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Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts post Hearts.

• No excuses
• Taking responsibility
• International break

Motherwell slipped to a disappointing 2-1 home defeat against Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Lawrence Shankland’s goal midway through the first half left the Steelmen once again chasing the game. And when the Hearts’ striker netted again 19 minutes from time it was game over.

When Blair Spittal slammed his penalty high past Clark it gave ‘Well 13 minutes to salvage something from the game but a dramatic fightback never looked on the cards.

With both teams eager rediscover some winning form, an open and evenly contested game was anticipated. And although Motherwell started the game with a great deal of intent and pressure towards the visitor’s goal, Zander Clark’s goal was rarely threatened.

Stuart Kettlewell made one change from the side which started in Perth on Tuesday. Theo Bair, who made an impact from the bench against St Johnstone as ‘Well fought back from two nil down for a draw, replacing Brodie Spencer.

And the Canadian forward had a great opportunity to open the scoring after only five minutes. Mika Biereth put Franke Kent under pressure to concede the first corner of the game. Blair Spittal’s out-swinger found Bair unmarked eight yards from goal but he screwed his header well off the target.

In an impressive opening spell the Steelmen forced Hearts onto the backfoot as the visitor’s defence looked rather nervous.

After 16 minutes though the attention was directed towards the home when Liam Boyce was given time to control the ball in the box before firing wide of Liam Kelly’s left-hand post.

It then took a couple of sturdy blocks from ‘Well defenders to prevent two consecutive drives from Shankland testing Kelly.

The Tynecastle side’s top scorer only had to wait until the 27th minute to claim his 9th goal of the season. Alex Lowry’s deep corner kick was nodded back towards the six-yard box where Shankland’s touch directed the ball into the corner of the net.

It might have been worse for the Fir Park men a couple of minutes later. But Hearts’ claims for a penalty after Dan Casey appeared to have caught Boyce just inside the box, were dismissed after a lengthy and nervous VAR review.

From then until the break Motherwell repeatedly failed to hold the ball in the opponent’s half as the Edinburgh side maintained the pressure on the home goal.

Perhaps relieved to reach half-time only one goal behind, Kettlewell kept Bair inside for the second half bringing on Brodie Spencer and allowing Spittal to move further up the park.

It took ‘Well only two minutes to respond to the change. Spencer’s pace on the left won a corner. Spittal’s delivery was only partially cleared and when the ball was returned it found Casey unmarked beyond the corner of the six-yard box. From a tight angle though, the defender fired his drive high and narrowly wide of Zander Clark’s right-hand post.

Hearts and Shankland looked more likely to double their advantage and on the hour mark the striker’s net bound shot from six yards was blocked by his fellow striker Boyce.

Three minutes later ‘Well survived another VAR check for a penalty after Shankland tumbled in the box.

Shankland, though, was not to be denied a second goal.

In the 71st minute the Scotland striker broke through the middle of the home defence, rounding Kelly and although Casey was racing back to protect the goal, Shankland calmly stroked the ball home to make it 0-2.

‘Well immediately made a double substitution, not universally received by the home fans, as talisman Biereth and Wilkinson made way for Oli Shaw and John Obika.

Six minutes later, though, the change paid off. Shaw’s quick turn and shot in the box struck Alex Cochrane’s raised hand. Referee David Munro immediately pointed to the penalty spot and VAR agreed leaving Spittal to confidently thump his spot kick high beyond Clark to give the Steelmen some hope of yet another dramatic fightback.

Spittal dragged his left foot drive wide before Shane Blaney’s lunge just failed to connect with Georgie Gent’s free kick into the six yard area.

In the now customary frenetic finish from the home side, Bevis Magubi was brought on as an extra forward for the five additional minutes.

However, Hearts controlled the closing minutes to ensure that Motherwell wouldn’t claim a late equaliser and a point they scarcely deserved.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell has offered an update on the players who are currently sidelined. 

Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, the manager provided a more detailed update on the injury list.

It was announced this week that Lennon Miller has picked up a knee injury in our match against Aberdeen. The initial prognosis is that Miller will be missing for a minimum of three months.

“It’s a really unfortunate injury for Lennon and it’s a real blow for everyone,” Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He’s valuable to this team and I’m gutted for him. Despite the news however, the person with the best body language and the person with the most maturity was the 17-year-old.

“We know it’s a 12 week injury, as it’s a small fracture in his patella.

“He had to get everything else check out and has been to see the top guy in Britain for this type of injury.

“Lennon is comfortable and I have no doubts he’ll come back stronger.”

