Motherwell are considering a move for Perth Glory right-back John Koutrombis, who is out of contract with the A-League club next month. (Daily Record), external
Celtic have placed Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly on a list of summer transfer targets. (Daily Mail), external
Read all of Thursday's Scottish Gossip
Image source, SNSLee Miller insists his son - Motherwell midfielder Lennon - is "quite happy doing what he's doing" amid speculation surrounding the teenager's future.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season at Fir Park, making 29 appearances and playing an integral role in Stuart Kettlewell's midfield.
Miller won Motherwell's young player of the year at the weekend and on Wednesday was named on the Scottish Football Writers' shortlist.
The Scotland youth international was also in contention for the PFA award, which was eventually claimed by Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson.
In recent weeks, reports have suggested interest is growing in Miller, who signed a contract extension until the summer of 2026 in November last year.
"You see things coming up on Twitter and different Facebook groups," father Lee said on Wednesday's Scottish Football Podcast.
"But Lennon’s quite happy doing what he's doing just now. He's doing fine. He's in a team where he's allowed to play. He’s enjoying his time at Motherwell just now.
"He's been trusted as a first-team player and he's just loving playing first-team football. We'll see what happens going forward."
Image source, SNSPat Nevin (left) was Motherwell chief executive during the early years of John Boyle's (right) ownership
"I think you're mad, don't do that!"
When Pat Nevin gave former Motherwell owner John Boyle the option of three plans to take the club forward in the infancy of his stewardship, he wasn't expecting the "gold standard" blueprint to be his pick.
Why? Because "he would have to accept losses of £2m a year," former Fir Park chief executive Nevin says on the Sacked in the Morning podcast.
A flamboyant figure during his 13-year tenure, Motherwell went in and out of administration under Boyle's ownership.
Success on the pitch fluctuated, but the Lanarkshire club's financial difficulty perhaps stemmed from Boyle's decision to opt for a plan "you shouldn't touch with a barge-pole" shortly after he bought the club in 1998.
"He had bought Motherwell and admitted he didn't know much about football," says Nevin, who was a player while doing the role of CEO at Fir Park.
"He asked if I fancied running the club for him. So I gave him three plans. If he carries on the way it is, possible relegation. Basically £1m more will get you mid-table and the odd wee cup run.
"Gold standard, which you shouldn't touch with a barge-pole, will get you third in the league, good chance of cups and we can really build the whole system.
"He said: 'We'll do the gold standard!'. He basically accepted losses of £2m a year. I told him: 'I think you're mad, don't do that!'.
"I tried to talk him out of it but that's what he wanted. It was his money."
Click here to listen in full to Sacked in the Morning with Nevin.
Image source, SNSScotland Under-21 caps Lyall Cameron (left) & Connor Barron (right) make up two of the four-man shortlist
Connor Barron, Lyall Cameron, Lennon Miller and David Watson have been named on the shortlist for the Scottish Football Writers Association's young player of the year award.
Kilmarnock teenager Watson claimed the PFA prize last week and will be looking to make it a double, but the teenager faces competition from fellow midfielders Cameron (Dundee), Miller (Motherwell) and Barron (Aberdeen).
Cameron and Miller, along with Rangers' Northern Irish winger Ross McCausland, were also in contention for the PFA award, but Aberdeen and Scotland Under-21 midfielder Barron replaces the Ibrox forward on the SFWA shortlist.
Since 2019, the SFWA prize has been restricted only to players who are eligible to play for Scotland's U21s.
Jenna Thomson
Fan writer
It has officially been confirmed. Livingston, you may be back, but in the meantime you will always be remembered.
I take no joy in seeing a team get relegated, especially when you can see how much the club means to David Martindale, but Saturday's 4-1 win for Motherwell was absolutely fantastic as it secured our top-flight survival.
We needed a response after the defeat to Aberdeen and, boy, did we respond. A result like that makes a bank holiday all that much sweeter.
