Motherwell

Makenzie Kirk's early strike helped St Johnstone banish their Premiership blues as they earned a first home win over Motherwell in three years to claim a place in the Scottish Cup last 16.

A whirlwind start brought Kirk's goal inside the first 10 minutes, scrambled in from a Graham Carey corner.

The legs of Motherwell keeper Archie Mair then prevented debutant Victor Griffith from doubling the advantage shortly afterwards when he was sent clear on goal.

Had Simo Valakari's side been tidier with their finishing, their win could have been a whole lot more comfortable.

They were unrecognisable from the side who had lost seven of their previous nine and are adrift at the bottom of the league.

Motherwell fans, did you make the trip to Perth or were you following the action from home? Either way we want your views on the performance.

Have your say, external

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell: "I'm really disappointed.

"I didn't feel we started the game at all and let St Johntsone impose themselves on us.

"We lacked the body language at times to take part in the game and if you do that against any opposition you're going to find it difficult.

"We were chasing the game, we showed a reaction in the second half, we had the ball and the run of the game but we didn't create enough or get ourselves into positions where someone could make themselves a hero and get an equaliser.

"I would be disappointed if my team goes out the cup too. I've reminded my players that the knee jerk reaction of Scottish football is that nobody cares that you're in the top half of the table, that you had a good run in the cup last season. None of that matters.

"If you want to stand up and be counted through angry reactions then if you're not able to stand up to that you can't play here.

"That's the task and the test in what will be a difficult game coming here next week."

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Motherwell defender Kofi Balmer says the opportunity to play at Hampden is a "massive" driving force for players in the Scottish Cup.

Balmer, 24, played in November's League Cup semi-final defeat by Rangers at the national stadium and also has experience in the latter rounds of knockout competitions in Northern Ireland.

He lost both the League Cup and Irish Cup finals with Ballymena, but is targeting Scottish Cup success when Motherwell face St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park in the fourth round on Saturday.

"For the younger players, me included, you never really get the opportunity often," he said.

"If you get the opportunity to play at Hampden, it's massive. Just having that sort of motivation, that's where you could end up if you get through the rounds.

"Obviously, we're not looking that far ahead now, we'll take it as a game as it comes.

"But just having that in the back of your head, that's where you could end up playing, it's massive, it's great motivation for everyone on the team."

Stephen McGinn shares his anguish at seeing brother Paul struck down by another injury in last weekend's defeat at Hibs that has ruled the Motherwell captain out for four months.

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Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Monday's Dundee derby grabbed the headlines when the Scottish Cup fourth-round draw was made, but there are two other all-Premiership ties before the city rivals do battle for the final spot in the last 16, including Saturday's game in Perth.

Either St Johnstone, aiming to reach the last 16 for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2021, or Motherwell will end their dismal recent run on Saturday.

Saints have fallen nine points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership with no wins in nine outings, seven of them losses, under new manager Simo Valakari and seem destined for relegation.

Visitors Motherwell, suffering a spate of injuries, have themselves just one victory in seven, but Stuart Kettlewell's side have won 2-1 home and away against the Perth side already this season and have not lost in five visits to McDiarmid Park.

Read Scottish Cup preview in full.

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Motherwell captain Paul McGinn is unlikely to play again this season, while Aston Oxborough and Steve Seddon have also been ruled out for lengthy periods as the club's injury woes worsen.

McGinn suffered a recurrence of a thigh injury in last weekend's defeat at Hibs - the defender's first start since October - and needs surgery that will sideline him for four months.

Goalkeeper Oxborough faces three months out with a thumb injury and Seddon's ankle injury is set to keep him out for a further eight weeks.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos faces another two weeks out with a torn calf and Jair Tavares, Liam Gordon and Harry Paton are doubts for Saturday's Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against St Johnstone where manager Stuart Kettlewell faces being without nine players.

"We've obviously encountered a lot of issues since the start of the season," Kettlewell said. "But I would feel that in terms of injuries, that this is possibly the worst stage that we're at.

"Looking at the board the other day, we were looking at nine pretty serious injuries and nine players that we're without. That's hard for us to absorb, of course it is.

"And from that, you're looking at a lot of significant players, and some players that have been very good for us, some for a long period of time, some since they came to the football club.

"So it's not an excuse. It's just that in an injury front, it's a bleak outlook. Me as always, I'm the most positive person in the world, and what we do is focus on the players that are available and that's what I've done since the start of the season."

