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The October International break saw four Motherwell players leave ML1 to represent their countries.

Liam Kelly

Scotland suffered defeat in both games but it ended up being an eventful few days for our number one.

Kelly had to watch from the bench as the Scots narrowly lost 2-0 to Spain, with Scott McTominay’s goal being controversially ruled out.

But results on Sunday evening meant that Scotland had successfully qualified for the European Championships in Germany next year. A great achievement for Steve Clarke’s men, with qualifying games to spare .

On Tuesday, Liam was rewarded for his hard work and dedication with a start against the World Cup finalists France, earning his first cap for the National team.

Billy Gilmour gave Scotland an early lead but the home side roared back and scored three before half-time including the surreal sight of Kylian Mbappé, one of the best players in the world, stepping up to take a penalty into Motherwell’s goalkeeper.

Kelly became the first Motherwell goalkeeper to represent Scotland since Allan McClory in 1934.

Harry Paton

Paton embarked on a 5,700 mile journey to take on Japan and on a personal note, it proved to a be a worthwhile trip as he finally earned his first Canada cap.

With his team already 4-0 down, manager Mauro Biello rewarded the midfielder with his first appearance in the 61st minute as he replaced CF Montréal’s Sam Piette.

Junior Hoilett scored a consolation goal in the last minute as Japan proved to be too strong at the Denka Big Swan Stadium.

Paton will be looking for the chance to represent his country once again when the Canadians return to CONCACAF Nations League action in November.

Lennon Miller

With two friendly matches lined up, Scotland Under 19s based their camp in Murcia with a double header against Ireland and Portugal.

In their first match, Lennon Miller was named in the starting 11 and played 70 minutes of the match. Unfortunately, it would be a 2-0 loss for the Scots.

In their second match against Portugal, the young Scots lost 1-2. Miller played the full 90 minutes but a late goal from Aston Villa’s Rory Wilson wasn’t enough to prevent defeat in Spain.

Brodie Spencer

Northern Ireland kicked off their home double-header with a 3-0 win over San Marino at Windsor Park.

Spencer came on with ten minutes to go as Northern Ireland recorded their second win of their Euro 2024 Qualifying campaign

The lost their second game 0-1 against Slovenia, with Spencer being an unused sub as Michael O’Neill’s ten-men chased a deficit from the fifth minute.

It’s not been an easy road to Motherwell for Irishman Dan Casey, but it’s a journey he feels he has learned a lot about himself because of it. 

Just the average young boy growing up in the streets of Dublin, Dan found a love for Rugby and Gaelic Football but his one, true love was playing football.

Despite his late grandfather Patrick Casey being an Irish international rugby star, Dan opted to choose football as his chosen profession and at the young age of just 15, he moved away from home to Sunderland.

His first learning curve would come when he would be released by the English side and returned to his homeland to play for Bohemians and Cork.

With normal life turned upside down for everyone due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dan had a decision to make. Leave everything and everyone behind to move to America to play in California or remain at home and turn the opportunity down.

He would move across the world and in those dark, lonely nights confined to a flat with no family or friends near him, he became a stronger person.

Now in ML1 and securing a two-year deal, his life is now at Motherwell, somewhere he is truly loved by supporters and ready to make an impact.

We have ten players currently out on loan, who have been in action this past month. 

Ricki Lamie

Since his debut against St Johnstone, Ricki Lamie is yet to miss a minute of action for Dundee. Three draws and a defeat for the Dee leave them 10th in the cinch Premiership. The centre back picked up an assist in a 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock in September.

Their most recent game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch against Ross County.

Nathan McGinley

Joining Partick Thistle on loan until January on the deadline day for loan deals, McGinley was thrown straight onto the bench for Thistle’s match against Dunfermline.

He would be an unused substitute against Dunfermline and was so again a week later, against Inverness CT.

Partick Thistle are currently third in the Championship, four points off the top with McGinley looking for regular game time having returned from a long-term injury this summer.

Ewan Wilson

Ewan Wilson made a loan switch to Stirling Albion and has wasted no time in making an impact at the Albion.

