| 2 | Rangers | 25 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 24 | 51 |
| 3 | Celtic | 24 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 20 | 48 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 24 | 11 | 10 | 3 | 20 | 43 |
| 5 | Hibernian | 25 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 39 |
| 6 | Falkirk | 25 | 10 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 36 |
Regan Charles-Cook will travel with Grenada for their upcoming friendly match this month.
The forward will head for home with his national team for a friendly match on Saturday 15 November against the US Virgin Islands.
It’s only one match during the international window this time round for Charles-Cook and Grenada.
Tawanda Maswanhise and Zimbabwe will prepare for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations campaign with two friendly matches in November.
With manager Michael Nees removed from post in late October, the Warriors will go into these two matches with a freshness off the back of a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign under new manager Mario Marinică.
Zimbabwe qualified for their sixth appearance at AFCON in last year, and will use matches against Algeria and Qatar as preparation.
It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for October.
Elliot Watt, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Ibrahim Said and Lukas Fadinger are all up for nomination.
To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.
He’s bubbly. He’s exciting. He’s unique. And he’s always smiling. That’s Ibrahim Said off the pitch. On the pitch, he’s proving to have been a shrewd piece of business from manager Jens Berthel Askou, who brought the Nigerian forward to the club from Viborg FF for an undisclosed fee during the summer window.
And the signing has paid off thus far. After getting up to speed, having not started a game since December, Said has become a pivotal point within the Motherwell attacking system. His pace, trickery and strength have got the Fir Park faithful excited about his exploits and what he could achieve in a Motherwell shirt.
Unlucky not to have his first Fir Park goal against Falkirk, Said hasn’t let that wrong VAR call dampen his spirits, not that anything would, to be honest.
“Everything is going personally how I expected it fitness-wise,” the Nigerian said.
“I’m getting fitter day by day. It’s not easy, and I’m loving it here. It’s so difficult because my first days were just running constantly; I was thinking, ‘This is not football.’ But the more you do it, the fitter you get, and your confidence grows. Not being here for pre-season maybe helped me slightly, because the matches and minutes I’ve played in have brought my fitness back quicker, because I spent so long not playing.
“The games have also allowed me to get to know the player inside the dressing room here. It’s all good!”
Although in the present day he may be playing top-flight football in Scotland, receiving daily feedback from professional coaches and training in top facilities, it wasn’t always the case for Said. Back in his younger days with Nigerian Academy side Dabo Babes Academy, facilities and coaching education weren’t what he’s used to now. And it was when he moved to the Danish side, Viborg FF, at the age of 18 that he would get his first taste of that professional environment.
“The move to Denmark wasn’t easy initially,” he explained.
“I remember the first two or three weeks I was calling my mum, complaining and upset. It’s not easy, but I also moved there in December in the middle of the winter. There was snow, and because I grew up in Nigeria, I hadn’t seen snow in my life because it was always sunny. It was very hard.
“Luckily, I have friends, and they helped me a lot. The tactical stuff was not easy because I would be so confused sometimes. In Nigeria, it’s more free. Like I could move and do what I wanted on the pitch and play the way you want. But when I moved to Viborg, it was more technical, and they needed to show you so many things. But the more you do it, the more you understand it because then it becomes easier. So here, I don’t find it difficult.
“I was 18 when I moved, and I stayed with a Danish family. They helped me so much, and I still stay in touch with them now; they are so lovely. I remember my flight to leave; she couldn’t come to see me off because she would cry! She’d been crying the days leading up to me leaving, so I said to her that she could stay at home and I would head off. They’re older, so their own children are not home anymore, so I was the only one they could talk to, and I had nice conversations with them, and I love them. They are so sweet.”
But for all the difficulty that he had to encounter, Said reflects on his time in Denmark with a positive outlook. Taking his football and education to the next level has ensured that Said was able to improve physically and mentally on the pitch.
“Going to Viborg has been so important for me,” Said stated.
“They showed me the different things that I need to know and remember to play football at the highest level. The time there showed how much you need to focus on the pitch. The family I stayed with gave me advice that has stuck with me too. Before matches here, I call my mum and brothers. They all say I need to focus and do my best. Because if I’m not focused, I can’t do anything, so you need to have a fresh mind. I know I’m a crazy guy, and that’s how I like to live my life.
If I try not to smile and play football, it’s not me.
“I get crazy in my head if I don’t smile. I need to smile even if things maybe aren’t going well, but it helps me. That’s who I am because I’ve got a temper. If I start to get angry, it’s s**t. So, I smile a little bit. I just like to feel the vibe and then continue doing my thing.
