Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell told BBC Scotland: "I would love to be standing here with three points. The opportunities created and saved made by Ross Laidlaw suggest we did deserve to win the game.

"The most important thing was a better performance than last week, which we got in application, energy and desire to win the game. That said, we still feel there's loads of room for improvement.

"Without question we have to be better in the final third. A real positive is how assured we were in our defending throughout. It's always difficult against Jordan White but we acquitted ourselves well.

"You find problems throughout the course of the season. The bit that is staring us in the face is that we created enough chances to score, but we didn't."

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Aston Oxborough. The 6'5" stopper has had to bide his time to make his Premiership debut, sitting on the bench for the last two seasons before Liam Kelly's departure.

The good news for Motherwell is they don't need to go to the transfer market for Kelly's replacement as they've had him all along.

The big stopper didn't have a great deal to do but when he was called into action, he made a few big saves and generally offered a commanding presence at the back.

Motherwell: Oxborough; O'Donnell, Casey, Gordon, Blaney, Wilson, Zdravkovski, Halliday, Miller, Robinson, Ebiye.

Substitutes: Hegyi, Seddon, Balmer, Sparrow, Stamatelopoulos, McGinn, Callachan, Kaleta, Wells.

Ross County: Laidlaw; Brown, Leak, Wright, Nightingale, Harmon, Loturi, Randall, Grieves, Hale, White.

Substitutes: Hamilton, Chilvers, Denholm, Telfer, Efete, Samuel, Brophy, MacLeod, Reid.

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Stephen O'Donnell has spoken of his 'love' for local team Motherwell after breaking beyond 150 appearances for the club.

The 32-year-old hit the milestone against Clyde last Saturday in the Premier Sports Cup group stage.

"I came in at a strange time through Covid and I’ve loved it," O'Donnell reflected. 'I’ve had some lows and spells where things haven’t been going great.

"But the thing that hasn’t changed the whole time is my passion and the care to help make this club better and hopefully be a part of that.

"That’s what I hope to be this season, part of a positive season for Motherwell because I can see the impact it has on people around you.

"You can see just when any team does well, the positive impact that it has in the local area. It’s staggering.

"It makes it easier for me walking about when I’m not getting booed!

As Motherwell's new vice-captain, O'Donnell donned the captain's armband for the landmark Clyde fixture as skipper Paul McGinn was kept on the bench.

"It’s obviously nice to to be given it," the Scotland international added. "It does tend to show a trust, or at least a respect, from a manager of my personality and my history here.

"It’s nothing but a positive and hopefully I can play a positive part in a a positive season.

"I think what’s massive is you try not to allow a couple of bad results to turn into big spells, and that’s what happened last season. I think that’s what cost us."

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Motherwell youngster Lennon Miller insisted last season's exposure to first team football has allowed him to 'become a man'.

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 in August, made 32 appearances for Stuart Kettlewell's side last season despite missing two months with injury.

"Last year I was still a boy," Miller told Sky Sports. "This year I've come in in pre-season and I feel I've been more of a leader because I've had that year under my belt. This year, I want to be more creative than I was last year.

"Last year gave me the confidence that I was playing well. I was still shy and reserved but I feel I've come in and become a man.

"The experienced players have been brilliant, they've encouraged me to be a leader and given me the penalties and free-kicks. Hopefully I can get a few of them."

His only goal last season came in Motherwell's opening League Cup group stage game against Elgin City, and he has already scored this season against Clyde.

"This season I want to add goals and assists to my name and hopefully as a team, we do well in the league.

"I played further forward in the Cup games there and I really enjoyed it. In training, I've been practicing my shooting after training and hopefully it's a position I can get into the box more so it comes more naturally."

The youngster also spoke about the rumours that have linked him with a move away from Fir Park.

"The transfer window will always come with rumours. For me, I just put it to one side. I really love it here at Motherwell, they've given me a platform to express myself. I'm looking to start the season well here.

"I've always wanted to play first-team football and Motherwell have given me that opportunity when I was young. I want to show them why they showed faith in me."

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• This will be the third time that Motherwell and Ross County have faced on matchday one of a top-flight season, after 2012-13 (0-0 draw) and 2020-21 (1-0 Ross County win).

• Motherwell have won both of their last two league meetings with Ross County while scoring five goals each time.

• Motherwell have won just once in the last seven league seasons on matchday one (D2 L4), beating St. Mirren 1-0 in 2022-23.

• Ross County have lost four of the five previous occasions that they have played away from home on matchday one of a top-flight season, the only exception being a 2-1 win at Dundee in 2017-18.

• Ross County only won one of their 19 away league games last season (D6 L12), failing to win any of their last 17 on the road (D6 L11). The last side to go 18 consecutive away games without a win in the Scottish top flight were Livingston from September 2018 to August 2019.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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With the new Premiership season kicking off this weekend, BBC Sport Scotland have been taking a look at some new faces to keep an eye on.

