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  • Archive

    Callum Slattery win third successive player of the month award

  • Archive

    Michael Wimmer joins SSV Jahn Regensburg

  • First team

    Final loan report 2024/25

  • Archive

    May player of the month vote

  • First team

    Johnny Koutroumbis: An emotional rollercoaster

  • Archive

    Lennon Miller included in Scotland squad

  • First team

    A frantic finish to 2024/25 // Ross County 1-1 Motherwell

  • First team

    Michael Wimmer on final day draw

  • First team

    Ross County 1 – 1 Motherwell

  • First team

    Tom Sparrow previews Ross County

  • Archive

    Callum Slattery win third successive player of the month award

    Callum Slattery win third successive player of the month award

    Callum Slattery is your G4 Claims player of the month award for May. 

    The midfielder picks up his third successive player of the month award, having won in both March and April.

    Slattery continued his strong end to the season in the final four matches. Starting all four of the final games, he was at the heart of everything that was good.

    The 26-year-old notched his sixth goal of the season against Kilmarnock in our final home match, making him joint-top goalscorer for the season with Tawanda Maswanhise and Tom Sparrow.

  • Archive

    Michael Wimmer joins SSV Jahn Regensburg

    Michael Wimmer joins SSV Jahn Regensburg

    We can confirm that Michael Wimmer has departed the club to become manager of German side SSV Jahn Regensburg.

    After the final match of the 2024/25 season, Wimmer travelled back home to Germany. He reached out to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the club to inform them that he would like to remain in Germany to take up a position as manager of 3. Liga side SSV Jahn Regensburg.

    Wimmer explained the reasons for wishing to accept the new role were predominantly due to major family issues that have recently arisen in Germany.

    Following extensive conversations with Michael, the club very reluctantly negotiated a compensation package with SSV Jahn Regensburg.

    “I want to thank the Board and all the staff at the club for the way they welcomed me to Scotland and also supported me so much from when I arrived in February,” Michael Wimmer said.

    “They have done everything to support me and my family during my time here.

    “This has been an ongoing, extremely difficult position that I have found myself in, and the club have done all they could to support me during these challenging times, both whilst I was in post and while I have been back in Germany.

    “I am sorry to all the Motherwell fans; the support you have shown me has been outstanding, and I have loved learning about this wonderful club. This decision was an extremely hard one for me to make; however, I have decided to move back home, as I need to put my family first and be with them, and I want to thank the board for the understanding shown through these challenging times.

    “I hope the club can continue to progress next season. I really enjoyed the time I spent in Scotland. There are great people at the club who are ambitious and want the best for the club going forward. I only wish everyone at Motherwell FC the very best for the future.”

    The Club wishes Michael and his family the best going forward.

    The Club will now start the process of recruiting a new manager with immediate effect.

    The Club will be making no further comment at this time.

  • First team

    Final loan report 2024/25

    Final loan report 2024/25

    The final look at how our players got on out on loan during the 2024/25 season.

    Matty Connelly

    East Kilbride completed their biggest target last weekend, securing promotion to League Two at the expense of Bonnyrigg Rose via the playoffs.

    Winning the Lowland League, the South Challenge Cup and the Lowland League Cup, alongside promotion, it has been a successful loan stint with Kilby this season for the goalkeeper.

    • Appearances: 35
    • Clean Sheets: 9
    Max Ross

    Max Ross will be pleased with his efforts at Albion Rovers this season. The 19-year-old defender helped Rovers finish in sixth place in the Lowland League.

    • Appearances: 23
    • Goals: 0
    • Assists: 0
    Brannan McDermott

    Broomhill and Brannan McDermott finished bottom of the Lowland League on goal difference and have been relegated.

    In the 34 league matches, McDermott started in all 34 matches and played 90 minutes in 33.

    • Appearances: 25
    • Goals: 1
    • Assists: 1
    Olly Whyte

    Olly Whyte had a successful season with Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League. The youngster received the Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year, Supporters’ Player of the Year and The Coo Shed Podcast Player of the Year awards.

    Finishing tenth in the standings, Whyte missed eight games through injury but will be delighted with his efforts at Central Park.

    • Appearances: 31
    • Goals: 3
    • Assists: 0
    Dylan Wells

    After signing a new deal at Motherwell in the summer of 2024, Wells joined Edinburgh City on a season-long loan deal.

