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  • First team

    Kicking off the post-split fixtures

  • First team

    Goal of the season vote 2023/24

  • First team

    Post-split fixtures confirmed

  • First team

    500 and not out

  • First team

    Coming up just short on top-six // Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian

  • First team

    Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell reacts to Hibernian draw

  • First team

    Dylan Wells agrees two-year extension

  • First team

    Vote for the 2023/24 player of the year

  • First team

    Dan Casey ahead of Hibernian

  • First team

    Kicking off the post-split fixtures

    Tuesday 23 April 2024
    Kicking off the post-split fixtures

    Motherwell begin life post-split with a trip to Aberdeen on Saturday 27 April. 

    Kick off is 3pm at Pittodrie.

    How to follow the game
    Away Stand
    Adults £26
    Over 65s £20
    Over 75s £16
    Youth (18-21) £16
    Under 18 £12
    Under 12 £6

    Tickets are now on sale online.

    Postage will only be up until Tuesday 23 April

    If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

    Should you be in the UK, it will be commentary only.

    Kit Watch

    We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

    Injury Update

    Adam Devine, Callum Slattery, Harry Paton and Jon Obika will be missing for this match.

    Motherwell’s Fortunes

    Motherwell narrowly missed out on top-six football with a draw at home to Hibernian on match day 33.

    The result meant the Steelmen would finish in the bottom six this season and now look to finish the campaign strongly.

    With nine points separating 7th to 11th, every point is vital. The ‘Well have seen a turnaround in fortunes since the end of December, suffering three defeats in 14 matches, with two of those defeats coming against Hearts and Celtic.

    The other loss was at Fir Park against Aberdeen, in a match littered with controversy.

    Motherwell haven’t beaten Aberdeen in their last five attempts, but will take confidence from their most recent trip to Aberdeen where after being pegged back from three goals ahead, Harry Paton’s late finish was ruled out for a foul to prevent the three points.

    Opposition Report

    Aberdeen were in Scottish Cup semi final action on Saturday against Celtic. In a dramatic 120 minutes of football and a penalty shootout, Celtic advanced to the final after a 3-3 draw.

    Peter Leven has taken control of the last four league matches and the semi final tie at the weekend after Neil Warnock departed the club. In that time, he is unbeaten in the league with two draws and two wins. Wins over Motherwell and Ross County were followed by back-to-back stalemates against Dundee and Livingston.

    Their talisman, Bojan Miovski, continues to be the source of goals for Aberdeen. The North Macedonian netted against Celtic and also found the back of the net against Ross County taking his tally in all competitions this season to 24.

  • First team

    Goal of the season vote 2023/24

    Wednesday 17 April 2024

    Voting for the 2023/24 goal of the season award is now open. 

    The choices are viewable on the video above, and are as follows:

    • A- SLATTERY V HEARTS 
    • B- BIERETH V ST JOHNSTONE
    • C- BIERETH V DUNDEE
    • D- BAIR V LIVINGSTON
    • E- SPITTAL V ROSS COUNTY
    • F- SPITTAL V ROSS COUNTY
    • G- SPITTAL V CELTIC 
    • H- SPITTAL V LIVINGSTON
    • I- BAIR V DUNDEE
    • J- BLANEY V HIBERNIAN

    You can vote online now.

    Our end-of-season awards dinner will take place on Saturday 4 May at Dalziel Park Hotel.

    A number of awards will be up for grabs on the night recognising top performers across the first team, women’s team and the academy.

    Hosted by Tam Cowan, the night will consist of live entertainment, 3-course meal and will kick-off at 7pm with first-team players and coaching staff in attendance.

    Individual places are available at £72 per person with tables available in multiples of 10 or 12.

    To book, please call the events team on 01698 338 011 or online.

  • First team

    Post-split fixtures confirmed

    Tuesday 16 April 2024
    Post-split fixtures confirmed

    Our final five fixtures of the season are now confirmed. 

    We will kick off our post-split schedule with a trip to Aberdeen on Saturday 27 April.

    Livingston will visit Fir Park on Saturday 4 May, before we travel to Dingwall on 11 May.

    We then travel to Easter Road on Wednesday 15 May and we will finish the 2023/24 season at Fir Park against St Johnstone on Sunday 19 May.

    Ticket details for all fixtures will be revealed in due course.

  • First team

    500 and not out

    Tuesday 16 April 2024
    500 and not out

    It was a very special and memorable ending in Motherwell’s outing against Dundee on Saturday, but for Paul McGinn, the game carried extra meaning and sentiment.