Having cashed in on Theo Bair's surprise emergence as a goal machine in his one season after being freed by St Johnstone, Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has given himself plenty of chances to replace the Canada international following his departure to Auxerre.

Filip Stuparevic, the Serb previously of Slovenian club Domzale, Zach Robinson, who spent last season on loan to Dundee from Wimbledon, and Moses Ebiye, the Nigerian who arrived from Aalesunds in March, did not exactly hit the goal trail during the League Cup group stage.

He might have arrived too late to be handed a start against Ross County on Saturday, but new Australia cap and commentators' nightmare Apostolos Stamatelopoulos may be the long-term solution given his 17 goals in 25 appearances last season despite Newcastle Jets finishing a lowly 10th in the A-League.

In saying that, he failed to find the net once on his last European sojourn with Giannina in the Greek Super League.

Read the rest of Clive's piece here.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

The Motherwell manager has already laid down the law to his players before a ball of the league season has been kicked.

Stuart Kettlewell called their League Cup performance against Partick Thistle "awful" and "unacceptable", and didn’t shy away from telling his players as such. He was quick to chastise them in his post-match Radio Scotland interview, and no doubt like likewise in the Fir Park dressing room.

He spoke about his players standing off Thistle, allowing them to dominate large spells of the game, and he criticised a lack of energy and commitment from a group he was clearly expecting more from.

It may be a new league season on the horizon, but it’s the same old frustrations for the Motherwell boss. We heard similar complaints from Kettlewell last season and he’s demanding better already.

The Motherwell team that faced Partick Thistle had a new look to it. Only two players who were named in the starting XI started the final game of last season.

Several familiar names remain, but those new faces will now know what's expected of them at their new club. No doubt Kettlewell's stark warning of "performances like that will get you nothing in the Premiership", will still be ringing in their ears.

For his part, the manager will be hoping the message has well and truly landed. Ross County come to Lanarkshire for the opening day of the new league season. And they'll come full of confidence given their League Cup form. Many are tipping the Dingwall side to have a much improved season; Motherwell will be hoping any signs of that are delayed until after 17:45 on Saturday.

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Jim McMahon has officially resigned as Motherwell chairman after eight years in the role.

McMahon signalled his intention to step down in December 2023, and did so at a board meeting on Wednesday.

As part of the club's board, McMahon had endorsed working with the former Netflix vice-president Erik Barmack and his wife Courtney, before the American couple withdrew their offer of investment last month.

"Having attended my first Motherwell match in the 1950s and supported the club ever since, I am immensely proud to have served as the club chair for the last eight years," McMahon said in a statement.

"But as I announced at our AGM it is time for me to stand down from that role.

"I wish the new club chair and board every success in what will be an exciting next chapter for the club."

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Stuart Kettlewell wants more consistency from his Motherwell side this season as they look to recreate the good run they enjoyed at the start of last year.

The Steelmen won three of their first four games and sat in second place in the Premiership, but failed to win again until 30 December.

"We started the league campaign excellently, had a poor run in the middle, and then some good form after the turn of the year," Kettlewell told Sky Sports.

"For us, it's about finding that level of consistency. Anyone who does that in this league has an opportunity to play in the top half of the split come the end of the season.

"If you concentrate on that level of consistency, naturally the league position starts to take care of itself.

"We've proved we can compete with every single team in this league - we've taken points off everybody in my time - but it's about finding a consistency, not having big high moments with big fall offs."

The manager also admitted that avoiding relegation is still the primary aim for Motherwell, and added that that the squad's turnover has been a "challenge".

"Every club wants to be a part of this division moving forward," Kettlewell said. "Some may argue that's not a lofty height of ambition, but that's where your starting point always has to be.

"When you're a club that sits at the bottom end of the finances in this division, that always has to be the first port of call. But I absolutely do believe we've got the capabilities - as a football club and as a playing staff - to be slightly more consistent.

"There is a real challenge. I spoke to our supporters on Monday and said 'in an ideal world, all you want to do is bring one or two in' and have that consistent group. But we all know what it's like here at Motherwell.

"We've had a top-five transfer in our club's history in Theo Bair, and within that you lose Liam Kelly and Blair Spittal, really influential players, and some loan signings. There's a few more changes than what we want but it should bring excitement."

Motherwell agreed a £260,000 fee with Newcastle Jets to sign 25-year-old Australia forward Apostolos Stamatelopoulos on Tuesday. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

After spending most of last season miserable and bemoaning the shortcomings of players and managers alike, I am hoping this season will be more successful for Motherwell.

The club have taken the feedback from fans and pundits and finally signed some new defenders. Our options in midfield and up front still look shaky, but we have time to find a strong replacement for Theo Bair. His departure will damage us but the funds we received for him will make it so much easier to plug the gaps in our squad.

