'It's an honour' - Balmer called up by NIpublished at 15:28 9 October
15:28 9 October
Kofi Balmer could make his Northern Ireland debut after being called up to Michael O'Neill's squad for the Nations League games against Belarus and Bulgaria.
The 24-year-old Motherwell defender has been in squads before but is yet to make his first senior appearance for his country.
Balmer, who has played three games for Motherwell since his summer move from Crystal Palace, said: "It's an honour to be called up,.
"I have just tried to be professional and take my chance when it came. It's a great feeling."
O'Neill's side are on three points after two games in Nations League C.
'Motherwell can push for European football'published at 18:13 8 October
18:13 8 October
Jenna Thomson Fan writer
Motherwell's run of form is immense, with the victory at Hibs making it six wins out of seven.
I know the inevitable eight-game spell without a win will happen sometime in winter, as it does every year, but as it stands now I genuinely think we have the ability to push for European football.
Hibs have had a topsy-turvy start to their season and Hearts have been diabolical. The only other usual contenders I can see causing us problems are, of course, Aberdeen and maybe St Mirren.
This is the most exciting the league has felt in a long while with Aberdeen outperforming Rangers, Motherwell in a semi-final, and the teams sitting from sixth to ninth changing frequently. For once there might not be an obvious choice for who may finish second, never mind the rest of the spots in the league.
Scottish football has been so enjoyable to watch this season, both from a Motherwell perspective and as a fan of the game in general.
An early-season standout at Fir Park is goalkeeper Aston Oxborough - give that man a lengthy contract.
His deal runs out next summer and I can only hope the club are doing everything it can to keep him longer.
Not only is he confident between the sticks, he also inspires confidence in our defence which was sorely lacking last season. If I were Steve Clarke, I would be checking ancestory.com to see if he has any Scottish grandparents.
Miller wins Premiership player of month awardpublished at 10:49 8 October
10:49 8 October
Motherwell's Lennon Miller has been named Scottish Premiership player of the month in recognition of his sparkling September form.
The 18-year-old midfielder netted a double in the 2-1 win over St Mirren as he continues to impress amid Motherwell's strong start to the season.
Miller, who also scored the injury-time penalty winner against Dundee United to send the Steelmen into the League Cup semis, said: "I'm extremely pleased to pick up this award.
"Not many Motherwell players win it - Blair Spittal last season was only the third in five years to do so.
"Personally, it's great but more importantly, the team have been playing well collectively. There is a real sense of togetherness and cohesion between us all."
'Great bit of play from Stamatelopoulos' published at 17:23 7 October
17:23 7 October
Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Shelley Kerr assess Motherwell's set-piece play in their 2-1 win against Hibs.
Motherwell trio named in TOTWpublished at 12:13 7 October
12:13 7 October
Jonathan Sutherland Sportscene presenter
Motherwell have three players in my Team of the Week after their impressive win at Easter Road.
Aston Oxborough takes the gloves after a Player of the Match display - he has been outstanding since his ascension to Motherwell number one.
Love them or loathe them, there's no denying the effectiveness of the occasional long throw. Kofi Balmer's howitzer wreaked havoc in the Hibs box, allowing Andy Halliday to fire home and seal a huge three points for the Steelmen.
It's not often Motherwell shell out a reported six-figure sum, so they must have real conviction about Apostolos Stamatelopoulos. Given Stuart Kettlewell's ability to get the best out of Kevin Van Veen and Theo Bair you'd back his judgment.
The Australian got his first Motherwell goal after an injury interrupted arrival since signing from Newcastle Jets, finishing off an assist from Lennon Miller. How dangerous a combination could that duo be as the season develops?
Highlights: Hibs 1-2 Motherwellpublished at 18:03 6 October
18:03 6 October
Watch highlights as Motherwell win 2-1 against Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.
'We won't be patting each other on the back' - Kettlewellpublished at 16:06 6 October
16:06 6 October
Motherwell "aren't getting carried away," despite continuing their superb start to the season with victory at Easter Road, says Stuart Kettlewell.
