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Stephen Frail speaks after Motherwell’s 1-3 defeat to Celtic at Fir Park.

Striker Will Dickson has joined from Manchester City on loan until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The City youngster joins having progressed through the ranks of the Premier League champions.

Described as a versatile and skilful striker, Dickson joined the City ranks at the age of 15 and has consistently scored goals at all levels.

He signed his scholarship in 2021 and went on to have a successful 2021/22, scoring 19 times for City’s Under-18s as they lifted the Under-18 Premier League title and even featured twice for the EDS.

Dickson moved up to the EDS the following season and made an impressive 38 appearances, scoring 18 goals in the process.

His 2023/24 was disrupted by injury, but he still scored five goals in the limited games he played.

Now making his first loan move of his career, he is ready to show his talent at first-team level.

“This is my first loan move, and I couldn’t be more excited,” Dickson said.

“I’ve shown what I can do at City through the levels, but this is the next big step for me. It’s an ideal opportunity for me to showcase my talents, and I would love to see my game progress at Motherwell.

“It’s an ideal place to be, and I can’t wait to see all the fans.”

Motherwell have secured the services of forward Luke Plange on loan from Crystal Palace until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. 

The 22-year-old joins from the Premier League side having been on loan with HJK Helsinki for the first half of this campaign.

Plange has a wealth of experience, in England and abroad, having turned out for six different clubs, as well as representing England at Under 21 level.

A product of the Arsenal Academy, Plange made the first move of his career to Derby County in 2021 and made his professional debut later that year. He made 26 appearances in the Championship for Derby, scoring four goals and was nominated for December’s PFA Championship Player of the Month.

His impressive displays earned him a three-and-a-half year deal with Crystal Palace in January 2022 but remained at Derby for the rest of the season on loan.

He continued to catch the eye of many following his return to Palace, and having netted a hat-trick against Ipswich Town, he moved to RWD Molenbeek in Belgium on loan for the first segment of the season. The Eagles recalled the forward at the midway stage of the season, where he’d made 16 appearances, and joined Lincoln City on loan for the second-half of the season.

In the summer of 2023, Plange was on the move again, this time to Carlisle United on a six-month loan. Upon the expiry of that contract, he returned to London where he scored pivotal goals for the Under 21 side.

The forward then moved on loan to HJK Helsinki in March 2024 prior to the season commencing in Finland. Plange made 36 appearances for HJK, scoring seven times and notching two assists. He played in the Champions League qualifiers for the Finnish outfit, and scored in the Europa Conference League group stage also.

He has been playing in Premier League 2 during January for Crystal Palace and is ready to make his mark.

“I feel fit, ready and optimistic about the rest of this season,” Plange noted.

“This is a great chance for me to build on what has been a successful season so far. I feel I have played in different leagues and bring a bit of experience on that front.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

Providing opportunities is vital for player development, and we are delighted to provide our ‘Talent Development Pathway.’

The pathway from grassroots to academy football involves a structured journey consisting of several key stages and factors that each contribute to the development of aspiring young players.

The pathway is essential for identifying, challenging and nurturing talent, ensuring that players receive the necessary support and training.

Motherwell FC Community Trust are providing an opportunity for grassroot players, who are looking to progress their development towards a professional sporting environment, by offering a unique session, whereby like-minded players can collectively come together to enhance their footballing ability. Players will be challenged, with the session providing an opportunity to reach their full potential.

The session, forged in partnership with Motherwell FC Boys’ and Girls’ Academies to establish a pathway for developing talent to increase player development within the game, is aimed at players who are playing at INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED levels of grassroots football, and will provide a structured approach similar to academy focused sessions.

To sign up for the session, a ‘Class For Kids’ account will be required. Please see the link attached for more details on creating an account.

The official sign-up date for the ‘Player Development Pathway’ will commence on Monday 3rd February at 5PM. The four-week block will cost £24.

Defender Shannon Leishman has completed a loan move from Hibernian until the end of the season. 

A stalwart in the Scottish capital, Leishman achieved over 150-appearances in Leith, becoming one of the Hibees most decorated and long-serving players. Completing successive Scottish Cup and SWPL Cup title victories, Leishman has lifted four trophies during her time in Edinburgh, whilst representing the club in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The 28-year-old versatile defender will be a key asset for the women of steel’s as they chase their long-evaded ambition of a top-six finish in the SWPL table.

“I’m excited to be at the club,” Leishman said.

“Motherwell are a really competitive and ambitious team, who are looking to achieve a historic top-six finish this season. I knew when Paul spoke to me about coming to the club that I would be keen to be a part of their plans for the season ahead.

“I’m looking forward to meeting the squad and getting started at K-Park.”

Leishman will add experience to the already strong Motherwell backline, who have kept two back-to-back clean sheets since New Years Day.

“This is an important addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Shannon is an incredibly talented and experienced footballer, who has showcased her ability in the SWPL for countless seasons, and has been a fundamental component for Hibs in recent years.

“To have someone of her ability in the squad is a real statement of intent for where we want to be by the end of the season.”

Defender Eilidh Austin is our first new addition of the January window after agreeing a six-month loan deal with the women of steel. 

The Rangers academy prodigy rose through the ranks in Glasgow, making 19-appearances whilst also plying her trade at Hamilton – scoring five times across 15-appearances at New Douglas Park.

“I’m really pleased to have signed for Motherwell,” Austin said.

“I’ve made a lot of appearances in the SWPL already, but I really wanted to find a consistent run to continue my progression at this level.

“Motherwell are a very competitive side that have been competing closely within the top-six of the SWPL table. It felt like the perfect opportunity for me to support their efforts whilst continuing to gain experience.

Despite her youthfulness, Austin has already achieved a vast amount in the women’s game, lifting two SWPL Cups alongside one Scottish Cup title.

“This is a positive addition to the squad,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie emphasised.

“Eilidh is a very technically gifted player and someone we felt could provide an added dimension to our options in the backline.

“We felt it necessary to add a fresh face to the squad, as we near the final set of fixtures before the split.”

Striker Laura Berry will return to parent club Rangers. 

Laura Berry returned to Motherwell for her second consecutive loan spell, netting 11-goals in her first-spell before replicating that tally in one fewer game second time around.

The forward will return to Rangers after being recalled by the Glasgow-side.

“We are incredibly disappointed to lose Laura especially at this stage of the season,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie said.

“We were expecting Laura to remain at the club until the end of the season, so to lose someone of Laura’s quality especially at such a late stage of the transfer window is frustrating.

“I’d like to personally thank Laura for her tremendous effort and contribution to the club. She has excelled on the pitch, and been pivotal to our season so far. Laura leaves with our best wishes, and support for the future.”

Vice-captain Stephen O’Donnell says this week has been filled with emotion and shock but the focus has shifted onto the match against Celtic on Sunday.

O’Donnell knows the task that awaits the team this weekend in the William Hill Premiership.

Stephen Frail has taken the reigns since Stuart Kettlewell’s departure, and has had to draw a line under the manager leaving earlier in the week so the players and staff can focus on the difficult task of the Champions visiting Fir Park on Sunday in the William Hill Premiership. 

Frail talks about the great fanbase the club has and wants everyone to be connected going forward.

Chief Executive Brian Caldwell speaks for the first time since Stuart Kettlewell left the club. Caldwell discusses the process in which Kettlewell handed in his resignation, and the thought process of the former manager.

He also talks about why the club were transparent on the issue and revealed that there has been high interest in the vacant position.