Motherwell

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Fir Park

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Motherwell’s challenge this season was always going to be replacing the goals and attacking focal point they lost with the departure of Theo Bair.

On this evidence they are not quite there yet. Some of their play back-to-front was good, but when it came to that final third they often seemed devoid of ideas.

That was until the introduction of Maswanhise for his debut in the second half. The Zimbabwe international gave Motherwell a different dimension, asking questions of the Kilmarnock defence with his pace and ability to go on to either foot. He looked very promising.

Watt also came on for his first appearance since returning on loan from Dundee United. He received a few jeers from home supporters still sore at the manner of his departure for Tannadice two years ago, but a few goals – he missed a great chance when he came off the bench – should silence any doubters.

Stephen O'Donnell.

The right-back was a constant threat with his dangerous deliveries, it just so happened there were no takers in the box.

He came close in each half, too, with a close-range effort and a header.

Defensively, he was solid too against his former side.

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Motherwell: Oxborough, O'Donnell, Casey, Gordon, McGinn, Seddon, Wilson, Zdravkovski, Halliday, Miller, Robinson.

Substitutes: Hegyi, Balmer, Sparrow, Kaleta, Ebiye, Wells, Ferrie, Watt, Maswanhise.

Kilmarnock: O'Hara, Wright, Dead, Findlay, Mackay-Steven, McKenzie, Watson, Polworth, Murray, Anderson, Watkins.

Substitutes: McCrorie, Mayo, Lyons, Vassell, Kennedy, Cameron, Donnelly, Wales, Bainbridge.

Follow our live coverage here.

Zimbabwe international Tawanda Maswanhise is "ready to make an impact" after signing a short-term deal with Motherwell until January.

The 21-year-old came through Leicester City's youth academy and played for the development team, while also making the bench for the senior squad against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Comfortable across the forward line, Maswanhise, who has three caps for his country, has the option to extend his stay at Fir Park beyond the new year in his contract.

For now, he's "just buzzing to be in this position," he told club media.

"I've been looking for an opportunity to show people what I can do and now I've got one.

"I feel good and feel ready to make an impact."

Maswanhise is in the matchday squad to take on Kilmarnock in the League Cup.

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Stuart Kettlewell regards the Scottish League Cup as vitally important to Motherwell as they prepare to host Kilmarnock in Sunday's second-round tie.

The Steelmen came through their group campaign as winners but have picked up only a draw from their opening two Premiership games.

"The cup competition, this one in particular because it's the one that's here and now, is vitally important to us," said manager Kettlewell.

"But we've got a massive hurdle to overcome on Sunday. All our focus this week has purely been on Kilmarnock, has purely been on the game on Sunday to try and see if we can put a performance in that that can advance us into the next round of the cup.

"Because it breeds positivity in everything you do. You can see how Kilmarnock are thriving off of the opportunity of getting into the next round of European competition.

"But it works the same domestically as well for your players' confidence and for the buy-in from the supporters and everybody surrounding the football club."

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell's problems continue to mount with the news that Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has been sidelined for six weeks after the former Newcastle Jets striker was forced off during Saturday's defeat by Rangers.

With fellow summer signing Filip Stuparevic recovering from his injury, manager Stuart Kettlewell moved this week to bring striker Tony Watt back to his former club on loan after limited game time with Dundee United.

Well's only wins this season have been over fourth-tier sides Edinburgh City and Clyde and they are without a win in three outings as they entertain a Kilmarnock side on a high after Conference League progress.

A single goal against Tromso in Norway was enough to secure a first win in five outings this season, but visiting manager Derek McInnes will no doubt shuffle his pack again as he aims to end a run of five visits to Fir Park without a victory while looking towards next week's play-off round tie against FC Copenhagen.

Read the Premier Sports Cup preview in full here.

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Stuart Kettlewell says striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had proved his fitness before suffering an injury on his first Motherwell start.

The Australian faces six weeks out with a quad injury that forced him off on the cusp of half-time against Rangers last weekend.

"I'm really disappointed with Apostolos' injury on Saturday," said manager Kettlewell.

"We were again meticulous in thinking that he could start the game. He had 60-70 minutes in the week before playing against top-level opposition in Everton.

"So we'd sort of tested him at that level, several days before, nearly a week before, and he's had a lot of training sessions and he's been in a good place.

"If we had thrown somebody in off the back of one training session and no match practice then I would probably hold my hands to it.

"But obviously by losing him and what we feel he can bring as well, then we're quite clearly a bit of quality down on that side as well."