I have lost count the number of times I have re-watched the goals. It is just unfortunate voting had already closed for the goal of the season, otherwise Sam Nicholson's beauty would have been a guaranteed winner.
Now we have to maximise as much points as we can. A trip up north to Ross County certainly won’t be easy, given their home form, but if we can knuckle down I can see us travelling back victorious.
Image source, SNSLennon Miller has scored twice in 29 appearances for Motherwell so far this season
Aston Villa and Bournemouth are both interested in 17-year-old Lennon Miller, but Motherwell are working to convince the midfielder to stay at the club at least until the end of his contract in 2025. (TeamTalk), external
Watch Sportscene analysis of Motherwell's Scottish Premiership win over Livingston
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
It was a stellar Steelmen showing on Saturday as Motherwell condemned Livingston to life in the second tier.
Hardly surprising to see Theo Bair make this team after his brace. A confident penalty and acrobatic header make it 15 for the season for a player transformed.
His second was crafted by a fine cross from Georgie Gent, who has become a fan favourite after a series of fantastic performances.
For Sam Nicholson, his spot was earned simply by his majestic strike in the first half. Some way to make the most of a rare start.
Highlights: Motherwell 4-1 Livingston
Image source, SNSTheo Bair says he is in the form of his life after a double against Livingston took his goal tally to the season to 15.
The Canadian striker opened the scoring from the spot and scored a brilliant diving header for his side’s third in a 4-1 win that confirmed Livi’s relegation.
The decision to sign Bair last summer was questioned by some Motherwell fans following an underwhelming spell at St Johnstone, but his influence and importance has grown as the season has progressed
“It took a bit of time (to win over the fans) but I’m having the best form of my career,” Bair told BBC Scotland.
“I’m really enjoying my football and really happy to have the backing of the fans now and I just want to keep going.
“We have three very important games to come but I’m ecstatic with the goals that I’m scoring and the trust I get from my teammates, from the staff and the club as a whole. I’m really enjoying my football, I’m sure people can tell. I’m having fun and I can’t thank the club enough.
“As a striker they’ll be games that you don’t score as well and those ones are tougher to deal with but I know I have a chance to score (when I play) which is the best feeling on the planet so I’m really enjoying my football.
“If I bring my best and the team brings their best we win games. We’re enjoying our football, we have some important games coming up and we’re excited.”
Watch SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster talk to the Sportsound team about VAR
Stuart Kettlewell has praised his Motherwell side for "standing together" during a difficult spell.
Well, the day is finally here. Livingston's relegation from the Premiership has been confirmed.
What did you make of the showing at Motherwell, and the season as a whole? Are you confident the club can bounce back at the first time of asking?
Did you watch Motherwell send sorry Livingston down the Championship?
We want to know what you made of the performance. What pleased you and who stood out?
Image source, SNSMotherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell told BBC Scotland: "I thought we managed to execute an awful lot of what we were trying to achieve.
"To score four goals, you're doing something well. Goals two and three are up there, as good as it gets.
"The second goal is absolute magic from Sam Nicholson. I just felt he stepped up, not just his goal but his all round play. Sometimes we go early on goal of the season contenders, because that one is right up there.
"There was moments in the game today when I thought our football was fantastic. It wasn't sustained enough.
"We've not achieved anything, we want to be a football club that's higher than we are at this moment in time.
"What we have done is stood together during some really tough times. I think our form's been excellent since the turn of the year."
On Theo Bair, he adds: "It's been a remarkable turnaround for a player, I'm just delighted for him. He's a excellent footbalL player, but he's a brilliant human being."
Sean McGill
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSFor Motherwell, this was a comfortable showing in a season that is already effectively over.
They could have downed tools in the bottom six with safety all but assured, but they picked off their sorry opposition with a swagger.
The link-up between left-back Gent and the lethal Bair is fast becoming one of the Premiership's most entertaining sights.
Stuart Kettlewell will be doing well to have both in ML1 past the summer. And, we already know Blair Spittal is on his way out.
Now the challenge is to keep the momentum going towards the end of the season and prepare for a more successful campaign next term.
