Motherwell

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."

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The draw for the last 16 of the Scottish League Cup will take place on Sunday.

It will be broadcast live on Premier Sports following their coverage of Motherwell v Partick Thistle at Fir Park, which kicks off at 15:00 BST.

The top-flight's five European representatives - holders Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Kilmarnock and St Mirren - will enter the draw and will also be seeded, along with the three best group winners.

All last-16 ties are scheduled to played on the weekend of 17/18 August.

Newcastle Jets have confirmed the departure of striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, external to an unnamed European side, with Motherwell the club in question. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Motherwell will pay around £260,000 for 25-year-old striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

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Stuart Kettlewell praised Filip Stuparevic's composure after the Serbian forward opened his Motherwell goal-scoring account in their 3-1 League Cup win over Clyde.

Stuparevic is still some way short of full fitness, but Kettlewell has told the former Watford man not to force things as he seeks to make a positive impression.

"We’ve actually been speaking to Filip, that he’s trying to impress and he’s trying to show that he’s a good player – we know he’s a good player – and every time he gets into that final third, it’s like he’s trying to strip the paint off the ball," Kettlewell said.

"I thought he caressed that one really well into the side netting and he’s more than capable of that.

"We are trying to get him fitter, trying to get him a little bit sharper and get him up to speed how we want to play. But I think it was a really good contribution.

"The first part is the work ethic and energy. Filip probably needed a little bit more work than several other players so, gradually, hopefully, you’ll start to see him getting up to speed and and showing us that type of quality he gave us with the third goal."

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell hopes Harry Paton's ankle injury is "nothing too serious".

Canada defender Paton, 26, was withdrawn after 39 minutes of Well's 3-1 Scottish League Cup win over hosts Clyde on Saturday, Andy Halliday taking his place.

Kettlewell currently has Sam Nicholson, Ross Callachan and long-term absentee Callum Slattery sidelined.

"He's possibly just rocked his ankle," Kettlewell said of Paton. "But fingers crossed it's nothing too serious to add to what we've already got."

Moses Ebiye put the Steelmen in front and Lee Hamilton levelled for Clyde. Lennon Miller won and converted a penalty for Motherwell's second and Filip Stuparevic netted his first goal for the club late on.

"We've actually been speaking to Filip, that he's trying to impress and he's trying to show that he's a good player - we know he's a good player - and every time he gets into that final third, it's like he's trying to strip the paint off the ball," Kettlewell commented.

"I thought he caressed that one really well into the side netting and he's more than capable of that.

"We are trying to get him fitter, trying to get him a little bit sharper and get him up to speed how we want to play. But I think it was a really good contribution.

"The first part is the work ethic and energy. Filip probably needed a little bit more work than several other players so, gradually, hopefully, you'll start to see him getting up to speed and showing us that type of quality he gave us with the third goal."

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Avoiding relegation must be Motherwell's first priority this season, but a top-six finish is an attainable goal, according to The Well Scoiety's Derek Watson.

Stuart Kettlewell's side finished ninth in the Premiership last season, eight points clear of Ross County in the relegation play-off spot.

"Top six and a cup run is the ideal situation," Watson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Another thing that fans won't want to hear, staying up is first and foremost the most important thing that can happen for Motherwell.

"But I think we need to be ambitious, we need to be seeing ourselves as a top six club, we need to be pushing for that. And just one of these years, hopefully we'll get to a cup final and actually lift that trophy.

"I would like to think that we can be pushing for top six. I know that's ambitious, especially from a club our size when other clubs are out-spending us, certainly your big city clubs.

"But I think we need to be pushing for top six. I think with the players that Stuart's [Kettlewell] brought in so far, and with the players that he's retained, that's not unachievable."

Former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan talks to the Scottish Football Podcast about the club's teenage midfielder Lennon Miller

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Motherwell assistant manager Stephen Frail has been speaking to the media before his side's trip to Clyde in the League Cup on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• The squad available to manager Stuart Kettlewell will be "pretty much the same as we had the other night" with Frail adding "we should be as strong as we were against Montrose".

• Frail thinks the squad is "short in terms of numbers" and they could do with at least one more signing to help with both depth and quality.

• He adds the club are "hopeful" to get a signing in the door quickly in order to "gel them in with the squad and get them up to fitness as quickly as we possibly can".