He made is debut against Cove Rangers in a 2-2 draw, where he played 80 minutes of the match before putting in a man of the match performance in Stirling’s 1-0 win against Queen of the South at Palmerston on Saturday.

The 18-year-old notched an assist as he continues his progression with the League 1 side for the remainder of the campaign with Stirling currently sitting fifth in the table.

Sam Campbell

Since our last loan update, Sam Campbell has found regular minutes tricky to come by with Annan Athletic.

The young centre-back has only featured once since 26 August, however that came last Saturday against Cove Rangers when he was a half time substitute.

Annan were 2-0 down at the half time stage, with Campbell coming on in the second half looking to stiffen the defensive line up, the Galabankies came close to an impressive comeback however narrowly lost the game 3-2.

Robbie Garcia

Robbie Garcia continues to work away at Cowdenbeath, with the 17-year-old now up to five appearances for the Lowland League side.

He played 77 minutes in their extra time win over Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Cup and started again against Cumbernauld Colts the following week.

Garcia played 10 minutes in their last outing, which was a 3-2 win over Gretna which leaves the Blue Brazil 9th in the table.

Barry Maguire

It’s been a tricky start to the season for Kidderminster Harriers in the National League, with them currently sitting second bottom in the standings.

Despite this, Barry Maguire has been handed plenty minutes on the pitch so far. With nine appearances already for the Worcestershire side, Maguire has started five and been a substitute in four games.

A 1-0 win in their last outing against Wealdstone, could just be the trigger for a run of form. Maguire and Kidderminster are in FA Cup action this weekend, in the fourth qualifying round, against Ashton United.

Ross Tierney

Ross Tierney and Walsall are in action this evening in the EFL Cup, taking on Forest Green Rovers.

Since our last update, Walsall have played five matches, winning one, drawing one and losing three. Tierney recorded an assist in a 3-1 win against Bradford in that time, and has started all three of the last three games.

Adam MacDonald

Adam MacDonald has started the last three matches for Cowdenbeath, in all competitions.

The attacking midfielder has now racked up 10 appearances for the Lowland League side this season, scoring two goals in the process.

Robbie Mahon

Robbie Mahon has a new manager at Edinburgh City in the form of Michael McIndoe, who joined the club this week.

Mahon has made two substitute appearances in the last month, where he managed an assist for City’s only goal of the game against Kelty Hearts last weekend.

With ten appearances to his name this season, the new era at Edinburgh City starts against Hamilton Accies at New Douglas Park.

Mark Ferrie

Mark Ferrie made his debut for Stenhousemuir against Clyde in a 2-2 draw. The striker featured for 13 minutes as a second half substitute.

Stenny’s latest match against Elgin City was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

In their final match before the October international break, Motherwell were on the road to West Lothian to face Livingston. 

It has been a tricky period for Stuart Kettlewell’s side of late, with three defeats on the spin heading into the match.

Very few chances were created in the first half, with Dan Casey’s speculative effort going closest to opening the scoring but the game would spin on it’s head when Lennon Miller saw red for an apparent clip on Dan Mackay right on the stroke of half time.

From then on, Motherwell couldn’t get a hold of the game and soon went behind thanks to a Bruce Anderson finish early on in the second half.

Sean Kelly would score past his brother Liam from the penalty spot just after the hour mark to make it 2-0 and seal the points for the home side.

There would be no doubt the red card changed the game however the Steelmen will be disappointed with their performance and now look to bounce back against St Johnstone in two weeks time.

We have four players away on international duty in October. 

Liam Kelly

Liam Kelly may have missed last month’s Scotland matches due to a back injury, but our skipper is back in the squad again this month, with the dark blues in action twice.

On the cusp of qualifying for EURO 2024, Scotland travel to Spain on Thursday 12 October knowing if they win or draw, they will earn qualification. The other match in the group could also play a factor. If Norway draw or lose in Cyprus, then Scotland will qualify.

If neither of these happen, Scotland can qualify on Sunday 15 October if Norway lose or draw at home to Spain.