“When you get the experience of moving away so young, it means everything after has become easier. You can make a mistake, and I made a mistake a lot in Denmark, but I’ve grown up, and I know what is right and what is wrong. When I came here, the people were so lovely, and that helped me get to know the surroundings quickly.”
Having played 100 games in Denmark, Said had many admirers for what he was achieving on the pitch. One of whom was Jens Berthel Askou, who, when managing FC Horsens, crossed paths with Said as the Nigerian winger caught the eye of the Danish manager.
“I knew he was a coach at another club in Denmark, but I didn’t know him personally or anything,” Said added.
“We played a couple of games against his old team that he was coaching, and I was lucky because I played so many good games in Denmark, so he must’ve seen me. Maybe that’s why he called me. I liked his mentality; I like to get to know the coach. In football, you don’t get everything you want, and sometimes it can be difficult. So, I liked his mentality, and his style of play is who I am.”
But it’s not just the manager who has taken a shine to Said’s wonderful personality and impressive displays on the pitch.
The fans in the stand like the cut of his jib, but his teammates love his infectious personality, and pretty quickly, he has become a huge part of the dressing room. But once again, he has his spell in Denmark to thank for part of that.
“When I was in Denmark and got my first contract, I found it difficult because I didn’t talk a lot,” he laughed.
“It was difficult for me at that point, and it affected me a little because I didn’t know my teammates that much. But the longer I stayed, the more I got to know them. So, that’s why in the dressing room, I’m a Nigerian guy, and they see me with loads of energy, and I’m talking and laughing, but it’s because I have experience of when I was quiet. It doesn’t help me.
“Sometimes in a game or during training, there may be a misunderstanding. But that’s normal. When you’re on the pitch, that’s your job. Everyone wants to do the same thing and push hard. After the game, you can talk and smile and have a little comedy in the dressing room, and that makes all the team better.
“To have fun and interact with your teammates is what I love. And that’s how I am. It’s not like I change my personality when I come through the door; that’s who I am. I am Iby! I like to smile, but when I’m angry, everyone knows and can see.
You can just look at me and know I’m not in the fun mood. You cannot be happy every day, but I try to smile and just enjoy life.
“I want to show everyone more about me. I want to create more goals and assists, but every day, my mindset is to push. I want to show the club that they didn’t just buy a player. They bought someone who will give everything for the club and the badge. That’s who I want to be, and I want to show the coach what I can do and not disappoint him. I want to show him he made the right choice by bringing me here. I want to achieve more with the club too. We’ve got huge matches coming, and I can’t wait for it.
“But going into every game we’re ready. I’m ready to fight and show people what we’re capable of as a team. We’ll keep pushing as one.”
Paul Brownlie will vacate his role as Head of Girls and Women’s at the club to take up a new position elsewhere.
Arriving in the summer of 2021, Brownlie has built up a strong foundation within the women’s setup at Motherwell. Building our first-ever Girls Academy that has allowed numerous young players to make their debuts in the Scottish top-flight, he has also steered our first-team side to a string of various successes over the last four years.
“This has been a really difficult decision,” Paul Brownlie stated.
“It’s hard to close this chapter of my life, as I’ve loved my time here and met some great people along the way, and we have had some proud moments. When I reflect on what we’ve achieved here in the last four years, I feel a sense of pride.
Establishing the Academy and producing and developing young players has always been a huge part of my coaching philosophy.
“The girls in the first-team have been a joy to work with. Not just those in the team currently, but all the players and coaches who have moved on during my spell at the club. I thank each and every one of them for their dedication and enthusiasm. So many people behind-the-scenes volunteer so much of their time to make things possible; I would have been lost without them.
“We have managed to put in place a strong structure that will continue to flourish. The women’s game continues to grow here in Scotland, and I look forward and hope this team continues to have success.”
Motherwell became the first women’s side to play at Hampden Park in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Rangers in 2023, before guiding the women of steel back to Hampden for the second occasion last season.
In the league, Brownlie and his side secured a maiden top-six finish in the SWPL last campaign, an unprecedented achievement for the team.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Paul since I arrived at the club,” Chief Executive Brian Caldwell said.
“He has dedicated so much time to improving the structure and success of our women’s team and girls’ academy. I am extremely grateful for his efforts, which have seen the team enjoy so many moments of success over the past four years.
“Everyone at Motherwell wishes Paul the very best in this next chapter of his career and we thank him sincerely for all his hard work here at Motherwell.”
