Motherwell

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  1. Motherwell to face Livingston in pre-season friendlypublished at 11:43 29 May 2024

    Motherwell celebrate against LivingstonImage source, SNS

    Motherwell's pre-season preparations will include a friendly with recently relegated Livingston.

    The West Lothian side will travel to Fir Park on Saturday, 6 July.

    Stuart Kettlewell's men return to training on 18 June before travelling to the Netherlands for a two-week camp.

    There they will face Dutch sides FC Twente and DSVD Deuringen.

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  2. Are Nicholson & Slattery 'definite keepers' for Well? - your viewspublished at 14:08 28 May 2024

    Your views

    We asked for your views on who you would like to keep - and who you would be happy to wave goodbye to - at Motherwell.

    Here's what some of you had to say...

    Eric: Of those offered new contracts I'd like to see Sam Nicholson, Stephen O'Donnell and Bevis Mugabi sign. Callum Slattery and Matthew Connelly can go as far as I'm concerned.

    Isaac: Nicholson and Slattery are definite keepers. O'Donnell too. He's been a great squad player this season and brings experience to the dressing room. I'd keep Mugabi as a squad player but wouldn't be too sad if he leaves.

    David: Both O'Donnell and Mugabi can go, with O'Donnell now past his best and Mugabi being a liability as seen in the St Johnstone match. I would like us to go for Shamal George from Livingston as he looks an improvement on Liam Kelly. The rest I would give a one-year deal to see if there is any improvement. But maybe a change in the dugout is what is require.

    Ally: If Theo Bair is sold, then someone like Simon Murray from Ross County would be ideal. Georgie Gent back would be a bonus.

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  3. Who would you like to see sign new deal? published at 14:00 27 May 2024

    Have Your Say

    Last week, Motherwell announced that Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson, Stephen O'Donnell, Bevis Mugabi and Matty Connelly all have new Motherwell contracts sat on the table.

    With negotiations ongoing, who would you like to see extend their stay at Fir Park and who would you be happy to wave goodbye to?

    Let us know. , external

  4. 'Being your captain means everything' - Kelly's farewell message to fanspublished at 18:42 24 May 2024

    Liam KellyImage source, SNS

    Liam Kelly says being Motherwell captain "means everything to me" as he delivered an emotional farewell to the club and fans.

    The Scotland goalkeeper, 28, is leaving Fir Park this summer after more than 100 appearances in a three-a-half-year spell including an initial six-month loan from QPR.

    Kelly, who has been linked with a move to Rangers, said on Instagram:, external "To all my team-mates, thank you for being the great guys that you are and making every day we spent together so enjoyable.

    "To my managers, goalkeeping coaches and all the staff at the club, no matter your role, however big or small, thank you, it's been an honour to represent you.

    "To the amazing supporters of the club, through all the good and bad, we've experienced it all together. We aren't perfect, but what we always knew is that we would turn up side by side and give everything every single week.

    "That unwavering loyalty and togetherness through the difficult times when everyone started to write us off as they always did is the sole reason why this great club will be in the top flight yet again for the 39th consecutive year.

    "Being your captain means everything to me."

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  5. Kelly & Butcher among Fir Park departurespublished at 16:39 24 May 2024

    Liam Kelly and Blair SpittalImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Motherwell captain Liam Kelly is moving on after three-and-a-half years at Fir Park while Blair Spittal, right, is joining Hearts

    Scotland goalkeeper Liam Kelly and Calum Butcher will leave Motherwell on the expiry of their contracts this summer, the club have announced.

    Callum Slattery, Stephen O'Donnell, Bevis Mugabi, Sam Nicholson and Matty Connelly have been offered new deals and are currently in negotiations.

    Aston Oxborough and Paul McGinn have both signed extended contracts until next summer, with the latter having the option of another year, while Blair Spittal departs having signed a pre-contract with Hearts.

    Barry Maguire and Callan Elliot are also among the players leaving as free agents, while loan signings Georgie Gent, Jack Vale, Adam Devine, Adam Montgomery and Oli Shaw all head back to their parent clubs.

    That leaves the Fir Park side with 11 first-team players heading into pre-season, with Theo Bair, Lennon Miller, Dan Casey, Shane Blaney, Davor Zdravkovksi, Andy Halliday, Harry Paton, Ross Tierney and Moses Ebiye also under contract.

    Manager Stuart Kettlewell confirmed midfielder Butcher, 33, turned down a new deal.

    "It's never nice to see players leave the club, but I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all who are departing," added Kettlewell.

  6. Zdravkovsi aiming for first cap after North Macedonia call-up published at 16:06 24 May 2024

    MotherwellImage source, SNS

    Motherwell midfielder Davor Zdravkovski is eyeing his first international cap after being called up by North Macedonia.