In their second match, Scotland travel to France to take on Les Bleus in a friendly match on Tuesday 17 October.

Lennon Miller

Lennon Miller is once again in the Scotland Under 19 squad and they too, have two matches lined up this month.

First up, is a friendly against Ireland on Wednesday 11 October before facing Portugal on Sunday 15 October.

Both are friendly matches and both take place in Murcia.

Brodie Spencer

One of our September player of the month nominees, Brodie Spencer earned a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad this month.

They are in action twice in EURO 2024 qualifiers with both matches taking place in Belfast.

First up, they face San Marino on Saturday 14 October at Windsor Park. Slovenia then travel to Belfast on Tuesday 17 October.

Harry Paton

Having come so close to earning his first cap for his country, Harry Paton has had to wait two years to get back in the Canadian squad but the midfielder has done just that this month.

Travelling to Japan to take on the national team in a friendly match on Friday 13 October in their only match this month, Paton has completed his first goal of getting in the squad and now looks to earn his first cap.

Motherwell suffered their fourth defeat on the spin in West Lothian on Saturday, losing 2-0 to Livingston. 

Lennon Miller was shown a red card on the stroke of half time before Bruce Anderson and Sean Kelly made sure of the points in the second half.

The home side started on the front foot and nearly took the lead after just two minutes when Ayo Obileye headed just wide from a corner.

Brodie Spencer had Motherwell’s first real chance of the game. Sneaking in at the back post, the full-back headed back across goal, only for his effort to land just wide of the mark.

With the half of football producing few chances, Dan Casey went closest next. A speculative effort from a free kick just inside the Livingston half, the Irishman spotted goalkeeper Shamal George off his line before sailing an effort goal wards. The stopper managed to get back onto his line just in time and tipped the effort over bar.

The game would be completely changed just before the break. A Motherwell free kick turned into a Livingston counter attack and Daniel Mackay was put in behind the Motherwell backline. Miller was the furthest man back and the Livi winger cut across the 17-year-old and referee Don Robertson deemed there to be enough contact to justify a red card for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity and sent Miller for an early bath.

Getting into the break on level terms was the first step for Motherwell but the next was to keep it tight in the early exchanges of the second period. Unfortunately, the hosts found the back of the net on 53 minutes. Anderson got on the end of a low cross into the box and finished past Liam Kelly.

Within ten minutes, it was 2-0. James Penrice was impeded by Bevis Mugabi in the area and a penalty was awarded. Facing his brother between the sticks, Sean Kelly stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. 2-0.

Just after 70 minutes, Robertson pointed to the spot after Georgie Gent had apparently fouled Jason Holt in the box. VAR intervened and deemed the foul to have taken outside the box.

The match would finish 2-0 and gave the hosts their first win at home this season. Motherwell remain in fifth place going into the second international break of the season.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the defeat to Livingston.

• Frustrated verging on angry

• Naivety lead to the red card

• Unorganised

Our match with Ross County has been moved to Tuesday 5 December.

Kick-off is 7.45pm at the Global Energy Stadium.

The change in date was requested by Ross County, with both clubs agreeing to the alteration.

Canadian midfielder received his first international call up in two years this week, with Canada taking on Japan in a friendly match. 

Yet to get his first cap, the midfielder has earned his spot in the latest squad having put in a string of impressive performances.

Enjoying his football and enjoying his time at the club, Paton says he feels settled at Motherwell and likes coming to his work everyday. With a trip to Livingston on the horizon, he is fully aware of the obstacle in front of his team in the form of David Martindale’s Livingston but feels the team has been playing well and should be confident going into the match.

Callum Slattery is your G4 Claims player of the month. 

Winning the award for the first time since his arrival in 2021, Slattery was voted the top performer for the month of September.

Scoring the winning goal against Hearts at Tynecastle, Slattery made it four goals for the season.

With a pass accuracy of 91% against Rangers, he made nine interceptions and won 80% of his defensive duals against Celtic and St Mirren.

A box-to-box midfielder, he has been instrumental in linking the play from to front and has been operating in a more forward area of the pitch.