Motherwell

We asked for your thoughts on Motherwell's 3-1 defeat by Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ronnie: We need to park the result and move on. Appoint the correct new manager as soon as possible who can work with the current squad as he will not have a transfer window to fall back on.

John: Usual low possession as has been the tactics in the last two seasons. Awful to watch. Whole club needs a clear out from top to bottom. We're heading to the Championship if nothing changes.

Gordon: Big improvement over the last few weeks. The new loan signings look like they will improve the team.

Ross: It's the hope that kills you. An all too familiar story these days. The gulf between Celtic and the rest has never been bigger and that doesn't look like changing anytime soon. We put in a good shift across the pitch and Luke Armstrong looks a find, but ultimately basic errors cost us again. Onwards to Ross County.

Frazer: Was always going to be a tough game after a tough week but just disappointed we didn't offer anything going forward in the second half.

Alisdair: Didn't expect to take anything from the game however, the effort and commitment was significantly better than it has looked of late. The rest of February is vitally important, arguably season defining.

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• Daizen Maeda has assisted seven goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other player.

• Daizen Maeda scored after just 50 seconds, the fastest goal for Celtic in the Premiership this season.

• Daizen Maeda has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (two goals, four assists).

• Celtic have scored in 22 of their 24 games, no team has done so more often in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have scored in their last three games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 4 December 2024 to 20 December 2024.

• Motherwell have lost their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 23 November 2024 to 4 December 2024.

Watch all the highlights of Celtic's 3-1 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic could launch a deadline-day bid for Motherwell starlet Lennon Miller, with the Premiership champions having already had an offer rejected for the 18-year-old in this transfer window. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Monday's gossip.

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Motherwell have released a statement condemning online abuse directed towards one of their players following their 3-1 defeat to Celtic this afternoon.

The Fir Park club say they will "fully investigate" the matter and will work with authorities to identify the individual responsible.

The club adds that "this kind of behaviour has no place in football or society".

Jota scored on his Celtic return as the Scottish Premiership leaders recorded their 20th win of the campaign against Motherwell.

Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah looked to have made the difference at Fir Park, as Celtic passed up a number of chances to finish the contest.

But Jota sealed victory in his first game since signing from Rennes and retained the champions' 10-point lead at the top having played a game fewer than Rangers.

Motherwell fans, let us know your thoughts on the defeat here., external

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Motherwell caretaker manager Stephen Frail: "I thought we caused them problems in the first half but didn't do it enough in the second half.

"I can't argue with the result but what I saw from the players today was a group of players who are willing to roll their sleeves up during what has been a tough week.

"That says something about the character of the team.

"Overall, disappointing with the result, but the way the players have attacked it, I have to be really pleased."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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A bad week got worse within a minute. The shock departure of their manager was far from ideal preparation but to lose a goal so fast, in the manner they did, was a real blow.

To their credit, they steadied the ship for a spell and fought back to level. Armstrong worked tirelessly up top and his goal will be a big boost so early into his spell at Fir Park.

They did well to hang in and got away with any number of big moments. You need that kind of luck in games like this but it didn't materialise into anything tangible. Celtic seemed capable of striking at any moment.

Motherwell won't play again until February 15th when Ross County visit. That break will likely help them regroup and potentially sort out who will take charge going forward.

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Managerless Motherwell have signed strikers Luke Plange and Will Dickson from Crystal Palace and Manchester City respectively on loan deals until the end of the season.

Plange, 22, is yet to make a senior appearance for Palace having signed from Derby County in 2022.

The England Under-20 cap has had five previous loan spells away from Selhurst Park, with the most recent at HJK Helsinki, where he scored seven goals in 36 appearances.

"I feel fit, ready and optimistic about the rest of this season," Plange said.

"This is a great chance for me to build on what has been a successful season so far. I feel I have played in different leagues and bring a bit of experience on that front.

"I can't wait to get started."

This is 20-year-old Dickson's first loan spell, and he says he is keen to impress at senior level.

"This is my first loan move, and I couldn't be more excited," Dickson said.

"I've shown what I can do at City through the levels, but this is the next big step for me. It's an ideal opportunity for me to showcase my talents, and I would love to see my game progress at Motherwell.

"It's an ideal place to be, and I can't wait to see all the fans."

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Motherwell goalkeeper Archie Mair has undergone surgery on a fracture in his hand but Callum Slattery and Moses Ebiye return from illness.

Jack Vale completes a two-match ban while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (calf), Lennon Miller, Steve Seddon (both ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Aston Oxborough (thumb) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out along with Jair Tavares.

Jota is in the Celtic squad, while Cameron Carter-Vickers returns from injury but James Forrest (foot) is still out.

Former Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe is under consideration for the vacant Motherwell job, but former Well boss Billy Davies also has support on the board over a possible return. (Daily Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Motherwell and Scotland defender Stephen O'Donnell says he has faced sectarian abuse during his career.

