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Defender Shannon Leishman has completed a loan move from Hibernian until the end of the season. 

A stalwart in the Scottish capital, Leishman achieved over 150-appearances in Leith, becoming one of the Hibees most decorated and long-serving players. Completing successive Scottish Cup and SWPL Cup title victories, Leishman has lifted four trophies during her time in Edinburgh, whilst representing the club in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The 28-year-old versatile defender will be a key asset for the women of steel’s as they chase their long-evaded ambition of a top-six finish in the SWPL table.

“I’m excited to be at the club,” Leishman said.

“Motherwell are a really competitive and ambitious team, who are looking to achieve a historic top-six finish this season. I knew when Paul spoke to me about coming to the club that I would be keen to be a part of their plans for the season ahead.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the squad and getting started at K-Park.”

Leishman will add experience to the already strong Motherwell backline, who have kept two back-to-back clean sheets since New Years Day.

“This is an important addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Shannon is an incredibly talented and experienced footballer, who has showcased her ability in the SWPL for countless seasons, and has been a fundamental component for Hibs in recent years.

“To have someone of her ability in the squad is a real statement of intent for where we want to be by the end of the season.”

Defender Eilidh Austin is our first new addition of the January window after agreeing a six-month loan deal with the women of steel. 

The Rangers academy prodigy rose through the ranks in Glasgow, making 19-appearances whilst also plying her trade at Hamilton – scoring five times across 15-appearances at New Douglas Park.

“I’m really pleased to have signed for Motherwell,” Austin said.

“I’ve made a lot of appearances in the SWPL already, but I really wanted to find a consistent run to continue my progression at this level.

“Motherwell are a very competitive side that have been competing closely within the top-six of the SWPL table. It felt like the perfect opportunity for me to support their efforts whilst continuing to gain experience.

Despite her youthfulness, Austin has already achieved a vast amount in the women’s game, lifting two SWPL Cups alongside one Scottish Cup title.

“This is a positive addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie emphasised.

“Eilidh is a very technically gifted player and someone we felt could provide an added dimension to our options in the backline.

“We felt it necessary to add a fresh face to the squad, as we near the final set of fixtures before the split.”

Striker Laura Berry will return to parent club Rangers. 

Laura Berry returned to Motherwell for her second consecutive loan spell, netting 11-goals in her first-spell before replicating that tally in one fewer game second time around.

The forward will return to Rangers after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

“We are incredibly disappointed to lose Laura especially at this stage of the season,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We were expecting Laura to remain at the club until the end of the season, so to lose someone of Laura’s quality especially at such a late stage of the transfer window is frustrating.

“I’d like to personally thank Laura for her tremendous effort and contribution to the club. She has excelled on the pitch, and been pivotal to our season so far. Laura leaves with our best wishes, and support for the future.”

Vice-captain Stephen O’Donnell says this week has been filled with emotion and shock but the focus has shifted onto the match against Celtic on Sunday.

O’Donnell knows the task that awaits the team this weekend in the William Hill Premiership.

Stephen Frail has taken the reigns since Stuart Kettlewell’s departure, and has had to draw a line under the manager leaving earlier in the week so the players and staff can focus on the difficult task of the Champions visiting Fir Park on Sunday in the William Hill Premiership. 

Frail talks about the great fanbase the club has and wants everyone to be connected going forward.

Chief Executive Brian Caldwell speaks for the first time since Stuart Kettlewell left the club. Caldwell discusses the process in which Kettlewell handed in his resignation, and the thought process of the former manager.

He also talks about why the club were transparent on the issue and revealed that there has been high interest in the vacant position.

The trials and tribulations, the illustrious icons and the storied legacy of the Scottish Cup will add another chapter this weekend, as Motherwell welcome Bonnyrigg Rose to K-Park. 

Motherwell coasted through to the fourth round, defeating SWPL2 side Rossvale by seven-goals to nil at the Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex. There were seven different goalscorers on show, as Sophie Black, Bailley Collins, Louisa Boyes, Jenna Penman, Lucy Barclay, Sienna McGoldrick and Mason Clark all etched their names on the scoresheet.

Head Coach, Paul Brownlie’s side will return to East Kilbride this weekend for the first time in 2025, facing Bonnyrigg Rose following back-to-back victories over Dundee United and Montrose on the road.  A six-nil and four-nil victory have maintained motherwell’s unbeaten start to the new year.

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

Motherwell started 2025 on the right note, defeating relegation-survival hopefuls Dundee United with an assured display in the City of Discovery. Motherwell face a closely-fought race to the finish line to achieve a top-six place this season, with the women of steel five points clear of nearest league rivals Partick Thistle, who have a additional game in-hand. Motherwell continued their strong opening to 2025, defeating Montrose with an assured performance on the North-East coast.

The women of steel will be looking to rectify their disappointing early exit to last season’s Scottish Cup campaign, with Motherwell exiting the competition at the first hurdle after reaching the Semi-Final in the previous season.

Bonnyrigg Rose

SWF League One side Bonnyrigg Rose head to K-Park looking to cause a cup upset after overcoming Ross County and Morton to secure their place in the last-16. The Rose defeated the Stages by three-goals to two before another narrow 2-1 away victory against the Ton.

