in the Premier Sports Cup opener.

The life of a footballer is one of consistently training at least four times a week, a match at the weekend, very few days off and a series of high and low emotions.

So, when the end of the season arrives, it’s imperative that they make the most of some time off. Defender Dan Casey did that as the Irish centre-back jetted off to Portugal days after the final game of the season against St Johnstone.

Holidays with his girlfriend, friends and family all in the space of a few weeks meant it was a busy but enjoyable summer. In 2024, and in the world of Sports Science, a summer schedule has changed for the professional footballer. Gone are the days of consistent nights out and blowing up in size.

It’s now about enjoying the thrills of life but with a taste of fitness alongside.

“We didn’t get a lot of time off,” Dan Casey laughed.

“But we got enough to just relax and refresh. It’s a long and stressful season, with lots of highs and lows along the way so you have to re-charge the batteries.

“You get two weeks to relax and let the body recover but then you’re straight back into it.

“We got told before we left that there was a standard expected for when we returned and that we had a time that we had to make for the pre-season running tests.

“There’s no hiding place. If you don’t do the work, you’re going to get left behind. Credit to everyone, we all came back and did well. Everyone made the time.”

The first day of pre-season is well documented. A day of no footballs and intense testing.

But it’s what sets the precedent for the rest of the season, a base line for the coaching staff to work with. And despite the time in the sun, Casey was rather pleased with how he came back.

“When I came back, I felt good,” Casey stated.

“There was room for improvement, of course there was, but the starting point was good and I think that showed quite early on.

“We had one or two injuries but they’re more football related. It was a tough first week but we got through it together. I made the requested testing time by five seconds. That’ll do me.

“Long distance running isn’t for big men like me, it’s for the skinny midfielders!”

The initial slog of testing can make or break your season. And to get through it, everyone needs to stick together and encourage each other. That’s why it makes the perfect opportunity for all the new boys to embed themselves in their new dressing room.

It’s been a busy start to summer business, with Stuart Kettlewell bringing nine new faces into the team. Once upon a time, Dan Casey was in that position. Stepping off the plane from America as he arrived in North Lanarkshire for the first time.

That was over 18 months ago and as a result, the 26-year-old is one of the more experienced faces in the dressing room.

“I’ve played over 200 games now,” he said.

“I love being here, the people are brilliant and the longer you’re here, the more you get to know the people around the club.

“Now that I’ve been here a while, I need to help the new lads. I know what it’s like coming in as a new boy and it can be hard and daunting at first.

“With the team spirit we have, it’s easy for new players. We just hope they can get comfortable as quickly as possible as that’ll show on the pitch going forward.

“I’ve been impressed with the new signings. It’s been a big turnaround in players and that comes with it’s own challenges. But going away has made that easier, spending so much time in each other’s company. You get familiar with everyone very quickly.

“There’s been a few who are confident, everyone will see soon enough who the loud ones are, I’ll not ruin the surprise.”

But as Motherwell rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 win over Linlithgow Rose, the focus quickly turned to the competitive action in the Premier Sports Cup. In his first season at Fir Park, Stuart Kettlewell made it clear how much he wanted to win the group and that mentality has remained for this time round.

That approach trickles down to the players and Casey is looking forward to getting started.

“We have things to work on but every team has that at this stage,” Casey added.

“We’re going in the right direction, everyone has bought into what the gaffer and the coaching staff are trying to implement. Edinburgh City are going to be up for it, it’s a competitive fixture so we can’t not be up for it.

“We want a professional approach and performance, a winning start and hopefully we can kick on for the remainder of the group. “There’s a target on your back for being in the top division, all these teams are good and can punish you.

“We won’t let that happen and are focused on not getting distracted or carried away. It’s up to us.”

That target on the back has been a driving factor in Casey’s continuous drive for improvement. The work in the off-season will stand him in good stead but now he just wants to do the talking on the pitch.

“I’m excited to get going, I’m yet to find a player who enjoys pre-season,” he laughed.

“I just want a good season for the team. Everyone has ambitions and my biggest one is, as a team, can we push on from last year?

“You always want to better your previous season, so if I can improve and the team can improve, I’ll be happy. You don’t want to get caught up in the games ahead. That’s when focus can slip on the task at hand. I’ll take everything that comes my way and fingers crossed we can have a good year.”

Goalkeeper Matty Connelly has penned a one-year extension with the club, keeping him at Fir Park until the summer of 2025.

Connelly made the step up from our youth academy in 2019 and has been on loan with East Kilbride, Falkirk, Gretna and Stranraer in that time.

“I’m really happy to remain at Motherwell,” Connelly said.

“Neil Alexander is great to work with and pushes me everyday. I feel I can continue to grow and progress here and even learn from my fellow keepers Krisztian and Aston.

“We are tight knit group and we bounce off each other well.”

