Motherwell

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Lennon Miller has completed a young player of the year double by adding the Scottish Football Writers' Association (SFWA) award to his PFA Scotland prize.

The 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder fended off competition from Hearts striker James Wilson and Kilmarnock pair Bobby Wales and David Watson.

Miller became Motherwell's youngest-ever captain and has made 37 club appearances this season, scoring four goals, as well as earning a first senior Scotland call-up.

He praised his "outstanding" fellow nominees and added: "To win out of all these players is a really proud moment and one I don't take for granted."

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• Motherwell are unbeaten in six home league games against Kilmarnock (W3 D3) since a 2-0 defeat in December 2020.

• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in five league games against Motherwell (W2 D3), and could win successive league matches against the Steelmen for the first time since December 2018 (four in a row).

• Motherwell have lost their final home league game in two of the past four seasons (W2), as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W6 D3 L2 – including curtailed 2019-20 season).

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock have only lost their final away game in one of their past 16 top-flight campaigns (W11 D4), although that was at Motherwell in 2016-17 (3-1).

• In his top-flight managerial career, only against current side Kilmarnock (24) has Derek McInnes won more games than he has over Motherwell (21), although he is winless in his past six away league games against the Steelmen (D4 L2) since a 3-0 victory with Aberdeen in October 2019.

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Motherwell defender Johnny Koutroumbis completes a two-match ban. Liam Gordon, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paul McGinn are back training but might not feature.

Kofi Balmer (hamstring), Shane Blaney (knee), Sam Nicholson (knee), Jack Vale and Zach Robinson (both Achilles) remain out.

Kilmarnock's Kyle Magennis is back training following a knee problem but the game comes too soon. Brad Lyons (groin) and Joe Wright (hip) remain out but both have a chance for Sunday.

Youth team winger Cole Burke, 16, is added to the squad.

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer has stressed the need for his players to "give everything" in their final home match of the season against Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

The Fir Park outfit are unbeaten in their past four home matches, but fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Hearts last time out.

A bounce-back win over Killie would guarantee Motherwell finish above the Ayrshire side in the table and Wimmer wants an improved display in front of their own supporters.

"The key message is it's our last home game," the German manager said.

"It's important for the fans, but it's also important for the club to finish the season as well as possible.

"It's also important for me because I want to see improvements and not steps back.

"Especially out of possession, especially in defending our last third, it was not good and I want to see that we do it better.

"As I say, this is the last home game, we have a responsibility to the fans, to give them a team with energy on the pitch, to give everything."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

It was certainly a game to forget on Saturday at Hearts for Motherwell, a 3-0 defeat in the capital.

At this stage I feel an overall sense of apathy towards the remaining games now we know we have safety secured.

But the announcement of captain Paul McGinn extending his contract last week was a pleasant surprise.

Given the amount of injuries he has picked up this season, and the fact he is yet to play under manager Michael Wimmer, I was expecting him to perhaps hang up the boots rather than sign on again.

As one of our most consistent defenders, I'm glad he is staying. With some luck we can see him during the League Cup group stage in the summer to help build him back up to top form.

And if we can pick up three points on Wednesday against Kilmarnock as a nice send-off to the fans in our final home game, that would be ideal.

Plus, there is no reason why we can't also beat a Ross County side who are scrapping for their lives on the last day of the season on Sunday.

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart analyses the decision to disallow Callum Slattery's goal in Motherwell's defeat at Hearts. (Available to UK users only)

Watch highlights as Hearts win 3-0 against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 3-0 defeat against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Really poor. As if the players have booked their place in the league, and have booked their holidays. Callum Slattery apart, team were rubbish. Again, calamity defending from Stephen O'Donnell for the first goal. A great servant, but never a central defender.

Bill: A lovely day in Edinburgh, it's a pity we never got into the game. I can't understand why the manager is so keen to give contracts to the players who have brought us to this position. It's essential we bring in younger, faster and more skillful players. Same players, same outcome next season?

Eddie: Another dismal performance from players who show no passion. Massive clearout required. I'd rather play the academy players next season.

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• Motherwell have failed to score in 12 of their 36 games, only Ross County (15) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Lawrence Shankland has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Hearts player.

