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The managerial alterations, contentious decisions, and remarkable moments on the pitch have encapsulated an emphatic 2025/26 Scottish Women’s Premier League campaign. As the dust finally settles on the halfway stage, defender Katie Rice reflects on the season so far.

The women of steel have continued their ambition of establishing themselves as a consistent top-six side after achieving their maiden finish in the top-half of the split last campaign.

Motherwell remain seventh in the SWPL table, four-points behind closest-rivals Montrose after a decisive 93^rd-minute Partick Thistle strike denied Iain Robinson his first point since being appointed Head Coach earlier this month.

“It has been a really interesting season,” Rice said.

“At the start of the season, we all collectively discussed the shared ambition of earning our second consecutive top-six finish, and its pleasing to reach the halfway stage, with that goal still to play for.

“The Christmas break has come at the perfect time for the squad, as both Iain [Robinson] and David [Brownlie] have had to try and implement their ideas despite not much time on the training pitch so far.

“The break will give the full squad that time to reflect on the season so far, reset a bit, and earn that valuable time on the training pitch. That will allow us all to head into 2026, with a fresh mindset, and remain in a strong position to achieve our target of a top-six finish this season.”

Motherwell suffered a disappointing conclusion to the calendar year, with Partick Thistle punishing the visitors attacking complacency with the final kick of the ball to secure a narrow 2-1 victory in a frustrating display at Petershill Park a fortnight ago.

A squandered first-half spot-kick, and countless enticing opportunities in the Jags final-third went unanswered, as the women of steel were left to reflect on what could’ve been in a closely-fought game in Glasgow.

“We were incredibly frustrated at full-time,” Rice explained.

“First-half, both sides struggled to really settle into the game, but we had an opportunity from the penalty spot that we ultimately didn’t take.

“These things can easily happen, but its ultimately about how we respond from that. We felt that we responded really well in the second-half, with Kodie [Hay] scoring a brilliant goal, but we couldn’t capitalise on that momentum in that moment.

“We allowed Thistle to equalise, and despite having several chances on goal, we simply didn’t take our opportunity. Thistle were awarded a free-kick with the last second of the game, and scored. That’s football unfortunately.

After four years at the helm, Head of Women & Girls, Paul Brownlie took to the K-Park dugout for the final time to mark the end of an illustrious era in Lanarkshire.

The highest recorded league position in the history of the club, two Scottish Cup Semi-Final appearances, and the foundation of the Motherwell FC Girls academy are few of the many accolades achieved in the experienced Scotsman’s tenure at the club.

One of the longest-serving players under Brownlie’s tenure, Rice spoke of her own and the squad’s reaction to his recent departure.

“It definitely came as a shock,” Rice explained.

“For myself, having been at the club for many seasons, with Paul as the Head Coach throughout most of that time, it wasn’t something that I was expecting.

“We had a conversation as a group at training, and although we were really surprised, Paul made sure that we put that to one side and focused solely on our preparations for the remaining games while he was here.

‘Even though we lost to Rangers in his final game at K-Park, we put in one of our strongest performances against them, and left the game with a lot of confidence.

Step forward, Queens Park Head Coach Iain Robinson, who joined the women of steel from the SWPL2 side this month. Despite being thrusted into his first match in charge with only two prior training sessions, Rice spoke highly about Robinson’s tactical style since arriving in East Kilbride.

“It’s been interesting to learn a different style of play,” Rice added.

“The timing hasn’t been on our side, with the recent run of fixtures, so we haven’t had much of an opportunity to implement that regularly on the training pitch, but we have all really bought into what Iain, and David are bringing to the club, and are looking forward to 2026.

“The winter break will give us that opportunity to really settle as a squad into that style of play, and we are all looking to forward to seeing what we could achieve this season.”

After exerting a lot of energy to register a 2-0 win over Celtic just four days ago, 2026 started at Fir Park for Motherwell as they looked to kick on again against St Mirren. 

Looking to extend their unbeaten run at Fir Park to seven games, Motherwell lined up on the front foot as they looked for an early breakthrough.

Tawanda Maswanhise returned from international duty and made an instant impact, scoring his 14th goal of the season in the first-half.

Motherwell’s authority on the match didn’t lessen in the second period, with Elliot Watt converting from the edge of the box to make it 2-0.

Another clean sheet, another win: Jens Berthel Askou’s side strengthened their hold on fourth place as they travel to Hibernian, who are two points behind, next weekend.

Tickets for our Scottish Cup Round Four match against Ross County on Saturday 17 January are now on sale. 

You can buy tickets online now.

Pricing for the match is below.

Season Ticket holders have until Wednesday 14^th January at 5pm to secure their own seat.

Hospitality

Cooper Box Package

•  2 x complimentary drinks served to your box pre-match
• Access to Cooper Suite bar pre-match, half-time and at full-time
• Half-time refreshments served in the Cooper Suite
• Indoor seat in an executive Cooper Box

Price per person – £45

To book, please phone hospitality on 01698 338003 or email: hospitality@motherwellfc.co.uk.

The Cooper Bar and Centenary Suite will both open at 12 noon for this match. Drinks and food will be available for purchase in both suites and will re-open for one-hour following the match.

It’s a top-six battle on Saturday 10 January as Motherwell travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian in the William Hill Premiership. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to Follow the Game

Tickets for this match are sold out. We want to thank everyone who has bought tickets.

Safe travels to Edinburgh.

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’s Fortunes

Motherwell continued their wonderful campaign with a 2-0 win over St Mirren, extending their unbeaten run to seven games at Fir Park.