Shane Blaney was here this time last year when recruitment was slow and the squad was low on numbers. Fast forward 12 months and the Irish defender has seen a difference. 

He is pleased that the new players have had time to integrate themselves into their new surroundings ahead of the new season.

Stuart Kettlewell spoke to the media this morning for the first time this season and provided an update on players’ fitness. 

He confirmed that progress is being made in Paul McGinn’s and Ross Callachan’s recovery but new signing Johnny Koutroumbis will be missing for a couple of months.

“Zach Robinson didn’t play last Saturday but he got a few minutes the other night,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“We’re hoping to get Ross Callachan and Paul McGinn back running today. There’s a few steps and stages they need to go through before they can play but it’ll be more positive to get them back out running.

“Johnny [Koutroumbis] is going to be out for a couple of months, a problem with his calf. Was really innocuous, just coming to the end of a session. Sometimes that can happen in football.”

Motherwell kick off their competitive 2024/25 season against Edinburgh City on Saturday at Fir Park in the Premier Sports Cup. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

If you have a Season Ticket, an adult ticket will cost £10, with all concessions costing £5.

If you don’t have a Season Ticket, adults will be £12 and concessions will be £6.

Motherwell season ticket holders will have until the 11^th July at 5pm  to secure their own seat for the match, with the ticket being added to their season card and until 25^th July at 5pm for the Partick Thistle match.

Tickets for Motherwell fans are now available to buy online. To buy tickets, click here.

Cooper Bar will be open from 12 noon serving food and drink.

The Centenary bar will also be open from 1pm (for drinks only).

The club is delighted to be working with local business Tom, Dick and Harry’s Diner.  The company operates cafes in Carluke and Overtown and will be providing the catering in the Cooper Bar this season on a match day, commencing at the Edinburgh City cup match.

Come along and try the new menu and have a refreshment before the game.

Our 2024/25 season gets underway this weekend – and you can stream the Premier Sports Cup opener vs Edinburgh City live on Premier Sports this Saturday!

Premier Sports will be broadcasting over 75 live games in total from the William Hill Premiership, Scottish Cup and the Premier Sports Cup, featuring exclusive Motherwell games including the following Premier Sports Cup Group stage games, with more to follow:

• Motherwell v Edinburgh City (3pm on 13 July – streamed live)

• Montrose v Motherwell (7.45pm on 16 July – streamed live)

• Clyde v Motherwell (3pm on 20 July – streamed live)

• Motherwell v Partick Thistle (3pm on 28 July – TV game – live on Premier Sports 1)

Motherwell fans can watch these exclusive games on Premier Sports – who are offering a special, limited-time annual offer of £99 for an entire year of Premier Sports by using promo code FITBA99, saving you £92 on the regular annual price – almost 50%!

To begin, head to the Premier Sports website.

Simply select the ‘Pre-Paid Annual’ option on the subscribe now page, and enter the promo code FITBA99 to avail of this special, limited time offer.

This will give you live and on-demand access to all 75 Scottish football games and all other channel content including LALIGA, United Rugby Championship and much more. This offer is applicable only to Sky and Premier Sports streaming service platforms.

This Saturday’s game will be live on the Premier Sports streaming service only, which is available to Sky customers at no extra cost.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be commentary only.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury update

Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson, Ross Callachan, Paul McGinn and Johnny Koutroumbis will all be missing for this match.

Liam Gordon is a doubt.

Motherwell Fortunes

It’s been a busy summer and a successful pre-season schedule for Stuart Kettlewell’s side. Four friendly matches have been played, with three wins and a draw registered.

The main takeaway has been the scintillating form of striker Moses Ebiye, who has scored in every game. The Nigerian has scored seven goals from the four games and will be looking to replicate that sort of form in the league this season.

Injuries and setbacks have also played a part in preparations with five players missing already.

Opposition Report

Edinburgh City seen a difficult campaign last year end in relegation to League Two. They registered just three wins in the league and finished bottom of the pile on eight points.

Having put that tricky season behind them, manager Michael McIndoe has started the re-build at Meadowbank for 2024/25.

They took on Dalkeith on Wednesday night in their final friendly, where goals from Innes Lawson and Robbie Walker seen them win the match 2-1. They suffered defeats against East Kilbride and Hibernian in their other pre-season outings, but drew with Gala Fairydean Rovers also.

With the Premier Sports Cup starting on Saturday against Edinburgh City, Stuart Kettlewell reflects on where his squad is at. Pleased with summer business so far, the manager says that more incomings should be expected. 

Theo Bair’s participation in Copa America is also discussed, as well as Lennon Miller’s progression.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts after Motherwell’s 4-2 win over Linlithgow Rose.

Goals from Lennon Miller, Moses Ebiye and Harry Paton meant the Steelmen rounded off pre-season undefeated.