O'Donnell also called for more supporters to call out derogatory language when they hear it in order to stamp it out.

Speaking in the wake of Stuart Kettlewell's Fir Park exit, where "personal abuse" against the manager was cited by the club, O'Donnell said: "All the sectarianism, the racism and the abuse is always the minority.

"From my experience, a lot of abuse has got better. The sectarian stuff has dialled right down. I used to get it a lot when I first started, so I'm pleased with that.

"As a society we can always strive for more. That side of it that hurts me has got better and hopefully we can get better all round.

"Society is changing but sometimes you want it to change a bit quicker. Thankfully it has got quieter. When it goes too far and crosses lines, self-policing is the best policy."

The 32-year-old, who is a former Celtic youth and has also played for Partick Thistle, Luton Town and Kilmarnock, says he has suffered abuse off the pitch as well as on it.

"I've had eggs thrown at my window," he added.

"I don't like saying it's part and parcel because it shouldn't be, but I signed up for it. My kids are too young to understand and my wife doesn't like football, so that's one of the perks."

O'Donnell says Motherwell's players support Kettlewell's decision to resign, but insists it was a small proportion of supporters responsible.

In a statement, Motherwell said they reluctantly accepted Kettlewell's resignation and that abuse from the stands during a poor run of form had affected the 40-year-old's family.

Motherwell have lost three games in a row, have gone four without a victory and have won just one in nine

"The vast majority of fans in football are great, but there is always the people that spoil it for the rest," O'Donnell said.

"We all have weaknesses. When your family are involved, your kids are involved, that is going to take a toll. It's up to the individuals involved to make a decision and the manager has, and we stand by what he decides."

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Stevie Frail has been addressing the media as he prepares to take the Motherwell team for the first time since Stuart Kettlewell's resignation when Celtic visit on Sunday.

Here are the key points:

• Frail spoke to the his former boss on Thursday evening and says "he is fine, he's doing well".

• The caretaker describes Kettlewell as "an exciting young coach and manager" and hopes he gets an opportunity to get back into the football soon "if he wants one".

• Kettlewell had "kept a lot to himself", but Frail says he "could see he wasn't himself most of the time".

• Frail says of fans who levelled abuse at Kettlewell - they were "a very small minority that have taken it a little bit too far".

• He adds: "He's got three young boys and a young daughter and they love coming to the game. My two girls and my wife come to the game and they are glad it's not me on the end of things like that."

• Frail thinks Motherwell have "a very strong fanbase" and the "community-led club" would get behind whoever the new manager is and "it is a great opportunity".

• The caretaker says the players were "shocked" and "flat" after the announcement but have been "really positive" in training.

• Frail says the players know they have underperformed and is looking for a positive response but knows facing Celtic is a "challenge they will relish".

• He says potential new signings that "were bubbling under the surface" before Kettlewell left are still ongoing.

• Frail says there will be "no ripping up" of the system or style of football under him.

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Former Cambridge United and Gillingham manager Mark Bonner is interested in replacing Stuart Kettlewell at Motherwell. (Daily Record), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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• Motherwell are winless in 33 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D5 L28) since a 2-1 league victory in December 2015.

• Celtic remain unbeaten in 19 visits to Motherwell in all competitions (W15 D4), winning their past 10 in a row by an aggregate score of 33-6.

• Motherwell are unbeaten in their past four home league games (W2 D2), their longest such run within a single season since January 2022 (5 in a row).

• After a run of 10 successive away league wins from April to December 2024, Celtic have since won just one of their past four on the road (D2 L1). They have conceded seven goals in their last three away league outings, more than their previous 13 beforehand (6).

• Interim Motherwell boss Stephen Frail last led a side in the Scottish top flight in 2007-08 in caretaker charge of Hearts (P18 W8 D4 L6 in the league), a spell which included a 3-0 defeat to Gordon Strachan's Celtic.

Amy MacBeath
BBC Sport Scotland reporter

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Don Cowie believes "everyone is entitled to show their frustration" when it comes to results at a football club, but the treatment of the now former Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell by some went "too far".

The Ross County boss finished up his playing career under the stewardship of Kettlewell before joining the coaching set up in Dingwall and believes his friend has done an "outstanding" job at Fir Park.

"When you look at it from afar, which I do, he's done an excellent job," he said as he previewed County's weekend game with Rangers.

"They're sitting fifth in the league and have been to a semi-final of a cup and sold players which brought in a lot of money for the club."

Cowie described the "unbelievable" passion Kettlewell has for football, describing him as "the first one in and the last one away".

"He's never someone that shies away from accountability, criticism, the scrutiny of a manager and understands like we all do that comes your way", the Staggies boss added. "But when it goes too far, it becomes too much, and that's obviously the case right now".

On the circumstances that led to Kettlewell's departure from the Steelmen, he added: "I know results have a big bearing on peoples' reactions, and I think everyone is entitled to show their frustration, but when it crosses a line it goes too far.

