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Following a discussion at last night’s AGM, the Club wishes to clarify Stuart Kettlewell’s contract position.

The Motherwell manager was appointed back in February 2023, having won his two games in interim charge against St Mirren and Hearts.

Kettlewell then signed a contract to become the permanent manager. The deal ran initially until May 2024 but it was agreed, should Motherwell remain in the top flight, that deal would be extended 12 months until May 2025.

We would like to apologise to both our fans and Stuart for not properly communicating the terms of the extension in May last year and for the uncertainty this has clearly caused.

“Although during the 12 months of his time here there has been some highs and lows, we firmly believe that Stuart can take this group of players and the club forward,” Chairman Jim McMahon said.

“He came in at a difficult point last season and rejuvenated everyone at the club. This season, we are in a position to move up the table towards the end of the campaign. He has worked tremendously hard to this point and we will continue to back him.

“I ask that everyone gets behind the team as we push into the last segment of this season. The support this season, at home and on the road, has been impressive and we’re all hugely appreciative of it. We will need that as we head into a crucial point of the season.”

Defender Jili Buyabu has returned to his parent club Sheffield United for personal reasons. 

Buyabu made one appearance in his time at Motherwell, when he was a second-half substitute against Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup.

Zander McAllister has been included in the latest Scotland Under 16 squad. 

The 20-man squad travel to Cyprus later this month to play in a A UEFA Development Tournament. They will take on the hosts, alongside Romania and Norway.

McAllister will join up with Brian McLaughlin and the rest of the squad as they use this tournament as part of their preparations for the forthcoming Victory Shield.

• Scotland v Romania
• Wednesday 28 February
• 1pm
• Gerοskipou Municipality Stadium, Paphos 

• Cyprus v Scotland
• Friday 1 March
• 10am
• Gerοskipou Municipality Stadium, Paphos

• Norway v Scotland
• Monday 4 March
• 9am
• Pafiako Stadium, Paphos

Celtic are the visitors to Fir Park on Sunday 25 February. 

Kick off is 12pm.

How to follow the match

– 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 from the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 9am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

The match is live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

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

Callum Slattery and Oli Shaw will be missing for this match.

Andy Halliday, Calum Butcher and Blair Spittal missed Saturday’s trip to Tynecastle and will be assessed going into Sunday. Barry Maguire remains a doubt also.

Motherwell Fortunes

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Hearts proved to be Motherwell’s first defeat since Christmas Eve against Rangers.

It had been four draws and two wins in the league since that match, with Theo Bair scoring in six consecutive league games prior to Saturday.

The Hearts defeat leaves Motherwell in ninth place in the table, six points off Dundee in sixth.

Opposition Report

Title chasers Celtic dropped to second in the table behind Rangers on Sunday afternoon, after the Celts drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday.

The result means it’s been two draws in three games for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Their last defeat came against Hearts in December, when they were beaten 2-0 by the Jambos.

He may not have hit the heights of last season but Japanese striker Kyogo is still finding the back of the net this campaign. He is on 13 goals for the current season and got on the scoresheet as recently as Saturday.

Matt O’Riley is also a danger man for Celtic. The Dane has scored ten this season but has also got 12 assists.

Celtic slightly have the upperhand in this fixtures this season. The first meeting between the sides back in October seen Luis Palma net in the 87th minute, seemingly winning the match. Blair Spittal equalised in the 96th minute before Matt O’Riley found the back of the net with the last kick of the ball.

At Celtic Park, Jon Obika nodded home from a corner off the bench to earn his side a point, with Liam Kelly saving a penalty also.

Having lost a three goal lead against Aberdeen three days prior, Motherwell were back on the road again this time to Edinburgh and looking to go one better than the midweek draw. 

The trip to Tynecastle could have been daunting one given the Jambos recent run of form, but it was Motherwell who were carving out the better of the chances in the opening exchanges. Jack Vale, Dan Casey and Lennon Miller all had opportunities but couldn’t convert.