Kettlewell signed midfielder Kai Andrews and goalkeeper Archie Mair on loan last week to take his squad number to 28 but with the latest blows, he has been told money will be made available to add options.

"We'll have to be patient," he said. "We're trying our best. We're working endlessly to try and make sure that we can strengthen the group and help the group out, but I can't really put a timescale on that. But what I can finish off by saying is that the club have been supportive in that."

A new goalkeeper is an urgent priority after Krisztian Hegyi was recalled by West Ham on the day Oxborough got injured. Matthew Connelly was recalled from East Kilbride on a temporary basis to sit on the bench against Hibernian on Saturday, but is cup tied this weekend.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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You could argue Motherwell's latest league outing was a mirror of their season so far.

There was a flatness in their play at times, there were individual errors, moments of brilliance, some grit and fight... and unfortunately more injuries.

Let's start with that last point, and what a horrible sight it was to see Paul McGinn leave the field after what appears to be a recurrence of his thigh muscle injury that kept him out for three months this season.

He was absolutely distraught as he limped off. It's obviously a massive blow for him, but also the club.

Stuart Kettlewell doesn't yet know the full extend of McGinn's issue. He's been assessed, but it will be later in the week before there's a more definite outcome.

It's a huge disappointment, but one that Kettlewell will have to move on from quickly as he focuses on his next game, a Scottish Cup tie away to St Johnstone.

Facing St Johnstone in the cup will not be plain sailing. No-one at Motherwell will be looking at Saints' run of nine games without a win and taking a victory for granted.

Motherwell did get the better of Simo Valakari's side when they met in early November, but since then inconsistency has been their Achilles heel.

Just three wins from their following 12 games, with six defeats and three draws sandwiched in between.

It's frustrating times, yet when you look at the Premiership table, it still makes for good reading for Motherwell.

Fifth on 31 points, four points off fourth spot and six points off third. Right now they're surely still looking upwards.

However, when they return to league business, they'll want to be picking wins to prevent them being sucked downwards…

First things first though, trying to progress in the Scottish Cup. Another cup run would be welcome, and not just for all the rewards that follow; it could also encourage a positive effect on the pitch to take into the league.

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Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

After one of the worst performances of our season so far, I don't have much positivity to spread this week.

Our injury problems have been a thing all season so that isn't anything new, but with Aston Oxborough hurting his hand and being out and our new first choice goalkeeper's first game seeing us concede three goals, it ain't a good start to boost confidence...

I have said it before this season that I am waiting for the inevitable downward spiral to hit and if that performance at the weekend was anything to go by, we may be sliding headfirst down the table if it continues.

Playing St Johnstone away two weekends in a row is far from ideal, but, that's cup draws for you.

I don't fancy us to win both, but at this point in the season, I don't know what is the better one to win.

If we win the Scottish Cup game to set up another Hampden visit that would be groundbreaking or win the league game since points are what matters most rather than an inevitable final against Celtic where we would lose if we somehow made it that far?

I don't mean to be cynical, but it wasn't the reaction I was expecting from a team of players that have shown, despite injuries, we can still play well and pull together good performances. The show at Easter Road was a slap to the face.

Hopefully the team make me eat my words and we win both games against St Johnstone and this 'keeper can be the next Ballon D'or contender, but I won't hold my breathe...

The Sportscene panel analyse Hibernian's quick-fire double in victory against Motherwell. (UK users only)

Watch highlights of Hibs' 3-1 win against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. (UK users only)

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 3-1 defeat against Hibs.

Here's what some of you said:

Scotty: Very poor display. Sit back and give teams the ball to attack at will. Week in, week out we are overrun in midfield and there's a real lack of football being played. It's a results business, but fans need some entertainment for their hard-earned money. A real hard watch at the moment. Kai Andrews looks a decent player and it's good to see Callum Slattery back.

Grant: Dreadful defending for the first two goals, players are tired after the games over the festive period and Aston Oxborough being out in goal didn't help. Five away games in January doesn't help and it looks like Paul McGinn is out again, if we can get a full team fit and on the park it will make all the difference.

David: Another dismal performance. I can't understand why our manager uses fatigue as a factor as we never leave our own half, and at most we only have the ball at most 38%. Most Motherwell fans thought we'd get beat.

