Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "Kilmarnock were the better side, they created the better chances and ours were few and far between. Although we did have a couple.

"They had control of the vast majority of the game. So you have to ask your team to stand strong. We didn't pass the ball well and we weren't joined up in our offensive play.

"But it's a second clean sheet on the bounce for us in a really difficult spell, with one more game to come before we get any kind of break.

"It takes us three points away from third so I'm going to take the positives.

"We looked as if we were struggling to handle the ball. I don't know if that's down to the surface, but we can't use that as an excuse. We struggled with our changes of direction whether that was with the ball or to press and get it back.

"It was too easy for them to get in behind us and into crossing positions. There may be an element of fatigue in that.

"But my players howed unbelievable character and a special mention to my goalkeeper who was our best player.

"He made two or three unbelievable stops. A couple where he's brave and a couple with fantastic reactions. He's had a good season for us and that's as big a performance as he's had."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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After ending a four-game winless run against Aberdeen, Stuart Kettlewell had hoped that would be the spark his side needed to put a run of form together.

That failed to materialise as his team put in a largely passive performance at Rugby Park.

The absence of a player of the quality of Lennon Miller – he fractured an ankle against Rangers on December 29 - would hurt any side in the league, and 'Well missed his influence and composure on the ball as they failed to exert authority in midfield.

What they did show was resilience to stay in the fight and the ability to eke out a point when playing below par is not to be underestimated.

Oxborough was the standout with some superb saves to keep Killie at bay and ensure his side left with a share of the spoils.

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Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery says his injury return has posed no mental issues after a year on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old suffered a training-ground injury to his cruciate ligament in January of last year, but returned to first-team action as a substitute in Motherwell's 2-0 win against Aberdeen on Sunday.

Doing all the necessary rehab work means he is now ready to hit the ground running, without fear of any setback.

"I've not been too bad psychologically," Slattery said. "I've been itching to get back out there really.

"I've done the injury, I've done the rehab, I've been ticked off to play, so it's not in my head at all. I'm just that kind of person that doesn't think about it and will just get on with it.

"It was just good to get on the pitch and be with the lads and get a few touches of the ball. You get that feeling back of what it's like to be involved on a matchday.

"I've been listening to the physios and I've bided my time and done the time in the gym and the rehab and stuff. So that was the perfect time to come off the bench with being 2-0 up and 10 minutes to go.

"To get the reception that I did felt really good because when you've been out for that long period of time, you kind of forget that feeling of what it's like to be involved on a matchday."

• Kilmarnock have won three of their past four home league games against Motherwell (D1) since a 1-0 defeat in February 2021.

• Motherwell have only suffered one defeat in their past seven league meetings with Kilmarnock (W2 D4), going down 1-0 in November 2023.

• Kilmarnock have won their past two midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games, last winning three such matches in a row in the Scottish Premiership in December 2018/January 2019 – a run which included a 1-0 win over Motherwell.

• Motherwell have lost four of their past five away league games (W1), including their past two. Not since November 2023 have they lost three on the bounce on their travels in the league – the third game of which was at Kilmarnock (1-0).

• In his managerial career, Derek McInnes has only won more Scottish top-flight matches against his current club Kilmarnock (24) than he has against Motherwell (20).

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Motherwell have signed 18-year-old Coventry midfielder Kai Andrews on loan for the rest of the season.

The Wales Under-19 international made two substitute appearances for the English Championship side last season, but has not featured this term.

"We have an excellent track record when it comes to bringing young players from England up here on loan," manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

"There is a genuine belief we can help their progression, and with the likes of James Furlong, Marvin Kaleta, Georgie Gent, Brodie Spencer and Mika Biereth all coming up here and doing well, we see this as a great opportunity not only for the club, but for Kai also.

"I recently watched him playing for his Under-19s national side against Scotland, and I thought he was a real standout. Coventry have made no secret that they rate him highly, so it's an exciting signing."

Andrews arrives to bolster the midfield with Lennon Miller facing six to eight weeks out with an ankle fracture, Ross Callachan still working his way back from a long-term hamstring injury and both Callum Slattery and Sam Nicholson short of game time after lengthy lay-offs.

"It's great to be here," said the 18-year-old.