Brownlie will remain at the club in his role until December. The club will now begin the recruitment process to replace Paul and will update in due course.
Motherwell travel to Aberdeen on Sunday 9 November in their final match before the November international break.
Kick off is 3pm at Pittodrie.
You can buy tickets online here.
| Block P (uncovered) | Block Q (covered) | |
| Adults | £26 | £28 |
| Over 65 | £20 | £22 |
| Over 75 | £16 | £18 |
| 18-21 | £16 | £18 |
| Under 18 | £12 | £12 |
| Under 12 | £6 | £6 |
These are physical tickets so must either be collected at Fir Park or posted out. Last day for postage will be 4th November.
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.
Motherwell exited the Premier Sports Cup at the semi-final stage last weekend against St Mirren. Amidst a disappointing afternoon, Callum Hendry got off the mark for the club, scoring his first goal for the Steelmen.
In the league, Jens Berthel Askou’s side have been in good form, winning their last two games against Dundee United and Livingston. Tawanda Maswanhise moved onto nine goals for the season, as he looks to hit double figures as soon as possible.
This will be the third meeting between Motherwell and Aberdeen this season. Motherwell won 1-0 at Pittodrie thanks to Regan Charles-Cook’s strike, with goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Johnny Koutroumbis sealing a 2-0 win at Fir Park also.
After a sluggish start to the season, the Dons’ form has gone in an upward trajectory. Sealing their first win of the league season against Dundee four weeks ago, Aberdeen have gone on to win three of their last four league matches.
Star signings Jesper Karlsson has found the back of the net three times this season, with Marko Lazetic finding the back of the net twice in the last four outings.
Aberdeen travel to Cyprus on Thursday night in Europa Conference League action against AEK Larnaca, as the Dons look to pick up their first points on the European stage this season.
Elijah Just will return to the international stage with New Zealand next month.
The All Whites regular will travel with his country, having missed their matches in October as he completed his recovery from a minor knock.
Just returns to the international fold for their two upcoming friendly matches. New Zealand will head for America to face Colombia and Ecuador.
The build up had been long and exciting going into the Premier Sports Cup semi-final match against St Mirren at Hampden for Motherwell fans, with over 9000 supporters making their way to Glasgow in the hope of seeing their side reach a final for the first time since 2018.
But on the pitch, things didn’t go according to plan as St Mirren raced away into a two-goal lead, leaving a mountain to climb for Motherwell.
In the second-half, the Steelmen held onto the ball for large periods in the St Mirren half but were limited to few openings. Callum Hendry did find the back of the net with seven minutes to go, offering a crumb of encouragement to the fans that a comeback could be on.
But that feeling was short-lived, as St Mirren added a third and a fourth before the full-time whistle as Motherwell went all out for an equaliser. A thoroughly disappointing day on the big stage, but the Steelmen have an opportunity to go out on a high ahead of the next international break when they face Aberdeen for the third time this season next weekend.
The manager reacts to losing to St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
It proved to be a disappointing afternoon on the North-East coast, with hosts Montrose compounding Motherwell’s frustrations on the road, holding the women of steel to a two-goal stalemate at Links Park.
Bailley Collins broke the deadlock in the latter stages of the first-half, drilling home a low strike past Rachael Perry, but former Motherwell striker Kaela McDonald-Nguah responded in the second-half, rattling the Motherwell crossbar with an unstoppable finish that ricocheted kindly into the roof of the net.
Head Coach Paul Brownlie made two changes from the side that were defeated by defending champions Hibernian at K-Park a fortnight ago.
Defender Katie Rice returned to the Motherwell starting XI, with Tegan Browning settling for a place amongst the substitutes alongside Hannah Cairns, making way for striker Carla Boyce who led the line.
The women of steel capitalised moments before half-time, with Carla Boyce driving across the right flank before drilling a low delivery across the face of goal, and Bailley Collins was on hand to prod home the opener from close-range.
Motherwell hoped the opening goal would rejuvenate their frustrating first-half display, but the hosts relented, and equalised minutes into the second-half. Countering with pace, Montrose pressed high into the Motherwell half, with the ball falling kindly to McDonald-Nguah at the edge of the penalty area, and the striker made no mistake, lashing home a powerful strike off the underside of the crossbar before nestling into the roof of the Motherwell net.
Both sides pushed for the decisive winner in the final stages of the game, with Motherwell turning to Kodie Hay and Hannah Cairns on the bench, but neither side could find the eventual breakthrough.
The women of steel will return to action in a fortnight’s time when they travel across Lanarkshire to face local rivals Hamilton at New Douglas Park.
