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Motherwell take a break from league action and turn their attention to the Premier Sport Cup on Saturday 16 August, taking on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

You can buy tickets online by clicking here.

Ambulant disabled supporters: buy online – age appropriate price.  Where an ambulant disabled supporter requires a personal assistant, please select an additional seat and choose PA (personal assistant) from the dropdown list before adding to your basket.

Wheelchair supporters: age appropriate price – please contact ticket office on 01738 459090 (option 1) to purchase.

There are a limited number of disabled parking bays for visiting fans to book in advance. Please email DAO@perthsaints.co.uk to book or to enquire.

The Supporters Bus running from Fir Park is now sold out. 

The Cooper Bar will be open from 11:30am for refreshments, with the coach leaving promptly at 1:15pm.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only. Please note, the commentary will be St Johnstone’s own commentators.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell remain unbeaten in competitive action under Jens Berthel Askou. A 0-0 draw in Paisley on Saturday meant it’s been two draws from the two opening league matches.

Ibrahim Said earned his first start in Motherwell colours, with Stephen O’Donnell and Paul McGinn chosen to be the centre-back pairing.

These two sides met five times last season, three of which took place at McDiarmid. Motherwell got the better of Saints on three of those occasions. The last meeting ended in a 3-2 win for the Steelmen, with Slattery and Sparrow getting on the scoresheet either side of an own goal.

Opposition Report

This is a new-look St Johnstone side, who have signed 12 players following their relegation to the Championship. 16 players departed the club, with a further five players returning to their parent clubs following the expiry of their loan deals.

Simo Valakari’s side have made a powerful start to their competitive season. Playing four matches in the Premier Sports Cup and two matches in the Championship, they have won all six games, conceding four goals and scoring 21 times.

They topped their group with 12 points, beating East Kilbride, Inverness CT, Elgin City and Raith Rovers to be seeded in the Last 16 draw.

Jens Berthel Askou’s first away game in the William Hill Premiership was in Paisley, against St Mirren. Ahead of the match, the Motherwell boss wanted to see his side be adaptable in their game model as the team geared up for a different type of challenge. 

All the positive signs were there for the Steelmen, as they dominated possession and created plenty chances against Stephen Robinson’s side. Ibrahim Said, Callum Slattery, Tawanda Maswanhise and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos all had chances, but couldn’t convert.

Having 70% of the ball, the 927 travelling fans were enthused by what they were seeing on the pitch and despite not taking all three points, walked out of the stadium full of optimism.

Jens Berthel Askou gives his reaction to the goalless draw with St Mirren in Paisley.

Motherwell travelled west on Saturday afternoon in their second William Hill Premiership match of the season, drawing 0-0 with St Mirren. 

Jens Berthel Askou made two changes from the side that drew with Rangers on the opening day. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Liam Gordon came out of the starting 11, with the former dropping to the bench, in place of Stephen O’Donnell and Ibrahim Said.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to the hosts. Inside the first minute, a lofted ball into the box was met by the head of Kieran Phillips; he headed it down into the path of St Mirren captain Mark O’Hara, who blazed high and wide of Calum Ward’s goal.

The gusty conditions made it a difficult afternoon to keep passes accurate. Chances were limited in the opening exchanges.

Motherwell’s first big chance arrived on 20 minutes. Good play between the Well midfield sent Slattery away on the right wing; he slipped the ball through for Said who cut into the area and saw his effort saved by Shamal George.

Just before the half-hour mark, Johnny Koutroumbis had a go on the volley from the edge of the box, but his effort was never troubling the keeper.

Maswanhise went close on 34 minutes. He latched onto a through ball, beat Marcus Fraser for pace and curled an effort past the far post.

Motherwell were forced into their first alteration before the interval. Johnny Koutroumbis went down and had to be replaced, with Tom Sparrow coming on in his place.

On 44 minutes, Emmanuel Longelo intercepted a pass and drove forward. He gave the ball to Elijah Just, who was seemingly trying to find Said at the back post with his cross, but the wind diverted the ball and it fell just past the post.

With the game level at 0-0 going into the second half, both sides would have fancied their chances at taking all three points. Motherwell started brightly; Said was in a promising position after a counter-attack, but he couldn’t get a shot away. Longelo’s cross caused havoc moments later, with St Mirren desperate to clear anywhere.

On the hour mark, the Motherwell backline presented St Mirren with their best chance of the game. Ward’s pass was cut out and intercepted. O’Donnell managed to get a block in for the first effort, but O’Hara had a go with the second, but it was diverted for a corner.

Playing a slightly different position through the middle, Mawasnhise was latching onto any scraps. He won a foul on 63 minutes, tussling and getting the better of Fraser to win a free kick 25 yards out. Slattery lined it up and saw his precise effort saved by George.

On 67 minutes, Evan Mooney shot wide from Keanu Baccus’ cross.

On 77 minutes, Ward had to make an excellent save from Alex Gogic’s header. The Motherwell stopper did well to tip it over the bar.

As the game entered the closing stages, the match hung in the balance. Stamatelopoulos did everything he could to get on the end of Slattery’s cross, but he didn’t get the connection to trouble George.

With three minutes added, and the 927 travelling Well fans doing everything they could to cheer the team on, both sides continued to hunt for the winner, but neither could find the breakthrough.

