| 3 | Rangers | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 23 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19 |
| 6 | St Mirren | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | -4 | 18 |
| 7 | Dundee | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 15 |
Jack Aitchison made his Motherwell debut in the cinch Premiership against St Johnstone on Wednesday, and despite training with his new teammates prior to the match, insists that he already feels at home.
The forward joined from Barnsley on deadline day and says that one of the important lessons he has learned from being down South, is not dwell on a bad run of form. He says that mindset is needed here and feels like Motherwell have the ability and the courage to turn their season around.
We are back on the road with the long journey to take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The match will take place on Saturday 4 February 2023.
Kick-off is 3.00pm.
Ticket Prices
To buy, click here to get your tickets online or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.
There will be no option to buy tickets at Pittodrie on the day of the game.
| Away Stand | |
| Adults | £26 |
| Over 65s | £20 |
| Over 75s | £16 |
| Aged 18-21 | £16 |
| Aged 12 – 17 | £12 |
| 11 and under | £6 |
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.
It currently stands at one win each in the head-to-head this season.
‘Well were victorious last time out at Pittodrie in August – coming from behind to win 3-2 with goals from Spittal, Slattery and Van Veen.
Both sides will be looking to bounce back from midweek defeats, with Aberdeen under the temporary management of Barry Robson following Jim Goodwin’s departure last week.
Match Officials
On a wet and rather dismal night a disjointed Motherwell shipped more home points as Saints comfortably took all three back to Perth with a 2-0 victory.
Goals from Drey Wright and Melker Hallsberg in the opening minutes of each half was enough to earn St Johnstone a deserved win and bring their lengthy losing run to an end.
Conversely, yet another poor performance on their home turf left a lacklustre ‘Well not only pointless but slipping down to 11th in the cinch Premiership table.
Despite freshening up his side with four of his January signings, Steven Hammell’s men were second best throughout to a much more determined and energetic Saints.
After bringing in seven new faces in the January window, Steven Hammell gave four them a start in this crucial bottom six clash with Saints.
Along with Shane Blaney and Olly Crankshaw, who finished the game against the Paisley Saints on Saturday, Riku Danzaki made his debut in the centre of midfield. Jack Aitchison, who only arrived from Barnsley on the eve of the match, joined Kevin van Veen in the home attack.
With Callum Davidson’s side arriving at Fir Park on the back of seven straight defeats, and Motherwell without a home win since August, something had to give.
And it took the Perth side only five minutes to get their noses in front and set themselves up to end their miserable run.
A long-range effort from Stevie May provided Liam Kelly with a comfortable save. But a minute later the ‘Well ‘keeper was picking the ball out of his net after Wright’s low angled drive skipped past Kelly and in off his far post and give Hammell’s men an early setback.
Despite having the experience of Paul McGinn and the returning Stephen O’Donnell on either side of centre pairing Ricki Lamie and Blaney, the Fir Park defence was repeated exposed by Saints’ front three in the early play.
After 16 minutes ‘Well finally made an impression on Remi Mattews’ goal. Van Veen released Crankshaw but after racing from the half-way his curling shot from 18 yards went straight into the ‘keeper’s arms.
Saints, though, looked far more dangerous and when May slipped the ball through to Nicky Clark he turned Lamie before screwing his shot across the face of goal and wide of target.
Midway through the half ‘Well were dealt a second blow when Blaney limped off with a possible groin strain. That forced a reshuffle at the back, with Max Johnston taking up the right back slot and McGinn moving across to join Lamie.
That didn’t help the Steelmen’s cause as they continued to be second to every ball as Saints chased a second goal and kill the game before half-time.
Twelve minutes from the break there was a VAR check for a possible penalty after Cammy MacPherson tumbled in the home box. But much to the relief of the ‘Well support referee Don Robertson signalled that play should continue.
Four minutes later there was a VAR check at the other end. From ‘Well’s first corner the ball was fed back to Crankshaw but as he tried to get beyond Dan Phillips at the corner of the box he also fell to the turf. But once again the ref waved aside penalty appeals.
‘Well fans were then screaming for handball when Aitchison won the ball inside the ‘D’ and with the ‘keeper off his line, the winger’s early shot at an empty goal was blocked by a defender just inside the box.
After a pretty insipid first half, Motherwell finished the first forty-five exerting some pressure on the visitor’s goal but it wasn’t enough to placate the home fans who aired their displeasure as the team headed for the dressing room.
Realising that a huge improvement was required in the second half to prevent the Steelmen slipping further down the league table, Hammell made two changes at the interval bringing on Brighton left- back James Furlong and Dean Cornelius to add some bite to a toothless midfield.
It was a brighter start for the home side and more appeals for a penalty when Wright bumped into Danzaki 15 yards from goal.
