Motherwell

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In the early throes of Michael Wimmer's rein, Motherwell are playing attractive football, with teenage kingpin Miller their fulcrum in the middle of the paddock.

What they needed - and lacked for spells of this contest - was a ruthless streak when they worked their way into the attacking third.

How Slattery provided it; his two finishes predatory and precious in equal measure.

The first was sumptuously created and clinically finished. The second opportunistic and instinctive, running on to the ball and sweeping it in.

Slattery's goals will hearten Wimmer, though he will harbour frustrations over how easily his team were opened up by St Mirren's direct passes into the channels and the physicality of their front two.

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Motherwell have lost striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos to a broken wrist just as he was set to return from a calf injury.

Stephen O'Donnell returns and Marvin Kaleta is pushing for fitness, while Aston Oxborough will play a bounce game next week.

Shane Blaney, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Jack Vale (Achilles), Steve Seddon (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and Archie Mair (hand) remain out.

St Mirren striker Mikael Mandron has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee problem, while Evan Mooney will miss the rest of the season after having ankle surgery.

Alex Iacovitti is set to return after a hamstring problem, but Conor McMenamin is still out.

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Having won just once in 11 Premiership outings, Motherwell were drifting the wrong way in the table, but suddenly the Fir Park side are back in the top six and looking to win three successive league games for the first time since September 2023.

Michael Wimmer lost his opening game at Tannadice after just three training sessions with the squad he inherited from Stuart Kettlewell.

Dundee were beaten at Fir Park and then the Steelmen stunned Rangers, with Barry Ferguson bemoaning the fact the visitors had "run over the top" of his side in a high-energy first-half showing at Ibrox.

Since then, Lennon Miller has been called up by Scotland and fellow teenager Kai Andrews, on loan from Coventry City, is in the Wales squad.

Wimmer had his players pressing like demons against Rangers and St Mirren, just three points behind their hosts, can expect more of the same intensity on Saturday.

However, there was more to their approach at Ibrox, with Callum Slattery, Tom Sparrow and Miller impressive in possession and defenders making a whopping 52 clearances.

Motherwell have won both of their previous encounters with the men from Paisley this season, last doing three in a row in April 2015. Can Wimmer keep the good times rolling?

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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Injury-plagued Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured wrist.

The Australia international has undergone surgery and Motherwell say he will be out for "at least two months".

Stamatelopoulos, 25, has scored five goals in 18 appearances since signing from A-League side Newcastle Jets last summer, but has not played in 2025 because of a calf injury.

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• Motherwell have won both of their two league meetings with St Mirren this season, last winning three in a row against the Buddies in April 2015.

• St Mirren have only won one of their last seven away league games at Fir Park (D2 L4), a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell are looking to win three successive league games for the first time since September 2023 under Stuart Kettlewell.

• Although St Mirren have only won two of their last 10 league matches (D1 L7), both of those wins have come away from home (Aberdeen in January and Rangers in February).

• A league-high 65% of Motherwell's goals in the Premiership this season have been scored in the first half of games (22-34). On the other hand, St Mirren have conceded the lowest ratio in first halves of any side in the division this term at 36 per cent (17/47).

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Michael Wimmer believes he is now "more clued up" on his Motherwell players having had nearly two weeks without a game since their win at Ibrox.

The Fir Park side had a free week while the Scottish Cup quarter-finals took place and manager Wimmer used it as a time to "implement new things" on the training pitch and during a friendly.

After back-to-back wins, usually a break isn't welcome, but, for the German and his players it was "good to get a better picture".

"We worked on the athletic side of things and got more load in the training sessions," he said, previewing their Premiership return against St Mirren.

"To have the friendly game too was important because for me it was a time to get pictures from the players in the game.

"I said to the players before, it was not always a fair decision from me to have players on the bench or to be not in the squad, but it was not possible for me to have the right picture because they are such a big squad and we have only a training game. It was not possible to make fair decisions.

"Now I have a better picture. Now I know what players are playing for that position, ) what position is the right position for them, too.

