Motherwell

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Assistant manager John Carver says "confident" Lennon Miller "needs a little bit of guidance" after the Motherwell teenager suggested he could become Scotland's best player in the near future.

The 18-year-old, who is enjoying another impressive season at Fir Park, received his first call-up to Steve Clarke's squad for this month's Nations League play-off double-header against Greece.

Following the news of his inclusion in the senior set-up, Miller said: "I'm obviously not going to go in and be the best player there, but I believe I could maybe in a couple of months be the best player there."

While assistant coach Carver believes the comments "might have been taken out of context", he says the teenage midfielder has "got to learn" from his remarks.

"I've made the same mistake a few years ago and I was a lot older than him," Carver said. "But he's a confident lad and there's nothing wrong with being confident and believing in your own ability.

"He's had a good season and he's a good player - a very, very good player - and we all make mistakes, but he's got to learn from it. The headline might have been taken out of context for sure."

Miller said he had been expecting to be named in the Scotland Under-21 squad again, but he is "confident" he is capable of starting against Greece if called upon.

"He's a young player learning and needs a little bit of guidance," Carver, who also spoke of fellow first-time call-up Hirst, added.

"I made a similar mistake when I was a lot older, so I'll talk to him and give him my experiences, but hopefully he's learned from it because I did."

Watch as the Sportscene team react to Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller's Scotland call-up. (UK only)

Callum Slattery (Motherwell): The midfielder continues to shine after returning from a long spell out, scoring twice from outside of the box to earn his team a point at home to St Mirren.

We asked you for your views following Motherwell's fightback to draw with St Mirren.

Here's what you said:

George: There will be ups and downs for any team changing their manager and approach, but the fact we came back from two goals down to take a point is another sign of the team heading the right direction. Top six is still possible, but regardless, optimistic for the future.

Stuart: Another exciting game to watch. Although we scored two goals the strikers are still not clicking which we need to resolve. Good to see the team working hard, if we keep this up we will be fine.

Grant: Motherwell seemed a bit sluggish today, but we got the draw when it looked like it was going to be a heavy defeat after they scored the second. Slattery has looked great since coming back from his injury and I just worry that he will now move on in the summer when his contract is up.

Peter: Take the draw especially after being 2-0 down. Thought St Mirren were over physical especially in midfield and we couldn't get going at all. Didn't play that great in game but scored two quality goals that deserved something at least from game.

Another two week gap will let the manager work on things as points are crucial in the next few games.

Watch all the action from Motherwell's dramatic 2-2 draw with St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

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• St. Mirren have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 29 December 2024 to 11 January 2025, a run of four games.

• Motherwell are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 7 December 2024 to 20 December 2024.

• St. Mirren have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, scoring seven goals in that run, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 14 December 2024 to 29 December 2024.

• Stephen O'Donnell attempted 80 passes in this game, the highest total for a Motherwell player in the Premiership this season.

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Motherwell and St Mirren continued their battle for a top six spot as they played out a 2-2 draw at Fir Park on Saturday.

You can catch all the highlights from the Premiership clash over on BBC iPlayer, or by following this link.

Motherwell fans, were you soaking up the sunshine and drama at Fir Park or following the match from afar? Either way, we want your views on an eventful 2-2 draw – have your say here, external.

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Callum Slattery was Motherwell's obvious stand-out, gobbling up the two fleeting opportunities which were presented to him.

Each of Slattery's goals was brilliantly seized upon and expertly finished from distance.

New Scotland call-up Lennon Miller had a quieter game than usual, but still produced moments of class in a hectic midfield.

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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