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Dan Casey has re-joined Motherwell on a two-year deal.

The Irish defender initially joined the club in February and quickly established himself as, not only a starter, but a fan favourite in his 13 appearances for the club.

Striking a defensive partnership with Calum Butcher and Paul McGinn, Casey was part of an impressive turnaround towards the latter stages of the season.

He missed the last two games of the season before his short-term contract expired at the end of the season.

“It’s very obvious why we wanted to get Dan back again this season,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He was a big part in the success we seen on the pitch in my tenure last campaign.

“We want to see the same Dan Casey again this season.”

Dan Casey joins Harry Paton, Jon Obika and Conor Wilkinson, who have all signed deals this summer.

“I am so happy to be walking back through the doors of Fir Park again,” Dan Casey said.

“The feeling around the club and in the dressing room is great.

“We had a hugely impressive end to the season and I want to pick up where we left off.

“The fans were brilliant and I felt like they took me in quickly. That’s what makes you want to give your all when you put on the jersey.

“The season starts tomorrow and I can’t wait to get up and running.”

Casey will wear the number 15 shirt this season and is eligible for selection for our Viaplay Cup match against Elgin City.

Robbie Mahon has joined Edinburgh City on loan for the season. 

The wingers joins the League One outfit for the 2023/24 campaign having been on loan at Dunfermline last season.

Winning the League One championship with the Pars, Mahon made 13 appearances and looks to kick on again this season.

Best of luck, Robbie.

Shane Blaney has got his first Motherwell pre-season under his belt after he made the switch from Sligo Rovers last January.

The Irish centre half discusses the mood within the Motherwell camp and the demands that Stuart Kettlewell has put on all the players.

In his first press conference of the season, manager Stuart Kettlewell sits down to address the recent departure of Riku Danzaki, Kevin van Veen and Max Johnston.

He also discusses the importance of these Viaplay Cup group matches and how they are competitive matches.

Riku Danzaki has left the club.

The Japanese attacker joined the club in January of this year and made four appearances in his time at Motherwell.

Danzaki leaves with our best wishes for the future.

The manager reflects on this afternoon’s friendly win against Dundee United.

•  An improved performance from Saturday
•  Increased confidence
•  Fitness levels are high

Motherwell played their final pre-season match behind-closed-doors against Dundee United this afternoon, with the game ending 0-1 at Tannadice. 

In their fourth pre-season match, Stuart Kettlewell’s side had their noses in front at the interval with a fine strike from Conor Wilkinson, which proved to be the only goal of the game.

In the first period, Motherwell controlled most of the possession and had the bulk of the chances. Callum Slattery was first to go close. His free kick deflected off the wall, with the keeper left stranded, the ball ended up just going wide of the post.

On the half hour mark, Slattery was again involved but this time turned provider. He played a lovely one-two with 16-year-old Lennon Miller, who unleashed a strike with his left foot but was saved by the keeper.

Five minutes later, another opening emerged. Wilkinson showed some great hold up, danced past the defender before feeding his strike partner Jon Obika who had a go but his driven strike went wide.

Just a minute later, came the opening. Miller got stuck into a slide tackle with Dundee United in possession, Slattery picked up the ball and dropped the shoulder to get past two players before driving forward. He fed Spittal who slid a perfectly weighted pass for Wilkinson on the left edge of the box. The summer signing unleashed a left foot strike which flew high into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead at the break.

Motherwell’s first chance in the second half came in the 51st minute. Stephen O’Donnell beat his man before finding Obika, he held off his man before setting Miller whose shot went narrowly wide.

Just shy of the hour mark, Dundee United registered a shot on target. Glen Middleton stung the palms of Aston Oxborough.

With seven subs made on the 60 minute mark, Motherwell continued to look for the second goal. Harry Paton travelled towards goal, slipped in Ross Tierney who was tripped just on the edge of the D. Miller stood over the free kick and forced a save out of the goalkeeper.

The next notable opening came on 86 minutes. Tierney stood over a free kick in the middle of the pitch and played a quick dink over the top for Barry Maguire who brought the ball down and hit on the half volley. His effort was always rising and went over the bar.

Another 90 minutes of pre-season action was perfect preparation for Motherwell’s trip to Elgin City in the Viaplay Cup in four days times.

It’s time for the 2023/24 competitive season to get underway as begin our Viaplay Cup campaign against Elgin City on Saturday. 

Kick-off is 3pm at Borough Briggs.

How to follow the game

Tickets can be purchased online, with step-by-step instructions for supporters.

Additional information

For a disabled ticket, a concessionary ticket should be purchased on Fanbase with entry via gate 4 on the day.  The carer goes free.

We have been allocated 1,000 tickets at Borough Briggs.

Kit Watch

Our new Truly Traditional home kit will be making it’s competitive debut on Saturday.

You can pre-order your kit here.

You will be able to buy or collect the kit in the ‘Well Shop from Friday 14 July.

Team News

Motherwell have got through pre-season without any fresh injury concerns.

Calum Butcher will remain sidelined for a number of months, having picked up an injury at the back-end of last season.