• Tom Sparrow attempted nine tackles in this game, more than any other player (ahead of Beni Baningime - five tackles).

• Cameron Devlin made five fouls in this game, more than any other player (ahead of Anthony Paul Watt - four fouls).

Two goals from Lawrence Shankland helped Hearts to a comfortable win against Motherwell.

Were you at Tynecastle or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "It was a bad result. The goals were too easy. There were four shots [on target] for Hearts and they scored three times. I don't want to talk about VAR every weekend, it's always the same.

"I didn't see it [Callum Slattery's disallowed goal[ on the television so I don't want to speak about it. What should I say?

"We discuss each weekend, last weekend it was lucky for us and unlucky for Dundee, this weekend it was unlucky for us and lucky for Hearts.

"In my opinion if it is a clear decision then why does the VAR take five minutes and then the referee take five minutes? It wasn't clear so the VAR should say no and leave it to the referee.

"But it's not necessary to get angry, it's not the reason we lost the game. It was a bad result but I don't think it was a bad performance.

"In the last three games we got seven points and secured our league [status] so that's the positive, and the other positive is we have a game on Wednesday, our last home game and we want to win it."

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As much as manager Michael Wimmer said his players are playing for contracts next season, Motherwell have the vibe of a team 'on the beach.'

They secured safety last weekend and realistically are looking to next season when Wimmer will have the summer to build his own squad and instil his playing philosophy.

Callum Slattery was the pick of the players in claret and amber, with a few lovely turns demonstrating his quality in midfield.

His goal - which was ultimately ruled out because Dan Casey jumped in front of Fulton when offside - also showed his attacking threat.

The ball sat rather awkwardly but he managed to find the net by playing it off the grass and into the corner.

Having a player like him fit and back to his best for next season, having missed half of this campaign with a knee injury, will help Wimmer hugely.

Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer says he has had talks with Bundesliga clubs over teenage midfielder Lennon Miller, the PFA Scotland young player of the year. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Saturday's Scottish gossip.

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Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin is available after illness but Jamie McCart (thigh) is set to remain sidelined along with Gerald Taylor (knee), Aidan Denholm (hamstring) and back-up keeper Zander Clark.

Motherwell have Johnny Koutroumbis suspended but Liam Gordon has recovered from concussion.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is back training after a broken wrist but unlikely to feature. Kofi Balmer (hamstring) and Shane Blaney (knee) remain out along with Sam Nicholson (knee), Jack Vale and Zach Robinson (both Achilles).

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Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer had no hesitation in extending "top professional" Paul McGinn's contract despite the defender's injury troubles.

Skipper McGinn, 34, who last featured in January and has made just 12 appearances in an injury-ravaged season, is now tied down until the end of next term.

"Paul and I have had lots of chats since I arrived," said Wimmer.

"He is a great guy and a top professional. I may not have seen him play since I've been here, but I've watched lots of videos of him in action. There is no doubt in my mind that he will improve the team by being in it.

"Paul is a very important figure in the dressing room and has lots of experience. We will need that going forward."

McGinn, who joined the Steelmen three years ago, is now back to full fitness and determined to make up for lost time.

"This season has been disappointing from a personal perspective given the injury setbacks," he said.

"Missing a large portion of pre-season had a big impact on my season as a whole, but the club and all the staff have looked after me and I'm feeling great.

"The plan now is to repay them for their trust and effort in getting me back fit by getting a good pre-season under my belt."

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• Hearts have won five of their past six home league games against Motherwell (L1), including both of their past two without conceding.

• Motherwell have won just one of their past five league games against Hearts (D1 L3), failing to score in three of their past four.

• Hearts have lost their past two home league games, last losing three in a row at Tynecastle in the Scottish Premiership in December 2019 under Daniel Stendel.

• Motherwell have won their past two league games (as many as their previous 12 beforehand), and could win three on the bounce for the first time since September 2023, the third of which was a 1-0 victory at Hearts.

• Motherwell have scored more 90th-minute winning goals than any side in the Scottish Premiership this season, with Tawanda Maswanhise's against Dundee last time out their third of the campaign.

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Manager Michael Wimmer believes a "great togetherness" is being fostered at Motherwell after survival was celebrated with beers and banners.

