Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer admitted his team will "have to suffer" at times at Ibrox on Saturday but wants them to be brave on the ball.

The Fir Park side go into the Rangers clash off the back of Wimmer's first win in charge and the German is eager to bring the "self-confidence" of that 2-1 victory over Dundee to Glasgow.

"It's a big challenge on Saturday," Wimmer said. "But I like it, to compete with the best teams, it makes us better. And I like this challenge.

"It's not easy, but it's easier to drive to Ibrox with a win after Wednesday. But it's a great team, they're in the last 16 of the Europa League, which says everything. But we will bring our performance and who knows what is possible?

"I think there will be many minutes we have to suffer. But this is football, it's always like this against a great team."

Rangers were stung early by Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, going 2-0 down before roaring back for a 4-2 win in Barry Ferguson's first game in charge.

"If we are good out of possession, perhaps we can win the ball, and then we have good counter-attacks," Wimmer added. "We can be dangerous in these scenarios.

"But I also want to see that my team is brave in possession, that they also have the courage to have possession. Because if you never have the ball, it's not fun and it's too much suffering."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Michael Wimmer wants his Motherwell side to play with energy and desire. That was his message from day one.

While we didn't see much of it in his first game in charge against Dundee United last weekend, it was a different story last night against United's city rivals.

The intensity, the press, the energy - it was there in bucketloads.

It wasn't just the passion from the Motherwell players that was on show. In his managerial home debut, Wimmer was fully invested, cutting an animated figure in his technical area.

He was extremely vocal, throwing his arms about with every kick of the ball, and the players seemed to respond positively to his spirited involvement.

It's still early days for Wimmer and even centre-back Dan Casey, on a high from scoring two brilliant goals against Dundee, said no one should be getting carried away… just yet.

But that win and performance was warmly welcomed by those inside Fir Park and supporters left the ground with a spring in their step.

Little wonder, as it ended a run of six league defeats. A win at any cost would have been welcomed, but it was the manner of the win that was extremely well received.

After months of negativity around style of play and results, you could sense a real feeling of positivity around the club.

Wimmer told me pre-match he's still building a picture of his squad, but on last night's evidence he surely can't be far away from knowing his starting XI and most effective shape as Saturday's trip to face Rangers looms.

Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Richard Foster analyse a Dundee penalty shout for a potential handball by Motherwell's Stephen O'Donnell. (Available to UK users only)

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Dan Casey was determined to "stop the rut" of Motherwell's six straight defeats.

He did exactly that with an impactful display at both ends of the pitch in the 2-1 win over Dundee.

The defender was solid at the back, making six tackles - the most of any player on the pitch - and winning them all. He also won possession four times and contributed eight clearances.

And when it came to attacking, he excelled. From four touches in the opposition box, the Irishman had three shots - all on target - and scored a match-winning double. Not half bad for a centre-half from an xG of just 0.31.

"It was full of emotions," Casey told BBC Scotland.

"I think it was a big night for the club. I'm just glad I could help the team and now I think it has to be a starting point for the rest of the season."

Casey's heroics made it a winning Fir Park bow for new manager Michael Wimmer and the 27-year-old praised the German's calm and methodical approach.

"I think he's been brilliant, he's been very clear with his gameplan. High intensity, and I think you could see that in the first half and possession keeping the ball," Casey added.

"His details are very good. He's quite calm on his approach. He'll pull you over and he'll be very clear with you. We all enjoy working with him and hopefully we can kick on."

We asked you for your thoughts on Michael Wimmer's winning home debut as Motherwell boss, a 2-1 victory over Dundee.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Vast improvement in the first half. Closing down, one-touch passing, not many long balls. Second half, we fell out of it, but great to get a winner.

Alan: A bad team do not accumulate 31 points in this league without some merit. We really lack a striker who can score regularly but are indebted to defenders and midfielders to plug that gap. Give the new manager some slack and allow him to continue with the high-pressing, attacking style which produced last night's result.

