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We have parted company with manager Steven Hammell.

His assistant Brian Kerr will also leave the club.

Stuart Kettlewell has agreed to take interim charge of the first-team until a permanent appointment has been made.

“Steven Hammell is and will forever be a colossus in Motherwell Football Club history,” chairman Jim McMahon said.

“Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, his time in charge hasn’t worked out the way we all really hoped it would.

“Although this decision has been difficult, we feel it is necessary as we look towards the last third of the Premiership season.

“I want to thank Steven and Brian for all their efforts and wish them both all the very best in the future.”

The chairman and non-executive directors have begun the recruitment process to appoint the next manager.

Motherwell exited the Scottish Cup after a poor 3-1 defeat to Raith Rovers.

Jamie Gullan and Sam Stanton had the home side two goals up before Kevin van Veen pulled a goal back to give some hope but debutant Esmael Goncalves killed off any chance of a comeback with minutes to go.

Raith went into the game the form side and took an early lead after Callum Slattery was ruled to have handled in the box. Jamie Gullan stepped and made no mistake from twelve yards.

Shortly before half-time Raith doubled their lead.

A deflected shot towards goal wasn’t gathered by Kelly and Stanton was on hand to head home from close range.

Stevie Hammell made three changes at half-time and within five minutes his side had pulled a goal back.

A loose ball fell to Kevin van Veen and he fired the ball into the net through a crowd of bodies.

Spirits were raised and despite plenty of pressure, crosses into the box and even Tom Lang hitting his own crossbar, there was no way through.

With minutes to go, any hopes of a comeback were crushed when Goncalves raced through on goal and finished past Kelly.

Steven Hammell can understand the Motherwell fans’ frustration and says they are well within their rights to be annoyed as the team have been underperforming.

He is grateful for the backing the supporters have shown during this testing time and says he highlighted to his players the importance of representing this club.

Stuart McKinstry is a Motherwell himself and he knows the expectations of the supporters are way higher than what they are producing.

The wingers wants to give something back to the supporters, with 2000 of them expected at Starks Park for their Scottish Cup match against Raith Rovers.

We return to Scottish Cup action this weekend, taking on Raith Rovers at Starks Park.

Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday 11th February.

Tickets

Supporters will be in the North Stand with Motherwell fans able to purchase their tickets online.

Tickets can be purchased online ONLY. There is no pay-at-the-gate facility at Starks Park.

Prices

• • Under 12 tickets can only be purchased with an Adult or Senior Citizen ticket, limited to a maximum of 3 per Adult
  • Tickets can be purchased right up until kick-off (3pm on Saturday 11th February 2023) – subject to availability – online via the “Buy Now” button, and scanned at the turnstiles either from your smartphone screen or by printing off the pdf ticket emailed to you.
  • Disabled tickets (with carer free of charge subject to eligibility) are priced as per age group above, and can be purchased by calling the Main Ticket Office on 01592 263514.
  • These tickets must then be collected on the day from the Main Ticket Office at Stark’s Park once proof of eligibility has been provided.

The Story of the Match

Last month’s 0-2 win over Arbroath sets up this fifth round clash with Raith Rovers.

Championship side Raith reached the fifth round with wins over Auchinleck Talbot and Linlithgow Rose and have yet to concede in the competition.

Saturday’s opponents are in good form and have only tasted defeat once in eleven games.

You’d have to go back to August of 1999 to find the last time Motherwell played competitively at Starks Park.

Goals from Paul Browne and Stephen Halliday had Motherwell two-up with 15 minutes to play but Alex Burns and Craig Dargo forced extra-time and eventually penalties where the Steelmen came out on top 5-4.

Match Officials

• Referee: Nick Walsh
• AR1: Alan Mulvanny
• AR2: David Doig
• AR2: Calum Scott

Motherwell suffered another disappointing defeat at Pittodrie.

A Kevin van Veen penalty proved too little too late as the Steelmen lost 3-1 to Aberdeen

Steven Hammell made five changes from the side that lost 0-2 to St Johnstone midweek.

In came Max Johnston, Dean Cornelius, Blair Spittal, Jon Obika and James Furlong, replacing Shane Blaney, Olly Crankshaw, Kevin van Veen, Riku Danzaki and Callum Slattery.

Aberdeen had a good chance to take the lead after eight minutes when Duk turned O’Donnell in the box and forced a good save from the feet of Liam Kelly.

The Dons had two further chances to take the lead – MacDonald headed just wide from a corner and Ramadani forced another save from Kelly.

The home side took the lead two minutes before the break. Jonny Hayes hung up a cross to the back post and an unmarked Duk was on hand to head it into the net.

Motherwell came out in the second half and still couldn’t find a way through the Aberdeen defence and were two goals behind just after the hour mark.

Ramadani robbed Callum Slattery and played in Miovski who cooly chipped the ball over the onrushing Liam Kelly to give the Dons a comfortable lead.

That lead was extended minutes later when Miovski got his brace, tapping in Clarkson’s through ball.

Kevin van Veen got a consolation goal from the penalty spot after Matty Kennedy handled Danzaki’s shot in the box but it proved to be too little, too late for Motherwell who must pick themselves up for a big cup game next weekend against Raith Rovers.

“We didn’t create enough. When we get those big moments in the game, we need to be better.”

Calum Butcher has signed for Motherwell on a deal until the end of the 2023/24 season. 

The former Dundee United and Burton Albion man has returned to Scotland after an eight month stint at The Brewers.

Making 17 appearances in all competitions this season, Butcher becomes Motherwell’s ninth signing of the winter transfer window.

He has ample experience of the Scottish game after making 135 appearances for Dundee United over the course of two-and-a-half seasons.

“Similar to Dan, Calum is a player we have liked for a while and been monitoring closely,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“It adds some depth to the middle of the park but more importantly, he’s a different type of midfielder to what we have at the minute.

“He’s tough, determined to make a difference and has plenty knowledge on the league and the team.

“Unfortunately, today’s match against Aberdeen has come too soon due to him travelling up from England, but he will be able to get a good week’s training and see where we are next week.

Butcher will wear the number 66 kit this season.

Dan Casey is Motherwell’s latest signing.

The 25-year-old has represented Ireland at youth level and has over 80 appearances in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Most recently at Sacramento Republic in America, the Irishman made 64 appearances in the States scoring four times.

In their U.S open cup campaign last season, Casey and second division Sacramento went on a remarkable run to the final beating MLS sides, San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles and Sporting Kansas before Orlando City beat them in the final.

Prior to his move to America, Casey was a main feature in both Bohemians and Cork City’s respective lineups after coming through the ranks at Sunderland.

“Dan has been someone we have been tracking for a while,” manager Steven Hammell said.

“He had a great season in America where MLS clubs were interested in securing his signature. We feel like we needed some cover in this area of the pitch with Shane picking up a knock in our most recent game.

“As I’ve said before, before I sign any player, they need to want to be here and that’s the case with Dan.”

Steven Hammell said that his side’s performance on Wednesday night against St Johnstone was unacceptable and the worst of the season. 

He mentions that he has discussed with his players about the situation that they currently find themselves in and that his players need to be ready to fight tooth and nail to rectify that.