Motherwell

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

It wasn’t a vintage performance, and the manager even said so himself, but Motherwell are through to the quarter-finals of the League Cup and Stuart Kettlewell says that was the priority.

He'll also be hoping the win over 10-man Kilmarnock will provide a foundation his players can build on and instil confidence and belief within the squad.

Winning, after all, breeds a positive mindset.

But Kettlewell will be mindful of the balance between celebrating the accomplishment and being honest with his players while assessing their performance.

After the match he mentioned his team became apprehensive in attack after they took the lead, saying they started to go on the back foot and seemed to doubt themselves.

Fairly negative comments but also vital observations. The manager wants his team to improve, and as such working on things he feels they're not doing well is essential.

No doubt the squad have been trying to put these aspects right in training as they prepare to face Hearts in the league on Sunday.

Motherwell will also be hoping the Gorgie visitors are still sore from their cup exit, not to mention tired from their European travel to the Czech Republic.

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Clubs in Scotland are failing to bring through enough young players, a report, external by the Scottish FA has said.

The governing body says Scottish football is "significantly underachieving its potential" in youth development compared to countries of a similar size.

Using a range of data to compare leagues across Europe, it shows players under the age of 21 in Scotland are playing fewer minutes in the top-flight than countries such as Denmark, Norway, and Croatia.

Meanwhile, game time for young Scottish players in major European club competitions ranks below countries with smaller populations and fewer resources, such as Montenegro and North Macedonia.

It also stresses clubs are missing an opportunity to reduce wage costs and increase transfer revenue by developing their own players.

The report was commissioned by the SFA's professional game board at the end of 2023, and a working party comprised of SPFL and SFA representatives will now consider its findings.

Read the full story

Former striker Lee Miller, who turned out for Dundee United, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock among others, recounts his experiences of being on the move on transfer deadline day during his playing career.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

And into the hat we go.

The first half against Kilmarnock was grim to watch. Both sides were more keen to be defensive than make any real attempts at goal, but the second half really amped up and we were the better team.

Our one issue, though, is we just don't know how to score in 90 minutes. Our goal should have come well before extra time, we he had so many good chances with no pay-off.

Pairing match-winner Moses Ebiye with our new signing Tawanda Maswanhise was one of Stuart Kettlewell’s better ideas. He may have only made his debut at the weekend but the potential Maswanhise has already shown was a breath of fresh air.

It meant Lennon Miller was moved back to central midfield instead of trying to push into an attacking role. He plays best when controlling that area of the pitch instead of constantly trying to support the striker.

If we can continue to build and work on our scoring, I can see us doing well this season. If we don’t fix that, along with our injury issues, it could be a long season ahead.

I still remain cautiously optimistic, and with a home tie against Dundee United in the next round, we really can't complain.

United are a team we have the capability to beat, and if we can push to a semi-final it could be the motivation the team and fans need.

We asked you for your thoughts after Motherwell progressed to the quarter-finals of the League Cup by beating Kilmarnock.

Here's what you had to say:

Col: It was a laboured performance against an opposition who has clearly prioritised Europe over the League Cup. The starting line up was cautious with three defensive midfielders leaving Lennon Miller somewhat isolated as a creative force.

The substitutions made a huge difference and should be certain starters next week against Hearts.

Kevin: We arguably have the best squad we’ve had for a few seasons. However, Kettlewell’s formation and negative tactics make us boring to watch. Our starting line up only had two forward thinking players in it - Robinson and Miller. The rest were defenders or defensive midfielders. 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 please - it’s entertainment after all!

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Tawanda Maswanhise says he wants to "get the fans on their feet" after playing a key role on his debut to help Motherwell reach the League Cup quarter-finals with victory over Kilmarnock.

The Zimbabwe international, whose signing for the club was confirmed shortly before kick-off on Sunday, added an attacking spark after coming off the bench as a second-half substitute.

The 21-year-old Leicester City youth product went on to assist Moses Ebiye for the winning goal in the first period of extra-time.

The winger told BBC Scotland his cameo was a "good introduction".

"When I came on I made a good instant impact," he added. "It was a really good start for me. That’s the type of player I am. I want to get the fans on their feet, get them excited.

"My job is to always beat the defender. I just said 'give me the ball every time' because I knew I had the confidence to beat my man.

"Especially when we're attacking, I make sure I'm doing those late runs and when I'm on the ball, just focus on driving the ball forward and make sure the team stays positive in the final third."

Following his release from Rangers, Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack, 32, is training with Motherwell to build up his fitness. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Monday's Scottish gossip.

An extra-time goal from substitute Moses Ebiye was enough to edge Motherwell past Kilmarnock and into the quarter-finals of the Premier Sports Cup where they will face Dundee United.

Whether you were at Fir Park or watching the game from afar, we want to hear from you.

Give us your thoughts on the game and draw here., external

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Motherwell have been drawn at home against Dundee United in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals.

Stuart Kettlewell's side defeated Kilmarnock 1-0 on Sunday after extra-time, while Jim Goodwin's team beat St Mirren by the same scoreline on the same day.

The tie will take place on the weekend of 21-22 September.

Read the draw in full here.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell tells BBC Scotland: "We're deserving of it. We were okay when it was 11 v 11 without setting the heather alight. We were reasonably confident.

"They gave up a bit of pressure [after the red card], invite us into crossing positions, the final third. We could have done better with capitalising on that.

"We score and we seem to step backwards. Kilmarnock stepped forward and full credit to them. They made a real fist of the Cup tie.

"We know we can get better and we'll need to be better. We've had a lot of issues with injuries but we had to get into the next round of the Cup and we did that."

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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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.