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Striker Will Dickson has joined from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The City youngster joins having progressed through the ranks of the Premier League champions.

Described as a versatile and skilful striker, Dickson joined the City ranks at the age of 15 and has consistently scored goals at all levels.

He signed his scholarship in 2021 and went on to have a successful 2021/22, scoring 19 times for City’s Under-18s as they lifted the Under-18 Premier League title and even featured twice for the EDS.

Dickson moved up to the EDS the following season and made an impressive 38 appearances, scoring 18 goals in the process.

His 2023/24 was disrupted by injury, but he still scored five goals in the limited games he played.

Now making his first loan move of his career, he is ready to show his talent at first-team level.

“This is my first loan move, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Dickson said.

“I’ve shown what I can do at City through the levels, but this is the next big step for me. It’s an ideal opportunity for me to showcase my talents, and I would love to see my game progress at Motherwell.

“It’s an ideal place to be, and I can’t wait to see all the fans.”

Motherwell have secured the services of forward Luke Plange on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The 22-year-old joins from the Premier League side having been on loan with HJK Helsinki for the first half of this campaign.

Plange has a wealth of experience, in England and abroad, having turned out for six different clubs, as well as representing England at Under 21 level.

A product of the Arsenal Academy, Plange made the first move of his career to Derby County in 2021 and made his professional debut later that year. He made 26 appearances in the Championship for Derby, scoring four goals and was nominated for December’s PFA Championship Player of the Month.

His impressive displays earned him a three-and-a-half year deal with Crystal Palace in January 2022 but remained at Derby for the rest of the season on loan.

He continued to catch the eye of many following his return to Palace, and having netted a hat-trick against Ipswich Town, he moved to RWD Molenbeek in Belgium on loan for the first segment of the season. The Eagles recalled the forward at the midway stage of the season, where he’d made 16 appearances, and joined Lincoln City on loan for the second-half of the season.

In the summer of 2023, Plange was on the move again, this time to Carlisle United on a six-month loan. Upon the expiry of that contract, he returned to London where he scored pivotal goals for the Under 21 side.

The forward then moved on loan to HJK Helsinki in March 2024 prior to the season commencing in Finland. Plange made 36 appearances for HJK, scoring seven times and notching two assists. He played in the Champions League qualifiers for the Finnish outfit, and scored in the Europa Conference League group stage also.

He has been playing in Premier League 2 during January for Crystal Palace and is ready to make his mark.

“I feel fit, ready and optimistic about the rest of this season,” Plange noted.

“This is a great chance for me to build on what has been a successful season so far. I feel I have played in different leagues and bring a bit of experience on that front.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

Vice-captain Stephen O’Donnell says this week has been filled with emotion and shock but the focus has shifted onto the match against Celtic on Sunday.

O’Donnell knows the task that awaits the team this weekend in the William Hill Premiership.

Stephen Frail has taken the reigns since Stuart Kettlewell’s departure, and has had to draw a line under the manager leaving earlier in the week so the players and staff can focus on the difficult task of the Champions visiting Fir Park on Sunday in the William Hill Premiership. 

Frail talks about the great fanbase the club has and wants everyone to be connected going forward.

Chief Executive Brian Caldwell speaks for the first time since Stuart Kettlewell left the club. Caldwell discusses the process in which Kettlewell handed in his resignation, and the thought process of the former manager.

He also talks about why the club were transparent on the issue and revealed that there has been high interest in the vacant position.

There will be a food bank collection at the upcoming match between Motherwell and Celtic on Sunday 2 February.

The collection will benefit the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank, and supporters from both teams are encouraged to bring items to donate.

The goal is to collect food and other essentials to provide parcels for those in need.

Items needed are:

• UHT Long Life Milk Semi Skimmed & Whole
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Meals (Mince, Curry etc etc)
• Tinned Potatoes
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned Fish
• Tinned Custard / Rice Pudding
• Tinned Fruit
• Jars of Pasta Sauce
• Savoury Rice
• Tinned Hotdogs
• Tinned Meatballs
• Jars of Coffee
• Toiletries

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

We appreciate everyone who is able to contribute. Your help will go a long way.

Motherwell welcome champions Celtic to Fir Park on Sunday 2 February in the William Hill Premiership.

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

• Young Adults tickets would ages 14-17.
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

There will be no online sales as we need to check they have a continuous purchase history

Supporters are able to buy tickets by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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

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

The match is live on Sky Sports.

