| 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 |
Two of our fixtures in February have been selected to be shown live on Sky Sports.
Motherwell v Celtic, originally scheduled for Saturday 24 February at 3pm, has now been moved to the following day – Sunday 25th February, with a 12 noon kick-off.
Also selected is Livingston v Motherwell on Wednesday 28 February. The match will take place on the original date but kick-off has been moved back fifteen minutes to 8pm.
It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for December.
Davor Zdravkovksi, Theo Bair, Georgie Gent and Mika Biereth are all up for nomination.
To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.
We have number of players out on loan at the present, in Scotland and England.
Matty Connelly joined East Kilbride in December. He was named on the bench against Gretna before making his debut for the Lowland League side against Albion Rovers. Rovers came away with a 3-1 win, with East Kilbride remaining top of the league.
Ricki Lamie is now up to 11 appearances for the Dee.
Ineligible for the match against Motherwell, Lamie has made three further appearances since the last loan update at the end of November.
He was involved in two defeats and a win in that time, with Dundee seeing two matches postponed in December.
Nathan McGinley has now returned to the club, following his loan spell at Partick Thistle. He didn’t make an appearance in his time with the Jags and was named on the bench for our match against Hibernian on 2 January.
December saw an upturn in results for Stirling Albion and Ewan Wilson, with Albion sitting on 18 points after 20 games.
It’s a tight league as, although currently eighth in the table, Stirling are only five points off of the playoff spots.
Ewan Wilson has started three and been a sub in two since our last update, taking his number of Stirling appearances up to ten.
Sam Campbell played 69 minutes of Scottish Cup action, in a penalty shootout defeat to Dumbarton at the end of November.
An unused substitute in last three matches, Campbell is now on 11 appearances for Annan Athletic. Campbell has now departed the club.
Robbie Garcia played on five occasions for Cowdenbeath.
He has returned to the club.
Barry Maguire hasn’t featured for Kidderminster Harriers since the start of November. Maguire is on 15 appearances with his loan spell set to expire this month.
Ross Tierney has had battles with injury in the last month, featuring only twice for Walsall since our last update.
The Saddlers sit 13th in the table.
Adam MacDonald has been enjoying plenty game time with Cowdenbeath.
He started three games in December, which resulted in three wins for his side. He was also a second half substitute against Inverness CT in the Scottish Cup.
Cowdenbeath are 9th in the table as they look to continue their run of form.
Despite off the field troubles hitting Edinburgh City, Robbie Mahon has impressed on the field.
Scoring in the last five consecutive games, netting six goals in total, Mahon is now on seven goals for the season.
The 20-year-old has now returned to the club.
Mark Ferrie joined Stenhousemuir on a loan deal until January and has made seven appearances so far.
Stenny are 11 points clear of second placed Peterhead as they motor closer to promotion. They face Forfar at the weekend, in what will be Mark Ferrie’s last match before his loan expires.
Conor Wilkinson has left the club to join Colchester United for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
The striker who signed in the summer of 2023, made 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals in the process.
“Conor has been given the opportunity for more game time and a move closer to home,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.
“We had a very good discussion during the negotiations and we both thought it best that this move should go ahead.
“Although only joining us in the summer, I do believe Conor brought something to the table in his time at Motherwell and wish him the very best for the rest of his career.”
“Thank you to everyone affiliated with Motherwell football club,” Wilkinson said.
“From day one you welcomed me with open arms. My decision to move on wasn’t easy but with the last couple of years being injured playing games is the most important thing for me to do.
“The gaffer and his staff work tirelessly day in day out for the football club and I wish everyone all the best. Thank you for the support this season and good luck.”
We thank Conor for his efforts at the club and wish him the very best for the future.
With the festive season almost over, Motherwell had one last game before the winter shutdown, a trip to Easter Road to face Hibernian.
With only 12 senior players available, it was a slow start for the Steelmen who after continued pressure from the hosts, eventually went behind thanks to a Ellie Youan goal for Hibernian.
But Motherwell showed their steel once again. Theo Bair drew the sides level as he made it three goals in two games.
