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Motherwell had four first team players representing their respective countries across the world in the June international break.

Stephen O’Donnell

Motherwell captain Stephen O’Donnell watched from the bench as Ukraine advanced to the World Cup Playoff final after beating Scotland 3-1.

The full back would not feature in Scotland’s squads against Armenia and Republic of Ireland.

In their fourth match, O’Donnell was back on the bench as Scotland secured a 4-1 victory against Armenia in Yerevan.

Liam Kelly

Liam Kelly was once again named in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad as he pushes towards his first Scotland cap. One of four goalkeeping options, Kelly made the bench for all four matches while Zander Clark was left out of the match day squads against Ukraine and Armenia.

With David Marshall announcing his retirement from international football, the Motherwell stopper moves up the pegging order as he looks to push Craig Gordon for the number one jersey.

Ross Tierney

Tierney was selected for Republic of Ireland Under 21 duty as they rounded off their UEFA European Under 21 Championship qualifying campaign.

In their first match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland came away with a huge three points after a 3-o victory. Tierney played 65 minutes, setting up Mipo Odubeko for the second goal in the game.

In their second match, a 3-1 win over Montenegro, Tierney was on the bench and didn’t feature.

Before their final match in this run of fixtures, Ireland knew they would finish no lower than second in their group.

As a result, they knew, at the very least, they would be one of theeight teams who would be drawn into four ties in the play-offs for a space at the UEFA Euro Under 21 Championship.

Ireland played Italy in their last game knowing a win against them would see them finish top of their group and secure automatic qualification for the Euros. Tierney was once again named on the bench as the Italians came away with a 4-1 victory.

With this defeat, Ireland dropped into the play off. This was the first time they have achieved this and will discover their opponents later this month with the games taking place in September.

Bevis Mugabi

Uganda got their AFCON 2023 qualifiers underway. Up first was Algeria for the Cranes where Bevis Mugabi played the full 90 minutes. After seeing a penalty saved by the Algerian goalkeeper, Uganda would go on to lose the match 2-0.

The defender was named in the starting lineup once again when Uganda took on Niger in their second qualifying match. The Cranes would score first in the match however went on to draw 1-1 as Mugabi played another full 90 minutes.

We will face Bala Town or Sligo Rovers in the second qualifying round of the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League.

The dates and times of the matches will be confirmed shortly.

The UEFA Europa Conference League second qualifying round draw takes place on Wednesday at 12pm in Nyon. 

There will be two parts to the draw, the Champions Path and the Main Path. We are in the Main Path part of the draw.

Motherwell will be seeded in the draw with ties taking place on 21 and 28 July.

The draw will also determine whether we play at home in the first or second leg.

We could be paired with two teams who will be playing each other in the first qualifying round, with the winners progressing to the next round.

If this is the case, we will discover our opponents on 14 July when the second leg of the first round qualifying matches are due to be played.

Motherwell will spend a week in Austria to prepare for our UEFA Europa Conference League qualifier and forthcoming season. 

Graham Alexander and his players will be in Obertraun from the 3rd to 10th July for a week of intensive pre-season training.

It is the first time ‘Well will have managed a summer camp for three-years following Covid-19 restrictions. And it will be familiar surroundings, with the club having used the facilities back in 2007 and 2008.

“Obertraun is a brilliant football camp and one that I am used to being at,” Graham Alexander said.

“I’ve been lucky to go there on several occasions both as a player and manager, and feel it is the perfect base for a team. It’s remote, there are no distractions but everything you need to prepare for a full season. The only focus is fitness, football & team spirit.

“We actually tried to go there last summer, but restrictions were changing all the time and it was just too difficult. So I am very much looking forward to getting the group together and working hard to set the baseline for the weeks and months ahead.”

Located among the Dachstein mountain range, a 90-minute drive from the city of Salzburg, BSFZ Obertraun is a popular destination for clubs all cross Europe. In recent years, clubs such as AS Roma, Manchester United and Everton have all used the facility.

News on pre-season matches will be announced when they have been confirmed.

Blair Spittal is our first signing of the summer.

The 26-year-old midfielder joins from Ross County on a two-year deal after a successful season in the Highlands.

“We are very happy to bring Blair to our club and add to our attacking options,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“He was one of several standouts at Ross County in 2021-22 and displayed great versatility, which enhanced our ambition to sign him.

“He also showed a real positive attitude to signing for us when we first met, and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

Spittal started in the Rangers academy before breaking through at Queens Park. His exploits at Hampden prompted Dundee United to take him to Tannadice in the summer of 2014.

Two years at Partick Thistle would follow before moving to County in 2019, where he has flourished in Malky McKay’s side last term.

Bevis Mugabi has been called up by Uganda for their upcoming round of AFCON 2023 qualifiers fixtures. 

The Cranes are in Group F alongside Algeria, Niger and Tanzania.