Motherwell rounded off pre-season with an 4-2 win away to Linlithgow Rose.

Lennon Miller, Moses Ebiye and Harry Paton scored the goals that gave Motherwell the win in Gary Thom’s testimonial match.

The Steelmen controlled the opening stages and were first to offer a threat on goal. Davor Zdravkovski collected the ball from McDermott down the right but his cross was inches away from Tom Sparrow.

Minutes later Shane Blaney advanced forward as the Rose defence sat in. The shot was a decent option but it flashed inches wide of the target.

Rose had their first threat on the Motherwell goal after 15 minutes as Dylan Paterson twisted and turned on the edge of the box but his effort on goal was high and wide.

Motherwell were handed a chance to open the scoring after 20 minutes as Filip Stuparevic burst through and was fouled in the box. Teenage midfielder stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.

It was very nearly a second moments later as Seddon’s deep cross into the box found the head of Kofi Balmer who rose highest but saw his header brilliantly saved by Cammy Binnie.

Chances were coming thick and fast as Filip Stuparevic, with his back to goal, turned his man and aimed to curl his shot into the far corner but again Binnie was on hand and palmed his effort off the post.

Ten minutes before the break it should have been two after great play from Miller in the middle of the park released Ferrie but his shot went narrowly past with Sparrow inches away from converting at the back post.

The second half started in the same vein as Motherwell continued to dominate and create chances.

Stuparevic was again involved, seeing his shot parried away by Binnie and then threading in O’Donnell whose cross was converted by Ferrie but the linesman’s flag went up.

Rose drew level against the run of play with fifteen left to play as Kofi Balmer fouled his man. Substitute Alan Sneddon converted from the spot but a minute later, the Steelmen were back ahead.

Good play down the left from Paton created some space and his low cross found Ebiye who applied a fine first-time finish – the Nigerian has now scored in all four pre-season games.

Rose then drew level again with five minutes left – McGiff pouncing on a loose ball in the area – but incredibly they were again behind a minute later.

A ball through the defence from Halliday found Ebiye and he cooly faked his way inside the box and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

The win was cemented a minute from time when academy graduate Dylan Wells burst into the left side of the box and laid it on a plate for Harry Paton to slot home.

Focus now turns to Saturday, as we return to competitive action, taking on Edinburgh City in the Premier Sports Cup.

Motherwell continued their preparations for the 2024/25 season with a 2-1 over Livingston at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon. 

The Steelmen returned from their pre-season camp in The Netherlands six days ago and this match against the Lions was their second friendly match in Scotland.

Stuart Kettlewell named a strong starting 11, boasting the likes of Stephen O’Donnell, who had the captain’s armband. Lennon Miller and Andy Halliday started in the middle of the pitch with new face Liam Gordon deployed at the heart of the defence.

The match started brightly for the hosts, with academy graduate Ewan Wilson released down the left-hand side before firing a low ball into the box that found Dylan Wells, whose shot was well saved by keeper Shamal George.

After that bright start, the game started to settle down, with Motherwell having most of the possession. Keeper Aston Oxborough was called into action on 20 minutes, saving a free-kick comfortably.

On 28 minutes, we seen the breakthrough. A free-kick won on the left-hand side by Miller was taken by Halliday who found an unmarked Shane Blaney at the back post who converted with the composure of a striker.

It was almost 2-0 just minutes later when Halliday slipped the ball through for Moses Ebiye. The Nigerian couldn’t quite get the ball under control and eventually the danger was cleared by the Livingston defence.

Ebiye was involved in the next opportunity on 36 minutes. The striker swivelled on the byline, firing the ball into Wells who seen his effort saved once again.

60 seconds later, Miller found himself up the top end of the pitch. The 17-year-old took his man on before being brought down in the penalty area. The referee pointed straight to the spot. However, in a turn of events, the linesman seen the incident differently and the decision was changed to a free-kick.

It would matter nothing as Halliday’s free-kick was saved by George but the rebound fell to Ebiye who fired home to double the Steelmen’s lead.

At the break, there was only one change for Motherwell with new signing Krisztian Hegyi coming on for Oxborough.

Livingston started the brighter in the second period and got their goal just before the hour mark. Robbie Muirhead’s free-kick caused the Motherwell backline problems with defender Daniel Finlayson getting on the end of the cross before Tete Yengi tapped home from close range.

That goal sparked a number of substitutes from both sides which saw the game simmer down. A number of Motherwell academy graduates got minutes including Luca Ross, Brannan McDermott and Mark Ferrie. New signings Steve Seddon, Tom Sparrow, Kofi Balmer and Filip Stuparevic were also involved in the second-half.

Another 90 minutes in the bag for Stuart Kettlewell’s side who travel to Linlithgow Rose on Tuesday night to round off their pre-season programme before the Premier Sports Cup starts next Saturday against Edinburgh City.