    The 26-year-old has been involved in his national team's squads since arriving at Fir Park, but is yet to get minutes under his belt.

    He will be hoping that changes as North Macedonia prepare for two international friendly matches at the start of next month.

    Zdarvkosvi's side first travel to Rijeka to take on Croatia on Monday 3 June, before heading to the Czech Republic a week later.

  7. Motherwell and Well Society 'want same thing' amid investment talks published at 14:58 23 May 2024

    Brian CaldwellImage source, SNS

    Motherwell chief executive Brian Caldwell says collaboration with the Well Society is integral to any potential investment from former Netflix executive Erik Barmack.

    Caldwell, who took up his role last month, told club media he needs to "reverse the trend" of losing money and open new "income streams".

    Barmack and wife Courtney are looking to invest in the Fir Park club, with the two sides currently in discussions having agreed a non-binding Head of Terms.

    "I think it's really important with any takeover, with the sensitivity of this, especially with it being fan owned is that the Well Society have buy in and come with this whole transaction going forward," Caldwell said.

    "Obviously it has been well documented that Erik [Barmack] is very keen to move it forward as quickly as possible but again, we all need to understand that it's important we get it right. It's important that everyone is happy with things going forward.

    "I think the only way we do that is to take a little bit of time to make sure that when it does get ready to go to a vote, everyone is on board, that this is what's good for the football club and any investment coming in to the club itself is positive going forward because it's getting increasingly hard.

    "We're losing money every year at the moment and how do we reverse that trend? It's part of my job to find new income streams and try and save costs where we possibly can and encourage more people back.

    "That's a slow burner, that can take time to try and make any in roads but again that's something I'm talking to the Well Society about, how can we do that, let's work together.

    "For me that's so important that we work together. I've said it before, we all want the same thing."

  8. Motherwell's Kelly named in provisional Scotland Euros squadpublished at 11:11 22 May 2024

    Liam Kelly in action for ScotlandImage source, Getty Images

    Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly has been named in Steve Clarke’s provisional 28-man Scotland squad for Euro 2024.

    Kelly made his Scotland debut in a friendly against France in October 2023 and is one of four keepers in the squad, alongside Angus Gunn and Hearts duo Zander Clark and Craig Gordon.

    The squad will be cut to 26 players before the tournament itself, where Scotland take on Germany (14 June), Switzerland (19 June) and Hungary (23 June) in Group A.

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  9. Bair wanted by English Championship duo - gossippublished at 08:07 22 May 2024

    Motherwell striker Theo Bair is being chased by Blackburn and Bristol City, with a deal of around £800,000 plus add-ons in the offing. (Daily Mail), external

    Motherwell and Scotland goalkeeper Liam Kelly is in talks over a return to first club Rangers as a free agent. (Scottish Sun), external

    Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

    Scottish gossipImage source, SNS
  10. The Motherwell players past & present dreaming of Euros selectionpublished at 15:44 21 May 2024

    Max Johnston, Blair Spittal, Lennon Miller and Liam KellyImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    (L-R) Johnston, Spittal, Miller and Kelly have all been named as potential Scotland players

    Motherwell's Blair Spittal, Lennon Miller and Liam Kelly - plus former Fir Park right-back Max Johnston - have each received one vote from the BBC pundits choosing their preferred Scotland squad for the Euros.

    The quartet will find out their fate on Wednesday when Steve Clarke's 28-man Scotland party is announced, with two unlucky players set to drop out before the tournament.

    Kelly has been a squad regular for Clarke - and made his Scotland debut in October's 4-1 friendly loss to France - but has endured a difficult season at club level.

    Michael Stewart has included Kelly among his four goalkeepers, and also opted for Hearts-bound Spittal, a standout for the Steelmen but who has never been called up by Scotland before.

    Of all the pundits' selections, arguably the biggest wildcard is Peter Grant's inclusion of Miller. Still just 17, the midfielder won Motherwell's young player of the year at the weekend and was named on the Scottish Football Writers' Association shortlist.

    Finally, Johnston is the answer to Scotland's right-back conundrum, according to Leanne Crichton. The 20-year-old has helped Sturm Graz to a league and cup double in his debut season in Austria and could be in line for a Scotland debut at a major tournament.

    Read more: Who would BBC pundits have in their Scotland squad?

  11. 'The players knuckled down when it mattered this season'published at 14:05 21 May 2024

    Jenna Thomson
    Fan writer

    Motherwell fan banner

    The 2023-24 season is officially over. It wasn’t pretty by any means but is now behind us and we can focus on the future.

    To the players departing, we thank you all for your efforts, except for you Bevis Mugabi. You have broken my heart and will never be forgiven if the rumours of your arrival at Dundee United are true.