Despite dominating possession, Hearts’ first real chance of the game came from a set piece in the second-half where Lawrence Shankland nodded home inside the area. The goal knocked the stuffing out the Steelmen and in stoppage time, the Jambos doubled their lead and made sure of the points.

A lack of concentration at set piece proving to be an issue again as Motherwell will look to bounce back against Celtic next weekend.

Motherwell came away from Edinburgh empty-handed after a 2-0 defeat at Tynecastle.

Second-half goals from Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas gave the home side all three points despite a promising first hald

Motherwell started brightly and had a great chance within three minutes. Some good play down the right led to Lennon Miller slicing open the Hearts defence to find Jack Vale but his shot didn’t have the power or accuracy to trouble Clark in the Hearts goal.

Hearts almost took the lead moments later as Cochrane’s deep ball in was headed towards his own goal by Paul McGinn. Thankfully Liam Kelly was on hand to tip over.

Dan Casey, making his first appearance since December, tried his luck from 40 yards, It was speculative but turned out to be a fine effort as it loope just under the bar but Clark made a good save to deny a goal-of-the-season contender.

Motherwell continued to look the more likely and arguably should have been ahead in the 35th minute. A good counter-attack led to Paton sliding in Lennon Miller but it almost seemed like he had too much time and couldn’t find the target with his shot.

After going into the break all square, Motherwell came out brightly again forcing multiple corners with some good attacking play although there were few tests for Zander Clark.

Motherwell were left to rue their missed chances as the home side began to create more efforts on goal and eventually break the deadlock.

After hitting the post moments earlier the league’s top scorer Lawrence Shankland rose highest to head in a Forrest free-kick.

That goal rallied the home support and ‘Well failed to create any further chances.

The points were secured in stoppage time as Vargas pulled the ball out the air and blasted past Liam Kelly. Claims for a foul on Stephen O’Donnell were waved away and after a quick VAR check the goal was given.

Focus now turns to next Sunday’s game against Celtic at Fir Park.

Stuart Kettlewell reflects on Hearts defeat.

• Carved out really good chances
• Conceding similar goals
• Players missing

Adam Devine scored his first professional goal on Wednesday night against Aberdeen and say he can take a great deal of confidence from doing so. 

The Rangers loanee made the most of his first start and is excited to see what the rest of his stay in ML1 has to offer. He says that looking at previous full back’s including Max Johnston and Brodie Spencer highlight the platform here at Motherwell and he wants to make the most of that.

Stuart Kettlewell says he was left disappointed that his side gave up a three goal lead against Aberdeen, that led them to only picking up a point at Pittodrie. Despite this, there were positives from the match that he can take into Saturday’s cinch Premiership match against Hearts. 

The Motherwell boss discusses VAR reviews, Theo Bair and takes note of Hearts’ impressive form.

Motherwell travel to the capital to take on Hearts on Saturday 17 February. 

Kick off is 3pm.

Ticket Prices

Tickets are available online.

There will be no cash turnstiles on the day, tickets need to be purchased in the advance.

Season Ticket holders will have until 5pm on Monday 5th February to purchase and secure tickets. Thereafter, remaining tickets will go on general sale.

Singing section is in the lower stand.

Postage available until 14th February.

Ambulant Disabled supporters who have further enquiries, please contact Keith Ferguson, the Hearts Disability Liaison Officer on Keith Ferguson at keithferguson@homplc.co.uk

How to follow the game

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 News

Callum Slattery remains missing for this match. Oli Shaw will be missing through a hamstring injury.

Barry Maguire is a doubt.

Andy Halliday is ineligible to face his parent club.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

The Steelmen haven’t lost in the league since Christmas Eve, with two league wins and four draws since then.

They have only lost one of their last seven away league games but on the flip side, haven’t won away from home since a 0-1 win at Tynecastle back in September.

Theo Bair has been in electric form, with eight goals in his last six league games.

Opposition Report

Hearts have been in formidable form with ten wins and a draw from their last eleven games which has propelled them to twelve points clear in third place.

Lawrence Shankland continues his own excellent form. The league’s top scorer has netted 24 times this season, scoring 13 in his last 11 games.