    McGinn made his 500th professional appearance in football, a special feat achieved by one of Motherwell’s most consistent performers over the last two seasons.

    As we look back on the defender’s impressive career to date, it’s worth noting that his introduction into football was somewhat different to the path that many take.

    “I was actually playing amateur football until I was 17,” McGinn explained.

    “At the time, I had been playing for a local side in Clydebank, playing with the older guys and I was doing quite well. My Uncle worked at Hampden and he said to the guy at Queen’s Park to give me a trial. That’s how I got a chance, so it wasn’t like anyone had seen me or that.

    “I got to the trial game and I was meant to be on the bench but someone didn’t turn up. But I had to play right-midfield. After ten minutes, I scored a volley. The game was at Lesser Hampden so after 20 minutes, you’d have been as well taking me off. I was knackered. But because of the volley, they said to come back because I had something and I got the contract from there.

    “So if it wasn’t for the volley and somebody not turning up, who knows.”

    From there, McGinn began his journey in the Scottish Leagues, starting at the very bottom with Queen’s Park and he went on to make his debut at 18. But that debut didn’t quite go to plan.

    “I got sent off,” McGinn laughed.

    “I came on as a sub. Raith Rovers were going to win the league and Queen’s were fighting to stay up. It was 1-0 Raith and they were keeping the ball in the corner. Barry Douglas came flying in over the top so that got me going as well.

    “Basically, I volleyed a boy. I just remember thinking I was innocent until I seen it back, it was more like Joey Barton. Not a great start but I played quite well so we’ll take that.

    “I was up early working as I was a postman at the time, so I blamed it on that too. Fair to say, I chucked the job not long after.”

    At the time of breaking into the first-team, Queen’s Park had a range of talent who would go on to have fruitful careers. Barry Douglas, Lawrence Shankland, Andy Robertson and Blair Spittal just to name a few, McGinn recalls Dundee United coming in for Douglas and that was when he seen the exposure his team were receiving and shortly after, he would move onto pastures new also.

    “I was meant to sign for Aberdeen, Craig Brown had been on at me,” the defender explained.

    “On the very last day of the season in the playoffs, I got a bad tackle and done my knee. It was swollen so I just went away on holiday. I went to do some running and knew something was wrong. I had to phone Aberdeen.

    “They said, get yourself sorted and come up when you’re ready so we can take a look at you. But because I’d left Queen’s Park, my mum had to pay for my operation. So it wasn’t until early September before I was fit. I actually came into Fir Park at one stage for physio, Stuart McCall was the manager.

    “I went to train with St Mirren and they offered me a deal but I couldn’t turn professional until the January, so I went back on loan to Queen’s Park, that was awkward as they refused to pay for my operation.”

    That time at St Mirren got off to a rough start and unfortunately for McGinn, his time there would be like that. Going out on loan to Dumbarton to get some game time, he would depart having made 0 appearances for the Paisley side.

    “Hamilton and a few others were in for me but it was Dundee who were making good signings,” the Scotland internationalist said.

    “They’d just taken Greg Stewart and Scott Bain up there, so I knew they were making waves. We were good and I enjoyed my time there. I was driving from Clydebank every day, so that wasn’t ideal but I did make my SPL debut.

    “By the end of my contract, Dundee had been going on constantly about new deals but nothing ever happened. They messed around and when I got offered a deal, I felt it was a bit disrespectful so I thought I’d go try something else at Chesterfield.

    “League One in England, new stadium. Looking back, I’d do it again. It’s the only real time in my career where I had a bad injury. I missed most of the time there. I scored at Bramall Lane and Rochdale. Both were outside the box, I’m normally three goals a season. Until I came to Motherwell.”

    McGinn’s time at Chesterfield drew to a close and the defender returned back home to Glasgow, with Partick Thistle. A short stint at Firhill ended in relegation, something he admits was one of the lowest points in his career due to the good people associated with the club.

    But his future was already secured, with a return to St Mirren on the cards and agreed with Jack Ross.

    “When I signed for Jack Ross and St Mirren, he won the league and got his big move to Sunderland,” McGinn said.

    “It didn’t really matter, I just went into the same boat as everyone else and had to impress the new manager.”

    As McGinn made powering progress at club level, at international level, eyes were firmly on him, with Steve Clarke naming him in his Scotland squads, alongside brother John.

    “I left pro-youth when I was 11,” McGinn added.

    “You always have that ambition to reach the top but to play for you country, wow. Unbelievable.

