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Kofi Balmer has kept his place in the Northern Ireland squad. 

A late addition last month, Balmer has been named the initial squad this month, with Northern Ireland in Nations League action.

After a strong camp last month, Northern Ireland are looking to confirm their spot top of League C Group 3 and subsequently earn promotion to League B.

It’s first against second on Friday 15 November, with Belarus travelling to Windsor Park. Northern Ireland then finish their campaign with a trip to Luxembourg on Monday 18 November.

A win against Belarus would all but secure top spot in the group for Michael O’Neill’s men. Balmer will be looking to earn his first cap for his country. 

• Northern Ireland v Belarus 
• Friday 15 November 
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Windsor Park, Northern Ireland 

• Luxembourg v Northern Ireland 
• Monday 18 November 
• 7:45pm Kick Off
• Luxembourg Stadium, Luxembourg

Motherwell made their first return to Hampden in six years and were tasked with taking on Rangers in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup. 

With over 8,000 Well fans in attendance, Stuart Kettlewell’s side got off to a great start. Andy Halliday somehow got onto the end of Steve Seddon’s cross to send the Motherwell section of Hampden into rapture.

The Rangers supporters voiced their concerns, and their team came out for the second-half in sharper fashion. Cyriel Dessers levelled the game only minutes into the second period, and Rangers continued to ply pressure onto the Motherwell net.

Aston Oxborough made a number of saves, but Nedim Bajrami would find the winner just ten minutes from time to break Motherwell hearts.

The 8,000 strong supporters stayed behind to show their appreciation of the team’s efforts to get to this stage, and now the Steelmen will take on St Johnstone on Saturday prior to the November international break.

A late decisive winner ended Motherwell’s exciting Premier Sports’ Cup run, as Rangers narrowly progressed to the final.

Andy Halliday’s opener after 25 minutes had ‘Well fans dreaming of a return to Hampden next month, but second-half goals from Cyriel Dessers and a rather fortunate second from Nedim Bajrami ended such hopes of progression.

However, the Steelmen’s efforts were thoroughly recognised by the ‘Well fans, who remained behind after the final whistle to applaud the players as they trudged over to reciprocate their support.

Following the midweek win over Dundee United, Stuart Kettlewell made two changes to the starting line-up. Liam Gordon returned from suspension to replace the injured Stephen O’Donnell, while Andy Halliday came back into the fold at the expense of Tom Sparrow.

Not surprisingly, after his two goals at Tannadice, Tawanda Maswanhise retained his place, supporting Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in attack.

Lennon Miller confidently led Motherwell onto the pitch, becoming the club’s youngest ever captain. However, the match faced an immediate wait, as kick-off faced an impromptu delay due to the smoke hanging over the pitch from pyrotechnics at both sides of Hampden.

When vision was restored, it was Rangers who had the first attempt at goal. Aston Oxborough scooped up Vaclav Cerny’s shot before Liam Gordon nodded the ball behind.

Cyriel Dessers was next to have a pop at goal, but despite getting in behind the ‘Well defence, the forward dragged his shot across the face of goal and beyond the far post.

At the other end, Jack Butland was untroubled until the 25th minute, when the Steelmen broke the deadlock.

A hopeful long ball found Maswanhise at the edge of the penalty area, and when the ball broke to Steve Seddon, the defender whipped an inviting cross into the six-yard area. Halliday, sneaking in at the back post, timed his run to perfection, stretching to delicately clip the ball past Butland.

Oxborough was called into action to preserve the Steelmen’s lead moments later. The commanding shot-stopper threw himself across goal to palm Connor Barron’s low drive round his right-hand post.

The Fir Park stopper was soon forced into a couple of saves before half time, again at full stretch to beat away Mohamed Diomande’s curling shot before palming John Souttar’s headed effort behind to keep his clean sheet intact.

Unfortunately for the Steelmen, it took Rangers five minutes to finally beat Oxborough. Barron squared the ball across to Dessers, and from eight yards, he scooped his finish beyond Oxborough.

That prompted an immediate change for ‘Well, with Tom Sparrow coming on for Seddon and Wilson taking a step back on the left side.

While that change prompted a bit more action around Butland’s box, Kettlewell made a double change after 63 minutes, swapping his front-two, with Zach Robinson and Jair Tavares coming on.

Six minutes later, Marvin Kaleta’s whipped pass sent Sparrow racing down the right-hand side but the substitute couldn’t strike a clean connection on the ball, allowing Butland to easily gather.

At the other end, Oxborough produced another fine save low to his right, pushing Cerny’s drive across his goal to safety.

A positive late challenge from Kaleta brilliantly delayed a promising Rangers attack, but the interception took its toll on the ‘Well defender as he limped off with Shane Blaney taking his place in the back five.

It was Rangers, though, who found the winner ten minutes from time, with the goal carrying more than a slice of good fortune.

Oxborough had Bajrami’s angled shot covered at his near post until Balmer’s sliding challenge inadvertently deflected the ball over the ‘keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Six minutes of additional time was the signal for Dan Casey to join the attack, but despite a late flurry towards Butland’s goal, ‘Well couldn’t find an equaliser to prolong their cup run.

Stuart Kettlewell gives his thoughts on his sides 2-1 defeat to Rangers at Hampden.

Lennon Miller says nothing will change in his approach to the game, after the manager has assigned him captain for Sunday’s big showdown with Rangers.

The 18-year-old remains unfazed about the responsibility and is firmly focused on the challenge of Rangers.

We will open on Sunday from 10am until 11.30am for last minute sales and any tickets still not collected.

Any uncollected tickets will be taken to Hampden.  The ticket cabin is situated at the Southeast corner of the stadium, next to the turnstiles G3 – G8.