Kevin: Stuart Kettlewell must go. Fed up of his anti-football. Excuses after excuses. It doesn't matter who is in the team, we are always set up negatively. Worst team to watch in the league. Anyone who thinks he should be kept in place isn't a football fan. Absolutely brutal.

Ross: Another dreadful performance, we looked utterly woeful yet again. Yes the team have had a busy schedule of games lately, but so have other teams. So many players have been out injured throughout this season, we haven't had a full squad at any point which doesn't help.

Colin: Prior to the Hibs game were two bad performances that they luckily gained points in, Hibs performance was woeful. Team is changed on a game by game basis and appears there is no tactical direction. It won't be long before they drop out of the top six, and they won't get back in.

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• Martin Boyle has scored seven goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Hibs player.

• Motherwell attempted 411 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

• Warren O'Hora attempted 82 passes in this game, the highest total for a Hibs player in the Premiership this season.

• Hibs have scored in 18 of their 23 games, only Celtic (20) have scored goals in more matches in the Premiership this season.

Hibernian held off Motherwell to extend their unbeaten Scottish Premiership run to seven games and move into the top six for the first time this season.

Two goals in three minutes from Martin Boyle and Nectarios Triantis stunned Motherwell before the break after a drab opening 25 minutes.

The visitors did not register a single shot in the first half but improved markedly in the second after bringing on Marvin Kaleta and Tawanda Maswanhise.

And when Callum Slattery curled in a free-kick from 20 yards on 76 minutes, it looked to have set up a nervy finish.

However, just five minutes later Stephen O'Donnell was penalised for hauling down Lewis Miller in the box, and Boyle stepped up to smash home a penalty and re-establish Hibs' two-goal lead.

Let us know your thoughts on Motherwell's performance.

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell says his side were made to pay for individual errors in the first half, before improving in the second half.

"We showed good character and personality in the second half to take the ball, pass and progress up the pitch and ask a few more questions of Hibs," he told BBC Scotland.

"Then we get back in the game with a moment of quality. I'm delighted for Callum Slattery to get the goal with the journey he's been on the last year or so.

"Then we looked like the team in the ascendancy and playing with a bit of confidence. Then it's a moment of madness from Stephen [O'Donnell] my most experienced player on the pitch.

"He's angry and frustrated with himself. He doesn't have to do it, I think the goalkeeper claims it really easily from the wide free kick.

"It's a penalty, no complaints. And I think it puts the fire out and diminish the challenge that was coming from us in the last stage of the game."

On the injury to Paul McGinn, Kettlewell says: "It looks as if it's a reoccurrence of the injury that kept him out for so long. To what extent? I don't know but Paul knows his body and he feels it's the same. I'm gutted for him."

On Jack Vale's late red card, Kettlewell says it's a "complete overreaction" from the referee and it should have been a yellow card.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell, with injuries to key players such as Lennon Miller and now goalkeeper Aston Oxborough, looked tired and flat as they clung to a point against Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

Kettlewell was forced to bring in Archie Mair on loan from Norwich on Friday after Oxborough fractured a finger and back-up Krisztian Hegyi was recalled by West Ham.

Mair was put straight in as one of six changes, a mark of Kettlewell's issues, but even accounting for their that their first half was poor.

The visitors sat off Hibs and toiled to make simple passes, but at least the introduction of Kaleta for Wilson at left wing-back and Maswanhise up front gave them more energy and forced a reaction.

Slattery's lovely curling free-kick beyond goalkeeper Jordan Smith was just reward for their improvement, but they undid all their good work with O'Donnell's lapse in concentration when defending a set-piece.

Vale's sending off and another serious-looking muscle injury for Paul McGinn add to Kettlewell's squad issues as they look to be struggling with the volume of games.

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Motherwell have signed goalkeeper Archie Mair on loan from Norwich City after Krisztian Hegyi was recalled by West Ham.

Mair, 23, has had six loan spells in England after joining Norwich from Aberdeen in 2019 and goes straight into the starting XI against Hibernian.

The former Scotland under-21 international has yet to make an appearance for the first team at Carrow Road.

Hegyi's spell ends after just two appearances in the League Cup group stage.

Matthew Connolly, 21, has also been recalled by Motherwell from his loan spell at East Kilbride and is on the bench at Easter Road.

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Hibs are again set to be without Elie Youan (foot) Joe Newell, Mykola Kuharevich (both groin), Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh) and Kieron Bowie (hamstring).