    All jokes aside, the players knuckled down when it mattered and helped us secure another year in the Premiership when it was looking a possibility we could slip through the cracks.

    This season was defined more by good times in the stands with friends and family than good results on the pitch.

    If I had to rate the season out of 10 it would be a solid six.

    Thank you to all who have read my weekly ramblings and I shall see you on the flip side! As always… come on the Well!

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  12. 'Kettlewell lucky to still be in a job' published at 12:50 20 May 2024

    Your Views

    We asked for your thoughts after Motherwell ended the season with a disappointing defeat to relegation-threatened St Johnstone.

    Here's what you had to say:

    Kevin: Dreadful season. Stuart Kettlewell lucky to still be in a job. If he doesn’t hit the ground running at the start of next season he should be sacked. Three clean sheets in 38 games, 15 games without a win and only five home victories says it all. He talks a good game but this season hasn’t backed it up. He’ll need to next season!

    Andrew: What a total shambles. If a game defines a season this was it, inept defensively and toothless through the middle. Unfortunately under the current management the team are no better than a bottom-four side. This will no doubt continue next season unless action is taken to rectify the position.

    William: Another shambolic defensive performance.

  13. Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: Key stats published at 10:21 20 May 2024

    Motherwell v St JohnstoneImage source, SNS
    • Adama Sidibeh has scored a goal in each of his last three games in the Scottish Premiership, his longest scoring streak in the competition.

    • Motherwell have scored 23 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Celtic (26) and Rangers (24) have scored more in the league this season.

    • Graham Carey has assisted nine goals this season (one in this game), more than any other St Johnstone player in the Scottish Premiership.

    • Motherwell have scored 15 goals via substitutes in the top flight this season, only Rangers (16) and Celtic (21) have scored more.

    • St Johnstone have beaten Motherwell for the first time in the Scottish Premiership since 1 February 2023, a run of four games without a win.

    • Georgie Gent has now assisted two goals in four appearances in the league against St Johnstone.

  14. Watch: Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstonepublished at 09:57 20 May 2024

    Media caption,

    Watch highlights as St Johnstone secure their Premiership survival with a 2-1 win away at Motherwell.

    Available to UK users only.

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  15. 'I want to keep positive'published at 18:49 19 May 2024

    Media caption,

  16. Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: Have your saypublished at 18:43 19 May 2024

    Have Your Say

    Were you at Fir Park or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game and Motherwell's season – have your say here.

  17. Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: What the manager saidpublished at 18:37 19 May 2024

    Motherwell's Moses Ebiye scores to make it 2-1 during a cinch Premiership match between Motherwell and St Johnstone at Fir ParkImage source, SNS

    Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I'm trying to stay as positive as I can. I really wanted to go out on a high and get a performance and result that keeps everyone over the summer.

    But on reflection we found ourselves in a really tough spot this season. We showed a lot of personality and a lot of character. We scored as lot of good football and scored goals to get us back into a more comfortable position.

    "But it's fair to say I want a whole lot more for this football club. We've had a knack of punching above our weight. The disappointing part was lamented today by the defensive actions.

    "The two goals we concede are so avoidable. Greta quality from Graham Carey on the first, but the second goal has to be avoided and sorted much quicker and easier.

    "That's been a bit of the story of our season. We have to improve on that - and that's not just the backline either.

    "We want to be as creative and free scoring as we have been, but you need that stable backline and that's something we're going to work hard on over the summer."

  18. Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: Analysispublished at 17:32 19 May 2024

    Thomas Duncan, BBC Sport Scotland

    Motherwell had nothing to play for here except eighth place, and they end the season ninth.

    It's been a mixed campaign filled with lots of goals, with Stuart Kettlewell's side proving themselves capable of scoring plenty, but conceding too many too.

    Their home form has been a source of frustration, but their away form a positive. In essence it's been an inconsistent campaign from the Steelmen.

    The loss of Blair Spittal - who got 13 goals and 11 assists - and others like Georgie Gent means Kettlewell will have work to do on a tight budget to build a competitive squad for next campaign.

    But in the depths of winter when they went 15 without a win, they would have settled for comfortably staying in the league.

    Stuart KettlewellImage source, SNS
  19. Motherwell 1-2 St Johnstone: Who impressed?published at 17:30 19 May 2024

    Paul McGinnImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Another solid performance in a fine season for Paul McGinn.

  20. Three changes for final gamepublished at 14:26 19 May 2024

    Motherwell make three changes for their final game this season.

    Stephen O'Donnell and Dan Casey drop to the bench and Andy Halliday misses out altogether.

    In come Bevis Mugabi to the defence, and Davor Zdravkovski and Harry Paton in midfield. Could it be a rare tweak to a back four?

    Motherwell XIImage source, BBC Sport