"We have been exploring the idea of me going out on loan to get first-team minutes and be in that environment. I wanted a place where I felt I could perform at my best and this feels like the right place."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Stuart Kettlewell has been addressing the media before Motherwell's Scottish Premiership match with Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

Here are the key points he made:

• Kettlewell stressed in his "idealistic world" his yellow card against Rangers - for which he will serve his ban for against Kilmarnock - would have been rescinded, given his "overreaction" was justified with the Scottish FA key match incidents panel agreeing Tony Watt's goal should have stood. However, he added "that would never be the case and I accept the ban".

• He also said he "would not change" in his approach and will continue to "speak my mind" when it comes to "justice and accountability".

• There are no worries about being in the stands, though, and the club have a plan in place with "brilliant staff who I trust".

• The manager admitted finding a level of consistency "is a big ask" given the number of games and he believes this rearranged game could have been filtered in elsewhere.

• Kettlewell confirmed Coventry midfielder Kai Andrews is a player he "really likes" and Motherwell are "working towards" getting him in "potentially" before this game.

• "There is nobody happier" than Kettlewell to see Callum Slattery back on the pitch after long-term injury, but he needs "to be careful and cautious not to put him at risk".

• Ross Callachan is back on the pitch, but training separately to the group.

Motherwell fans, we asked what business you'd like to see your club do in the January window.

Here's what some of you said:

James: An out-and-out goalscorer, but they are very hard to come by. I would take Louis Moult back in a heartbeat. If we get most of the long-term injured back soon, then we really don't need many additions. Some squad players are surplus to requirement, but I won't name them out of respect, as they tend to give a lot of effort, but don't offer enough.

Robert: We need two players who can go at defenders at both left and right side of the pitch and can switch wings.

Pauline: Don't think it's working with Moses Ebiye. Ross Callachan hasn't worked out either. Need to strengthen the midfield. Jair Tavares needs to return to Hibs.

Mark: I believe we need to ship Zach Robinson out and either bring back Filip Stuparevic from loan or bring in another striker. When I saw Robinson on the ball in the final third he seemed afraid to shoot and more often than not tried to make the extra pass when not needed or available. Wish him a speedy recovery but I think we need another fearless attacker.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Motherwell have a first win of the new year under our belts, but being robbed of victory against Rangers still stings.

The controversial decision to disallow Jack Butland's own goal, which put the Steelmen 3-2 up, shows how backwards the officials in Scottish football are.

Every point matters at this stage of the league and I would be saying the same if this happened in a game between St Mirren and Dundee United.

I don't blame Stuart Kettlewell for his outbursts in the dugout or in press conferences because I am bad enough with my reactions in the stands as a fan never mind if my job was impacted by these decisions.

While I slowly remove my tinfoil conspiracy hat and try to focus on more positive things, the win over Aberdeen on Sunday was huge for us. Two strong home results before four away games in a row is the ultimate confidence booster.

We are in a good place and Europe is seeming more and more possible as the months progress.

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Manager Stuart Kettlewell will serve a one-match touchline suspension when Motherwell go to Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

The Fir Park boss has been issued the ban by the Scottish FA after being sent off in his side's game with Rangers at the end of December.

Following the 2-2 draw, Kettlewell said he was "flabbergasted" by the decision to disallow his team a goal when Tony Watt was judged to have fouled Jack Butland at a corner.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Ewan Wilson says it "feels amazing" to score his first Motherwell goal amid a "whirlwind" breakthrough season for the Fir Park club.

The teenager spent last season on loan at Stirling Albion before a short stint at non-league Beith Juniors.

But this campaign the wing-back has become an important player for Stuart Kettlewell and he opened his account for the Lanarkshire club by smashing in the opener in the 2-0 win against Aberdeen on Sunday.

"It feels amazing [to score]," he told BBC Scotland. "I've been working so hard towards it and it's just I'm just grateful that it's happened."

On the season so far, he added: "It's been a whirlwind but very satisfying. I haven't done much yet, this is only my first year, so I'm just striving to keep going and continuing to keep my place in the team."

Kofi Balmer: Plays on the right of a back three so figure he can do a job at right-back here. Solid and assured throughout on Sunday, especially in the second half when Aberdeen rallied.

Tawanda Maswanhise: Hugely impressive. Quick, direct and provides so much energy for the team. The Zimbabwean former Leicester City player has been a great find for Motherwell.

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views on Sunday's Scottish Premiership victory over Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Derek: It was a hard watch, and that's with three points in the bag. If we are fifth, it says so much about the standard of Scottish football. The quality is wafer thin.