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Tony Watt hopes he can remind Motherwell finds "why they loved him" and is already eyeing a long-term stay.

The striker has returned to ML1 on a season-long loan from Dundee United, having disappointed some fans when he left to join the Tannadice club in January 2022

"I’ve got a bit of making up to do," the 30-year-old said. "I always knew I would come back eventually.

"With my contract running out next year, it's the perfect time to do well and then see if there's a lot longer life left in it at Motherwell.

"If I wanted to cash in at the end of my career, I could have gone places there. I had a couple of offers abroad.

"My whole aim is to do well here and be offered a contract. I don't see why at 30, I should be chasing money. I live 10 minutes down the road, my wife's settled, she's got a good job.

"It's in my hands to work hard but if the club want me, they can keep me. I'm ready to settle and ready to play and I will give it everything."

Watt says it was "impossible" to turn down the lucrative deal offered by United that led to his Fir Park exit.

He added: "Now I’m back. That’s part of life, you need to do what’s right for your family.

"Now it’s time for me to work hard and show them [the fans] why they loved me and we can hopefully rebuild that bridge and just kick on again.

"Motherwell made me feel at home the first time and, after a few weeks of boos, hopefully they can make me feel at home after that. I thrive off negativity and proving people wrong."

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The draw for the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup will take place on Sunday after the Celtic v Hibs tie, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The draw will be shown live on Premier Sports following their coverage of the game from Parkhead.

All quarter-final ties due to be played on the weekend of September 21-22.

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Apostolos Stamatelopoulos will be sidelined for six weeks after picking up a quad injury on his first Motherwell start.

The Australian striker, who joined from Newcastle Jets on a three-year deal this summer, had to be substituted shortly before half-time in Saturday's defeat by Rangers - only his second competitive outing for Stuart Kettlewell's side.

Meanwhile, the club say Ross Callachan is to see a consultant this week for "further information" on his hamstring injury while fellow forward Filip Stuparevic is back running but has yet to take part in contact training.

We asked for your views on Tony Watt's return to Motherwell on a season-long loan from Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Adam: A good call. He does put the ball in back of the net. My fear is he has played very few games recently so will be unfit and get easily injured.

David: A lack of ambition and a backward step bringing Watt back to the club. With a captain on the bench and a vice-captain whose best days are behind him, we’re in dire straits.

Ian: Disappointed to see a player who practically walked out on us. I understand we needed to sign someone but not this guy.

Stuart: It certainly raises the eyebrows but a fit Watt working hard will score goals. Hope the fans give him a chance.

Robert: I think he could be a great addition to our squad, if he’s in the mood. As long as he doesn’t do the badge-kissing bit again and just gets on with things.

Ross: Happy to have Watt back at Fir Park - good luck to him. Hopefully he can replicate the form he showed with us last time round. He obviously wants to play regular games so fair play to him for making the move back, shows a bit of character. As long as he gives 100% for the team he'll be supported.

Kenny: Watt is going to have to turn into a combination of Messi and Pele then also score a goal a game, and even then I’m not sure he will be welcome. He’s in for a rough time with the Fir Park faithful.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

They say never go back... yet that’s exactly what Tony Watt has done.

In fact, when it comes to Motherwell, it’s what a few others have done. James McFadden did it three times, Stephen Pearson had three spells too.

Watt maybe falls into a slightly different category. Yes, he enjoyed a fairly successful two-year spell at Fir Park before his departure in January 2022.

He was popular with fans, scored 19 goals in 70 appearances, and it looked like he’d finally found a home after flitting between eight clubs since leaving Celtic.

Yet he then uppped sticks and left for Dundee United. It was the right move for him at the time - you need to look after your family financially, right?

But some Motherwell fans didn’t see it that way. They took exception to, in their eyes, such betrayal, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to his return.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell said he "jumped at the chance" to bring the 30-year-old striker back to Fir Park.

Injuries to key players, including newly-signed striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, perhaps instigated the move, but Watt himself insists he "was itching to join Motherwell again and can’t wait to get stuck in".

He admits some supporters may need persuading, but at least he’s brave enough to acknowledge that.

And he seems intent in proving himself to fans. If he does that then surely the hurt they felt two years ago when he walked out will be forgotten.

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Motherwell back-up goalkeeper Matty Connelly has rejoined East Kilbride on loan until January.

The 21-year-old, who signed a new 12-month deal at Fir Park this summer, spent the final months of last term on loan at the Lowland League club, making 11 appearances.

