Motherwell

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

They say never go back... yet that’s exactly what Tony Watt has done.

In fact, when it comes to Motherwell, it’s what a few others have done. James McFadden did it three times, Stephen Pearson had three spells too.

Watt maybe falls into a slightly different category. Yes, he enjoyed a fairly successful two-year spell at Fir Park before his departure in January 2022.

He was popular with fans, scored 19 goals in 70 appearances, and it looked like he’d finally found a home after flitting between eight clubs since leaving Celtic.

Yet he then uppped sticks and left for Dundee United. It was the right move for him at the time - you need to look after your family financially, right?

But some Motherwell fans didn’t see it that way. They took exception to, in their eyes, such betrayal, and it will be interesting to see how they respond to his return.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell said he "jumped at the chance" to bring the 30-year-old striker back to Fir Park.

Injuries to key players, including newly-signed striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, perhaps instigated the move, but Watt himself insists he "was itching to join Motherwell again and can’t wait to get stuck in".

He admits some supporters may need persuading, but at least he’s brave enough to acknowledge that.

And he seems intent in proving himself to fans. If he does that then surely the hurt they felt two years ago when he walked out will be forgotten.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell back-up goalkeeper Matty Connelly has rejoined East Kilbride on loan until January.

The 21-year-old, who signed a new 12-month deal at Fir Park this summer, spent the final months of last term on loan at the Lowland League club, making 11 appearances.

So Tony Watt is back in the claret and amber, and he's ready to get the full Motherwell support behind him... even if he doesn't have their backing right now.

With his comments in mind, how do you feel about the striker's return to Fir Park?

Shrewd business by Stuart Kettlewell, or going over old ground?

Let us know your thoughts here., external

Image source, SNS

Tony Watt "is ready to get people back on side" at Motherwell after re-signing for the club on a season-long loan.

The forward, who made 70 appearances during his first spell in Lanarkshire, scoring 19 goals in the process, joins from Dundee United, who he left the Fir Park club for in 2022.

"There's obviously people who may not be too happy to see me back," Watt told 30-year-old.

"I need to prove myself here and get people back on my side, but that target is firmly set in my mind.

"It's so good to be back in the building, I was itching to join Motherwell again and can't wait to get stuck in."

Despite playing an integral part in United's Championship title-winning season last term, Watt fell out of favour under Jim Goodwin and managed just 73 minutes of football across three League Cup games last month.

But the former Celtic forward has insisted he's ready to go.

“I feel fit," he added. "I’ve been training and I have a full pre-season under my belt.”

His contract at United is up at the end of the season, but manager Stuart Kettlewell is thinking of the here and now and said the club "jumped at the chance" of bringing him back to Motherwell.

“He is a player who has done well here with goals and strong performances," Kettlewell said. "We jumped at the chance to bring him back to Fir Park and Tony himself was desperate to return.

“Tony had lots of other options, both home and abroad, but he was fixated on coming back here.”

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

The search for our first three points battles on.

I didn’t think before the game we would’ve taken anything from Rangers, but we did start to come into things more towards the end and could’ve stole a draw which is somewhat promising. Having our first goal be an own goal as well isn’t desirable to see, but helped almost get the job done.

After spending what is rumoured to be about north of £250,000 on our long-named Australian forward, - Apostolos Stamatelopoulos - for him to become immediately injured, has taken the wind right out my sails.

I don’t know if Kettlewell has the boys training for the next Wrestlemania or the first Hunger Games instead of a football match, but having this many injuries at once is frightening.

There are at least eight first-team players out which is unacceptable, especially when half are new signings. We are throwing money down the drain by signing players who then become injured two weeks later. I’m starting to wonder if they even attempted a medical with them or just handed them contracts.

Although Kilmarnock haven’t had the greatest start either to the season, I’m still cautious. I’m hoping their European games lower their standards and tire them out before they arrive at Fir Park for the next stage of the League Cup, because any luck or advantage we can get needs to be focused on.

It’s not abnormal for us to go through rough patches, usually we dip for three months every season, but having this happen at the very start gives ominous vibes if have we started is how we’ll unintentionally carry on for the rest of the season...