Persons attending events at Hampden Park should be aware that the area immediately surrounding the stadium is mainly residential and the availability of on-street parking is extremely limited due to event specific parking restrictions.

On event days we would advise persons attending Hampden Park where possible to use public transport to get to and from the stadium, if not travelling by organised coach/bus.

Parking Wardens will be on duty patrolling the restricted areas.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

This is an excellent source of information regarding all forms of public transport to and from the stadium and provides up to date, live time information. The Journey Planner can be found here.

A guide on how to get to Hampden Park can be found here.

Scotrail:

Additional carriages and services run both pre and post event, with Motherwell fans going to and from Kings Park.

An online timetable can be found here.

Park & Ride: Several railway park and ride options are available.

BUSES – WITHOUT official Hampden car parking passes

M8/M73 to M74 Jct 1A (Polmadie) – onto Polmadie Road towards Stadium and follow directions from Police motorcyclists to allocated supporters bus parking areas in the east of stadium area

Luke was lucky enough to be drawn out of a hat to be the mascot for Sunday at Hampden.

The club bought him a new strip for the big day to ensure he looked the part. So, we got a very special deliveryman to surprise him with his new strip.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell has confirmed vice-captain Stephen O’Donnell will miss the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday, and that Lennon Miller will be captain on the day. 

The Motherwell boss speaks about Rangers and the narrative around their poor run of form. Kettlewell isn’t buying into that narrative and knows his side will need to be at their very best if we are to reach to the final.

Motherwell travel to the national stadium on Sunday 3 November to take on Rangers for a spot in the Premier Sports Cup final.

Kick off is 3pm at Hampden Park.

How to follow the game

Season ticket holders will be able to purchase up to six tickets each and these will be made available to purchase online or in person at the Ticket Office.

Please note that your Season Ticket customer number is XXX.  Details of how to register and activate your account prior to tickets going online is attached.  We would encourage as many supporters as possible to purchase online where you will be able to view and select your own seats.

If purchasing online or by phone, you will be contacted when your tickets are ready for collection.

• Friday – 9-4pm

What else is happening?

All Buses running from Fir Park are sold out.

For those with pre-booked bus tickets, buses will leave promptly from outside the Cooper stand at 1.30pm and we would ask you to please make your way to your bus at 1.15pm at the latest.

The Cooper Bar will open from 11am selling drinks and breakfast rolls and the Cooper stand also opening at 11am.

Drinks will be on sale from kiosk 7, which you will be able to take to the stand and kiosk 8 will be serving food.

Club Shop

Our Club Shop will be open on Saturday 10.30am-1pm and on Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm to enable you to get your Motherwell hats, scarves, strips etc for Hampden.

Pre-Match Entertainment @Fir Park

Callum Brand will be performing live from 11am pitch-side at the Cooper stand. Callum is a local singer and songwriter and a massive Motherwell fan.

He has a written a new song ‘The Pride of Lanarkshire’ to show how much Motherwell Football Club means to him and will perform it on the day.

In addition to Callum, we will have free face painters in the concourse area.

Post Match

Please make your way back to the same bus which will be parked in the Purple car park (off Aitkenhead Road) immediately after the game ends.

The Cooper Bar and Stand will both re-open on return to Fir Park for refreshments, with Callum performing again trackside.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS

Persons attending events at Hampden Park should be aware that the area immediately surrounding the stadium is mainly residential and the availability of on-street parking is extremely limited due to event specific parking restrictions.

TRAINS TO HAMPDEN

Motherwell 12.53 or Airbles 12.55 arrives Newton (Lanark) 13.12

Newton (Lanark) 13.39 arrives Kings Park 13.49

Kings Park Station is around a 10 min walk (0.5 mile) to Hampden.

Please arrive at Hampden in good time for kick off as with a big crowd expected turnstiles etc will be busy.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

Stephen O’Donnell came off against Dundee United and won’t be available for this match.

Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Harry Paton, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan and Sam Nicholson remain out for this game.

Liam Gordon and Tony Watt are available for selection, after both missed Wednesday night’s match.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It was the perfect preparation for the Steelmen going into this match. A 2-1 win at Tannadice, thanks to a Tawanda Maswanhise double, meant it was seven wins out off 11 away match in the Premiership for Stuart Kettlewell’s side.

That result lifted Motherwell to fourth in the table on 16 points.

Defeating Edinburgh City, Clyde, Kilmarnock and Dundee United to reach this stage, it’s a first semi-final in six years for the club.

Opposition Report

Rangers are three points ahead of Motherwell in the league standings. Rangers were defeated 2-1 in their last match against Aberdeen on Wednesday night at Pittodrie.

It’s three wins and three loses in their last six outings, with Rangers overcoming St Johnstone and Dundee to reach the last four of this competition.

Cyriel Dessers remains the top scorer for Rangers in all competitions, with seven goals, however Czech Republic international Vaclav Cerny has found the net on six occasions since arriving in the summer, with five of those goals coming in October.

It’s a huge week for Motherwell Football Club, with the opportunity to reach the Premier Sports Cup final fast approaching. But first, a trip to Dundee came on Wednesday night.

With fourth against fifth, the game started off a tight contest. Chances were few and far between, but Tawanda Maswanhise soon put stop to that, finishing from Dan Casey’s header across goal.

Stephen O’Donnell had to withdraw in the first-half, which started a string of Dundee United chances. Aston Oxborough stood strong but eventually the pressure took it’s toll and the hosts were level.

Motherwell started well in the second-half and soon, it was Maswanhise who pounced on a Dundee United error to win the game and send the travelling support down the road full of optimism for Sunday’s glamour tie.