What else is happening?

There will be a food bank collection at the upcoming match between your team and Celtic on Sunday 2 February.

The collection will benefit the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank, and supporters from both teams are encouraged to bring items to donate.

The goal is to collect food and other essentials to provide parcels for those in need.

Items needed are:

• UHT Long Life Milk Semi Skimmed & Whole
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Meals (Mince, Curry etc etc)
• Tinned Potatoes
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned Fish
• Tinned Custard / Rice Pudding
• Tinned Fruit
• Jars of Pasta Sauce
• Savoury Rice
• Tinned Hotdogs
• Tinned Meatballs
• Jars of Coffee
• Toiletries

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

We appreciate everyone who is able to contribute. Your help will go a long way.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

There are no returning players from last weekend. Archie Mair has been ruled out due to a hand injury.

Jack Vale remains suspended.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Stevie Frail will lead the team on Sunday following Stuart Kettlewell’s departure earlier in the week. The Steelmen are on a two-game losing run in the Premiership, but remain fifth in the league as they look to close the gap to fourth.

Celtic have won both matches against Motherwell this season, with the most recent being a 4-0 win on Boxing Day.

Opposition Report

After a blip against Glasgow rivals Rangers at the start of 2025, Celtic have reacted to their second defeat of the season in all competitions. They have won five of their last six, and secured a spot in the knockouts of the Champions League.

They will round off their League Phase campaign in Europe on Wednesday night against Aston Villa. It’s been a busy week of transfers for the Hoops also, with star man Kyogo leaving for pastures new in France with Rennes. However, the Celtic support were compensated with the return of favourite Jota for his second spell at the club.

The manager gives his thoughts on a late defeat in Perth.

Two late goals from St Johnstone meant Motherwell tasted defeat at McDiarmid Park for the second time in a week.

The Steelmen led from the third minute but were undone by two set-plays with five minutes to go.

The away side got off to the best possible start when with only 30 seconds on the clock, Sven Sprangler knocked a the ball away with his arm inside the box and the officials finally reached the correct decision.

Andy Halliday kept his cool and sent Fisher the wrong way.

From there it was relatively positive, with Tom Sparrow – deployed in a right wing back role – getting up and down the sides, combining well with Tawanda Maswanhise but the Zimbabwean couldn’t find the target from just outside the box.

New signing Ellery Balcombe was called into action midway through the first half, palming away Victor Griffiths effort before Shane Blaney prodded the ball clear.

Into the second half, a Motherwell side that had been on the front foot, appeared to start sitting deeper, with chances coming few and far between.

Tawanda Maswanhise and debutant Luke Armstrong had decent chances but failed to test Fisher in the St Johnstone goal.

Up the other end, Balcombe had a good double save to deny Carey then Sidibeh.

The home side drew level with five minutes to go after a corner was recycled by Carey which allowed Taylor Steven to fire in Nicky Clark’s layoff.

At that point a draw might have been a fair result but the home side had other ideas. With 88 minutes on the clock, a corner wasn’t properly dealt with and Jozo Mikulic was on hand to fire in from close.

Defender Dominic Thompson has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season, having left League One side Blackpool. 

A star of the prestigious Hale End academy, Thompson rose through the youth ranks at the Gunners before signing his first professional contract at Arsenal in June 2018. He soon traded sides of the English capital, signing for then Championship outfit Brentford in 2019. Loan spells at Swindon and Ipswich Town followed before signing permanently for fellow Championship side Blackpool in 2022.

The left-sided defender has already made over 100-appearances across the English footballing pyramid, including two in the Premier League, with the 24-year-old completing the first-half of the 2024/25 campaign on-loan to Forest Green Rovers.

“I’m excited to be here in Scotland,” Thompson said.

“I wanted to continue playing regular first-team football, and the opportunity to join Motherwell and play in the Scottish Premiership was an exciting prospect for myself personally.

“The manager has a real track record of developing players and enhancing their qualities on the pitch, and I felt that Motherwell would be the perfect place for me to develop my game.”

“This is another positive addition,” manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“Dominic is still a relatively young defender, who has already made a considerable amount of appearances across all levels of the English footballing pyramid.

“He has a quick burst of pace, physically strong, and technically skilled both going forward and when defending. We are looking forward to seeing Dominic in action this season.”