D: Great performance full of energy and intensity under Wimmer. A great style of play that was pleasing to see, much different to the rubbish hoof-ball we saw under Stuart Kettlewell. That's a game we'd have lost under the previous management, very excited by the future under Wimmer.

Norrie: Just looked at the stats - 14 shots, six on target. Probably not far off the last eight games in total! Onwards and upwards. No point in belittling the former management, the stats in one game say enough. Let the team now prove they are good enough to stay in the Premiership.

Eddie: Massive improvement from the previous manager - night and day. We tired in the second half but everyone gave 100%.

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• Dundee have lost their last five games in the Premiership, their last longer losing streak was from 4 December 2021 to 18 January 2022, a run of six matches.

• Motherwell attempted 14 shots in this match, higher than their season average of 9.8 in the Premiership.

• Simon Murray has scored 10 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Dundee player.

• Motherwell have a record of W7, D2, L1 when leading at half-time in the Premiership this season.

• Dundee have conceded 13 goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Ross County (16) and Hibernian (15) have conceded more in the Premiership this season.

Watch the best of the action as Motherwell beat Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

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Defender Dan Casey scored twice as Motherwell won for the first time in eight matches to beat freefalling Dundee on new boss Michael Wimmer's home debut.

The visitors' fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership defeat leaves them four points from safety and just three points off bottom spot.

Casey's first came after 12 minutes when he bulleted in a header from an Andy Halliday corner.

The Irishman was left completely unmarked in the box and should have added a near identical goal just a few minutes later from another set-piece.

Tony Docherty's side struggled to compete in the first half, but a change of formation allowed them greater control in the second period.

They equalised with 11 minutes to play when Simon Murray tapped in his 15th goal of the season, but the game was not level for long.

Motherwell restored their lead six minutes later with centre back Casey volleying in from Harry Paton's cross to complete an unlikely double.

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "I'm very proud of the guys, they did really well and I think it was a brilliant first half.

"In the second half we saw a little bit of a lack of energy and dropped too deep.

"But in the end, it was a fantastic win from everyone together, the fans pushed us too right until the last minute.

"It's important for the confidence to get a result. I see their faces now in the locker room, they are all happy.

"Now it's not easy, but it's more easy to keep going and keep working because this has increased the confidence.

"We are together, nobody wins alone. We have to stay together and work together."

Adam Binnie
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Stuart Kettlewell quit as Motherwell boss, he left his side in fifth place.

A tumultuous transition period then shifted focus from a potential European finish to league survival.

And had Wimmer's side lost against Dundee, they would have been just one point off the relegation play-off spot. Instead, they are within one victory of top six.

Not only does this win brings them closer to the top half than to that dreaded 11th spot, but the manner of the performance should revitalise both the players and the Fir Park fans.

Five games until the league splits, and three of those are at home for Motherwell.

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• Motherwell have lost both of their two previous league games against Dundee in 2024-25, this after only losing one of their previous 14 league matches against them beforehand (W9 D4).

• Dundee's 1-0 win in October ended a seven-game winless run away to Motherwell in the league (D3 L4) since winning back-to-back visits in 2016-17.

• Motherwell have lost both of their last two home league games, last losing more on the spin in November 2022 (run of four).

• Dundee have lost each of their last five midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) away league games by an aggregate score of 22-3 since a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen in January 2024. The Dark Blues' last midweek away win in the Scottish Premiership was back in February 2022 at Hearts (2-1).

• Dundee's Lyall Cameron has scored five goals in his five Scottish Premiership appearances against Motherwell – the only opponent against which he has scored more than twice in the competition.

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Motherwell have lost Shane Blaney and Sam Nicholson to long-term knee injuries. Tony Watt is available again, while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Marvin Kaleta are back in training but unlikely to feature.

Jack Vale (Achilles), Steve Seddon (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and goalkeepers Archie Mair and Aston Oxborough (both hand) remain out.

Dundee suffered three fresh injuries in their defeat at Ross County, with key trio Antonio Portales (calf), Seb Palmer-Houlden (knee) and Clark Robertson (hamstring) joining join Billy Koumetio (ankle) and Scott Fraser (groin) on the sidelines.