What a revelation Georgie Gent (right) has been.
With boundless energy and fantastic delivery, he may have been overlooked by some this awards season.
His ball in for Theo Bair's brilliant headers sums up the quality of the Blackburn Rovers loanee.
Image source, SNS
Image source, SNSMotherwell: Kelly, O'Donnell, McGinn, Casey, Blaney, Gent, Miller, Halliday, Spittal, Nicholson, Bair.
Substitutes: Oxborough, Mugabi, Paton, Zdravkovski, Shaw, Moses, Ferrie, L.Ross, Butcher.
Livingston: George, Brandon, Devlin, Obileye, Nottingham, MacKay, Sean Kelly, Jason Holt, Stephen Kelly, Pittman, Anderson.
Substitutes: Wright, Montano, Carson, Bradley, Nouble, Sangare, Shinnie, Guthrie, Yengi.
Motherwell forward Jack Vale begins a two-match ban following his red card at Aberdeen. Harry Paton (ankle), Jon Obika (hamstring) and Adam Devine (knee) are working towards comebacks while Adam Montgomery (hamstring) and Callum Slattery (knee) are out for the season.
Livingston are set to welcome back Andrew Shinnie from injury and Tete Yengi following suspension. Goalkeeper Jack Hamilton is out with a groin problem, joining James Penrice (hip), Joel Nouble (ankle), Cristian Montano (hamstring) and Shaun Donnellan on the sidelines.
Image source, SNS
We asked who you think deserves to win Motherwell's player of the season after an up-and-down campaign for Stuart Kettlewell's side.
Here's what you had to say:
Grant: Got to be Blair Spittal. I know he is moving on but he has been tremendous for us this season, his passing has been phenomenal and has helped Theo Bair get his goals.
Ross: Bair for me, who was written off by many when he signed. It has been absolutely brilliant to watch his progress under Stuart Kettlewell. When Kevin van Veen departed I wondered where the goals were going to come from, but Bair stepped up big time. The guy has got talent - I hope he's still at Fir Park next season!
James: Spittal should be player of the year as he has been the most consistent player in the squad. He should have been tied down on a long-term contract by the board.
David: Don’t know about player of the year as no player has been consistent from one month to the next. If I was forced to pick it would be Lennon Miller. Other than him it would be names in a hat.
Stuart: I think Bair should be player of the year as he has gone from a zero to a hero. If he keeps doing what he is doing, he could be up there with the club's legends. Huge congratulations on a big turnaround.
D: Player of the year is definitely between Spittal or Bair, particularly the transformation of Bair turning into one of the league's top goalscorers makes him a worthy contender. Special mention also to Miller, who for 17 years of age is a special talent and will go right to the top!
Image source, SNSMotherwell's Lennon Miller is one of four nominees for SPFL young player of the year
Motherwell centre-half Shane Blaney insists Lennon Miller has the temperament to match his precocious talent and says it's "scary" how unflappable the 17-year-old is.
Miller became Motherwell's youngest ever player when he made his debut six days after turning 16 in August 2022, and the midfielder has since shown his extraordinary potential.
This week, Miller was named on the PFA Scotland young player of the year shortlist after a breakthrough campaign in which he has made 28 appearances despite missing several months due to a damaged kneecap.
“I’ve been really impressed,” Blaney said. “He’s a really good footballer. I have probably been more impressed as a person, a really good fellow for the age of him, the way he carries himself.
“It’s mad to think he is the age he is because I remember the way I was at that age, I was nowhere near the way he is on the pitch or the way he carries himself, so it’s testament to him and his family and the people around him. He’s a great fellow and a really good footballer.
“He takes everything in his stride. It’s scary, to be honest. Nothing seems to faze him. I think you grow to learn that with the best players, they always seem to be like that. Nothing fazes them, and he seems to be like that.
"It’s great having him back after injury and that’s another thing to say about him. It was a big injury he had, at such a young age, and to come back the way he has done is brilliant.”
