Motherwell

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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The start that Motherwell made must have thrilled and frustrated Stuart Kettlewell. Two shots off the woodwork, a few dangerous corners that caused chaos - Celtic weren't rattled but they weren't far off.

But, they didn't make the most of those chances and against a side like Celtic, you aren't going to get loads of opportunities to score.

When the dam did eventually break, it was no surprise. The midfield and defence had pulled apart, and by the end they were being toyed with by Celtic.

Kofi Balmer and Marvin Kaleta were new into the Motherwell side and perhaps that was too big an ask for them to slot straight in. Up top, the new forwards are yet to start firing in and there's perhaps too much reliance on young Miller to score.

In reality, any points this afternoon would have been a bonus. They'll be onto the midweek card undeterred.

Motherwell make two changes for the visit of Celtic with defender Marvin Kaleta and midfielder Tom Sparrow replacing Dan Casey and Zach Robinson, who both make the bench.

There's no Callum McGregor in the Celtic squad with right-back Alistair Johnston captaining the visitors in the midfielder's absence.

Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo replace McGregor and Arne Engels in midfield and there are also two changes in attack with James Forrest and Kyogo Furuhashi taking over from Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah.

Engels, Idah and Kuhn are on the bench, as is returning defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

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Motherwell: Oxborough, Kaleta, O'Donnell, Gordon, Balmer, Wilson, Zdravkovski, Halliday, Miller, Sparrow, Stamatelopoulos.

Substitutes: Hegyi, Seddon, Robinson, Casey, Blaney, Koutroumis, Ebiye, Watt, Maswanhise.

Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle, McCowan, Bernardo, Hatate, Forrest, Kyogo, Maeda.

Substitutes: Sinisalo, Taylor, Palma, Idah, Kuhn, Yang, Carter-Vickers, Engels, Ralston.

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Motherwell have Tom Sparrow back after a minor injury while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has recovered from the upset stomach that forced him off against Dundee.

Paul McGinn (thigh), Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf) are long-term absentees.

Celtic hope to have Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor back from injury.

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Apostolos Stamatelopoulos says he’s enjoying getting stuck into a busy Premiership schedule after suffering a stop-start time at Motherwell.

The Australia international was sidelined for six weeks after suffering an injury on his first start against Rangers – having already had his debut delayed while his move from Newcastle Jets was sorted out.

He opened his goalscoring account against Hibs, before suffering an upset stomach which forced him off against Dundee last weekend.

“These next few weeks for me are vital, I think, especially knowing myself as a player, getting consistency for me is going to be the thing where I feel like I can show my best,” he said.

“So, once I get a run of games, I think I’ll start to perform at a higher level.”

The 25-year-old bagged 17 goals in 25 games for in the A League last season, putting himself into international reckoning.

“I guess you could say I was a bit of a late bloomer,” he said.

“Last year was the first time where I’d put together more than three or four games in a row, and I was able to show what I could do, and I feel like this season’s going to be the same.

“Once I get a run of games, I can show everyone in Scottish football what I can do.”

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Motherwell have midfielder Tom Sparrow back after a minor injury, while striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has recovered from the upset stomach that forced him off against Dundee.

But Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson, Harry Paton, Ross Callachan and Jack Vale are long-term absentees.

Celtic hope to have centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers and left-back Greg Taylor back from injury.

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Stuart Kettlewell says Motherwell have to make the most of their opportunities against Celtic.

The manager thinks it's "naive" to suggest his side can attack the reigning champions for 90 minutes but knows they can have a go on Sunday.

During his Ross County tenure, Kettlewell ended Celtic's 35-match winning run in domestic cups in 2020, and Motherwell have twice drawn at Parkhead since he joined the Lanarkshire club. The other two meetings, at Fir Park, were both won deep in stoppage time by the visitors.

"There have been several occasions in my time where we've properly had a go, come out and tried to score goals and be as offensive as we can as against a team like Celtic," Kettlewell said.

"It's about finding a balance, not just for 90 minutes but for 10-15 minute spells to maximise the opportunities we have to attack them.

"I think it's incredibly naive to think that you'll play your most attacking team for 90 minutes and you're going to come out and come after Celtic.

"You try doing that for 36 or 38 games a season and have a look at what the outcome will be."

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to host Celtic this weekend.

Here are the main points:

• Kettlewell insists his side have been "competitive" against Celtic during his tenure - "we've let them know they're in a game of football".

• Says he saw a "completely different" Celtic against Atalanta on Tuesday night, "reinforcing the quality", but needs to ensure his side have belief and confidence when in possession.

• Adds that he needs to get the "combinations" right at the top end of the pitch but knows his side have "good quality" up front.

• As a result Kettlewell believes his side can "have a go" against Celtic but knows there will be certain moments where the visitors "outplay" Motherwell.

• The Celtic game is a "great test", their upcoming semi-final isn't in their minds, they're fully focused on getting a result and improving upon last weekend's performance.