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Wing-back Dom Thompson says the Motherwell players are "buying into" new manager Michael Wimmer's ideas.

The Fir Park outfit lost 1-0 to Dundee United on Saturday, their sixth defeat in a row, but there were clear signs of improvement after half-time at Tannadice.

Thompson, who signed for Motherwell on the day of Stuart Kettlewell's final game in charge, is hopeful Wimmer can turn things around, starting with his home debut against Dundee on Wednesday night.

"It's been an up and down start, a lot going on, a few changes and what-not, but that comes part and parcel with football so you learn to roll with it," said Thompson.

"Speaking on behalf of myself and the team as well, we've all really enjoyed working with him in the past week.

"We can clearly see how he wants to play and his ideas in regards to football. Everyone's buying into it and hopefully Saturday was a start and hopefully we can look to implement it a little bit more as we go forward.

"Obviously they had the goal in the first half, so that can sometimes change a game. But definitely going into the second half, we needed to play with a bit more intensity and urgency. A few more patterns started to play out and we looked a different side in the second half, I believe.

"That's encouraging for what's to come. We've got an opportunity at home on Wednesday to start that way rather than pick up in the second half.

"When you talk about a new playing style, it's one that I believe suits a lot of the players that we've got here. It's encouraging and everyone's excited.

"The quality that we've got in the team is encouraging. We see that day to day in the training pitch and when we go into games we see spells of quality and it just needs to string together a bit more so we can start picking up results."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Another loss to add to the tally this season.

The defeat at Tannadice didn't surprise me as it will take more than a few days for our squad to be whipped into shape by new boss Michael Wimmer.

Wednesday's visit of Dundee is crucial for us. Not only is it Wimmer's first home game, a win will earn vital breathing space in the battle to beat the drop.

The gap between us and second-bottom Dundee has got uncomfortably short - just four points - and if things don't change fast it isn't looking good.

Speaking of things that aren't looking good, I wish Stuart Kettlewell would give up with the press tour.

I felt genuine sympathy and anger on Kettlewell's behalf when the news first broke that abuse from fans is what made him leave the club, but there is too much inconsistency in his stories and I don't know what to believe any more.

It is hard to embrace the new era when there is so much negativity surrounding the club but we have to get behind the team and the manager on Wednesday and show we are so much more than the narrative being spun.

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Motherwell have been handed a fresh injury blow with Sam Nicholson and Shane Blaney both in need of surgery.

Blaney, who has suffered a knee injury, is awaiting surgery and will be sidelined for a significant period.

Nicholson, who missed the first five months of the season with a problem with his patellar tendon, is now back on the long-term absentee list and is facing another extended period on the sidelines.

New manager Michael Wimmer, who was without 12 players for his first game in charge, has given an update on the injury status at the club.

"Marvin Kaleta was in training today, he's back," the boss said.

"Apostolos (Stamatelopoulos) trained the whole session with the team. He's back, this is very good. There are two good players.

"It brings us other options. I don't know if it is enough time for Wednesday, but I think after the break, after the Rangers game, we will have more options."

Motherwell remain without Jack Vale, Steve Seddon, Ross Callachan, Paul McGinn, Zach Robinson and goalkeepers Archie Mair and Aston Oxborough with long-term injuries.

Watch the Sportscene panel discuss Michael Wimmer's tactics.

Watch highlights as Dundee United win 1-0 against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 1-0 defeat against Dundee United.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: Better performance than the previous efforts but unfortunately avoiding the play-off place has become priority. With a couple of exceptions, players aren't good enough for this level and I worry we might not come out on top of a two-leg tie with our current players.

Derek: Stuart Kettlewell's legacy is a club tenth in the league and going down. Signed far too many sub-standard players - quantity over quality.

Not one of our signings in the last year would make it into another Premiership team. Says a lot about scouting and strategy at Fir Park. Looking forward to days away at Arbroath and Ayr next season.