    Playing 17 games and starting 12, Wells helped the Citizens achieve a playoff spot, something that seemed impossible at the start of the campaign. Edinburgh finished third in League Two, and although beating East Fife 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-final, Dick Campbell’s side won over the two legs, ensuring City remain in League Two next season.

    • Appearances: 17
    • Goals: 1
    • Assists: 0
    Filip Stuparevic

    Filip Stuparevic joined Championship side Morton and helped them finish sixth in the table. Although they finished a few points outside the playoffs, they were well clear of the bottom end of the table.

    Stuparevic was on six goals when he picked up an ACL injury that brought an end to his loan spell at the club early in February. However, he still picked up Morton’s top goalscorer award and will be looking forward to getting back on the pitch later in 2025.

    • Appearances: 18
    • Goals: 6
    • Assists: 1
    Mark Ferrie

    Mark Ferrie’s Bonnyrigg Rose endured a tricky season in League Two and were defeated by East Kilbride in the playoffs, meaning they now drop out of the SPFL.

    Ferrie still managed 30 games for Rose, starting 16 matches.

    • Appearances: 30
    • Goals: 2
    • Assists: 0
    Luca Ross

    Luca Ross started 20 games for Annan Athletic, however their season also ended on a sombre note. Finishing ninth in League One, they beat Elgin City in the semi-final of the relegation playoff but were beaten over two legs by East Fife and dropped down to League Two.

    L. Ross played every minute of the four playoff matches, as well as starting 16 league matches during the 24/25 season. He signed a new deal with Motherwell earlier this year and will now look to kick on in pre-season.

    • Appearances: 31
    • Goals: 3
    • Assists: 1
  • Archive

    May player of the month vote

    May player of the month vote

    It’s time to vote for your G4 Claims player of the month for May.

    Callum Slattery, Lennon Miller and Tom Sparrow are all up for nomination.

    To vote, head over to the Motherwell Facebook page.

    Games in May:

    • Dundee 1-2 Motherwell
    • Hearts 3-0 Motherwell
    • Motherwell 3-0 Kilmarnock 
    • Ross County 1-2 Motherwell
  • First team

    Johnny Koutroumbis: An emotional rollercoaster

    Johnny Koutroumbis: An emotional rollercoaster

    Johnny Koutroumbis was a seasoned professional in the A-League world. Amassing hundreds of games with multiple Australian clubs, he had achieved so much in his homeland by his mid-twenties.

    But there was always one target that he had set himself that he wasn’t prepared to let slip away in his career. Making the journey to mainland Europe to play the sport he loves.

    “Playing in Australia, I think the dream was always to play football in Europe,” Koutroumbis explained.

    “Even before I became a professional footballer, before I signed my first contract at 18, it was always in the back of my mind, but I was open. I just got a new experience in a professional environment. Because of that, I guess moving to Europe sort of got pushed to the back of my mind because of how eye-opening it was.

    “Playing with players who were from overseas, playing with older players and playing with players with massive egos. So, as an 18-year-old, you try to be the best you can be in that environment. When I was at Newcastle, I did aspire to that European target.

    “I followed a coach, Carl Robinson, who joined Newcastle in 2020. We played 10 games; I think we won seven and drew two. My football went through the roof. Two years later, he ended up joining Western Sydney Wanderers, and I followed him there because he called me saying he wanted me there.

    “Things started to pick up in terms of my mindset and where I wanted to go. The previous years before, I had been playing for the Under 18s national side. So, that was a taste of football that was at a higher level. Going from Wanderers to Perth [Glory], that happened over a pre-season where I wasn’t wanted, and that sank deep into me in terms of, I’m going to take that personally.

    “Someone didn’t believe in what I could offer. So, in Perth, in my first year, I was playing here and there, but it wasn’t really until last season that I took my football to a new level, and it was definitely playing without fear.

    “That was probably the biggest turning point and mindset that I took on. When I’m in attack, attack. When I’m in defence, defend. Whereas before, if I joined an attack, for example, I’d be worried about the attack breaking down. So, I think my football had changed quite dramatically, and in the back of my mind, that year was when I fully decided that I was going to play this season to leave and get to Europe.”