• Kettlewell adds: "We think we've had a good start to the season but things are about to ramp up."

Flying relatively under the radar this season have been Motherwell.

Competent and consistent displays have kept Stuart Kettlewell's side comfortably inside the top six.

Last weekend's home loss to Dundee was therefore somewhat surprising and Kettlewell is now preparing for the visit of champions Celtic, who got a very creditable 0-0 Champions League draw with Atalanta on Tuesday.

Motherwell got a valuable point at Celtic Park last season but were denied by late goals in both encounters at Sunday's venue, Fir Park.

Any kind of positive result for Well could help to hold off any advance of Dundee and Kilmarnock, both sides playing on Saturday.

Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

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• Motherwell are winless in 31 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D5 L26) since a 2-1 league victory at Celtic Park in December 2015 under Mark McGhee.

• Celtic have won each of their last nine away games against Motherwell in all competitions, scoring 30 goals in the process (3.3 per game).

• No side has kept fewer clean sheets in the Scottish Premiership in 2024 than Motherwell (two, level with Ross County), with the Steelmen recording just one shutout in their last 22 league matches (0-0 v Ross County in August).

• Celtic have won each of their last six away league outings, last winning more in a row in February 2020 (nine).

• Since he joined Celtic in 2021, Kyogo Furuhashi has both scored and assisted a goal in seven different Scottish Premiership matches (including two of his last three); only James Tavernier (eight) has done so more in this period.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

There was a plan A, B and then C as Motherwell tried to grab an equaliser against Dundee on Saturday, but all three fell short as the Fir Park side’s winning run came to an end.

Nobody could accuse Stuart Kettlewell of failing to explore every option in a bid to try and get back into the match - at one point it looked like he'd gone for a four-pronged attack.

He has plenty of attacking options to choose from, but right now they're just not firing on all cylinders.

In terms of out-and-out strikers, Moses Ebiye is joint top scorer this season on four goals, alongside Lennon Miller, but from 13 appearances that's hardly prolific. Ebiye's last goal came over a month ago, although he has not been a regular starter.

Zach Robinson so far has been Kettlewell's first-choice man up top, and has netted once in 14 games.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has one goal from three starts, but he is yet to find his rhythm after a spell out injured.

While Tawanda Maswanhise, Jair Tavares and Tony Watt have all been given game-time, none have found the back of the net.

The Motherwell manager would perhaps be hoping for more from his frontmen, but he'll not be giving up hope that they can start to deliver.

Remember Theo Bair? He took a few months to come good. He only managed two goals in his first four months at the club, then come the end of December he hit a purple patch that earned him a big-money move to Auxerre in Ligue 1.

Motherwell's goal-shy forwards would do well to take inspiration from him as they look to discover some shooting form.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Well, all good things must come to an end.

Over the years I have noticed teams having no luck with their form come to Fir Park and get a result. It was rinse and repeat on Saturday.

Getting a win would have been perfect heading into a three-game run of Celtic at home, Dundee United away and Rangers at Hampden in the League Cup semis.

But we just weren't clinical enough. There were multiple attempts at goal, yes, but when players are making simple errors then you're going to get punished.

Although Lennon Miller is one of our most important players, I would like to see him rested for the Celtic game as we can't afford him to pick up an injury.

He was the target of quite a few questionable tackles that could have ended badly and it's not worth the risk.

Stuart Kettlewell needs to drop Zach Robinson as he is underperforming and, to put it bluntly, isn't a first-choice striker.

Also, Tony Watt has been a shell of the player that left us. I was hoping we were getting the same striker back, but he still seems unfit.

One defeat doesn't spell tragedy for the club, nor does it mean we're about to go on our yearly long winless run, but losing to Dundee before facing the Old Firm in the space of a week is a sore one to take.

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Former Motherwell striker Ross McCormack expects the club to keep hold of star midfielder Lennon Miller for another season, as the 18-year-old continues to develop at Fir Park.

However, if Miller were to leave Motherwell, McCormack says the Scotland Under-21 international must pick his move carefully so to not stunt his growth as a player.

"I think it's down to what club he goes to and what manager he works under," McCormack said, speaking to the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's got to pick that very carefully because if he goes somewhere who are not notoriously big on throwing the young boys in, or a manager who likes more experienced players, then he could struggle and he'll probably have to then take one or two steps down to go again.

"But if he goes somewhere that play good football, the manager believes in young kids and he'll probably have probably 100 Motherwell appearances under his belt by then or whatever it may be.

"He's just a great talent and it's great to see him in Scottish football. It's not an easy league to play in, especially as an 18-year-old coming into the centre of midfield for someone outside the Old Firm and more or less running the show in nearly every game.

"It's great to see and I do expect Motherwell to keep a hold of him this summer."

Liam: Dundee started the better and appeared more up for the game. Easily the better team in the first half. Motherwell made changes in the second half and came into the game. Wingers made a difference. Think Dundee just deserved to edge it.