Eddie: It's a win we badly needed, but you're not going to entice people back to Fir Park with our style of play.

Alan: An excellent result which should be celebrated. An attacking approach by Stuart Kettlewell gives us the result required. Let's not forget where Aberdeen sit in the league and give our players the congratulations they deserve.

James: Big improvements in chunks, but second half was really poor. Tawanda Maswanhise is a constant threat, we need to find a regular partner for him up front. Possession has to be better. A good victory though. Well deserved

Grant: A far better performance than at Tynecastle, players looked more relaxed on the ball, Aberdeen had the better of the first 30 mins but we came into it and scored both goals. We were more assured in the second half and always looked like we had the game under control

Ryan: Great win. Tough run now as not back at Fir Park until next month. Hopefully get some decent signings in.

The Sportscene team analyse Tawanda Maswanhise's goal in Motherwell's 2-0 win over Aberdeen.

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• Tawanda Maswanhise has scored five goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Motherwell player has more.

• Motherwell have beaten Aberdeen for the first time in the Premiership since 13 August 2022, a run of seven games without a win.

• Aberdeen have lost their last five games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 11 September 2021 to 16 October 2021.

Motherwell score two first-half goals to take all three points against Scottish Premiership opponents Aberdeen (UK only).

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "Big thing for us today was to get a reaction from the players. I'm delighted with the reaction I got from some of the guys that came in that maybe haven't played as much recently. They added plenty.

We could play better in the second half. We can handle the ball better, we can pass it better, we can be far more creative and make the game easier. But, there's another team there.

"Today, we get the added bonus of the clean sheet.

"Really nice to see Ewan Wilson get his goal. The quality off the finish and composure's fantastic. [Tawanda] Maswanhise, he's that breath of fresh air out there - another you player that contributes for us today."

On the possibility of new signings this month, Kettlewell said: "It's a possibility. I never envisaged wholesale changes but if you can pick off the correct one or two just to help the group...it's to give us more strength in depth. It's going to be gruelling, it's going to be tough. We have to ensure we have as much quality as we can get in that dressing room."

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Aberdeen's wretched winless run stretched to 10 Scottish Premiership games as Motherwell halted their own poor form with a dominant win at Fir Park.

Let us know your thoughts on Motherwell's win here., external

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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It sounds odd to say, but Motherwell played their best football in the first half against a full Aberdeen contingent.

Then again, they seem to prefer the first half in most games.

Motherwell have scored 7 goals in the last 15 minutes of the first half, only Celtic (13) and Hibernian (8) have scored more in the Premiership this season, and they have also scored 17 first-half goals in 21 games, only Celtic (25) and Dundee (19) have bettered that haul in the league too.

After looking rather sluggish against Hearts last time out, they look rejuvenated and at it from the off.

In attack they seemed inventive and full of ideas, routinely playing around Aberdeen with ease thanks to the likes of Maswanhise, Ebiye, and Wilson showing great composure and skill to enter the final third at will.

Now fourth, and only four points off Aberdeen, they can continue to look up based on their performance today, particularly in the first half.

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Tawanda Maswinhise was mightily impressive this afternoon.

A constant threat, a well-taken goal, and an all-round attacking performance.

What a find for Motherwell.

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Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopolous is a major doubt with a strain and Lennon Miller, Steve Seddon, Ross Callachan, Callum Slattery and Zach Robinson remain out.

Aberdeen striker Ester Sokler went off injured on Thursday and will be assessed, but centre-half Slobodan Rubezic and midfielders Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Ante Palaversa are all back from suspension.

Goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov has been ruled out for four weeks following his recent return from a hamstring injury, while Vicente Besuijen, Jack Milne and Pape Habib Gueye are still sidelined.

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• Motherwell have lost six of their last seven league meetings with Aberdeen (D1) since a 3-2 victory in August 2022.

• Aberdeen have won each of their last three away league visits to Motherwell, this after only winning one of their previous five beforehand (D2 L2).

• Motherwell are winless in four league games (D2 L2), last going longer without victory in December 2023 (run of 15).

• Aberdeen are winless in nine league games (D3 L6), losing each of their last four in a row – not since October 2021 have the Dons lost five in succession in the Scottish Premiership.

• Aberdeen's Duk has scored five goals in his last five Scottish Premiership appearances against Motherwell – this despite only starting two of those games.