Andy Halliday scored an 80th-minute winner after Apostolos Stamatelopoulos’ first goal since joining the Lanarkshire club in the summer was quickly cancelled out by Hibs winger Junior Hoilett.
Motherwell head into the international break fourth in the Scottish Premiership, but the manager insists they "won't be getting comfortable".
"It is a good run of form we're on but we're certainly not patting each other on the back and over-celebrating and getting carried away," said Kettlewell.
"We wanted to start the league campaign really well, which I think we've done to this point, and we wanted to go a run in the cup which we've done.
"But I need to stress it again that next week we'll go back to work and we'll make sure that we're trying to prepare for what comes next because if you sit there feeling really comfortable with yourself and really happy about yourself and patting each other on the back, then I tend to think that bad things start to come round the corner.
"So we’ll keep our motivation and we'll keep our desire to try and pick up three points wherever we are, home or away and then we’ve got a semi-final to look forward to, but there's plenty of football to be played before we get to that."
'Class Miller has potential to be superstar'published at 15:18 6 October
15:18 6 October
We asked for your views on Motherwell's 2-1 win against Hibs.
Here's what some of you said:
Taylor: Frustrating first half for any Well fan watching, no clear chances taken and only have Aston Oxborough and Lennon Miller to thank for keeping us in the game, which is becoming a theme this season. Brilliant second half and Well fought back after the Stephen O'Donnell error. The title charge is on.
Stephen: It was natural for any Well fan to worry about the void left when Liam Kelly, our number one and captain, left the club for a spot on the Rangers bench. But Oxborough has stepped up and proven his worth. The guy is a colossus in goal, also magnificent to see Apostolos Stamatelopoulos get on the scoresheet, he looks like a real find. In Stuart Kettlewell we trust!
James: Another victory and the second-half performance deserved it. Substitutions made a big difference, we always looked like regaining the lead. Great team effort and Miller just oozes class, the young man has the potential to be a superstar.
AJ: The team has been doing very well, there has definitely been times I've been sceptical of Kettlewell but he's proved to be a solid manager and I back him and the squad 100%.
Hibernian 1-2 Motherwell: Key statspublished at 12:38 6 October
12:38 6 October
Hibernian have conceded five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, no team has conceded more in the Scottish Premiership this season.
The Easter Road side have failed to win any of their last 21 matches when conceding first in the league, since a victory over Celtic on 24 May 2023.
Nectarios Triantis has received a red card - Hibernian's first sending off in the Premiership this season, and their first since 25th November 2023 against Dundee.
Motherwell have scored four goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, no team has more in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Motherwell have scored in each of their last six league games, scoring 11 goals in that run.
Stuart Kettlewell's side have avoided defeat in their last five matches when scoring first in the Premiership, since a 1-3 loss to Celtic on 25 February 2024.
Hibernian 1-2 Motherwell: Have your saypublished at 18:18 5 October
18:18 5 October
Were you at Easter Road or following the match elsewhere?
Either way, we want your views on the game - have your say here, external.
Hibernian 1-2 Motherwell: What Kettlewell saidpublished at 18:12 5 October
18:12 5 October
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "We didn't show what we can be as a team in the first half, I thought we addressed that right at the start of the second half.
"We then started to grow in confidence and I need to commend my goalkeeper again.
"We rallied round Stephen O'Donnell after his error and we get what is a brilliant victory for us.
"The motivator always has to be consistency now."
Hibernian 1-2 Motherwell: Who impressed?published at 18:07 5 October
18:07 5 October
On the evidence of this season, Aston Oxborough looks a serious upgrade on Liam Kelly in the Motherwell goal.
With each passing week, it is more of a head-scratcher that Stuart Kettlewell kept the keeper on the bench throughout last season while Kelly was underperforming.
The 26-year-old Englishman made a string of superb stops with the game was goalless at Easter Road and received deserved from his manager post-match.
Hibernian 1-2 Motherwell: Analysispublished at 17:57 5 October
17:57 5 October
Nick McPheat BBC Sport Scotland
With a League Cup semi-final to come next month in addition to their fine start in the Premiership, Well fans could not have dreamt of a better introduction to the season.