"I don't think it would happen in any other industry. It's our role to accept that criticism, but when it goes too far we don't have to accept it."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Receiving a certain amount of abuse from your own fans comes with the territory when you're a football manager.

It is maybe to be expected when your team isn't doing the business on the park. But when that abuse crosses a line, it is absolutely unacceptable.

The strain was etched on Stuart Kettlewell's face during his post-match interview last weekend. And we now know why.

Of course Motherwell are not on a good run - one win in nine, including back-to-back defeats by basement club St Johnstone.

What seems to have irked fans the most is the side's recent style of play. They've been accused of being passive, lacking creativity and a cutting edge.

They were also lacking several key players, yet that wasn't accepted by some supporters as a reasonable explanation for performance and results.

And now the club are looking for a new manager. Despite the reasoning surrounding Kettlewell's departure and the headlines that has attracted, there will be no shortage of candidates hoping to replace him.

Neil Lennon, Scott Brown, Steven Naismith and John McGlynn have all been mentioned as contenders.

It will be interesting to see where Motherwell go with this appointment.

Will they look leftfield as they've done in the past? Will they favour experience? Or will they look to a young, up-and-coming coach?

Chief executive Brian Caldwell, who is leading the search, might be conscious of supporters' desire for attractive football, but he'll also have to be realistic.

Motherwell are sitting fifth in the Premiership, six points off third place but also just six off the relegation play-off spot.

Former Huddersfield Town manager Mark Fotheringham, 41, would be keen to discuss the managerial vacancy at Motherwell. (Sun), external

Motherwell right-back Stephen O'Donnell, 32 admits the players are "shocked" after Stuart Kettlewell quit as boss following abuse from some fans. (Sky Sports), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Motherwell caretaker Stephen Frail says Stuart Kettlewell's departure has shocked the players and left them "really flat" as they prepare to face Celtic on Sunday.

Kettlewell's resignation was "reluctantly accepted" on Monday by the club, who cited the personal abuse he had received from some fans during a recent downturn in results.

"There was a lot of shock around the club yesterday when Stuart announced his decision," Frail told Sky Sports., external

"From a personal point of view, really, really gutted and disappointed. He was the man that brought me to this football club and I'm really sorry to see him go.

"I know I can speak for the rest of the staff and the players, they were really disappointed with their training session this morning, they were really flat, managed to get a decent enough session out of them because we need to focus on Sunday's game, but from a personal point of view it's really sad to see a young, vibrant, exciting manager have to come to that decision.

"No, [did not expect it] if I'm being honest, I mean we were close and we're very tight, but I think just the last couple of results have probably maybe moved him towards that decision.

"I could see it in his face, easy looking back now in hindsight, but you could see it in his face, it was taking its toll."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

This may be the hardest piece I have written. Stuart Kettlewell, I am sorry.

Have I criticised Kettlewell and his players? Yes. However, he did not deserve to have to quit his job, nor have his family feel unwelcome at games because of abusive comments thrown at them.

The so-called fans who have subjected him to this treatment should be hanging their heads in shame.

I have seen a good number of managers come and go from Fir Park in my time as a fan, some I agreed with and others not so much. This one stings.

Yes, one win in nine and losing two weeks in a row to the side at the bottom of the league isn't a great look. But with multiple injuries to key players, a sickness bug and now what we know of fans crossing the line, no wonder results dipped.

Kettlewell, for me, is there with Stephen Robinson in terms of a good manager who left so there could still be some positivity about his tenure. Coincidentally, both took us to Hampden for the first time in many years and for that I will always be grateful.

I may not have always agreed with Kettlewell's tactics or decisions, but I will sorely miss him. He did remarkable things when you look back to what he inherited from Stevie Hammell.

Kettlewell wasn't afraid to stand up for what was right and gave his all to this club. Once a Steelman, always a Steelman.

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Were unrealistic expectations from Motherwell fans a key factor in the exit of Stuart Kettlewell?

The 40-year-old has walked away after two years in charge, with the club citing personal abuse of Kettlewell that forced his family to stop attending games.

Such abuse is becoming "more and more a feature", says Scottish football journalist Mora Gordon.

"I think players, managers, now they can't escape it. It used to be it was a 90 minutes, you'd leave and that was it," Gordon told the BBC's Scottish football podcast.

"But now you're getting it online, there's trolls. Kettlewell says he doesn't read social media, but his family and his friends do, so they then report things back. It becomes very 24-7, you can't escape it.

"And yes, results weren't great. The style of play wasn't necessarily enthralling. But they were missing guys like Lennon Miller, who brings some of that creativity and the beauty of the game to it, so you have to work within the confines of what you've got.

"I think Kettlewell did that extremely well in terms of where he has them sitting in the league, getting them to Hamden. They have well outperformed their budget.

"So I think fans sometimes need to realise that you can't have everything."