Edward: Although we have a new manager, the question is - why, again, are we on a losing streak at this time of the year?

The weather's the same for everyone yet we continue to gift teams points! The squad was upgraded in the summer, we started off great, European football on the horizon, yet now we're scrambling to stay clear of the trapdoor. Why?

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• Dundee United have kept a clean sheet in nine of their 27 games, only Rangers (13) and Celtic (19) have done this more often in the Premiership this season.

• Sam Dalby has scored 12 goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other player. He now has four goals against Motherwell in three appearances.

• Dalby has now scored the opening goal in five Premiership matches this season.

• Dundee United are unbeaten in their last six league matches when leading at half-time (W2, D4) dating back to 4 February 2023 against Hearts (L1-3).

• Dundee United have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in 17 of their 27 games, only Celtic (22) have done this more often in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have lost their last five games in the Premiership, their last joint longest losing streak was from 1 January 2015 to 24 January 2015.

• Motherwell have failed to win any of their last 10 matches when conceding first in the Premiership, since a victory over St. Mirren on 28 September 2024.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland at Tannadice

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Michael Wimmer's Motherwell debut ended in disappointment, with the visitors beaten 1-0 by Dundee United at Tannadice.

So, what are the first impressions of the German manager as the Fir Park side slumped to a sixth successive defeat?

The 44-year-old turned up looking and sounding relaxed. Dressed in faded jeans and a hooded jacket, he talked excitedly about seeing his team in competitive action.

As a reporter you get a bit of a sense of someone in between the first handshake and pressing the record button. Wimmer was really pleasant on first meeting, even saying it was a "pleasure to meet me". We also exchanged a joke about the Scottish weather.

During the match he paced up and down his technical area and was pretty animated as he gestured and encouraged his players.

What did we glean from his interviews?

Pre-match, he was at pains to point out that he had only had time for three training sessions with his new players. He also admitted that he found team selection and formation a bit tricky, giving me a sense that there could be a bit of trial and error over the coming weeks.

But his message in these early days is simple. He wants to see "passion and energy" on the pitch.

Post-match, Wimmer felt his side deserved a point after their second-half showing.

Interestingly, he suggested that his players "maybe had too many thoughts inside their minds".

He spoke about "getting a picture" from his first competitive match, and it seems his main learning is that his players need to be "braver in possession".

It will be interesting to see his team selection for Wednesday's visit of Dundee. Will he chop and change personnel or formation?

Like he says, he's getting a picture and we'll maybe get a better idea of where he's going with this Motherwell side a few more games in.

What are the fans saying?

Around 700 Motherwell supporters made the trip to Dundee and from the few I spoke to before kick off, most were looking forward to seeing what the new era might bring.

Although one admitted he had to "Google" Wimmer when the appointment was announced, he, like the others, have welcomed what the new boss had to say about attacking play and bringing on youth.

Those I spoke to weren't expecting a miracle and are willing to give the manager time.

In saying that, style of play seems to be important to the Motherwell fans and seeing a change on that front sooner rather than later will be vital.

What is the pundit view?

BBC Scotland pundit Alan Preston said he "hadn't seen anything different under the new manager."

The former Dundee United and Hearts midfielder added: "They've not created much. From what I've seen, Wimmer likes his full-backs to get forward, but they were rarely allowed to do that - and when they did they didn't use the ball well enough."

He also questioned the deployment of Lennon Miller, who was playing in a double-pivot in front of the back four alongside Andy Halliday.

"That's to enable the full-backs to get forward," said Preston. "But, with Lennon in that position, you lose his ability to create."

Michael Wimmer's reign as Motherwell manager began with a defeat as Sam Dalby's goal earned Dundee United a first win in four Scottish Premiership games.

The Fir Park side have now lost six consecutive matches and now slip down to ninth.

United's own form had been pretty poor of late, but they got back on track thanks to division's top scorer Dalby converting a towering first-half header for his 13th of the season.

What did you make of that, Motherwell fans? What went right, what went wrong?

And what do you think the future holds under Wimmer?

Let us know your thoughts, external.