• On goalkeeper Aston Oxborough, Frail says he has been "really impressed" with his level in training, and says the 26-year-old gives Motherwell "stature and presence" between the sticks.

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Former Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan believes Lennon Miller will "only get better" after the midfielder's wonderful breakthrough in the 2023-24 season.

Miller, 17, made 32 appearances for Motherwell in the last campaign, impressing fans and pundits alike with his performances.

"His first full campaign he played 30 plus games, that will do him the world of good," Craigan told the Scottish Football Podcast.

"Physically, I still think there's a lot of development there, which he will know himself.

"Mentally, he's on the ball. Nothing seems to faze him, whether you go to Ibrox or you go to Celtic Park, you go to Tynecastle, you go to Aberdeen, the big intimidating grounds, he's quite happy to take part in the game.

"Technically he's very, very good. Physically his game will develop as he goes on. I think he's only going to get better."

When asked how far Miller can go in the game, Craigan says it is important he isn't pushed too far, too quickly.

"What level he can get to? I'm not so sure. I think it's unfair sometimes to compare him to previous players who have left the club. Just allow him to flourish, allow him to grow, keep encouraging him.

"The manager showed great faith in him by putting him in and he's repaid that faith with some of his performances."

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has revealed that he tried to sign Dennis Adeniran, the 25-year-old midfielder who has arrived from Hapoel Petah Tikva, five years ago for Motherwell. (The Herald), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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The Well Society have confirmed 78% of votes cast in their ballot rejected the Barmack family's Motherwell investment proposal at the time it was withdrawn.

The club announced that Wild Sheep Sports would be pulling their deal off the table on Tuesday morning, citing "significant divisions within the fanbase".

The decision came midway through a two-week voting period, during which 56% of eligible members had voted.

In a statement detailing the results of their ballot, the Well Society revealed:

• 1,531 votes were cast by Tuesday, 16 July at 10:00 BST

• 330 Well Society members had voted to accept the proposal (21.55%)

• 1,201 Well Society members had voted to reject the proposal (78.45%)

"Whatever your view, you have demonstrated a clear passion for our club and its future," the board of the club's majority shareholder said.

"Attention now immediately turns to deliver on the strategy set out in our plan for the society and Motherwell FC.

"We would reiterate we are open to external investment and will continue the work already done to bring in partners who we feel can help push the club further forward in true partnership with fans."

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Motherwell have revealed a new-look "dark steel" away kit for the 2024-25 campaign.

Modelled by right-back Stephen O'Donnell, the strip is complimented with a trim of the club's tartan on the sleeves.

"Similar to our home kit, this was born from ideas and opinions discussed at focus groups held at Fir Park last year," Motherwell say.

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Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell is eyeing up "one or two" replacements for Theo Bair after the striker's move to Auxerre.

The exit of the Canada international - who scored 15 goals in 41 appearances in his sole season at Fir Park - leaves Zach Robinson, Filip Stuparevic and Moses Ebiye as Motherwell's only senior options up front.

"I need to bring in one or two to give us that bit more strength and quality at the front end of the pitch," Kettlewell told Well TV.

"We’ve lost a major asset. I don’t look back on that, I applaud big Theo on what he’s done and the monetary value that adds to the football club, which has been fantastic for us.

"We brought him in, he got 15 goals and produced the performances to capture the eye of big clubs and we received a big fee off the back of that.

"We have to go and replace that and make sure the guys that are here continue to improve but I think, without question, you can see that we need to go and try and add bits of quality to that frontline to give us different options."

We asked for your views after Erik and Courtney Barmack withdrew their offer of investment in Motherwell.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Frazer: It wasn't a good deal for Motherwell so it's not the end of the world. We are in a good place financially at the moment but we do need an owner or an investor to move the club forward.

Drew: The problem with fan ownership is always going to be cash. The collapse of the deal will scare off investors. Fallout from this will rumble on too. Is it really a bad idea to hand over shares? I’m of the opinion the Well Society committee are just unhappy about giving up a lot of control (big egos). Get over it! Put the club first.

David: Now that the Well Society have chased away the only investment on the table, where do we go to now? Any future investors will have serious concerns about getting on board. The club board accepted the offer to invest but are now in a difficult position in attracting funds from elsewhere. The better players will now need to be moved on quicker.