Uganda will begin their quest to reach AFCON 2023 when they take on Algeria on Saturday 4 June away from home in their first Group F qualification match.

Their second match is against Niger in Uganda on Wednesday 8 June.

Bevis currently has 13 caps for his country, six of which have came whilst in claret and amber.

Ross Tierney has been selected for Republic of Ireland’s under 21s. 

The young attacking midfielder will once again represent his country as they look to qualify for the UEFA Under 21 Championship.

Ireland are currently in third place in their group before this round of fixtures and four points behind leaders Italy.

Ireland face off against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday 3 June at the Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

They then play Montenegro on Monday 6 June at the Tallaght Stadium before rounding off their qualifying campaign against current group leaders Italy on Tuesday 14 June away from home.

The group winners will qualify for the Euros and the best runners up also qualify.

Ireland are currently four points behind Netherlands who are, as it stands, the best runners-up.

The nations who finish second place will enter a play-off round to determine the last four qualified teams.

Ricki Lamie has signed a new two-year contract.

The 28-year old defender’s new deal will keep him at Fir Park until the summer of 2024.

“We are delighted Ricki has agreed to extend his stay with the club as we hope he will continue to be a big player for us in the coming months and years,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“We were in discussions with his representative for some time, but those were paused when another club made him what was an extremely attractive offer that he had no option but to accept. We understood and respected that, but had no concerns around his professionalism and in actual fact he was amongst our most important players in the second half of the campaign.

“When circumstances changed, it presented an opportunity for us and we’re so pleased to not only keep someone who is a big player on the pitch, but an important character off it too.”

Lamie arrived from fellow Premiership side Livingston in the summer of 2020 and has gone on to make 70 appearances in claret and amber.

As well as cementing a place in the heart of the Steelmen’s defence, he has made a vital contribution at the other end of the pitch with key goals against Livingston to secure a top six spot and against Hearts to confirm UEFA Europa Conference League football.

“Motherwell is an excellent club, with so many good people and characters,” Lamie added.

“It was a great ending to the season for the team, to finish in the top six and qualify for Europe.

“That being said, I still think we can improve and have got more to give collectively. I really want to play a part in that, which is why I am pleased to be staying for at least another two years and I am already looking forward to getting back in next month.”

Motherwell pair Liam Kelly and Stephen O’Donnell have been called up by Scotland for the FIFA World Cup play-off match(es) and UEFA Nations League fixtures. 

Scotland will take on Ukraine in the World Cup semi final play-off on Wednesday 1 June at Hampden.

Should they progress, Steve Clarke’s side will then face Wales in the play-off final on Sunday 5 June at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Scotland are also in Nations League action as they kick off their group matches against Armenia on Wednesday 8 June at Hampden.

They then travel to Dublin on Saturday 11 June to face Republic of Ireland before a trip to Armenia three days later.

With the 2021/22 season at an end, we can provide supporters with the following update on players’ contracts.

Liam Grimshaw departs having spent five-and-a-half seasons at Fir Park across two spells, making over 130 appearances in claret and amber. The tenacious utility player has been a popular figure amongst the ‘Well support, but has found first team opportunities limited over the last year.

Northern Irish international Liam Donnelly departs after 70 outings in four seasons. The versatile midfielder, who more recently showed his qualities in the defensive line, clocked up 13 goals for Motherwell and also two caps for his country.

Also exiting is Mark O’Hara, who spent three seasons in claret and amber following a move from Peterborough United in 2019. Playing in a variety of positions, Mark made 74 appearances and scored six goals, but has opted to depart for St Mirren.

Other names leaving Fir Park are Darragh O’Connor, Justin Amaluzor, Jordan Roberts, PJ Morrison, Victor Nirennold and youngster Cody McLeod. Liam Shaw will return to his parent club, Celtic, following the end of his loan spell.

“I want to thank everyone who is leaving Motherwell this summer for their effort during their time with the club,” manager Graham Alexander said.

“The likes of Liam Grimshaw, Liam Donnelly and Mark O’Hara have been in our first team for extended periods, so I want to pay particular tribute to them. Although Grimmy didn’t feature as much as he would like, for me he was always a fantastic professional and trained hard every single day, and that says a lot about the type of person he is.

“Any time Liam or Mark featured they gave everything, so I want to thank them both too. PJ Morrison has also been with the club from a very young age, but we both agreed he needed to kick his career on by playing regularly every week.

“Everyone leaving has made their mark in some way, big or small, and we wish them well for the future careers, wherever that takes them.”

The following players will leave at the expiry of their contract or return to their parent club at the end of their loan:

• Justin Amaluzor
• Liam Donnelly
• Liam Grimshaw
• Mark O’Hara
• Cody McLeod
• PJ Morrison
• Victor Nirennold
• Darragh O’Connor
• Jordan Roberts
• Liam Shaw (end of loan – Celtic FC)

The following player has been offered an extended deal:

• Ricki Lamie