    “I’d been in squads before but I always think of Stephen O’Donnell. I’d warmed up for about half-an-hour whilst he was holding his shin against Czech Republic. I was knackered but he held it for ages. Of course, he hung in there for the full 90. I was gutted. The next squad, a couple got COVID.

    “Funnily enough, Anthony Ralston had been playing for Celtic and he got called up. He failed the COVID test at the hotel so I got the shout. That was the one where I got on.”

    Against Austria in a World Cup qualifier, Stephen O’Donnell would come off on 77 minutes to be replaced by McGinn, earning his first and only cap for his country.

    “Highest point of my career, by far,” the 33-year-old said.

    “I remember weirdly thinking, why am I not nervous?

    “It was so special and even better because it was competitive. Previous managers gave caps away here and there in friendlies. “

    But in football, as we all know, it’s not all success and achieving dreams. And that’s a part of the game McGinn thinks is vital to keep in mind.

    “There’s so many lows,” he said.

    “You see John having so much success in England but there’s so many lows. Everyone thinks it’s a brilliant job, which it is of course, but you’ve got to deal with a result effecting your week. That’s been 15 years of that now.

    “You need to be mentally strong, it’s a difficult profession. A lot of players look good in training but just can’t cope with that and fall away.

    “But, if you’d said when I was 17 at that trial, that I was going to play 500 games, play for my country and be professional player, I’d have said you were at it. Your ambitions and self belief changes.

    “In hindsight, I shouldn’t have had to work my way up the leagues but if I didn’t, none of this would have happened. I’ve seen boys that have started there and fell away quickly, so I’m just proud of what I have achieved.”

    McGinn is held in high regard with the Motherwell support, with the defender adopting the tagline of ‘seven out of ten every week.’

    “I get the ‘you’re reliable’ all the time,” he laughed.

    “Surely, I’m just a decent player at some point. No, in all seriousness, it’s just good to get the compliments. Next is just to get the goal here.

    “I’ve always said I’m a right-back, but I very rarely play there. You get goals in that position and I’m not doing well on that front. It’s got to come soon.

    “It’s either going to be a thunder blaster of a goal or a clanger. Either way, it’ll just be relief.”

  • First team

    Coming up just short on top-six // Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian

    Monday 15 April 2024

    With the battle for the final spot in the top-six going down to the wire, Motherwell’s permutations were simple. They had to beat fellow top-six contenders Hibernian and hope Aberdeen beat Dundee. 

    In blustery conditions, the first-half had very few chances due to both sides struggling to control the ball due to wind.

    In the second-half, Theo Bair thought he had opened the scoring but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside, to which VAR confirmed. Hibernian took the lead from the penalty spot and with Dundee drawing 0-0, put themselves in the top-six.

    Stuart Kettlewell threw the kitchen sink at the Leith side, with strikers Mark Ferrie, Oli Shaw and Moses Ebiye all coming on to create a 4-2-4 formation.

    In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Shane Blaney rifled home a magnificent volley to remove Hibernian’s top six status and gave the Steelmen a glimmer of hope. But with only seconds remaining, time was running out.

    From the kick off, a long ball forward seen Motherwell go through on goal in a four v one scenario, Ebiye crossed into Shaw who could only poke wide from close ranges, causing a dramatic ending to a weather tarnished match.

    The draw meant both sides missed out on top-six and the focus shifts to the remaining five fixtures.

  • First team

    Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian

    Saturday 13 April 2024
    Motherwell 1-1 Hibernian

    Motherwell’s heroic push for a late top six place came up short at the final hurdle.

    Myziane Maolida’s second half penalty looked to be the decisive moment, as Hibs appeared to be firmly in the ascendency, with victory continuing their top-six fight if results favoured elsewhere.

    However, ‘Well’s never say die attitude saw them strike late on for the second consecutive game.

    Irishman Shane Blaney demonstrated his attacking capabilities, connecting beautifully on the half-volley, bulleting a magnificent right-footed strike into the top-left corner. Roared on by the Motherwell support, the hosts almost clinched another late victory from the jaws of defeat, but striker Oli Shaw couldn’t find a clean connection from Moses Ebiye’s low drilled delivery.

    Motherwell bravely chased their dream of a top six finish to the final whistle, but this afternoon’s result confirms the Steelmen’s place for the remainder of the SPFL campaign.

    Stephen O’Donnell and Lennon Miller who both came off the bench to spark the remarkable fightback at Dundee last week, kept their places in the starting line-up for this critical confrontation for the top-six.