Stuart: If this decision is indicative of the Barmacks' "passion and commitment" to Motherwell, then this is a lucky escape! It serves as a warning on how fickle third party investment can be.

Col: The takeover proposal contained too much risk for a club like Motherwell. Committing up to £4m of club funds to AI media projects, in the hope of raising the club's profile was naive at best.

John: Yes, I would like to see some money come in to the club, but he was asking for too much for very little money.

Christopher: The Barmacks have taken an honourable decision by withdrawing their offer. I totally understand they did not want to cause division within the club. However, over to you Well Society. You got what you wanted. Can they raise nearly £2m over the next three years? Remember they are going to the same fan base every year. I fear Well will be left behind.

Jaffa: If this guy was seriously interested he would have put more money on the table, we're better off without him. We are Motherwell, we will survive as we always do due to incredibly loyal supporters.

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Motherwell teenager Olly Whyte has joined Lowland League side Cowdenbeath on loan until January.

The midfielder, 17, has been involved in several matchday squads for Stuart Kettlewell and was named on the bench twice last term.

Having taken part in pre-season with the senior side, Whyte makes a temporary switch until the new year.

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Stuart Kettlewell lamented a "slack" performance by his players at part-time Montrose after the League One side snatched a draw in the Premier Sports Cup.

Despite Motherwell leading from a powerful first-half Shane Blaney header, Ali Shrive sent the game to penalties - where the visitors recorded a 5-4 win.

“Without being arrogant, the end result is not acceptable," manager Kettlewell told Well TV.

"I believe as a Premiership side we have to come and win games against part-time teams.

"Guys in the part-time environment have come from their work today having played on Saturday, and I think our energy levels and quality have to shine through.

"The game was very comfortable to a point, we were in complete control, but one of the biggest facets of football is making sure you’re ruthless in the final third.

"We then started to become really slack and it gave Montrose motivation and momentum in the game."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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For reported fee of more than £1.6m, external, Theo Bair's Motherwell exit is still some way off the club record £3.25m they received for David Turnbull in 2020.

But, all things considered, it's quite difficult to think of a better bit of business from the Fir Park side.

Amid a barrage of criticism for the executive board's handling of the Barmack family's investment proposal, Bair's departure equates to over a third of the entire club's recent - and heavily criticised - valuation.

However, the Canada international's exit - announced just six hours after the Wild Sheep deal was withdrawn - is a welcome positive for the club.

Heaps of credit must go to manager Stuart Kettlewell and his coaching staff, as well as Bair himself, for the striker's transformation.

Bair's Motherwell arrival was a bit of a surprise given his rough ride at St Johnstone, where he scored just once in 18 months. A two-year deal was also a shock, but that was a gamble that has paid off big time.

The forward scored in Motherwell's Premiership opener last August at Dundee. He scored just once after that, though, and found himself in and out of the team until December.

Mika Biereth's return to Arsenal and injury issues meant Bair was thrown back into the team at the end of the year. A double against Livingston was the start of a six-game scoring run, during which he netted eight times.

Another five came in the final months of the campaign to take his tally to 15, as well as six assists. Then came his inclusion in the Scotland PFA team of the year and a place in Canada's Copa America squad.

The 24-year-old adds to a long list of success stories Kettlewell has helped scribe: Ross Stewart, Kevin van Veen and Biereth. Who's next?

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Marvin Kaleta believes his Motherwell loan gives him the best chance to "learn and progress" as a player.

The 19-year-old right-back has temporarily joined the Fir Park side from Wolves.

Kaleta joined the Premier League club's academy from Manchester City in 2020 and has played regularly in their youth teams.

"The manager told me about how good this loan move could be for my development," the defender said.

“At this stage in my career, I want to learn and progress. I feel I can do that most by playing first-team football here at Motherwell."

Manager Stuart Kettlewell believes Kaleta will bring "quality and character" to his side.

The Fir Park boss has previously benefitted from Premier League loans, as have the players he has coached, such as James Furlong (from Brighton) and Mika Biereth (from Arsenal).

“With Marvin, I feel like we're getting a young player who has raw ability and room for growth," Kettlewell said.

"He has played plenty minutes down in England so we feel this is a good move for him."

Now that Erik and Courtney Barmack's proposed investment is off the table we want your views.

Are you happy it's no longer an option? Were you keen for his investment? Would you like to see another investor come in?

Give us your thoughts here, external.