Assistant boss Ahmet Koc handed out bottles of beer to supporters who had gathered at Fir Park last Saturday to welcome the squad back from the 2-1 win at Dundee.

That victory ensured a 41st successive season in the top flight for the Steelmen, a feat proudly emblazoned on a supporters banner.

"It's always a good moment if you come back and the fans are happy, satisfied and not angry," said German Wimmer.

"I was in a situation where I came back and the fans were angry. Not here, but in other clubs.

"So, it was very good and we were also proud to get out of the coach and the fans are there. It was really fantastic. I think it shows that we're going in the right direction."

On Koc handing out bottles of lager to fans, Wimmer laughed: "I think they deserved it and Ahmet is someone who always recognises if someone deserves it or not.

"He saw the fans outside and he looked at the players and said, no beer for you, I give it to the fans.

"Especially in smaller clubs, it's important that you have a great togetherness.

"This is the fans, this is the team and this is also the management. If you work hard together and if you love each other, that's maybe too strong a word, but you have to talk, you have to fight, you have to say what you think.

"But in the end, you have to stay together and you have to decide one way and you have to go this way.

"At the moment it's good and if we finish the season as well as possible, then we have energy and this energy will bring us over in the summer."

Wimmer insists he is better prepared for next season after winning four of his opening nine games in charge while adapting to his new surroundings.

"It was a very tough time also for me as a manager to come in, to have this big squad with 34 players, and also the connection between fans, and also not have much information about the league," the former Austria Vienna boss said prior to Saturday's visit to face Hearts.

"I saw the league on TV of course, but to experience it in the game on a Saturday, it's another picture.

"And now for me, it's more clear what we need, what fans expect."

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Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller is open to a move abroad but says he remains in the dark about his future after this season. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip

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PFA Scotland young player of the year Lennon Miller has been nominated for the Scottish Football Writers' Association award.

After claiming the PFA prize this week, the 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder said it was another "proud moment" in a "pretty surreal" rise in the teenager's early career.

Now he will be vying for the SFWA award, which is restricted to players eligible for Scotland Under-21s, with Kilmarnock duo Bobby Wales and David Watson, plus Hearts striker James Wilson.

Miller has enjoyed another stellar season with the Fir Park side, captaining the team in the absence of Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell while scoring four goals and providing seven assists from midfield.

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Should Lennon Miller's next step be a move to the continent to follow in the footsteps of some his new Scotland team-mates?

Fresh from winning PFA Scotland's young player of the year award, speculation continues to surround the 18-year-old's future.

With just over a year remaining on the midfielder's Motherwell contract, the club will have a big decision to make if offers come their way this summer.

So, too, will Miller. Is it time for the Lanarkshire side to cash in and for the teenager to move on?

If so, would taking inspiration from the likes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson be beneficial?

McTominay and Gilmour are excelling at title-chasing Napoli since joining the Serie A side last summer, while Ferguson continues to thrive at Bologna.

And A View From The Terrace presenter Craig Telfer sees no reason why "phenomenal" Miller can't emulate the Scotland trio's success in Italy.

"He seems to be like the complete midfielder," Telfer said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "And I think if you're a Motherwell supporter, you're just enjoying him while you can.

"Because there's no doubt about it. If it's not this summer, if it's not in January, he'll be playing his football elsewhere.

"I really hope that if he does move on, he goes to the continent, he goes to somewhere like Italy. We're seeing the likes of McTominay and Gilmour thriving at Napoli.

"I really think Miller's got all the tools to make it out there as well."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Happy 41 seasons in the Premiership, Well fans!

Safety has been confirmed and we have surpassed last season's points tally with three games still to play.

I do love a last-minute winner and Saturday's was no different. If we can make it three straight wins on Saturday when we visit managerless Hearts, I will have no complaints as to how our season has ended.

With Lennon Miller picking up the PFA Scotland young player of the year award this week it must have added an extra million or two on to his price tag.

I highly doubt we will be keeping him for next season and, if his time is over with the club, I hope he knows the love fans will always have for him.

Losing Miller will be upsetting even if it will be transformational for the club.

If we invest the inevitable Miller money wisely, we can challenge for top six next season and beyond.