    Torrential rain and overcast skies pre-match gave way to the Lanarkshire sunshine ahead of kick-off and on a perfect pitch it looked ideal for such a critical game as both teams aimed to grab the last top six place.

    However, the swirling wind made it difficult for both sets of players to maintain possession in what turned out to be a frustrating first half.

    Things looked promising for the home side inside the opening 10 minutes. Firstly, Dan Casey nodded O’Donnell’s cross wide of goal before Jack Vale burst into the box and although his cut-back found Blair Spittal 15 yards from goal, his snap shot was blocked by Rocky Bushiri.

    The response from Hibs was brief and after a quick exchange along the home penalty box, Elie Youan failed to test the keeper, curling his effort off target.

    Midway through the half, Kelly produced the first save of the game. Martin Boyle set up former Fir Park full back Chris Cadden and his angle drive was tipped over the bar by the ‘Well number 1.

    Facing the Davie Cooper stand and a bit more protection from the wind, the hosts made a positive start.

    The Edinburgh side, in need of at least a point from the game, upped their urgency, with successive saves from Kelly denying them the lead.

    The hosts earned a spot kick midway through the second-half after Blaney’s foot caught Will Fish at the edge of the box. Maolida calmy stepped up and rolled the ball into the right hand corner in front of 2,800 Hibs fans.

    With 20 minutes remaining, and ‘Well needing all three points, Stuart Kettlewell made a triple substitution, bringing on Andy Halliday, Sam Nicholson and Ebiye Moses.

    Eight minutes from time his cross found its way across the box to Cadden and only a brilliant block from Kelly kept his side’s hopes for another late fightback alive.

    And with the game three minutes into additional time Motherwell produced an equaliser to stun the visitors.

    With the ball bouncing about a packed box, Blaney unleashed a shot on the volley which thundered past Marshall.

    There was just enough time for ‘Well to grab all three points when Moses crossed into the six yard box giving Oli Shaw a glimpse of glory but he scooped the ball beyond the post to leave the home side with only a solitary point.

  • First team

    Stuart Kettlewell reacts to Hibernian draw

    Saturday 13 April 2024

    Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 1-1 draw with Hibernian.

    • Late top-six push
    • Coming up just short
    • A new target set

  • First team

    Dylan Wells agrees two-year extension

    Friday 12 April 2024
    Dylan Wells agrees two-year extension

    Dylan Wells has agreed a two-year contract extension, which will see him remain at Fir Park until the summer of 2026. 

    The young attacking midfielder made his first-team debut against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Cup, before making his first league appearance as a second half substitute against Aberdeen.

    “It’s great to see Dylan commit his future to the club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

    “We have had to fend off some interest from some big clubs here but I think Dylan understands the path and the journey the first-team here at Motherwell.

    “He’s had a taste of that first-team action and when you see the likes of Lennon Miller, Mark Ferrie and Luca Ross all involved this season and making progress, it gives that extra incentive for a young player to try and kick on.”

    “I’m really pleased to sign this deal,” Wells added.

    “I’ve came through the ranks here and getting a taste of first-team experience here this season, only makes me hungrier to get more time on the pitch.

    “Getting the deal complete was the first stage, now I need to knuckle down and show everyone what I can do.”

  • First team

    Vote for the 2023/24 player of the year

    Friday 12 April 2024
    Vote for the 2023/24 player of the year

    Voting has now opened for this season’s player of the year. 

    The six nominees are:

    • Lennon Miller
    • Paul McGinn
    • Stephen O’Donnell
    • Blair Spittal
    • Georgie Gent
    • Theo Bair

    To have your say, vote online now.

    Our end-of-season awards dinner will take place on Saturday 4 May at Dalziel Park Hotel.

    A number of awards will be up for grabs on the night recognising top performers across the first team, women’s team and the academy.

    Hosted by Tam Cowan, the night will consist of live entertainment, 3-course meal and will kick-off at 7pm with first-team players and coaching staff in attendance.

    Individual places are available at £72 per person with tables available in multiples of 10 or 12.

    To book, please call the events team on 01698 338 011 or online.

  • First team

    Dan Casey ahead of Hibernian

    Friday 12 April 2024

    Dan Casey says he’s glad the team have some decent form at the right time in the season, as his team still have a chance of reaching the top-six. 

    Despite Dundee’s match against Rangers being postponed, thus meaning a win still won’t confirm a top-six spot, Casey is adamant that it doesn’t change anything for the players and they will just remain focused on winning.