Stuart Kettlewell's men continue to show a knack of grabbing late goals, which stretches back to last term and highlights the strong mentality of his well-drilled side.
The Lanarkshire club are also benefitting from being patient with their manager, when many clubs might have pulled the trigger during a long winless run last year.
But with each passing week, it is more a head-scratcher that Kettlewell refused to bring Aston Oxborough into the side when Liam Kelly was underperforming last season.
The goalkeeper pulled off a string of stunning stops at Easter Road, including an incredible double save to deny Mykola Kuharevich, who then watched Lennon Miller clear his header off the line from the following corner.
He also had to be sharp to tip Kwon Hyeok-kyu's strike round the post and was quick off his line to thwart former Well winger Chris Cadden in the second half.
And at the other end, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos showed why the Fir Park club were happy to push the boat out and spend a reported six-figure sum to sign the Australia striker, whose fierce near-post opener sparked a wild final half hour.
Hibs unchanged as Well switch twopublished at 14:11 5 October
14:11 5 October
Despite his side falling to a slim defeat at Rangers last weekend, Hibernian head coach David Gray names an unchanged team for the visit of Motherwell.
The Leith club were unfortunate not to come away with a draw and Gray would have been satisfied with the performance.
The away side, meanwhile, make two changes following their win over St Mirren as Apostolos Stamatelopoulos comes in to make his first start since returning from injury.
The Australia striker replaces Moses Ebiye, while the suspended Dan Casey also drops out.
Kofi Balmer, making his first Premiership start, comes into the back three.
On-loan Hibs winger Jair Tavares is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Hibs v Motherwell: Team newspublished at 19:05 4 October
19:05 4 October
Hibs captain Joe Newell is available to return after missing the last two games with a groin issue, while Nicky Cadden and Luke Amos are also back in contention.
Forwards Martin Boyle (hand) and Kieron Bowie (hamstring) remain sidelined along with Jake Doyle-Hayes, who is still working on his fitness after more than a year out.
Motherwell defender Dan Casey is suspended while Johnny Koutroumbis and Shane Blaney are edging closer to comebacks.
Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Harry Paton (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Jack Vale (calf) are long-term absentees.
Balmer ready to seize his chance after long waitpublished at 18:55 4 October
18:55 4 October
Kofi Balmer hopes his patience has paid off as he looks to become a Motherwell regular after belatedly making his Premiership debut last weekend.
The Northern Ireland centre-back, a summer signing from Crystal Palace, came off the bench to help the Steelmen to a 2-1 win over St Mirren following Dan Casey's red card.
With Casey suspended for Saturday's Premiership trip to face Hibs, Balmer is in line for his first start in the league.
The 24-year-old scored in Motherwell's opening game of the season, a League Cup win against Edinburgh City, before waiting 11 weeks for his next opportunity to play.
"You always have to be ready because you never know when you're going to get your opportunity," said Balmer.
"For me, it was not to lose my head, not to sort of throw the toys out of the pram, I just had to be patient.
"I was always ready to come on and take the opportunity. The manager said that I will get my chance and that's good for me because it keeps me in the right frame of mind to always be ready when the opportunity comes.
"Saturday probably came quicker than I expected but at the same time I'd done all my preparations and I was ready to come on and do the job that I had to do.
"It was good, it was long awaited, I had to be patient for it and thankfully it happened.
"Now it's just up to me to perform and do well in training to get a certain spot and hopefully keep it.
"When you get the shirt you're always fighting for a position and the gaffer says if you get the shirt you have to play well to keep it, that's all on me, I have to keep concentration and try to perform the best I can."
Kettlewell has high hopes for the former Larne and Ballymena player, who has had loan spells at Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon from Palace.
He said: "I had a conversation with Kofi a couple of weeks ago, it's always important to acknowledge how well people are performing around training sessions when they are not necessarily getting on the pitch. And he has been training really well.
"We knew we were bringing in a good player anyway, he came with a good pedigree and decent match experience for his age, and he has always been one we feel can grow and flourish here."