Ricki Lamie has returned to fitness and has featured in pre-season matches, with Harry Paton also back in line for selection following a groin strain sustained last season.

Nathan McGinley made it back onto the pitch for the first time since March 2022 against 30′ Longa in Holland.

Motherwell’s fortunes

Stuart Kettlewell takes his side into their first match of the competitive season, having missed this stage of the competition last season due to participation in Europe.

The ‘Well have picked up two wins and a draw so far in pre-season, with both wins coming against Dutch opposition.

Blair Spittal has scored three goals so far in pre-season, notching two against 30’ Longa and a fine effort against Falkirk in a behind-closed-doors friendly match last weekend.

Conor Wilkinson joined the club last week and is in line to make his debut. The number 99 got some valuable minutes against Falkirk as he tries to get up to full fitness, having missed the camp in Holland.

Opposition report

Elgin City finished the year strongly, with two wins and a draw in their last five matches.

Former Inverness and Ross County midfielder Ross Draper was handed a three-year contract as Elgin City manager during the summer and began his tenure by securing the services of Russell Dingwall for a further two years.

The midfielder was at the heart of most things last season, scoring 11 goals and assisting seven times in all competitions.

However, forward Kane Hester left Elgin for pastures new in the summer. The 27-year-old left for Montrose having scored 18 goals last season for The Black and Whites.

Elgin have been involved in five friendly matches thus far against Forres Mechanics, Rothes, Huntly, Banks O’ Dee and Inverness. They picked up a 5-1 win against Rothes in their only win in pre-season. Brian Cameron was on target in their most recent game against Inverness on Saturday.

Motherwell faced Falkirk on Saturday afternoon, in a behind-closed-doors friendly match at Dalziel Park, with the game ending 2-2.

Gary Oliver and Ross McIver were on the scoresheet for Falkirk, with Blair Spittal and Callum Slattery grabbing the goals for Motherwell. Liam Kelly was back in action and he saved a penalty with three minutes to go.

Falkirk got themselves off to the best possible start after just 90 seconds. Oliver found himself on the ball in the right hand area of the box before finishing past Kelly.

However, Motherwell brushed the early goal off and began to create chances straight after. Jon Obika’s finish clipped the outside of the left hand post before nestling in the side netting.

A scuffed clearance from the Falkirk stopped presented Stephen O’Donnell with the chance to header the ball back across goal for Obika but the Falkirk backline managed to recover just in time.

The equaliser would come on 20 minutes. Obika pounced on a stray pass on the halfway line and carried the ball goalwards. Options to his left and his right, he fed Spittal who finished with his left foot into the corner. 1-1.

Slattery was next to have a go when his strike from 25 yards was powerful but was straight down the line of the keeper who got two hands behind the effort.

On 32 minutes, Joe Efford caused the Falkirk full-back issues as he got to the byline before firing a low cross into the box that found Obika, he connected well but his shot just went wide.

Two minutes later, Falkirk had a great chance. Calvin Miller looked to be offside however the linesman kept his flag down, he raced through on goal and Kelly had to make an excellent stop at his near post. The Scotland keeper couldn’t hold it and Bevis Mugabi tracked back and slid in, colliding with the post in the process, to clear the danger.

On 51 minutes, the Motherwell forward line pressed the keeper on the ball as he tried to play out from the back however the keepers’ pass landed at Spittal’s feet and his shot was a comfortable save.

Motherwell took the lead on 63 minutes. The Falkirk winger committed to taking on too many players before losing possession. Slattery picked up the loose ball, carried and drilled low into the bottom corner from 20-yards. 2-1.

Obika showed some excellent work on 70 minutes. He carried the ball from in his own half, on the edge of the box chopped the ball back onto his right foot and got a shot away, albeit was a comfortable save.

On 77 minutes, Falkirk equalised. A cross into the box wasn’t deal with and McIver was on hand to knock home at the back post.

Ewan Wilson struck the post with ten minutes left. He beat two defenders before firing low at goal but couldn’t beat the woodwork.

Motherwell continued to press for the third goal. O’Donnell’s cross was only half cleared and Nathan McGinley kept a volley low but it was blocked by the defender in the six-yard box.

On 87 minutes Falkirk were awarded a penalty. A trip in the box meant Miller had the chance to get his second. However, Kelly was quick to guess correctly and saved down to his bottom right.

The match ended 2-2 with preparations stepping up as we begin our 2023/24 season against Elgin City next Saturday in the Viaplay Cup. You can buy your tickets online.

Our head of goalkeeping Neil Alexander has done it all as a player in his 26-year long career. 

An international, league titles and European finals all came along whilst he was between the sticks but getting to that level of fitness is harder than some might think.

Often misconceived, a pre-season for a goalkeeper can range from general cardio work that outfield players do to specified goalkeeping drills that involve precise movement.

But the end goal is the same, to maximise performance of the players when it comes to a match day.

Alexander talks us through how the training has changed with the advancement of sports science, the adaptability that is required as a coach to meet the needs of each keeper in his jurisdiction and where our goalkeepers are at in terms of their own individual goals for the season ahead.