That victory means it’s been one defeat in their last 13 matches in the Premiership. Now on 36 points, the Steelmen will be looking to move five points clear of Saturday’s opponents with a victory in the capital.

Motherwell recorded a 2-0 win over Hibernian in the first meeting between the sides this season. Matches between Hibernian and Motherwell have been competitive. In the last eight matches in the Premiership at Easter Road, there have been three wins each for either side, with two draws.

Opposition Report

Hibernian also come into this match in good form. David Gray’s side have won the last three matches and are unbeaten in their last four outings.

The Hibees have three players joint top of their goalscoring charts. Martin Boyle has found the back of the net eight times this season, although the Australian international missed the trip to Kilmarnock on Saturday, with forward Kieron Bowie also on eight.

Summer signing Jamie McGrath arrived from Aberdeen and has also notched eight goals so far, in an impressive maiden season at Hibs. The midfielder scored from the penalty spot against Kilmarnock last time out, making it two goals and one assist in his last three league matches.

Motherwell started 2026 in perfect fashion, with a convincing 2-0 win over St Mirren in the William Hill Premiership. 

Tawanda Maswanhise netted his 14th goal in all competitions in the first half, with Elliot Watt making it two goals in two games to seal the points for the Steelmen.

Despite the heroics of their last outing, changes were still made to the Motherwell team, three in total. Johnny Koutroumbis dropped out of the squad, with Oscar Priestman and Tom Sparrow moved to the bench. Tawanda Maswanhise returned to the starting 11 at the first time of asking, following his return to Scotland from his Africa Cup of Nations heroics with Zimbabwe.

Stephen Welsh was back in action after missing out against his parent club Celtic last time out, with Emmanuel Longelo restored to the starting 11.

The first opening came at the visitor’s end, but after Elijah Just whipped the ball into the six-yard box, neither Ibrahim Said nor Maswanhise could get a decent touch to worry Shamal George.

With 21 minutes on the clock, Calum Ward needed more than a decent touch, rising high to his left to push away Miguel Freckleton’s shot from the edge of the box.

That sparked a response from the Fir Park men, and after holding off a couple of challenges, Callum Slattery fed the ball to Lukas Fadinger, and his thumping left-foot drive was destined for the top corner until the ball was turned over the bar by George.

Slattery then tested the Saints’ keeper firstly with a low drive, which George palmed away at full stretch before he comfortably held Slattery’s tame volley.

Motherwell were finding gaps in the Saints’ box, and when Maswanhise found Just, he should have shot first time, but in an attempt to get the ball onto his left foot, the chance was wasted.

Two minutes later the New Zealander repaid the favour, and Maswanhise, after his stunning goal at AFCON, was in no mood to pass up the chance.

Playing the ball out from their own goal line, Just’s superb pass sent the Zimbabwe striker racing towards George before slipping the ball past the keeper and opening the scoring.

As the home side dominated possession, Saints lost their composure, with three players booked in a crazy two minutes before the break.

Stephen Robinson decided to tighten things up for the second-half moving the experienced Alex Gogic into his back four.

That plan only lasted 12 minutes until the Saints’ defence was breached again. Said’s run and cutback created a great opening only for Maswanhise and Slattery to get in each other’s way. The opportunity appeared to be lost as the ball found its way to Elliot Watt at the edge of the box until his wicked curling drive flew past George and high into the net to make it 2-0.

That forced Saints to change their game plan, but as they chased a goal, Motherwell found more space, with Just, Said and Maswanhise using their trickery and pace to keep the visitors’ defenders on their toes.

The ‘Well boss made his first changes after 73 minutes, replacing the tiring Watt and Maswanhise with Tom Sparrow and Oscar Priestman.

Despite continuing to swarm around the Saints’ box and creating a few more openings, Well couldn’t add to the scoreline, although at the other end Ward will be delighted to extend his home clean sheets to seven consecutive games.

Motherwell Team: Ward, O’Donnell, McGinn, Welsh, Longelo, Watt, Fadinger, Slattery, Just, Said, Maswanhise.

Motherwell Subs: Connelly, Gordon, Balmer, Sparrow, Priestman, McAllister, Osong, Ross, Stamatelopoulos.

Jens Berthel Askou reacts to the 2-0 win over St Mirren, our fourth home win in a row.

Being one of the longer-serving players at the club, Callum Slattery speaks about the success the club is currently experiencing and what it means to him. 

Slattery explains the importance of the pre-season for the players getting used to the new system, and how the win over Celtic is a product of that work.

Assistant manager Max Rogers provides team news ahead of Saturday’s match against St Mirren, and also reflects on the huge win over Celtic last time out. 

Rogers discusses the mindset within the team as they take on a new challenge this weekend.

Ewan Wilson will remain at Raith Rovers on loan until the end of the season.

The Motherwell academy graduate joined Raith on an initial loan deal until January. That deal has now been extended until the end of the season.

“We are happy for Ewan that he can continue his loan spell and further his development through match minutes at a very competitive level,” Jens Berthel Askou explained.

“We wish him and Raith Rovers the very best for the second-half of the season. We look forward to keeping an eye on Ewan and following his development.”

Regan Charles-Cook will spend a period of up to eight weeks on the sidelines. 

The winger suffered an ankle injury in December and has started his rehabilitation process.

Assistant manager Max Rogers confirmed the news at a press conference this afternoon.

“Regan will be out for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury,” Max Rogers said.

“We’re sad to see him out because he is a great personality and a great player who has been consistent for us.”

Speedy recovery, Regan.