So Tony Watt is back in the claret and amber, and he's ready to get the full Motherwell support behind him... even if he doesn't have their backing right now.

With his comments in mind, how do you feel about the striker's return to Fir Park?

Shrewd business by Stuart Kettlewell, or going over old ground?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

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Tony Watt "is ready to get people back on side" at Motherwell after re-signing for the club on a season-long loan.

The forward, who made 70 appearances during his first spell in Lanarkshire, scoring 19 goals in the process, joins from Dundee United, who he left the Fir Park club for in 2022.

"There's obviously people who may not be too happy to see me back," Watt told 30-year-old.

"I need to prove myself here and get people back on my side, but that target is firmly set in my mind.

"It's so good to be back in the building, I was itching to join Motherwell again and can't wait to get stuck in."

Despite playing an integral part in United's Championship title-winning season last term, Watt fell out of favour under Jim Goodwin and managed just 73 minutes of football across three League Cup games last month.

But the former Celtic forward has insisted he's ready to go.

“I feel fit," he added. "I’ve been training and I have a full pre-season under my belt.”

His contract at United is up at the end of the season, but manager Stuart Kettlewell is thinking of the here and now and said the club "jumped at the chance" of bringing him back to Motherwell.

“He is a player who has done well here with goals and strong performances," Kettlewell said. "We jumped at the chance to bring him back to Fir Park and Tony himself was desperate to return.

“Tony had lots of other options, both home and abroad, but he was fixated on coming back here.”

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

The search for our first three points battles on.

I didn’t think before the game we would’ve taken anything from Rangers, but we did start to come into things more towards the end and could’ve stole a draw which is somewhat promising. Having our first goal be an own goal as well isn’t desirable to see, but helped almost get the job done.

After spending what is rumoured to be about north of £250,000 on our long-named Australian forward, - Apostolos Stamatelopoulos - for him to become immediately injured, has taken the wind right out my sails.

I don’t know if Kettlewell has the boys training for the next Wrestlemania or the first Hunger Games instead of a football match, but having this many injuries at once is frightening.

There are at least eight first-team players out which is unacceptable, especially when half are new signings. We are throwing money down the drain by signing players who then become injured two weeks later. I’m starting to wonder if they even attempted a medical with them or just handed them contracts.

Although Kilmarnock haven’t had the greatest start either to the season, I’m still cautious. I’m hoping their European games lower their standards and tire them out before they arrive at Fir Park for the next stage of the League Cup, because any luck or advantage we can get needs to be focused on.

It’s not abnormal for us to go through rough patches, usually we dip for three months every season, but having this happen at the very start gives ominous vibes if have we started is how we’ll unintentionally carry on for the rest of the season...

Lennon Miller says his only focus is Motherwell despite the 17-year-old midfielder being linked with Celtic, Rangers and Premier League clubs. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Watch highlights of Rangers' narrow Scottish Premiership win against Motherwell at Hampden. (UK only)

Listen to the full episode here.

Stuart Kettlewell says the current injury situation at Motherwell is the worst he has experienced as a manager.

The Fir Park boss confirms he is now without nine first-team players following the narrow defeat to Rangers at Hampden.

Match report: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell

Vaclav Cerny's fine finish earned Rangers their first Scottish Premiership win of the season as depleted Motherwell were edged out at Hampden.

The on-loan Wolfsburg winger curled in a delightful effort on his maiden start, securing a much-needed victory following back-to-back draws with Hearts and Dynamo Kyiv, in Champions League qualifying.

Cyriel Dessers' second goal in as many games had given Philippe Clement's men an early advantage at the national stadium, Rangers' temporary home as delayed construction work continues at Ibrox.

Parity was restored when debutant Robin Propper poked into his own net, but Cerny's first Rangers goal restored a deserved lead before half-time.

Clement's side should have killed the game after the break but their performance level regressed against a Motherwell team who travelled to Hampden without seven players.

Visiting manager Stuart Kettlewell watched new striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos limp off in the first half, but his players fought on in the second period and passed up chances to snatch a draw.

Were you at Hampden or following the match elsewhere? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We're a little bit disappointed not to [get a result]. I thought Rangers were excellent first half, they were slick in their general play.

"We were a little bit timid in the first half and we rectified that. The lads did really well, particularly in the second half."

On mounting injury concerns, he adds: "I've never seen [a situation] like it. I think it's up to nine now and every one could be a starter.

"We've continuously had to dip into our academy. Everything in the dressing room is what we have available."