Zach Robinson has some promise, but it does feel as though he needs a million shots at goal before any go in.

Our League Cup game against Partick Thistle at the weekend highlighted our shortcomings in brutal fashion. It was a poor performance and there was little joy to be had despite qualifying for the next round.

I am trying to look at the positives - there is time for Stuart Kettlewell to get new faces in the door.

Predicted league finish: Realistically I predict us finishing between seventh and ninth. However, I'd happily be proven wrong with a top-six finish.

Standout player will be: If he remains with us our standout player will be Lennon Miller without a doubt. That boy is absolutely unbelievable. The talent he has at such a young age is remarkable.

Game most looking forward to: Aberdeen at home in January. The dons travelling to Fir Park allows me the chance to catch up with old friends that are unfortunately of the red persuasion and in hopes we finally improve our record at home against them.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell says Motherwell need to dramatically improve following Sunday's disappointing showing against Partick Thistle, and stressed they cannot solely rely on incoming striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.

Kettlewell's side were booed by sections of their support after a goalless draw with the Championship side, with Stamatelopoulos watching on before his medical with the club.

"I need to stress that he doesn’t become the dramatic saviour to what was a really poor performance," Kettlewell said.

"We think it’s someone that can add goals to your team, that can give us that focal point at the top end of the pitch, but every single other aspect to our team will need to be better for him to go and try and perform.

"He’s a bit behind. He’s played an All Star game, and he’s been training for a couple of weeks over in Australia. His wife has just had a baby there on Tuesday, which has sort of interrupted the flow but he’s at a reasonable stage.

"Physically, it will still take some more work to make sure that we’re getting him up to full speed to play 90 minutes in the game."

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Striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was in the Fir Park stands during Motherwell's goalless draw with Partick Thistle in the League Cup on Sunday.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell confirmed last week that there was a deal in place for 25-year-old Stamatelopoulos, subject to a medical.

It would now appear the Australia international is a step closer to signing for the Steelman, as Kettlewell looks to replace Theo Bair up front.

Stamatelopoulos scored 17 times in the A-League last season and earned his first Socceroos cap against Palestine in June.

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Paul McGinn says he was taken aback by being offered the Motherwell captaincy by manager Stuart Kettlewell, but joked the offer was dependant on him staying at Fir Park.

McGinn replaces now-Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly in the role, with Stephen O'Donnell his vice-captain.

"A proud moment, a real honour," McGinn said. "To get that sort of call was a big moment.

"He just said he'd always planned to as long as I agreed to stay. I'm a bit more laidback [than Liam Kelly], but not too different."

Motherwell face Partick Thistle in their final League Cup group-stage match on Sunday, knowing that a win would see them top the group, but McGinn is wary of their Championship opponents.

"It's definitely dangerous," he said. "It's almost like a final now, so we've got to try get this win."

Motherwell are closing in on signing Australia forward, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Stuart Kettlewell has confirmed.

The Newcastle Jets striker, who scored 17 times in the A-League last season and earned his first Socceroos cap against Palestine last month, has been lined up to fill the void left by Theo Bair, who joined French Ligue 1 side Auxerre for a seven-figure fee last week.

“Apostolos is traveling over to Scotland just now and I can confirm there is an agreement in place subject to medical,” he said at his press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup game against Partick Thistle.

Kettlewell confirmed his arrival has been slightly delayed by the imminent birth of his child.

“He’s someone we have been tracking and following for a while," he added.

"We would hope if we can get him past that medical in the next day or so, [then] he starts to come into the mix and our group right away.

“I don’t want to say too much more than that, but I think it is important that I do confirm the rumours that are out there because I am always dispelling them when I think they are absolute nonsense, but this one is accurate."

However, the Motherwell manager did stress, "some of the details in terms of numbers and finances are very inaccurate," surrounding the possible deal.

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Harry Paton will be sidelined for a minimum of 14 weeks after undergoing ankle surgery, Motherwell have confirmed.

The midfielder picked up an injury in Motherwell's 3-1 win against Clyde in the Premier Sports Cup last Saturday.

"It was a pretty bad injury," manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

"Harry's had surgery on his ankle. It looks like he'll be out for a minimum of 14 weeks.

"We'll support Harry to make sure he comes back from this injury."

The Canadian has made 42 appearances for the Lanarkshire club since joining from Ross County in April 2023.

On a brighter note, Kettlewell provided a positive update on Ross Callachan and Sam Nicolson, adding the pair are, "doing some pretty extensive work" and "moving in the right direction".

The Motherwell manager also said Callum Slattery is," coming along really well."

"He's desperate to get back on the pitch but there's a timescale involved. You won't see him playing until well into November. If we introduce him too early, there's a risk of another injury.

"He has a smile on his face because he's making good strides."