Ticket information 

Supporters can purchase their ticket on the day, with pay-at-the-gate in operation. Both cash and card payments are acceptable.

Adult – £8

Concession – £3

Under-11 – Free to enter.

There will be a food bank collection at the upcoming match between Motherwell and Celtic on Sunday 2 February.

The collection will benefit the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank, and supporters from both teams are encouraged to bring items to donate.

The goal is to collect food and other essentials to provide parcels for those in need.

Items needed are:

• UHT Long Life Milk Semi Skimmed & Whole
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Meals (Mince, Curry etc etc)
• Tinned Potatoes
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned Fish
• Tinned Custard / Rice Pudding
• Tinned Fruit
• Jars of Pasta Sauce
• Savoury Rice
• Tinned Hotdogs
• Tinned Meatballs
• Jars of Coffee
• Toiletries

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

We appreciate everyone who is able to contribute. Your help will go a long way.

Motherwell welcome champions Celtic to Fir Park on Sunday 2 February in the William Hill Premiership.

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

• Young Adults tickets would ages 14-17.
• Juveniles would be 13 and under
• Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

There will be no online sales as we need to check they have a continuous purchase history

Supporters are able to buy tickets by visiting the ticket office at Fir Park.

Ticket Office open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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.

The match is live on Sky Sports.

What else is happening?

There will be a food bank collection at the upcoming match between your team and Celtic on Sunday 2 February.

The collection will benefit the Maranatha Motherwell Food Bank, and supporters from both teams are encouraged to bring items to donate.

The goal is to collect food and other essentials to provide parcels for those in need.

Items needed are:

• UHT Long Life Milk Semi Skimmed & Whole
• Tinned Meat
• Tinned Meals (Mince, Curry etc etc)
• Tinned Potatoes
• Tinned Vegetables
• Tinned Fish
• Tinned Custard / Rice Pudding
• Tinned Fruit
• Jars of Pasta Sauce
• Savoury Rice
• Tinned Hotdogs
• Tinned Meatballs
• Jars of Coffee
• Toiletries

Motherwell fans can drop off at the Cooper Stand car park. Celtic fans’ drop points are on your approach to the Tommy McLean Stand. Stewards will direct you on arrival at the Davie Cooper Stand to drop donations inside the stadium.

We appreciate everyone who is able to contribute. Your help will go a long way.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

There are no returning players from last weekend. Archie Mair has been ruled out due to a hand injury.

Jack Vale remains suspended.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Stevie Frail will lead the team on Sunday following Stuart Kettlewell’s departure earlier in the week. The Steelmen are on a two-game losing run in the Premiership, but remain fifth in the league as they look to close the gap to fourth.

Celtic have won both matches against Motherwell this season, with the most recent being a 4-0 win on Boxing Day.

Opposition Report

After a blip against Glasgow rivals Rangers at the start of 2025, Celtic have reacted to their second defeat of the season in all competitions. They have won five of their last six, and secured a spot in the knockouts of the Champions League.

They will round off their League Phase campaign in Europe on Wednesday night against Aston Villa. It’s been a busy week of transfers for the Hoops also, with star man Kyogo leaving for pastures new in France with Rennes. However, the Celtic support were compensated with the return of favourite Jota for his second spell at the club.

Motherwell Football Club can confirm the Club Board of Directors have very reluctantly accepted the resignation of Stuart Kettlewell today.

Stuart approached Chief Executive Brian Caldwell on Monday morning to explain why he wished to resign.

Stuart explained that some of the personal abuse was now affecting his family, to the point where they didn’t wish to attend games.

As a result, he felt it would be best if he tendered his resignation.

Since being appointed manager in February 2023, Stuart has managed 92 games overall, boasting a win percentage of 41.3%, the highest of any Motherwell manager since Stuart McCall.

He guided Motherwell to safety, narrowly missing out on top-six football in his first three months in charge, collecting 30 points out of a possible 42.

The good form ran into 2023/24, when Motherwell went ten league games without defeat, the longest run since 2010, and again, narrowly missed out on top-six football.

This season, he guided the club back to Hampden for the first time in six years in the Premier Sports Cup and has the team sitting fifth in the league currently.

All of this was achieved despite the sale of a number of key players for substantial transfer fees.

“It’s really sad that Stuart felt that the time was right to move on,” Chief Executive Brian Caldwell said.

“He had an exceptional record and has generated an impressive amount of transfer income for the club.

“He has been a critical factor in the development of Motherwell Academy Graduates, as well as developing young loan players during his tenure.

“When Stuart approached me, I was very disappointed to learn the effect this was having on his family and how he was feeling. No Manager, player, or club employee, every one of whom gives their all for the club, should feel this way.

“We therefore had no option but to reluctantly accept his resignation in the best interests of Stuart and his family. As a fan-owned, community-driven football club, we will always look after our own.”

The club wishes to thank Stuart for his hard work and total dedication during his time at the club. We wish him and his family all the very best for the future.

Assistant Manager Stephen Frail will take charge of the team for Sunday’s match, assisted by Jon Obika, Richard Foster, and the backroom staff.

The club will make no further comment at this time.