| 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 |
Stuart Kettlewell was pleased that his side put in a strong performance against Livingston in the cinch Premiership last weekend, but insists his team need to approach the Ross County match with the same, professional mindset.
Despite safety being secured, Kettlewell has his eyes set on finishing 7th place and wants that to be a driving factor for the remaining games.
Callum Slattery made a bright start to the 2023/24 season. Beginning his third year at Fir Park, Slattery was at the heart of all things good during Motherwell’s Viaplay Cup campaign. He scored two and assisted three times in July.
That positive start to proceedings had the English midfielder full of optimism and confidence for the season that lay ahead. Fans would see the finished product on a Saturday but those goal involvements and positive performances were a result of hard work off the pitch and a full pre-season.
“It was probably the best I had felt in my career,” Slattery said.
“Just in terms of fitness, general performances and consistency, I was loving it. I was in a good place mentally and had added some goals to my game.
“I’d say I was on track for my best season in football.”
His man of the match displays continued into the league season, where he even won his first player of the month award at the club. But football can be a cruel sport. Slattery would be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in January, after a tackle on the training ground.
“It was one of those nothing challenges,” he explained.
“The ball went into a group of bodies and my foot got caught in the ground. My upper body twisted but my foot remained planted. I knew I had done something serious as the pain was unbearable.
“I had a bad injury when I was young kid, maybe 15 or 16, but nothing in my professional career.
“When you’re younger, I don’t think it effects you as much. You’re still buzzing to be in and about the place but at this age, you do begin to realise how much being out on the pitch helps.
“Being out there makes your forget things. Not playing has a big impact.”
It was confirmed that Slattery would miss the rest of the season after this serious knee injury. Despite the 25-year-old having a fair idea this would be the case, having the news confirmed was still tough to hear.
The injury had prevented him from completing a season that had so much potential but even in the day-to-day aspect, everything changed.
“I arrive at the same time as the boys in the morning,” Slattery revealed.
“So, you kind of still get that feeling of coming in together, but I’m straight up the gym until lunchtime.
“I’ll do exercises to help improve the strength in my leg then I head back down for lunch where I get to see the boys for a bit before going back to the gym.
“All of the work is inside which is completely different mentally, it’s something you have to get through physically and mentally.”
It’s that battle that has the former Southampton midfielder taking a moment to reflect about the importance the sport has on his life.
“As players, you can take football for granted,” he added.
“You don’t realise how much of a part football plays in your life.
“You come in, go out to play, train, all these things and it becomes normal. You forget worries and concerns outside of football when you’re playing.
“I sat down on the couch the other day and thought how lucky I am and how much I do love football. When you’re playing, sometimes you have to deal with the lows and bad spells.
“But playing is such a luxury. Having that taken away for a period of time is tough. You now have a lot of time to think.”
This season, had this injury not have occurred, Slattery would have been on course to achieve 100 games for Motherwell, something he set out as a target early in the season. But just not completing the season is something that disappoints him as he wanted to see where things would have ended.
But now, the routine is different and the week has been altered and that is something he has had to adjust to.
“My worst day of the week is a Saturday,” the 25-year-old said.
“Saturday used to be the best. But I now have to come in and sit in the stands and just watch. There is nothing I can do to help the team.
“I’m really missing that feeling of walking out on the pitch.”
Despite all the disappointment and boredom of waiting, Slattery has his focus dialled in on his return to action.
“Having the surgery straight away was good,” he explained.
“It means my knee is fixed and that’s a step in the right direction. It’s just about building strength up in the knee and the fitness work around it, which is the long bit, that’s tough.
“I’m just going step by step to get back on the pitch. Each day, week and month, you can see progress.
“All the time, I try to picture myself in the moment of going back on the pitch and what it’ll be like. It’s far away just now which is the harsh reality, but I believe it’ll come round quick and I simply cannot wait.”
Motherwell are on their final Saturday travels of the season, with the Steelmen due north to face Ross County in Dingwall.
Kick off is 3pm on Saturday 11 May.
You can buy tickets online now.
| Away Stand | |
| Adults | £28 |
| Concessions (Over 65s and 18-21) | £12 |
| Young Adults (Under 18) | £5 |
| Ambulant Disabled | £12 |
All ticket sales are online only, we will advise if we will be offering paper ticket sales on the day in due course, otherwise sales will be up until Kick Off.
If anyone requires a wheelchair space please ask them to call the club shop on 01349 860860.
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.
We will be wearing our home kit for this match.
Harry Paton marked his return from injury on Saturday against Livingston.
Adam Devine remains a doubt for the match and will be assessed this week.
Jon Obika and Callum Slattery won’t be available. Jack Vale remains suspended.
Motherwell narrowed the gap to seventh place on Saturday, with a comfortable 4-1 win over Livingston. Theo Bair continued his astounding season, by netting a brace to take the Canadian to 15 goals.
Sam Nicholson was named in the starting 11, he made the most of the opportunity by scoring a screamer in the first half, with Dan Casey also scoring.
The result means Motherwell are guaranteed Premiership football next season, but also continues their fine run of form, with four wins and two draws in the last eight games.
The Steelmen are now on 40 points, with Aberdeen on 41 and Hibernian on 42.
Ross County are fighting to avoid the playoff spot, and are doing everything they can to do so.