"Now I am smarter than two weeks ago. I'm more clued up."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership match against St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are his key points:

• "Brilliant" Lennon Miller "deserves" his Scotland call-up and is "ready" to start in international football, despite his age, says Wimmer.

• The manager added it's important for other players to see Miller receiving a call up, and it's also good for the club and the youth coaches.

• Wimmer used the break after the Rangers win to "work on new things" and feels he's now more "clued up", in terms of players' best positions.

• The manager is proud of the players for embracing the ideas he's trying to implement.

• The Rangers game has given the squad "confidence" and hopefully they can build upon that for a tough game against St Mirren.

• Stephen O'Donnell and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos are fit and should be in contention for Saturday's match. Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough is back in full training and will play in a friendly next Wednesday.

Now that Lennon Miller is in the Scotland squad, how long will Motherwell team-mate Andy Halliday remain as the most famous name in his mobile phone contacts?

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Ordinarily after a massive win you want to be at it again, carrying on the momentum and confidence.

What a boost Motherwell's victory over Rangers gave the squad, not to mention their aspirations of finishing in the top six.

However, the enforced break may have been welcomed by the coaching staff. Michael Wimmer is three games in and although he's spoken about the importance of "building a picture", it's important he starts acting upon what he's seen since his arrival.

Since that morale-boosting win at Ibrox, Wimmer has been keen to acquire more knowledge on the squad he inherited and a bounce game against Patrick Thistle was organised in between training sessions.

Despite seeing positives from back-to-back wins, Wimmer isn't resting on his laurels with only four games before the split.

He may only be in the door, but already there's a real sense of what he wants from his side, his style of play and demands he's setting.

The break has allowed more time to implement his ideas and early signs look positive, but further tests await Motherwell.

They face a run-in against four sides all vying for the top six, a sequence of games - starting with Saturday's visit of St Mirren - that will gauge how far Motherwell have come under Wimmer.

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Scotland boss Steve Clarke says Lennon Miller "plays with maturity beyond his years" after handing the Motherwell midfielder a first senior international call-up.

Miller and Hearts striker James Wilson, both 18, are in the frame for Scotland debuts having been named in Clarke's squad for this month's Nations League play-off double-header with Greece.

Clarke said: "Obviously a lot of injuries, especially in middle to forward areas, I just felt it was a chance to have a look at two young boys who have caught the eye, Lennon certainly over the last 18 months and James over the last six months.

"Two for the future, but also can help us just now.

"I've obviously had more chance to watch Lennon. He plays with maturity beyond his years. He captains his club, which is a big thing at such a young age.

"Good qualities, can play deep in midfield, can play higher in midfield. Good delivery, box to box, good energy.

"I'm sure he's got a big, big future in front of him. It's our job to look after him and try and bring him along. Hopefully this will be the start of it."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

With the men's team out of action last weekend I would like to shift focus to the ladies of women as they secured a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup at Hampden.

I am over the moon for the girls, who will attempt to upset the odds against favourites Glasgow City and reach the final.

This season marks the second time in two years we have made it to Hampden. Back in April 2023 it was a battling 2-0 defeat to Rangers, so I'm hoping for a more positive outcome this time.

I am beyond proud of the girls and encourage every Well fan to go along and get right behind the girls in claret and amber just like they did in November.

Silverware is silverware and we know far too well how long it has been since either the men's or women's team brought a trophy back to Fir Park.

Best of luck to Paul Brownlie and the team - here's hoping they bring it home.

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Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller has been given a first Scotland call-up for this month's Nations League play-off double-header with Greece.

Miller is joined in Steve Clarke's squad by fellow 18-year-old newcomer James Wilson, the Hearts striker.

Miller has made 67 appearances for Motherwell, scoring six goals, and has been capped up to Under-21 level.

There is also a call-up for uncapped former Fir Park right-back Max Johnston, who now plays for Austrian side Sturm Graz.