Celtic & Rangers Euro defeats 'a taste of their own medicine'published at 13:24 4 October
13:24 4 October
Former Hearts, Dundee United and St Johnstone defender Ryan McGowan says non-Old Firm fans will have enjoyed Celtic and Rangers being given a "taste of their own medicine" by "taking a pasting" in Europe against teams with a bigger budget.
'No concern' over Miller's Scotland omissionpublished at 18:16 3 October
18:16 3 October
Stuart Kettlewell insists Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller is unfazed at being overlooked for a Scotland call-up.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who is set to make his 50th Motherwell appearance in Saturday's match with Hibs, has missed out on a place in Steve Clarke's injury-hit squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.
Instead, Miller is part of the Scotland Under-21 squad for crucial games with against Belgium and Kazakhstan as Scot Gemmill's side chase a place at the Euro Championships.
"I'm absolutely not concerned about that whatsoever," said manager Kettlewell.
"All I'm concerned about is him playing well here and trying to create opportunities for himself.
"I always believe if you're getting that right at your football club then the good things will start to happen for you.
"I can confirm that Lennon's got absolutely no concern about that whatsoever. We're not sitting here feeling sorry if he's not in a national team which has done pretty well over a number of years."
Kettlewell paid tribute to Miller as the talented teenager prepares to reach an appearance milestone two years on from his debut.
"Lennon's made a difference," the Fir Park boss added.
"Every time you've put a big task in front of him, whether it be playing as a deep line midfielder, a more offensive midfield player in training sessions, or playing against top midfielders in this country, at no point has he come up short.
"I don't think you'll always get it right, I don't think you'll always perform to an eight, nine or 10 out of 10. What you have to do is show the traits that you're capable of and that's all I ever look for.
"That is definitively a message to everybody at our football club, that these window of opportunities come.
"Lennon gets a chance to play his 50th game this weekend for the first team because he's shown so much quality and so much composure in big moments.
"When you're tested physically, when you're tested mentally and when you're tested tactically and he's a guy that stood up to all of those challenges."
Kettlewell on consistency, Hibs test and Miller contributionpublished at 17:41 3 October
17:41 3 October
Manager Stuart Kettlewell has been speaking to the media before Motherwell's trip to face Hibs on Saturday.
Here are the key lines from his press conference:
The Fir Park boss is "not getting away" with the team's impressive start to the season, adding: "You always want to try and see if you can upset the odds and see if you can achieve something that you haven't for a long time."
He is "trying to find a level of consistency" and hopes Motherwell can "strive for more of those good feelings" as they build towards next month's League Cup semi-final against Rangers.
But he insists "our 100% focus is Hibs, it's going to be difficult, it's always a test" at Easter Road.
As Lennon Miller approaches his 50th appearance, Kettlewell says he has "made a difference every time, he's shown so much quality and so much composure in big moments".
Centre-back Kofi Balmer brings a "good pedigree and decent match experience" to the squad.
Shane Blaney, John Koutroumbis and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos are "pushing closer" to a return, Dan Casey is out due to his one-match suspension and Jair Tavares can't play against his parent club.
Hibs v Motherwell: Pick of the statspublished at 12:56 3 October
12:56 3 October
Hibs have only lost two of their last 13 Scottish Premiership home games against Motherwell (W6 D5), going down 2-0 in February 2021 and 3-1 in April 2023.
Motherwell have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 league meetings with Hibs (W2 D4 L4), doing so in a goalless draw in January 2022.
Five of Hibs' last six league wins have come at Easter Road, with the Easter Road side winning five of their last nine home league games (D1 L3).
Motherwell have won three of their last four league games (L1), as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W3 D3 L5).
Against St Mirren last time out, Motherwell’s Lennon Miller was the youngest player (18 years, 34 days old) to score a brace in the Scottish Premiership since Ryan Gauld for Dundee United against Motherwell in November 2013 (17y 328d). Should Miller score against Hibs, he will be the first player aged 18 or younger to score in back-to-back top-flight appearances for the Steelmen since Shaun Hutchinson in August 2009.