Bevis Mugabi nodded his side ahead, turning the game on it’s head in the process. The Motherwell backline had to remain robust from 64 minutes on, and looked to have achieved their task of holding on as we entered stoppage time.
But it was late heartbreak for the ‘Well as Youan made it a double in the 92nd minute of the match, as both teams had to settle for a point.
Brodie Spencer has returned to his parent club Huddersfield Town.
Spencer joined on loan in the summer. Although the deal was initially for the full season, Huddersfield have recalled the Northern Irishman.
“The loan market has been important in our recruitment this season and Brodie’s has been a very successful one for both player and club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.
“We’re, of course, disappointed to lose Brodie earlier than initially anticipated but full understand the decision made by Huddersfield.
“Brodie made a real impact in his time here and gained valuable game time and experience, which has got him back into the Northern Ireland setup also.
“I want to thank Huddersfield for their co-operation and sincerely wish Brodie the very best for the rest of the season.”
The 19-year-old made 18 appearances this campaign and was a regular in Stuart Kettlewell’s starting lineups since his arrival.
“I want to thank everyone at Motherwell for all the help and support during my time at the club,” Brodie Spencer added.
“It’s been such a great experience and I believe I’m a better player for my time up in Scotland. I wish the club, the supporters and everyone involved all the best for the future.”
We thank Brodie for his efforts in his time at Fir Park and wish him well for the future.
Motherwell went into the winter break with a 2-2 draw at Easter Road.
Goals from Theo Bair and Bevis Mugabi had the Steelmen heading for three points but Elie Youan’s strike in stoppage time saw the game end in a draw.
Hibs had most of the ball in the opening half-hour and took a deserved lead in the 28th minute.
Youan and Tavares looked threatening on both wings with the former getting his reward as he cut in past McGinn and fired past Kelly.
Hibs almost doubled their advantage when Christian Doidge spun inside the box but Liam Kelly was equal to his shot with a strong hand.
Motherwell had failed to threaten the Hibs goal but a moment of magic from Mika Biereth and Theo Bair created an equaliser.
A throw-in from the left found Biereth and his clever reverse pass found the onrushing Bair who made it three goals in his last two games.
Moments later Callum Slattery nearly gave the visitors the lead as Harry Paton’s shot was beaten out by Marshall, straight at the Englishman but the ball rebounded off his knee and safely into the goalkeeper’s hands.
From there neither goalkeeper was troubled as Motherwell soaked up pressure and looked to break on the counter attack but just lacked the final killer ball into space.
In the 68th minute the Steelmen went ahead.
Blair Spittal’s free-kick was headed as far as Stephen O’Donnell who headed the ball back into the danger area. His header found Mika Biereth who claimed his second assist of the game as Bevis Mugabi powered his header into the net.
Hibs kept looking for a reply and nearly found one as substitute Lewis Stevenson saw his effort comes crashing off the bar.
At that point it almost looked to be Motherwell’s day but as the game entered stoppage time the home side drew level.
A harmless ball into the box wasn’t properly cleared and Elie Youan – via a deflection from Bevis Mugabi – fired into the net to claim what was probably a fair result but a frustrating one as Motherwell look to climb the table.
‘Well now go into the winter break and prepare to take on Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup with the action resumes.
Stuart Kettlewell’s thoughts after his side drew 2-2 with Hibernian.]
Pape Souare has departed the club following the expiry of his contract.
The Senegalese international made six appearances in his time at Motherwell and is recovering from a serious ankle injury with associated fracture sustained in October.
We thank Pape for his efforts and wish him well for his recovery and future.
Their last win came against Hearts on 3 September and the pressure had been mounting for the Steelmen to get their first win in 15 attempts.
Bottom of the table Livingston were their last opportunity in 2023 to do so, and they grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
A commanding first half performance seen Blair Spittal and Theo Bair find the back of the net and the ‘Well 3-1 up going into the break.
Conditions worsened in the second half that seen very little action but Stuart Kettlewell won’t care, as his side moved up to 8th in the table with the 3-1 win.