Motherwell defender Liam Gordon (head/neck) is a doubt, while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (strain), Lennon Miller, Steve Seddon (both ankle), Ross Callachan (hamstring) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell captain Paul McGinn is relieved to be back in action after being a frustrated spectator during his three-month injury lay-off.

The Scotland cap appeared off the bench in the last two games but is ready to start when the Steelmen visit Hibs on Saturday.

"I feel pretty good," the 34-year-old said. "I'm relieved to be back. It's pretty frustrating and just glad to be out there and help. I hate watching. I can't stand it. I'm not a great spectator, I never really enjoy all that much.

"I've got two young kids, they help keep me very busy. Apart from that, just make sure you're doing all the right things to get back, especially given I'm at the tail end of my career, then you need to really make sure you're right."

The right-back admitted it was "devastating" to miss Motherwell's League Cup semi-final against Rangers which saw them lose narrowly after taking the lead.

"We were in very good form at that time as well. Just really frustrating," added.

"I thought we were going to go over the line and again, it's nail-biting watching that and there's nothing you can do."

In his absence, the armband was taken by 18-year-old Lennon Miller before the midfielder was also sidelined by injury.

"He did really well," McGinn said. "It's not an easy one to take on board and I think Lennon leads by just how he plays. That's maybe a wee bit similar to me.

"I've maybe got more experience than him and can talk to folk a bit more but if you're playing well and leading the team by playing well, then that's what everyone wants."

• Motherwell have won just one of their past six away league outings (D1 L4), failing to score in three in a row. Not since February 2011 have the Steelmen gone longer without scoring in the top flight away from home (5 games).

• Hibs have won two of their past three league meetings with Motherwell (L1), as many as their previous eight beforehand (W2 D4 L2).

• After their 2-1 win in October, Motherwell are looking to earn back-to-back top-flight away wins over Hibs for the first time since August 2013.

• Hibs are unbeaten in their last six Scottish Premiership games (W4 D2), last going seven without defeat in the competition in March 2023.

• Hibs forward Martin Boyle has both scored (5) and been directly involved in (8 – 5 goals, 3 assists) as many Scottish Premiership goals this season as he was in the whole of last term. Only in 2020-21 (12) and 2021-22 (7) has he ever netted more in a single season in the competition.

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Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell believes Hibs are now reaping the rewards of showing "faith and trust" in novice manager David Gray after a tumultuous start to the season.

Kettlewell takes his side to Easter Road on Saturday looking to end Hibs' six-game unbeaten run that has lifted them from bottom of the table to seventh spot and kept Gray in a job.

"That's what I absolutely believe in. I think you need a trust, I think you need a backing," said Kettlewell.

"Sometimes you need people to shut out noise that's out there because I always talk about how knee jerk this is, this whole thing that people want to create stories and write you off before you even get a chance to do a job.

"Certain things in football just don't happen overnight, and sometimes you do well and then you take two or three steps backwards, that's how that goes.

"I experienced a similar thing myself last season and had a group of people here at the football club that backed me to the hilt.

"But sometimes you need that faith and that trust in people - you can't just can't keep changing things all the time and expect to get a better version.

"I think David has certainly shown that, this recent run is something that they've been working towards."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell has been speaking to the media before the weekend game away to Hibs.

Here are the key points:

• On Liam Gordon's injury last night, Kettlewell says the rugby-style "making a back" foul that leads to the defender landing heavily on his head needs to be taken more seriously and has called for more education in a bid to protect players.

• He adds: "It's an awkward one, because it's generally centre-backs and strikers that this happens with and we've had a couple with that scenario. Rugby have taken that one really seriously now and I think we need to follow suit to a point of trying to protect people from head injuries, neck injuries, which are ultimately the most serious you're going to get."

• Kettlewell believes the current busy fixture schedule is "risking injury" and says his players are looking fatigued and suffering from muscle problems.

• The Fir Park boss says his side showed resilience and togetherness in the draw at Kilmarnock and although he admits they probably should have lost, he's taking "several major positives". The main one being they are 10 points better off than this time last year, and three points off third place.

• On Hibs, he's expecting a "real difficult challenge" and always felt they were a better team than results earlier in the season suggested.

• On David Gray keeping his job, Kettlewell says managers need time and "knee-jerk" reactions are unhelpful.

• On transfers, he says he'll only bring in players if they add quality to his squad.

• Team news... Gordon will be assessed but doesn't have concussion. Harry Paton, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, is likely to be out for at least a couple of weeks.