A shock victory over title chasers Rangers two weeks ago, was then followed up by a disappointing defeat to Livingston. County bounced back on Saturday, taking all three points off Hibernian in a 2-1 win.
In doing so, they moved up to 10th in the league, two points ahead of St Johnstone in 11th.
It’s three wins and three defeats in their last six, with their last home defeat coming way back on 3 February against St Johnstone.
Simon Murray scored his 18th goal in all competitions on Saturday, as he continues to be the Staggies’ leading marksman.
The writing was on the wall for Livingston, but this match was significant for Motherwell, should they finish in 7th place this season.
A win would seal Motherwell’s place in the Premiership next season, and with that in mind, the Steelmen looked for an early lead.
Theo Bair would get the chance to score from the spot after Devlin handled the ball in the area, Bair slotted home to get the ball rolling. Given his chance from the start, Sam Nicholson rifled home right before the break with a goal of the season contender.
Bair made it 15 goals from the season when he got on the end of Georgie Gent’s cross, before Dan Casey made it 4-0 from a corner.
Joel Nouble scored a consolation goal that would have little say in the match. Motherwell’s result leaves them two points off 7th, with Livingston six year stay in the Premiership coming to a close.
Motherwell mathematically secured their Premiership status for the forthcoming season after cruising to a convincing three-goal cushion over Livingston on Saturday afternoon, defeating the visitors 4-1 at Fir Park which confirmed the Lions’ relegation to the Championship.
Theo Bair placed an accurate penalty kick beyond Shamal George after a handball from Georgie gent’s whipped delivery from the left of the near post. A miraculous strike from distance soon doubled the Steelmen’s advantage, with Sam Nicholson rattling the crossbar before landing beyond the goal-line for his second goal in claret and amber.
The Canadian striker soon added his second of the game midway through the second-half, with Gent’s whipped delivery across the face of goal being met by Bair, who powered home a precise header at the back post. Dan Casey headed home a fourth in the latter stages of the game , with Joel Noble netting a consolation for the visitors a few minutes later.
Stuart Kettlewell made two changes from the defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie last weekend. Andy Halliday replaced Davor Zdravkovski in midfield whilst Sam Nicholson came in for the suspended Jack Vale to support lone striker Theo Bair.
After feeling aggrieved by a VAR decision to show Jack Vale a straight red card last weekend, the Fir Park men got the benefit of the doubt on this occasion.
Georgie Gent whipped a ball in from the left but as it struck Mickey Devlin, the Blackburn loanee immediately appealed for a spot kick. Referee David Munro wasn’t convinced but after checking with the trackside monitor he pointed to the penalty spot Bair stepped up and Molly slotted his penalty into the bottom-left corner.
Motherwell continued to flood the Livingston penalty area and doubled their advantage moments before the half-time whistle. Stephen O’Donnell drilled a low pass to Nicholson about 25 yards from goal. The former Hearts man took one touch before turning and unleashing a stunning drive which flew past George and into the net off the underside of the ‘keeper’s bar to round off a fine first half performance from the home side.
Motherwell were immediately on the attack from the restart and Bair’s hooked cross fell kindly across the edge of the penalty area, but Blair Spittal’s high volley sent the ball straight to the waiting ‘keeper. As the pressure on the visitors defence mounted, Halliday’s volley from outside the box flew just wide of the target.
With the final throw of the dice, Martindale made the last of three substitutions on the hour mark that resulted in a bit more pressure around the ‘Well box.
Five minutes later, Kettlewell aimed to counter that, bringing on Harry Paton and Zdravkovski.
And within two minutes, it was game over as ‘Well made it 3-0.
Once again, Gent sped down the left and when his cross emerged in the penalty box, it found Bair lingering in the six-yard box. A superb diving header powered the ball into the top corner and make it 15 for the season.
Dan Casey made it 4-0 after 74 minutes with a firm header, although it took another VAR check to overrule Livi’s claims for an infringement.
Almost straight from the delayed restart, the Lions grabbed a goal when Nouble’s looping header carried the ball over Kelly and in off the ‘keeper’s far post.
Nevertheless, the Steelmen comfortably held out in the final few moments to secure their SPFL status, with an assured 4-1 victory at Fir Park.
Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the 4-1 win over Livingston.
Georgie Gent is your G4 Claims April player of the month.
The Blackburn loanee netted his first goal in the cinch Premiership against Dundee, following in from Theo Bair’s penalty. The full-back’s strike kick started the comeback that day, that seen Motherwell win 3-2.
A 90 minute performance against Hibernian followed next, where he helped his side score late on to earn a point. He then started against Aberdeen.
After numerous nominations this season, Gent scoops this award for the first time.
Shane Blaney says that this season has been a bit of an up and down one. Blaney reckons however, with the amount of late comebacks, there is plenty character and fight in the team that will bode well going forward.
Blaney is asked about VAR and how it changes the way you play the game as player and also discusses the impressive Lennon Miller.
Stuart Kettlewell goes in depth with his thoughts on the most recent report from an Independent Panel, that found their to be 10 key incidents called wrong by VAR. Kettlewell wants this season to be turned into something of a learning curve going forward for Scottish football.
The Motherwell manager says Livingston will throw everything at his side on Saturday in their bid to remain the top-flight, whilst he also provides a squad update.
It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for April.
Georgie Gent, Liam Kelly, Lennon Miller and Shane Blaney are all up for nomination.
To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.