We also discovered this week that Paul McGinn picked up a facial injury against Kilmarnock and that we’d been advised that the defender will be missing for six weeks.

“Six weeks is what has been detailed for Paul,” the manager added.

“He had surgery [yesterday]. It’s a fractured cheek.”

Jon Obika has been a long-term absentee and hasn’t featured since our win over Hibernian at Fir Park in August.

“We had some positive news on Jon,” Kettlewell stated.

“The news is he starts to come into contention and hopefully for the next few games, or certainly beyond the international break, he’ll come into consideration for us.”

Bevis Mugabi has received an international call up for Uganda. 

The Cranes have just named their new head coach after narrowly missing out on qualifying for AFCON back in September.

Paul Joseph has included Mugabi in his first squad as they begin their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup in USA and Canada.

Uganda will play their two matches in Morocco, with Guinea as their first opponent on Friday 17 November.

They will take on Somalia in their second match on Tuesday 21 November.

• Guinea vs Uganda
• 1pm ko
• 17th November 
• Stade Municipal de Berkane, Morocco

• Somalia v Uganda
• 1pm
• 21st November
• Stade Municipal de Berkane, Morocco

There will be an auction for a match worn shirt from Saturday’s match against Hearts. 

The proceeds from Saturday’s MatchWornShirt auction will go towards Poppy Scotland.

Motherwell will face Hearts in their home kit this weekend, and the club will donate all money raised from auction to Poppy Scotland.

The auction will commence at 3pm on Saturday 11 November and will be available online.

Closing date for the auction is Sunday 19 November at 3pm.

Calum Butcher discusses how it feels to be back playing after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. 

The defender picked up a foot injury in May and is now full recovered and enjoying being back on the pitch.

Stuart Kettlewell says the challenge for his team is finish to this round of games on a high against Hearts on Saturday. 

He talks about the recent news regarding Lennon Miller and Paul McGinn, who picked up injuries in the last couple matches.

An update is provided on Jon Obika, whilst the manager goes into detail about recent head injuries in matches.

Motherwell face Hearts at Fir Park on Saturday as they look to finish on a high before the November international break. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 9am – 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.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Injury Update

Pape Souaré remains missing for this match.

Lennon Miller will miss a minimum of three months while Paul McGinn has underwent facial surgery and will miss approximately six weeks.

Jon Obika is nearing recovery and will be assessed closer to Saturday.

Motherwell Fortune’s

Motherwell picked up a hard earned point in Perth, coming back from 2-0 down to pick up a draw. Shane Blaney scored his first Motherwell goal whilst Mika Biereth scored his fourth goal in five games.

It’s still been eight games without a win for the Steelmen but the second-half comeback could bring renewed confidence.

Opposition Report

Hearts were in Viaplay semi-final action on Sunday against Rangers at Hampden, losing 3-1 to the Gers.

Prior to the trip to Hampden, the Jambos beat Livingston 1-0 at Tynecastle.

They are fifth in the table on 14 points as it stands.

Lawrence Shankland has been the main source of goals this season for Hearts. The striker is on eight goals in all competitions, but despite less minutes on the pitch, Alex Lowry has been a provider, notching four assists and one goal in 13 games.

Stuart Kettlewell has been hoping that his team would spark into life at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday night, and it looked like they had done just that when Conor Wilkinson found the back of the net having dinked Mitov in goals. 

A VAR check would follow however and after the goal was ruled out for handball, St Johnstone powered home two goals from corners to take a healthy lead into the break.

Another game and the big moments seemed to be going in the opposite way of Motherwell, however they didn’t give up.

With the introduction of Theo Bair and Georgie Gent, Motherwell were lively and got a deserved goal through Shane Blaney just past the hour mark.

Less than 10 minutes later, Mika Biereth finished off a team move to level the game with 15 minutes remaining.

The visitors continued to push to find a winner with Oli Shaw presented with the best chance to win the game, however he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in time.

Motherwell came back to earn a point from behind once again this season, a similar tale that Stuart Kettlewell wants to rectify ahead of Hearts on Saturday.

Lennon Miller and Paul McGinn have both picked up injuries that will keep them out for a period of time. 

17-year-old Lennon Miller sustained a knee injury against Aberdeen in the cinch Premiership at the start of November.

As a result, it’s expected he will face a minimum of three months on the sidelines to achieve a full recovery.

Paul McGinn picked up a facial injury against Kilmarnock and has underwent surgery.

The surgeon has advised us that he is expected to be out for approximately six weeks.

Speedy recovery, Lennon and Paul.