Motherwell Team: Ward, Koutroumbis (42′), McGinn, O’Donnell, Longelo, Fadinger, Slattery, Watt, Just, Maswanhise (86′), Said (70′). 

Motherwell Subs: Oxborough, Balmer, Wilson, Gillies, Forrest, Halliday, Sparrow (42′), Ross (86′), Stamatelopoulos (70′).

Midfielder Lily Boyce has completed a season-long loan deal from Rangers. 

A highly-rated youth talent, Boyce has risen through the ranks at Ibrox, before making her competitive debut for the Glasgow-side at only 15-years-old; in a 1-24 win over Westdyke in the Scottish Cup Third Round.

The now 16-year-old playmaker is keen to continue her development in a first-team environment after spending last season on-loan to fellow SWPL side Queens Park.

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

“Last season was my first opportunity to play regular first-team minutes, and I was really attracted to the club after seeing so many young players come through in recent years.

“I can’t wait to get started.”

Capped for the Scottish National team at Under-16 and Under-17 level, Boyce will wear the No.___ this season.

“This is an exciting signing for the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Lily is an incredibly talented young footballer. Making your debut for Rangers at only 15-years-old reflects how much her parent club believes in her, and we are really pleased to bring her to the club.

“We’re looking forward to continuing her development this season.”

Sophie Black has returned to ML1 after penning a season-long loan deal. 

The midfielder returns to the women of steel for the second consecutive season after earning 20-appearances in claret and amber in the previous campaign.

The Scottish youth international made the switch to Lanarkshire in search of regular first-team action after rising through the ranks at the Ibrox side, and established her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield. Black netted twice in the SWPL, once in a 6-1 victory over Dundee United, and a 6-0 win over Aberdeen and Balmoral Stadium.

Black made her Rangers debut at only 16-years-old and has continued to impress throughout the clubs youth academy.

“I’m delighted to be back at the club,” Black said.

“I felt I really developed myself as a player last season, and I wanted to continue my development, with Motherwell this season.

“I’m really excited to see the team again, and I can’t wait to get started again at K-Park..”

The combative midfielder will add an alternative dynamic to Motherwell’s central options and will provide a valuable and productive competition for places.

‘I’m delighted to have Sophie back at the club this season,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“Sophie is an exciting young player, and someone who seamlessly transitioned into competitive first-team football last season.

“Wee are really pleased to have her back at Motherwell, and can’t wait to continue her development this season.”

Reliable defender Johnny Koutroumbis and fan favourite Tawanda Maswanhise talk us through the start of the Jens Berthel Askou era, as Motherwell kick off their 2025/26 competitive season in the group-stage of the Premier Sports Cup. 

Facing stiff tests against Clyde, Peterhead, Stenhousemuir and Morton in the Cup, July was rounded off with a competitive friendly against German giants Hertha BSC.

From the highs and lows to everything in between, Koutroumbis and Maswanhise break the first month of action down and provide insight into what they were thinking on the pitch.

We have secured extra tickets from St Mirren that will go on sale on Saturday 9 August at 10am.

These will be available on the link here.

If you have purchased tickets for the game but have been unable to collect them from the Fir Park ticket office, the Motherwell SLO Chris Thomson will be at the away turnstiles (North Stand) with your ticket for the match.

We’ll see you all in Paisley tomorrow, thank you for dedicated and unwavering support.

Highly-rated young shot-stopper Emma Thomson has completed a season-long loan deal from Heart of Midlothian. 

A highly-rated youth talent, Thomson came through the ranks at local rivals Hamilton Accies, becoming the club’s number one at only 16-years of age.

Thomson’s talents soon impressed, with the goalkeeper named the youngest recipient of the Scottish Women’s Premier League Player of the Month award since the formation of the SWPL for her Player of the Match performance against Motherwell at New Douglas Park in 2024.

Her ability soon caught the eye of Edinburgh-side Spartans, and Thomson made the switch to the Scottish capital the following season, making nine-appearances for Jack Beasley’s team.

The now 17-year-old departed Spartans this summer, joining Eva Olid’s Hearts side on a permanent full-time contract until 2027.

“I’m ecstatic to be here at Motherwell,” Thomson said.

“Motherwell have been competing amongst the full-time sides in the league, and I felt that it would be the perfect environment for me to develop into an established first-team goalkeeper.

“Becky [Cameron] is a very strong goalkeeper in this league, and someone I hope to really learn from this campaign. I can’t wait to get started.”

Thomson has remained a consistent presence for the Scottish National team, receiving caps at both Under-16 and Under-17 levels.

“We’re really pleased to have Emma at the club,” Head Coach Paul Brownlie added.

“To be a regular starter in the SWPl at only 16-years of age speaks highly to the belief that so many Head Coaches have shown in her attributes as a goalkeeper.

“Despite only being 17-years-old, Emma will add vital competition to our goalkeeping department, and we’re really pleased to have two talented goalkeepers pushing each others standards this season.”

Summer signing Emmanuel Longelo is delighted with the start he has made in Motherwell colours, but has set his sights on further ambitions for the season ahead. 

Longelo discusses how he has settled into the squad and what he thinks they can achieve this season.