    The journey had had its ups and downs for Koutroumbis. Beating cancer put perspective on his football and personal life. But having come through all the adversity, all the setbacks and all the low points, he was finally on the cusp of reaching a target he had set himself all those years ago. That was when his relationship with Motherwell started. In the summer of 2024, it was time for Koutroumbis to leave everything he’d ever known behind him and move to the other side of the world for the next chapter of his life.

    “It was an exciting time,” he recalled.

    “But I was thinking more about all the sacrifices and all the pain, the bad moments, the times I trained extra in the gym and generally just everything I’d done that had led me to this moment. Just because it’s Europe doesn’t mean I can’t push even further into a potential World Cup. I was thinking that too.

    “So, it was exciting; it wasn’t so much nerves because I can’t emphasise this enough, but in the last season at Perth Glory, I really put a lot of emphasis on my mindset. I really wanted to make the next step and go further than just Australia. I wanted to play in Europe, the top leagues, and that still drives me every day. I knew what I was capable of, and I felt like I could fit into this league.”

    After healthy negotiations with the club, the transfer to ML1 was complete, and it was time for Koutroumbis to break the good news to his family.

    “My dad was over the moon,” the defender stated.

    “We shared the same dream from when I was a young boy. My dad has always supported me and has always given me unconditional support. He’s told me when I did bad but also helped me a lot throughout my junior and professional career.

    “My mum was distraught, to try and put it simply. But she was happy. Obviously, it’s not every day a mum gets to experience their son moving across the world and not being able to get a simple flight to meet up with him.

    “My brother and sister were very happy for me. They’ve got their own lives, but they know this was something that I’d been chasing for a long time. And my girlfriend, Yasmin, we had only just met. We met in March, and I was on a plane in June. To be fair to her, she’s followed me here as well, so it’s a lot for her to give up as well. Props to her; I have massive respect for her. She’s got a job here as well, and she’s chasing the dream with me at the time. I’m so very grateful for her.

    “For myself, I’ve missed out on a lot. Even though I was in Australia, it’s difficult to just travel interstate because Australia is so big. One city to another can take up to two hours on a plane, so birthdays, weddings, engagements, anniversaries and all that sort of stuff I had to give up to chase my dream.

    “It’s sad, and it’s something that I did reflect on because now I’m here, I don’t just get to go on a plane and go home. It’s across the world, and now is the time when all my friends are getting married. So they’re all proposing and organising weddings, and I’m over here.

    “You give up a lot in this industry, and you sacrifice a lot, but at the end of the day, it’s all worth it. As long as you have the support of your friends and family, it’s all worth it. You’re not just doing it all on your own.”

    Having landed in Scotland and started to adjust to a brand new country and lifestyle, Koutroumbis’ world came down around him. Having only been in the country a couple of weeks, in the first week of pre-season, he sustained a major calf injury that would rule him out for months. It was the worst possible setback he could have encountered, and it wasn’t something he could have foreseen.

    “I didn’t expect to break down like that,” he explained.

    “I was taking care of my body during the off-season, eating right, training consistently and training within my limits too. You’re not wanting to push yourself too hard because you know you’re going into a pre-season.

    “I have to give myself a pat on the back because I was as fit as I’ve ever been heading into a pre-season. I knew moving to Motherwell wasn’t a small thing; you’re not just signing for a different club within Australia. It’s another step above.

    “And I remember vividly how the injury happened. All I went to do was take a step, and I just heard this crack, and I felt the crack in my calf. I knew straight away it had gone. It was just devastating. I remember lying on the floor and thinking how this whole time I’d been preparing, it was now out the window.

    “I was supposed to be moving into my new flat on the Saturday, and the day before I was due to get the keys, I got put on crutches and in a boot.”

    And so, in a new country, feeling on top of the world, Koutroumbis had to start the new season from scratch within the dark walls of the gym.

    “There were some real lonely days up in the gym,” the Aussie said.

    “I had to push myself by myself. I was alone in my thoughts, but the message was always positive. I didn’t allow myself to go down that spiral of negativity. Simply put, these injuries happen. Some are more significant than others, but you’re going to come back one day, and you need to be ready.

    “The fitness side of things, knowing that training doesn’t replicate games, I knew training was the next best thing. I knew once I got back on the ground running that I would start to build that fitness.