Read more on Scotland squad announcement

Motherwell will demand a fee of just under £10m for 18-year-old midfielder Lennon Miller this summer, with Celtic and Lyon both interested. (Football Insider), external

Brighton and Hove Albion's sister club Union Saint-Gilloise are working on a £5m deal for Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller. (Scottish Sun), external

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

Michael Wimmer's appointment at Fir Park brought a fresh bout of optimism to Motherwell supporters after the messy and abrupt end to Stuart Kettlewell's tenure.

With three games under his belt - including a memorable win at Ibrox - what do the numbers say about Wimmer's start to life in Scotland?

The Steelmen already look a more attack-minded side under the German, amassing 30 shots and 12 on target.

In comparison, Well had 21 shots and seven on target in Kettlewell's final three league games.

In the Wimmer era so far, Motherwell have taken a total of 50 touches in the opposition box while only managing 37 in Kettlewell's final three league matches.

Indeed, Kettlewell's reign ended with just one win in his final 11 league games. Wimmer has already doubled that victory tally, and secured the club's first back-to-back wins since December.

One of the main issues Motherwell fans had with Kettlewell was a passive set-up. In his final three league games the Steelmen averaged just under 36% possession.

That's already rocketed up since Wimmer took over to an average of just under 50%.

Another aspect that will please fans is Motherwell's ability to hold on to a result, with Wimmer's side beating Dundee and Rangers 2-1.

That continues a trend in which Motherwell have lost just seven points from winning positions this season. Only Celtic and Rangers have lost fewer.

Fit-again talisman Lennon Miller has started all three games under Wimmer and will clearly be a key weapon in the new regime.

The 18-year-old is no stranger to hype and he's been living up to it this season. Miller is in the top 10 Premiership players for penalty area entries and chances created this season. He's also joint second for assists (6) - only one fewer than Celtic's Alistair Johnston, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn.

Celtic are looking to sign Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller during the summer transfer window, while Lyon have also been monitoring the 18-year-old Scotland Under-21 international. (Football Insider), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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We asked you to tell us the one thing nobody is talking about at Motherwell.

Here's what some of you said:

Stu: I think the majority of Motherwell fans have no expectations each season and hope for a top-six finish and some cup runs. The last two-and-a-half games has been what we have been looking for - passion, commitment, closing teams down and passing the ball forward! Night and day from the stale, negative tactics under Stuart Kettlewell. Sure to be a few more ups and downs.

Crawford: Horrendous run of injuries to key players was Kettlewells's downfall. Midfield is looking much more solid and constructive since Callum Slattery's return, giving young Lennon Miller space to play. Onwards and upwards.

Alan: Under the previous regime there were talks about further investment following the breakdown of investment from the USA. There feels to be an avoidance of discussing additional finance. Why? Can Motherwell survive in the long term without it?

Back-to-back wins under new manager Michael Wimmer have taken Motherwell back into the Scottish Premiership top six as the split approaches.

They are one point above Hearts in seventh and two above Ross County in eighth.

You know your club best, so what is the one thing regarding Motherwell - good or bad - nobody is talking about?

Let us know., external

Motherwell's Andy Halliday said he told Lennon Miller to reject the call if Udinese phoned him in January because "the sky's the limit" for the midfielder. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

I am in awe of Michael Wimmer.

Three games in charge and he has beaten Rangers at Ibrox of all places and completely transformed our team.

I may be getting giddily carried away, but hand a Wimmer lifetime contract - we are winning the league next season.

I hope the stunning win over Rangers serves as a massive punch to the gut of the people that spoke out against the German's appointment because he was a new face to Scotland.

We have four games remaining before the split and all are winnable. We can easily get nine points minimum to fuel the pursuit of European football.

The mess Aberdeen have found themselves in has benefited us massively and as long as their fall from grace continues we can profit.

It may be premature to start digging out my passport and beach towels for what will probably be Wales or Ireland away again, but as long as we are walking in a Wimmer wonderland, anything is possible.

Celtic are keeping close tabs on Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller, 18. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip