Motherwell

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Motherwell caretaker manager Stephen Frail says it was always the plan for him to take charge of Saturday's visit of Ross County.

The Motherwell board are in the middle of a recruitment process following Stuart Kettlewell's resignation at the end of January after a league defeat to St Johnstone.

But Frail and the players - who have been "first class" - have known since the beginning of last week that Frail would lead preparations for the return to Fir Park.

"The search is obviously still continuing for the new manager, but I've always been tasked with this game," Frail said. "That's always been the case since the start of last week.

"Hopefully things will be more clearer sometime at the start of next week, but all the preparations have been from myself and the rest of the staff to make sure we're ready for Ross County on Saturday.

"We've been able to see right from the start of the week this is how we're doing things, this is the way we'll be looking to prepare and organise and to make sure we're ready.

"They have been first class in everything that they've done, everything that I've asked them to do. They've attacked it.

"Their attention in training, their detail in training, the way they've worked in training has been excellent.

"They wish they'd had a game last week. They obviously didn't, but the whole focus after the Celtic game was two weeks later for the Ross County game."

Newcastle United cult hero Temuri Ketsbaia, who had a brief spell at Dundee, is on the shortlist to become the new Motherwell manager. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Thursday's gossip.

Motherwell dismissed a deadline-day bid by Belgian side Union St-Gilloise for midfielder Lennon Miller, with the Fir Park club seeking in excess of £4.5m for the 18-year-old. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

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We asked for your thoughts on Motherwell's January transfer window business.

Here's what some of you said:

Steven: I think big Ellory Ballcombe as our new first-choice goalkeeper is a very decent signing. The boy did well at St Mirren and even though he was replaced there, we have to accept they are a bigger club than us these days so fair do's. He'll get the job done between the sticks.

Stuart: Considering we have no manager I actually think we have signed in the right areas - up front, a midfielder, defender and two goalkeepers. Certainly, Dominic Thompson and Luke Armstrong looked useful, hopefully the others will start to shine too.

Eddie: I think we have a squad of 32, probably one of the biggest ever. Hopefully the new manager can somehow use them effectively unlike our previous management team.

Kevin: Disappointed we didn't manage to bring Allan Campbell back on loan, along with a creative midfielder to play on the right-hand side. Campbell would have provided some much-needed steel to the centre of the midfield, allowing Andy Halliday to play left midfield and a new addition to right midfield, with Lennon Miller coming back to play behind or in front of them.

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Ayr United manager Scott Brown is not interested in the vacancy at Motherwell. (Sun), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

With the transfer window now closed, how do you feel about managerless Motherwell's January business?

The Steelmen were among the most active Premiership clubs, bringing in Calum Ward on deadline day to make it six new arrivals, all on loan.

Wardy joins fellow goalkeepers Ellery Balcombe and Archie Mair plus forwards Will Dickson, Luke Plange and Luke Armstrong.

The only exit was goalkeeper Krisztian Hegyi, whose loan from West Ham was cut short by injury.

Are Motherwell well equipped for the remaining months of the Premiership campaign? Or did they need strengthening elsewhere?

Have your say on Motherwell's transfer business., external

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

This has been an impossible week for Motherwell.

With fans painted in a bad light following Stuart Kettlewell's resignation, the job is a poisoned chalice.

Being Motherwell manager, at best you're chasing top-six finishes and cup runs while working with a tight budget. Combine these factors with a fanbase that is now known to flip on managers and it ain't an attractive gig.

I'm just relieved we didn't suffer a hammering against Celtic. Stephen Frail, when he has been the leading man in the dugout, has controlled the team well, but I don't know if he is the man to turn things around.

With the club receiving over 100 applications for the role, I would love to see someone come in from overseas and bring a fresh approach to shake things up.

The same names are constantly linked to Scottish managerial roles and I'd much rather a new face than the likes of Jack Ross or Neil Lennon.

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Motherwell have signed goalkeeper Calum Ward on a deal until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old came through at Bournemouth and has had a number of loan spells with clubs including Totton & Eling, Bashley, Thatcham Town, Weymouth and Finish side HIFK.

Ward has played over 150 games in his career to date and told the Motherwell website: "I feel I can add serious competition, which I think is a good thing for everyone here.

"I've already met the players and they have all been very welcoming and friendly, I feel integrated already."

Ward becomes the third option between the sticks for the Fir Park club alongside Ellery Balcombe and Aston Oxborough after loanee Archie Mair returned to parent club Norwich City.

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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