Lennon Miller says his only focus is Motherwell despite the 17-year-old midfielder being linked with Celtic, Rangers and Premier League clubs. (Daily Record), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Watch highlights of Rangers' narrow Scottish Premiership win against Motherwell at Hampden. (UK only)

Listen to the full episode here.

Stuart Kettlewell says the current injury situation at Motherwell is the worst he has experienced as a manager.

The Fir Park boss confirms he is now without nine first-team players following the narrow defeat to Rangers at Hampden.

Match report: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell

Vaclav Cerny's fine finish earned Rangers their first Scottish Premiership win of the season as depleted Motherwell were edged out at Hampden.

The on-loan Wolfsburg winger curled in a delightful effort on his maiden start, securing a much-needed victory following back-to-back draws with Hearts and Dynamo Kyiv, in Champions League qualifying.

Cyriel Dessers' second goal in as many games had given Philippe Clement's men an early advantage at the national stadium, Rangers' temporary home as delayed construction work continues at Ibrox.

Parity was restored when debutant Robin Propper poked into his own net, but Cerny's first Rangers goal restored a deserved lead before half-time.

Clement's side should have killed the game after the break but their performance level regressed against a Motherwell team who travelled to Hampden without seven players.

Visiting manager Stuart Kettlewell watched new striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos limp off in the first half, but his players fought on in the second period and passed up chances to snatch a draw.

Were you at Hampden or following the match elsewhere? Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We're a little bit disappointed not to [get a result]. I thought Rangers were excellent first half, they were slick in their general play.

"We were a little bit timid in the first half and we rectified that. The lads did really well, particularly in the second half."

On mounting injury concerns, he adds: "I've never seen [a situation] like it. I think it's up to nine now and every one could be a starter.

"We've continuously had to dip into our academy. Everything in the dressing room is what we have available."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

The big positive for Stuart Kettlewell will be his team's spirited second-half showing. The obvious negative is the injury to summer signing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.

The Australia international, making his first start since April, had a limited pre-season but impressed with his link-up play early in the game, playing a role in a golden first-half chance for Lennon Miller.

If the striker is to face any time on the sidelines, he will join an injury list that is getting out of hand.

His replacement, Zach Robinson, also caused problems for the Rangers defence, firstly slicing over from inside the area before forcing Jack Butland to make a fine stop low to his left in the second half.

The Motherwell forward line were guilty of passing up opportunities in last weekend's draw with Ross County, and the League Cup group game against Partick Thistle.

That is an issue Kettlewell will be desperate to address immediately, given his side have now failed to score in their past three games.

Image source, SNS

Robin Propper could make his Rangers debut while attacker Oscar Cortes will be out for around a month after picking up a knee injury against Hearts last week.

Nicolas Raskin is still out through injury and new signing Hamza Igamane continues to work his way towards the level of fitness required by boss Philippe Clement.

Motherwell will be without eight players if Lennon Miller fails to shake off a knock. Shane Blaney, Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (all knee), Ross Callachan, Filip Stuparevic (both hamstring), Harry Paton (ankle) and John Koutroumbis (calf) are all missing.

Image source, SNS

Liam Gordon wants to replicate Theo Bair's success story at Fir Park after following the Canada striker's path from St Johnstone to Motherwell.

Bair joined the Steelmen on a free transfer last summer and went on to score 15 goals in claret and amber before sealing a big-money move to Auxerre in July.

Defender Gordon spoke to Bair - and another former team-mate in Sam Nicholson - before his move and believes he can develop under manager Stuart Kettlewell.

"I'm really enjoying it. A great group of guys who made it very welcoming for me coming in," Gordon said.

"It's good coming and seeing a club run differently. I really like what they've done behind the scenes.

"It was a big part of me coming here, I like their ambition, their ideas for the future and it's something that I just really see myself being part of.

"Theo became a much better player here and that was one of the main points for me. I felt that by me coming here I can improve as a player and as a person.

"As a footballer, that's what you want to do. You want to get better every day, don't you?

"And I can see myself getting better under the manager and with this playing squad."