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Stuart Kettlewell experienced his first defeat in the Motherwell dugout last time out, against Rangers.

With the international break behind us, Motherwell were in the capital to take on a Hibernian side chasing European football.

Sean Goss got the Steelmen off to the perfect start with an inch perfect free kick that found the top corner after just seven minutes.

From there, Motherwell continued to stay on top of Hibs and made it two from the penalty spot when Kevin van Veen dispatched his 19th goal of the season after Blair Spittal was wiped out by David Marshall.

Kevin Nisbet was able to pull one back to increase the pressure on Kettlewell’s side but that pressure was eased when Van Veen scored from 25 yards with a free kick that deceived the keeper.

With four wins and a draw in his first six games, Kettlewell has turned Motherwell’s fortunes around ahead of a crucial double header at Fir Park next against Livingston and Dundee United.

Tickets for our semi final match at Hampden against Rangers are now on sale. 

Kick off is 12.30pm on Saturday 22 April.

You can buy tickets online or supporters can visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Adult tickets cost £10.

Concession tickets, which are over 65s or under 16s, are £5.

Accessible tickets are £5 with Accessible concession going for £3.

Please note, there is no option for online tickets for this match.

All tickets must be physical, so if you are buying online, you must get them posted to your home address or alternatively, you can pick up from the Fir Park ticket office.

Motherwell made it four wins and a draw in six games under Stuart Kettlewell with a resounding 3-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road. 

Sean Goss got Motherwell ahead with a postage stamp free kick before Kevin van Veen made it 20 goals this season with two goals either side of a Kevin Nisbet header in the second half.

Van Veen had the first big chance of the game on five minutes, when the Dutchman went 1v1 with David Marshall but the Scotland keeper was there to block.

However, Dean Cornelius would be fouled outside the area following Marshall’s save and Sean Goss stepped up to curl a beautiful free kick into top corner, leaving Marshall with no chance.

Liam Kelly was called into action on 12 minutes when he had to tip Hoppe’s header over the bar.

Van Veen was again presented with a golden chance to double the Steelmen’s lead when Dan Casey’s long ball forward found the Dutchman in behind the Hibernian defence but he couldn’t turn his touch on target.

With Motherwell on top in the first half, they started the second half in similar fashion.

Casey with an audacious overhead kick found Blair Spittal lurking at the back post, who chased the ball down and got there ahead of Marshall who clattered into the former County man and the referee pointed to the spot.

Van Veen converted from the spot with his penalty crawling underneath the keeper. 0-2.

Nisbet pulled one back for the hosts when Chris Cadden crossed into the area and Nisbet was on hand to nod past Kelly.

With Hibernian seemingly looking back in the game, Van Veen made sure of the points with a curling right footed free kick with nine minutes to go, which he whipped past the wall and the keeper.

The result moved Motherwell above St Johnstone in the table and into eighth place.

“The players poured everything they had onto that pitch today.

“Getting the simple parts of the game right, has been beneficial for us.”

Harry Paton has joined on a deal running until the end of the season. 

The 24-year-old has been a free agent since the summer of 2022 when he left Ross County, declining the option of a new contract.

A centre midfielder by trade, Paton made over 100 appearances for Ross County from 2018 to 2022, playing under manager Stuart Kettlewell in the process, who signed him initially.

However, his career really got started when he joined Fulham before signing for Hearts. With loan spells with Stenhousemuir mixed into his tenure in the Highlands, the Canadian established himself as a first-team regular at County.

He was called up to the senior Canadian squad in 2021 for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, having turned out for the under 17s and under 21s.

“The option arose to get Harry in and it was something we were looking to do quickly,”manager Stuart Kettlewell added.

“He’s someone who I know very well and has impressed since he came in.

“Harry has excellent ability and displayed real quality when I last worked with him and that is something I’m looking for him to replicate once again.

“This is a crucial part of our season and adding Harry gives us more options in the middle of the pitch in what will be a busy schedule from now until the end of the season.”

