Motherwell

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"True professionals" Callum Slattery and Stephen O'Donnell have signed one-year contract extensions to stay at Motherwell next season.

The club have exercised an option on Slattery's deal after the midfielder made an impressive return following a year out with a serious knee injury.

Right-back O'Donnell has triggered an extension to the contract he signed last summer.

Manager Michael Wimmer added: "Both players are true professionals and I have loved working with both of them. They have both had different journeys but give everything for the badge.

"Callum has been excellent since I arrived and is a real spark in the team. He suits the style we want to implement here and has shown a great attitude.

"Stephen is a great character. He trains excellently and is a role model for younger players. He sets an example by his work ethic."

Slattery has scored three goals in eight appearances since making his comeback in early January.

The 26-year-old, who joined Motherwell in 2021, said: "When I signed my contract last summer, I didn't know what would lie ahead for me.

"The club showed faith and trust in me, and my mission has been to get back fully fit so I can thank them for that. It's been so good to be back on the pitch, scoring goals and creating new memories.

Defender O'Donnell has made 28 appearances this term and will be at Fir Park for a sixth season.

"I'm proud to be a Motherwell player," said the 32-year-old. "This is my local area and I've always given 100% to the cause. The community feeling is prevalent and it's an exciting time to be here."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

The undefeated run stretches to three games under Michael Wimmer.

The belief and strength to go from two down against St Mirren to pulling it back for a point would not have happened eight weeks ago.

We may have dropped out of the top six but there's still all to play for over the next few weeks. And thanks to Dundee's phenomenal performance at Tannadice, we remain within striking distance of United as well as Hearts.

It won't be easy but we need to be targeting a full points haul from our remaining three pre-split games - Aberdeen and Kilmarnock away then Hearts at home.

With the international break this weekend it gives us a chance to put all our focus on fitness and training going into what is a massive three weeks for us.

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Lennon Miller's comments have clearly caused a stir in the Scotland camp.

Upon being called up for the first time - for the looming Nations League play-off with Greece - the 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder said: "I'm obviously not going to go in and be the best player there, but I believe I could maybe in a couple of months be the best player there."

Scotland assistant John Carver and midfielder John McGinn have both admonished the newcomer. Carver suggested it was a "mistake" from Miller, who needs "guidance", while McGinn believes the teenager may regret his remarks.

What is your view? Was Miller merely showing admirable ambition, or was it a case of the impetuousness of youth?

Let us know your thoughts.

Motherwell midfielder Miller and fellow 18-year-old James Wilson, the Hearts forward, are not merely in the Scotland squad to make up the numbers, says assistant coach John Carver. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Assistant manager John Carver says "confident" Lennon Miller "needs a little bit of guidance" after the Motherwell teenager suggested he could become Scotland's best player in the near future.

The 18-year-old, who is enjoying another impressive season at Fir Park, received his first call-up to Steve Clarke's squad for this month's Nations League play-off double-header against Greece.

Following the news of his inclusion in the senior set-up, Miller said: "I'm obviously not going to go in and be the best player there, but I believe I could maybe in a couple of months be the best player there."

While assistant coach Carver believes the comments "might have been taken out of context", he says the teenage midfielder has "got to learn" from his remarks.

"I've made the same mistake a few years ago and I was a lot older than him," Carver said. "But he's a confident lad and there's nothing wrong with being confident and believing in your own ability.

"He's had a good season and he's a good player - a very, very good player - and we all make mistakes, but he's got to learn from it. The headline might have been taken out of context for sure."

Miller said he had been expecting to be named in the Scotland Under-21 squad again, but he is "confident" he is capable of starting against Greece if called upon.

"He's a young player learning and needs a little bit of guidance," Carver, who also spoke of fellow first-time call-up Hirst, added.

"I made a similar mistake when I was a lot older, so I'll talk to him and give him my experiences, but hopefully he's learned from it because I did."

Watch as the Sportscene team react to Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller's Scotland call-up. (UK only)

Callum Slattery (Motherwell): The midfielder continues to shine after returning from a long spell out, scoring twice from outside of the box to earn his team a point at home to St Mirren.

We asked you for your views following Motherwell's fightback to draw with St Mirren.

Here's what you said:

George: There will be ups and downs for any team changing their manager and approach, but the fact we came back from two goals down to take a point is another sign of the team heading the right direction. Top six is still possible, but regardless, optimistic for the future.

Stuart: Another exciting game to watch. Although we scored two goals the strikers are still not clicking which we need to resolve. Good to see the team working hard, if we keep this up we will be fine.

Grant: Motherwell seemed a bit sluggish today, but we got the draw when it looked like it was going to be a heavy defeat after they scored the second. Slattery has looked great since coming back from his injury and I just worry that he will now move on in the summer when his contract is up.

Peter: Take the draw especially after being 2-0 down. Thought St Mirren were over physical especially in midfield and we couldn't get going at all. Didn't play that great in game but scored two quality goals that deserved something at least from game.

Another two week gap will let the manager work on things as points are crucial in the next few games.

Watch all the action from Motherwell's dramatic 2-2 draw with St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

Available to UK users only.

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• St. Mirren have failed to win in their last three games in the Premiership, their last longer winless streak was from 29 December 2024 to 11 January 2025, a run of four games.

• Motherwell are undefeated in their last three games in the Premiership, their last joint longest unbeaten streak was from 7 December 2024 to 20 December 2024.

• St. Mirren have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, scoring seven goals in that run, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of four games from 14 December 2024 to 29 December 2024.

• Stephen O'Donnell attempted 80 passes in this game, the highest total for a Motherwell player in the Premiership this season.