    “I was in the hotel for three months instead of four weeks, and the hotel was small with no kitchen. I think the window only opened about 3cm. The sun was going down at 11pm, so not only did I suffer a bad injury, but it was also like I was living in a whole different world.

    “In Australia in the summer, the sun goes down around 8:30pm. Here, it’s 11pm. So I’m knackered, yawning, and it’s still daytime! Not being able to go to the supermarket was difficult. Luckily, there was a restaurant downstairs, but still, going down the hallway, getting the lift and sitting down there every night was an inconvenience.

    “There were a few boys in the hotel at the same time. I didn’t have a car, but the boys were helpful for a long time, taking me to and from training and to other places also. I’m forever grateful for that, but it just wasn’t a good time. I’ve been in a brace before and been on the boot and crutches, but that took the cake for the worst time I’ve had during an injury.”

    With the season commencing and Koutroumbis on the sidelines, he moved down the pecking order in a highly competitive squad. Even

    When he returned to fitness, game time would be limited, briefly making his debut as a late substitute against Dundee United.

    “I’m not saying I was guaranteed to play, but it didn’t give me the same playing field as the players who were fit,” Koutroumbis added.

    “And unfortunately, that’s how football goes. It’s about being patient sometimes when the cards that you’re dealt aren’t the cards you can play with. You just have to carry on and show resilience. You can’t just give up because things aren’t going your way.

    “Patience is a virtue, I guess, but I’d given up and sacrificed a lot to be here.To throw all that away just wouldn’t be me. Playing for a club like Motherwell, a club with a lot of rich history, a club that a few Aussies have played with too, is special. To have played for so long in Australia, and when I get my first opportunity to come here, throwing it away isn’t an option.

    “You try to do your best and show you’re trying to work to the same standard as the players that are fit and that have been playing. It’s just being available; that’s the biggest lesson. Boys do miss out on games because of injuries. They come back, and they’re on the bench because of the players in their position doing well.

    “It’s healthy competition, and I understand it very clearly now. If you’re given your chance, given your opportunity, you have to take it for every single moment you’re out on that pitch.”

    Having shown patience in abundance and continued to graft as hard as he could behind the scenes, Koutroumbis was handed his first start in Motherwell colours on Michael Wimmer’s first game against Dundee United.

    He has since worked his way into the starting 11 after coming on to replace an injured Kofi Balmer. Although he may not have amassed the appearances he wished for, he hasn’t let that get in the way of his mindset and approach to his professional career.

    “When it comes to training, your best isn’t going to be someone else’s best,” Koutroumbis said.

    “And your worst isn’t going to be someone else’s worst. I think if you stay true to yourself, you can happily say at the end of the day, whether it’s a game or a gym session, that you can walk off and say I’ve done my best today; I’m happy with that. I always try to keep my standards high for myself, and when the time comes, the opportunity, you grab it with both hands because life in football is way too short to regret.

    “Unfortunately, I’m only taking this on board with meaning now. Because now I reflect, and maybe I’m halfway through my career, but what could I have done if I had this mindset or mentality when I was 20 or 21? Where would I be? Who knows?

    “But that’s the thing I think about the most. I’ve said to the boys there’s so much emphasis on the start of next pre-season for me. Missing out on pre-season isn’t something anyone would think they would experience. I’m going to do things as normal over the summer and go from there. But I’m putting a lot of emphasis on next season.

    “I won’t make it back to Australia this summer. It’s a long trip just for a couple of weeks of holiday. It probably takes four days to adjust to the time zone, and then it’s obviously winter now, but from being here, I now know what winter actually is.

    “The Aussie winter doesn’t compare. I’ve missed a bit of the sun, so I’ll enjoy myself in Greece for a couple of weeks and reset, reflect and enjoy some time with my partner.”

  • Archive

    Lennon Miller included in Scotland squad

    Lennon Miller included in Scotland squad

    Lennon Miller has earned his second international call up to the Scotland squad. 

    Miller is one of six uncapped players named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the June international matches. Motherwell academy graduate Max Johnston has also been included in the squad.

    Scotland have two friendly matches lined up June. They take on Iceland at Hampden on Friday 6 June, before travelling to Liechtenstein on Monday 9 June.