“It’s great to get this deal over the line,” Harry Paton said.

“I’m excited to get back playing and help the team finish the season strongly.

“My goal is to show the Motherwell fans what I’m capable of.”

Paton is eligible for selection for today’s match against Hibernian.

James Furlong has returned from international duty and is looking forward to the next part of the season.

The Ireland Under 21 player is enjoying his time at Motherwell and looks to continue playing football as he looks to impress his employers Brighton.

Stuart Kettlewell knows that games at this point of the season, points and games grow in importance.

The Motherwell boss believes that a one game at a time approach is one that will best suit the team and players as they look to climb the cinch Premiership table.

We had five players on international duty in March. 

Liam Kelly was named in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, Lennon Miller was in Scotland’s Under 17 squad, Max Johnston was in Scot Gemmil’s Under 21 squad for Scotland, Sean Goss was back on Northern Ireland duty and James Furlong was called up to Republic of Ireland’s Under 21 squad for the first time.

Lennon Miller

Scotland and Lennon Miller were in triple header action over the March internationals.

First up was Wales, where Scotland were beaten 4-2. Miller played 87 minutes.

With all matches being played in Wales, it was Montenegro up next for the young Scots.

A turnaround in fortunes, Scotland came away with a 2-1 victory after going one down. Miller played the full match for Brian McLaughlin.

In their third and final match, Lennon Miller was once again named in the starting 11 as Scotland sealed their qualification for the 2023 UEFA Under-17 Championship in Hungary with a 0-0 draw against Iceland on Tuesday.

Brian McLaughlin’s side have now qualified for the finals in consecutive seasons.

Sean Goss

Sean Goss was named in the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in five years.

Michael O’Neil was appointed manager for the second spell and named Goss in his first squad this time round.

Northern Ireland had two matches in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, facing San Marino away and Finland at home.

Goss was an unused for the match against San Marino.

Max Johnston

Scotland’s Under 21 side took on Sweden and Wales in their two matches in March.

It was a 3-2 defeat against Sweden and a 3-0 loss against Wales for Scotland with Johnston playing 90 minutes in both matches.

James Furlong

It was James Furlong’s first time in the Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad, having represented at the other youth levels.

Ireland had a friendly match against Iceland in their only match over the internationals.

Furlong was an unused sub as Ireland came away with a 2-1 win.

Liam Kelly

Scotland kicked off their quest to reach Euro 2024 in Germany as they took on Cyprus and Spain in a double header at Hampden.

With Cyprus up first, Angus Gunn was given his first cap for Scotland in his first squad with Scotland coming away with a comfortable 3-0 win over the Cypriots. Liam Kelly was named on the bench along with Zander Clark.

Spain were in town for the second match as Scotland swept aside the Spaniards with a convincing 2-0 win. Liam Kelly was an unused substitute.

We return from the international break to take on Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday 1 April.

Kick-off is 3pm

Tickets

Tickets are available online by clicking here

Ticket Prices

• Concessions are 65 and over and full-time students with a valid matriculation card
• Wheelchair / Disabled – regular price with personal assistant FOC
• Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and T&C’s apply
  

How to follow game online

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 Story of the Match

Lee Johnston has navigated his was through a sticky patch, winning four and drawing one before defeats to Rangers and Celtic which propelled them up the table to within five points of third.

Motherwell tasted defeat for the first time under Stuart Kettlewell, losing to Rangers at Fir Park but it’s still been a positive start to the new manager’s reign with ten points gained from a possible fifteen.

The Steelmen lost on their last visit to Easter Road. Ten-man Motherwell were defeated by a second-half header from the now departed Ryan Porteous.

Match Officials

• Referee: Graham Grainger
• AR1: Daniel McFarlane
• AR2: David Dunne
• Fourth Official: Dan McFarlane
• VAR: Chris Graham
• AVAR: Graeme Stewart

“Our young side showed great character against an experienced team.

“I’ve only been in the door a couple of days so I just asked them to go out and enjoy it.”