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Motherwell and St Mirren continued their battle for a top six spot as they played out a 2-2 draw at Fir Park on Saturday.

You can catch all the highlights from the Premiership clash over on BBC iPlayer, or by following this link.

Motherwell fans, were you soaking up the sunshine and drama at Fir Park or following the match from afar? Either way, we want your views on an eventful 2-2 draw – have your say here, external.

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Callum Slattery was Motherwell's obvious stand-out, gobbling up the two fleeting opportunities which were presented to him.

Each of Slattery's goals was brilliantly seized upon and expertly finished from distance.

New Scotland call-up Lennon Miller had a quieter game than usual, but still produced moments of class in a hectic midfield.

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In the early throes of Michael Wimmer's rein, Motherwell are playing attractive football, with teenage kingpin Miller their fulcrum in the middle of the paddock.

What they needed - and lacked for spells of this contest - was a ruthless streak when they worked their way into the attacking third.

How Slattery provided it; his two finishes predatory and precious in equal measure.

The first was sumptuously created and clinically finished. The second opportunistic and instinctive, running on to the ball and sweeping it in.

Slattery's goals will hearten Wimmer, though he will harbour frustrations over how easily his team were opened up by St Mirren's direct passes into the channels and the physicality of their front two.

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Motherwell have lost striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos to a broken wrist just as he was set to return from a calf injury.

Stephen O'Donnell returns and Marvin Kaleta is pushing for fitness, while Aston Oxborough will play a bounce game next week.

Shane Blaney, Sam Nicholson (both knee), Jack Vale (Achilles), Steve Seddon (ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Paul McGinn (thigh), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and Archie Mair (hand) remain out.

St Mirren striker Mikael Mandron has been ruled out for up to four weeks with a knee problem, while Evan Mooney will miss the rest of the season after having ankle surgery.

Alex Iacovitti is set to return after a hamstring problem, but Conor McMenamin is still out.

Colin Moffat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Having won just once in 11 Premiership outings, Motherwell were drifting the wrong way in the table, but suddenly the Fir Park side are back in the top six and looking to win three successive league games for the first time since September 2023.

Michael Wimmer lost his opening game at Tannadice after just three training sessions with the squad he inherited from Stuart Kettlewell.

Dundee were beaten at Fir Park and then the Steelmen stunned Rangers, with Barry Ferguson bemoaning the fact the visitors had "run over the top" of his side in a high-energy first-half showing at Ibrox.

Since then, Lennon Miller has been called up by Scotland and fellow teenager Kai Andrews, on loan from Coventry City, is in the Wales squad.

Wimmer had his players pressing like demons against Rangers and St Mirren, just three points behind their hosts, can expect more of the same intensity on Saturday.

However, there was more to their approach at Ibrox, with Callum Slattery, Tom Sparrow and Miller impressive in possession and defenders making a whopping 52 clearances.

Motherwell have won both of their previous encounters with the men from Paisley this season, last doing three in a row in April 2015. Can Wimmer keep the good times rolling?

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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Injury-plagued Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a fractured wrist.

The Australia international has undergone surgery and Motherwell say he will be out for "at least two months".

Stamatelopoulos, 25, has scored five goals in 18 appearances since signing from A-League side Newcastle Jets last summer, but has not played in 2025 because of a calf injury.

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• Motherwell have won both of their two league meetings with St Mirren this season, last winning three in a row against the Buddies in April 2015.

• St Mirren have only won one of their last seven away league games at Fir Park (D2 L4), a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell are looking to win three successive league games for the first time since September 2023 under Stuart Kettlewell.

• Although St Mirren have only won two of their last 10 league matches (D1 L7), both of those wins have come away from home (Aberdeen in January and Rangers in February).

• A league-high 65% of Motherwell's goals in the Premiership this season have been scored in the first half of games (22-34). On the other hand, St Mirren have conceded the lowest ratio in first halves of any side in the division this term at 36 per cent (17/47).

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Michael Wimmer believes he is now "more clued up" on his Motherwell players having had nearly two weeks without a game since their win at Ibrox.

The Fir Park side had a free week while the Scottish Cup quarter-finals took place and manager Wimmer used it as a time to "implement new things" on the training pitch and during a friendly.

After back-to-back wins, usually a break isn't welcome, but, for the German and his players it was "good to get a better picture".

"We worked on the athletic side of things and got more load in the training sessions," he said, previewing their Premiership return against St Mirren.

"To have the friendly game too was important because for me it was a time to get pictures from the players in the game.

"I said to the players before, it was not always a fair decision from me to have players on the bench or to be not in the squad, but it was not possible for me to have the right picture because they are such a big squad and we have only a training game. It was not possible to make fair decisions.

"Now I have a better picture. Now I know what players are playing for that position, ) what position is the right position for them, too.

"Now I am smarter than two weeks ago. I'm more clued up."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership match against St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are his key points:

• "Brilliant" Lennon Miller "deserves" his Scotland call-up and is "ready" to start in international football, despite his age, says Wimmer.

• The manager added it's important for other players to see Miller receiving a call up, and it's also good for the club and the youth coaches.

• Wimmer used the break after the Rangers win to "work on new things" and feels he's now more "clued up", in terms of players' best positions.

• The manager is proud of the players for embracing the ideas he's trying to implement.

• The Rangers game has given the squad "confidence" and hopefully they can build upon that for a tough game against St Mirren.

• Stephen O'Donnell and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos are fit and should be in contention for Saturday's match. Goalkeeper Aston Oxborough is back in full training and will play in a friendly next Wednesday.