Andrew: Anybody that thinks we are a top-six side is delusional in consideration of this performance. Total disgrace and unacceptable. Too many times the club get into a strong league position to throw points away at home against average opposition. The manager has to shoulder the blame for his tactics, lack of awareness and team selection.

Anon: Off the pace all day against Dundee. Well looked jaded instead of rejuvenated after the international break. Three or four individuals in particular were making repeated mistakes in terms of ball control and basic passes. Simon Murray up front for Dundee was miles ahead of any Well striker in terms of work and energy. Lyall Cameron in midfield ran the show.

Eddie: Outplayed and out-thought, never won a ball in the air but still continued to play high balls. Dundee defence was solid yesterday and a deserved win.

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• Dundee have beaten Motherwell for the first time in the Premiership since 27 November 2021, a run of four games without a win.

• Motherwell attempted 371 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee attempted 15 shots in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Liam Gordon attempted 59 passes in this game, the highest total for a Motherwell player in the Premiership this season.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We tried but I can't stake a claim for how we played today. We had a rally in the last 30 minutes in fits and starts.

"Overall we end up changing the plan two or three times today because we didn't execute the first one well enough. We didn't do the second one either.

"We got to stage three and we had a little bit more of a threat and Dundee were hemmed in. We had one or two opportunities but nothing too clear cut.

"We looked dazed, our decision making and quality on the ball was poor throughout the day. It was a bad day for us, we fell short of our standards."

Dundee earned a first Scottish Premiership win in six matches as a polished performance defeated in-form Motherwell at Fir Park.

The decisive, and only, goal came in the first half when Lyall Cameron slid the ball into the bottom corner after Simon Murray's header was blocked by Ewan Wilson.

Were you at Fir Park or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here, external.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell have been excellent in recent weeks but their intensity was notably lower here.

Lennon Miller, their standout player, looked tired after travelling back from Kazakhstan where he starred for Scotland under-21s.

The absence of captain Paul McGinn's calm authority and ability to play progressive passes was keenly felt, as Motherwell went too direct.

His absence for the foreseeable future with a thigh issue will be a concern.

Stuart Kettlewell's disgruntlement was clear as he changed Stamatelopoulos and Zach Robinson for Tony Watt and Moses Ebiye at half-time, before swiftly adding winger Tawanda Maswanhise and Tavares to go with four attackers.

But they managed just three shots on target and fashioned few chances. Kettlewell will hope it is a one off after an encouraging start to the season.

Having won their last two league matches it's no surprise Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell makes just one enforced change. Paul McGinn has a thigh injury and drops out, but Dan Casey is back from suspension and comes into defence.

Stephen O'Donnell captains the side in McGinn's absence.

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Motherwell captain Paul McGinn drops out with a thigh problem but Dan Casey returns from suspension. Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf) are long-term absentees.

Dundee midfielder Mo Sylla is suspended while Jordan McGhee’s swift recovery from a calf injury has given him a chance of featuring. Joe Shaughnessy is making good progress from a long-term knee injury.

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It's hard to believe the Motherwell midfielder is just 18, with 50 club appearances clocked up already.

Lennon Miller has two Premiership goals and three assists to his name so far this season, along with a couple of League Cup penalties.

He added to his burgeoning reputation with a lovely strike and assist in Scotland U21's defeat in Kazakhstan on Tuesday.

Miller is a portrait of composure on the ball and his quick thinking from a free-kick led to the opener in Motherwell's win at Easter Road.

That was the fourth 2-1 in a row for 'Well, with three of those going their way, and Miller has been instrumental in such a good start. He makes the team tick.

Read the rest of this weekend's Premiership picks

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Leanne Crichton reckons Stuart Kettlewell is "absolutely the right man" to lead Motherwell as they look to continue their flying start to the season.

The Fir Park side have won five of their last six games in all competitions and have a League Cup semi-final against Rangers to look forward to at the start of next month.

Crichton thinks the Motherwell players are truly buying in to Kettlewell's ideas, with the Steelmen fourth in the Scottish Premiership.

"I think there’s a huge amount of clarity in the way that he wants his players to play, how he expects them to perform, defensively what's expected of them," she said on BBC Scotland’s Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think Kettlewell has managed to deliver that message, along with his staff and he's now getting the response.

"He's having to juggle and fight fires at times as well, which for any manager, it’s never that straightforward. The likes of Zach Robinson have come in, he now to me looks like he's starting to get up to speed and understand the expectation of being a Motherwell player.

"Andy Halliday, I’ve watched a number of the games, now that he’s had a run in the team, you can start to see his influence and I don’t think you can get away from how good Lennon Miller has been the entire season and he continued that form into the international stage for the under-21s midweek as well. He's just such a joy to watch.

"When you’ve got that at the heart of your team, it must just make everybody else around you better, and a notable mention to Aston Oxborough in goal who has been outstanding this season, and signed an extension to his contract.

"Kettlewell is absolutely the right man to be in that job at Motherwell."