    • Scotland v Iceland
    • Friday 6 June 2025
    • 7.45pm kick-off
    • Hampden Park, Glasgow

     

    • Liechtenstein v Scotland
    • Monday 9 June 2025
    • 5pm kick-off, UK time
    • Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz
  • First team

    A frantic finish to 2024/25 // Ross County 1-1 Motherwell

    500 Motherwell fans made the trip to the Highlands to see the final match of the season against Ross County. 

    A disappointing first-half performance saw the Steelmen one down at the break, but manager Michael Wimmer made changes at the interval that saw immediate impact.

    Gathering momentum in the game as it went on, Motherwell began to create more chances and eventually, Moses Ebiye headed home in the last 10 minutes.

    Chances would come for the winner, but in the end, a point and strong second-half performance has given fans cause for optimism going forward.

  • First team

    Michael Wimmer on final day draw

    Michael Wimmer gives his thoughts as his team draw 1-1 with Ross County in the final game of the 2024/25 season.

  • First team

    Ross County 1 – 1 Motherwell

    Ross County 1 – 1 Motherwell

    Motherwell rounded off the 2024/25 campaign with a point against Ross County in Dingwall.

    Motherwell fought tirelessly to secure victory on the final day of the 2024/25 Premiership campaign, but had to settle for a point, as the Staggies were consigned to the relegation playoffs for a third consecutive season. 

    Ronan Hale drilled home a lifeline midway through the first-half, as the Highland side sought to avert the final dreaded relegation place, with victory and favourable results elsewhere enough to preserve their Premiership status.

    Despite a frustrating first-half display, Motherwell dominated the second-half, with substitute Moses Ebiye sending the travelling supporters into raptures after bulleting home a magnificent header. 

    The Nigerian forward could’ve had a hat-trick in a memorable 20-minute cameo, but Motherwell couldn’t capitalise on their intense pressure in the County final third.

    Manager Michael Wimmer made six changes from the side that comfortably defeated Kilmarnock at Fir park on Wednesday evening. 

    Ellery Balcombe bidded farewell to the Fir Park faithful, starting between the sticks, with Steve Seddon, Davor Zdravkovski, Ewan Wilson, Will Dickson, and midweek goalscorer Luke Armstrong named in the starting XI. Academy starlets Campbell Forrest and Scott Williamson both earned a place on the bench. 

    County were first to threaten as Alex Samuel broke forward and looked to thread in Hale but Johnny Koutroumbis was alert to the danger, using his pace to recover and slide the ball out for a corner.

    Nightingale rose highest to nod goalwards but Balcombe showed safe hands to deny the defender.

    A pass out from defence to midfield was pounced upon and top-scorer Ronan Hale’s powerful shot was enough to beat Balcombe.

    The Steelmen had a couple of chances to level before the break but firstly Andy Halliday’s curling shot was straight at Jordan Amissah and then Luke Armstrong’s claimed for a penalty were waved away with VAR agreeing there was nothing in it.

    Michael Wimmer dipped into his bench at the break, bringing on Dom Thompsn and Tom Sparrow.

    A sweeping move up the park started by Kai Andrews who played Sparrow in down the right flank and although hi cross found Lennon Miller, his tame shot didn’t really trouble the County keeper.

    Koutroumbis’ inviting cross looked destined for Andy Halliday at the back post but it proved to be slightly too heavy.

    Ebiye kept a deep cross alive and teed up Callum Slattery whose shot stung the palms of Amissah.

    The second half was all Motherwell and they eventually got a deserved equaliser with ten to play. Tom Sparrow clipped in a great ball which Moses Ebiye duly dispatched, with a precise header.

    Ebiye almost instantly had a second, latching onto a hopeful long ball, but the forward couldn’t apply the finishing touches despite leaving himself one-on-one, with Jordan Amissah in the County goal. 

    A goalline scramble soon followed, as Motherwell piled on the pressure, but they couldn’t find the eventual winner under the highland sunshine.

  • First team

    Tom Sparrow previews Ross County

    Midfielder Tom Sparrow believes the security of extending his contract a couple of months ago will do him the world of good going into the 2025/26 season. 

    Sparrow explains that the manager has spoken about how he can add more goals to his game, and that he is delighted to see that extra work paying off on the pitch.