As the ‘Well players urged the referee to review the incident play raced to the other end where the Perth men doubled their lead.
There were appeals for a foul as McGinn lost out to Hallberg at the edge of the box. As the defender fell to the ground May played the ball through the space allowing Hallberg to run through on goal before guiding the ball beyond Kelly and leave the Fir Park men facing an almost impossible task in the remaining 40 minutes.
On the hour mark Stuart McKinstry replaced Danzaki and just in time to see his side pass up the best chance to get back into the game.
The cross from Aitchison sailed over van Veen in the middle of Saints’ goal only to land at Crankshaw’s feet. But with Matthews committed and leaving his goal, the on loan Stockport County striker swept the ball across the goal face and beyond the far post.
The out of sorts van Veen then made way for former St Mirren striker Jon Obikao who had 25 minutes to make an impact and salvage something for his new side.
With 11 minutes remaining and the game drifting towards its conclusion, Furlong, 25 yards from goal, drove a left foot drive over the bar and leave Matthews with a largely untroubled 90 minutes.
“That simply, wasn’t good enough.
“There are no excuses.”
Jonathan Obika becomes our third January deadline signing subject to international clearance.
The striker has joined the ‘Well on loan from Morecambe.
Well acquainted with the cinch Premiership, the former St Mirren man has made six appearances this season for The Shrimps.
The 32-year-old has played for the likes of Charlton, Swindon, Brighton, Oxford United, Crystal Palace and Yeovil Town and scored 20 goals in his stint in Scotland.
“Jonathan gives us a big, physical presence in the final third,” manager Steven Hammell said.
“When we found out he was available, we wanted to try hard to get him here and I’m pleased that has been achieved.
“With Mikael picking up his injury, we needed a new focal point up top. “
Full back James Furlong joins on loan until the end of the season from Brighton.
The Dublin born left back joined Brighton and Hove Albion from Shamrock Rovers in 2019.
The 20-year-old has made 16 appearances for Brighton’s under 21s this season before making the switch north.
He came off the bench for the first-team in an EFL Cup tie against Forest Green in August.
Furlong was named on the bench for Brighton in October for their Premier League match against Chelsea and joins up on a loan deal until the summer.
“James is a young player who came highly recommended to us from Brighton,” Steven Hammell added.
“It’s a good opportunity for him and is seen as a potential first-team player for Brighton so we feel this is a great move for both parties.”
Jack Aitchison has joined Motherwell from Barnsley for free on a deal for the rest of the season subject to international clearance.
Jack became Celtic’s youngest ever scorer when he netted against the ‘Well in 2016 at the age of 16.
The Celtic youth player made three appearances for Celtic before moving south to Barnsley.
The forward has been on loan at Stevenage and most recently Forest Green, where he made 53 appearances scoring seven goals in the 2021/22 campaign.
Having returned to his parent club in the summer of 2022, he has made 20 appearances in League 1 this season. His goal tally currently sits a three, most recently netting on the 21 January against Accrington.
“We needed another option in this area of the pitch,” manager Steven Hammell said.
“He is a young and enthusiastic player who offers a different dynamic to the team.
“Jack knows the area, is a local boy and knows the league very well. The fact he has been playing and even scored last week, is a huge positive for us.”
Jack will wear the number 15 shirt this season.
Forward Connor Shields has joined cinch Championship side Queen’s Park on loan until the end of the season.
Shields has made 19 appearances this season, notching up two assists.
He joins The Spiders on loan, who are currently top of the cinch Championship and pushing for promotion to the top flight.
“We had a discussion and came to the conclusion that a loan move would be in the best interests of both parties,” manager Steven Hammell said.
“I have no doubt Connor will impress in his time at Queen’s Park and will play a big part in their promotion push this season.
“He is a hard-working individual who we will closely monitor while he is at Queen’s Park.”
We wish Connor all the best for the remainder of the campaign.
Sondre Solholm has left Motherwell to join Norwegian side Odds BK for an undisclosed fee.
Solholm joined in the summer of 2021 and went on to make 47 appearances for the Steelmen.
His only goal for Motherwell came in November, when he netted the only goal of the game against Dundee United at Tannadice.
“Sondre is a great person and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him,” manager Steven Hammell said.
“He became a real fan favourite in his time here and it shows the lively character that he is.
“I hope this move works out for himself and his family. I wish him all the very best.”
The club wishes Sondre all the very best and thanks him for his efforts whilst at the club.
Steven Hammell is expecting transfer deadline activity at Motherwell.
The manager reckons a couple of new faces are required but insists the team he has can still get them out of any potential danger.
Hammell wants everyone to stick together ahead of a massive fixture in the cinch Premiership against St Johnstone.
