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Motherwell are in Friday night action under the lights when they take on Kilmarnock on Friday 20 December. 

Kick off is 7:45pm.

How to follow the game

What else is happening?

The match is being shown live on Premier Sports.

The Mark Sommerville Foundation will be on hand collecting money for a bucket collection. The Mark Sommerville Foundation aims to help those with an MND diagnosis as well as their loved ones.

They’re Just Giving Page can be found here.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan and Zach Robinson remain out for this game.

Tom Sparrow returned to action last time out against Dundee United. Tony Watt is eligible for selection.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell have bounced back from three straight defeats with two wins in their last last two. Saturday’s 4-3 win moved the Steelmen up to the fourth in the table.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos doubled his goal tally against United, with the Australian now on four goals.

Motherwell have faced Kilmarnock once this season, defeating Derek McInnes’ side 1-0 in the Premier Sports Cup thanks to an extra time winner from Moses Ebiye.

Opposition Report

Kilmarnock also won at the weekend, defeating Hearts 1-0 despite going down to ten men after just six minutes.

Robbie Deas will therefore miss the trip to Fir Park. That win over Hearts was Killie’s first win since the end of October, making it one win in their last seven games.

Bruce Anderson scored from the spot at the weekend, making him Kilmarnock’s top goalscorer this season with five. Anderson has scored in Killie’s last two outings, both from the penalty spot.

Marvin Kaleta didn’t take the traditional route to first-team football. Most would start young in the academy, working their way through the ranks before reaching the top. For Kaleta, he started to learn the trade at grassroots level with FC Sports.

It was there he played without any sort of coaching restrictions and simply enjoyed the game for what it was.

“It was my PE teacher who tried to convince my parents to let me play football,” he explained.

“He tried since I was in Year One, and eventually, when I was in Year Five, I joined the team. I was there for two years and then ended up at City Select type of thing. I was there for two months before I got a trial at Manchester City’s academy.

“The guy who scouted me was actually there to watch my friend on the other pitch. He ended up watching my game. I played well, and it all started from there.”

At the age of 13, Kaleta was in the City Academy, playing alongside Rico Lewis. It was at this point that he realised how much work he’d need to do to reach the level required.

“Being at City was a big achievement,” he said.

“At grassroots level, I was good. But when I got to the academy, it opened my eyes a lot. I trialled at Stoke and didn’t get in; I was at Blackburn at one point too. Going to these places helps you learn so much about football because growing up, I just played in the park, and it was all about beating my mates. It got more real and structured.

“I was actually a striker, believe it or not, a good one too! I used to play across the front line, moved to the wing, and then at City I went to right-back.

“With me, it was always about educating myself because I missed out on the fundamentals of football, the stuff kids learn from under 6s to under 12s. I played in parks my whole life; I needed to learn about the game.

“I feel like it shows with the way I play; sometimes I do things only I’d do. It just stems from how I used to play growing up.”

Having not been offered a scholar at Manchester City, Kaleta was on the move in 2021. Many clubs showed interest, but in the end he would choose Wolverhampton Wanderers as his new home.

“I just thought it would be the best move for me,” Kaleta added.

“It’s been good for me there. I’m my harshest critic. In my second year as a scholar, I lost focus a bit. I thought everything was going to be ok. I realised at the end of that season that it wasn’t a great year for me.

“I got injured due to lack of discipline. I wanted more f rom myself. I knew my contract was coming to an end, so I couldn’t play around.”

Having given himself a pep talk, Kaleta bucked up his ideas and started to really show his best. In the 2023/24 season, he was voted by his teammates as Players’ Player of the Year following the conclusion of the Premier League 2 season. As he racked up the playing minutes at Under 23 level, he always knew there would be another level that he’d have to reach.

“A loan move was always something I was looking at doing,” the 20-year-old explained.

“It just depended on how my season went. I actually tore my hamstring in March; that kind of changed the perspective on when I’d go on loan.

“I thought it wouldn’t be until January, but to my surprise, Motherwell came in. I wasn’t turning that down; no team comes twice. I knew it was sink or swim, so I told my agent I wanted to go.

“Here, I’ve learnt how hard you need to compete. Anyone can beat anyone in this league, and every week you’ve got to be prepared.”

With the loan move complete during the summer months, the next issue was fitness. With Kaleta not playing a competitive game since March and having only been back a week into the Wolves pre-season, a programme was designed to help build the full-back’s sharpness up.

“I returned to training in May, and then in the offseason, I was more in the gym to make sure the injury didn’t return,” he stated.

“I’d only played 45 minutes of football on the Friday and then moved on the Sunday. I heard there was a right back injured; that was how the loan materialised. It was a good opportunity; loans are for learning.”

Featuring in the B side’s Trust Trophy match and some appearances off the bench in the latter stages of matches, Kaleta was slowly building up. And with patience and determination, the day arrived.

“I had been training normally during the week,” he said.

“On the Friday, the manager pulled me and told me straight that I’d be starting against Celtic. He also said to me that he trusted me and believed in me. That gave me the confidence.”

Having been handed his first start in professional football against the Scottish champions, Kaleta was chuffed with himself. And with a midweek game following shortly afterwards, not everything went to plan.

“The Dundee United game was on the Wednesday, and I was really ill,” he laughed.

“I remember hearing I was starting again, and I thought, I can’t tell the gaffer I’m ill! He’s just given me my first start. I’d worked so hard to get the shirt; I couldn’t put it back in his hands.

“So, I remember the first-half was tough. Playing against a good winger, but at half time the gaffer backed me. He said to play to my strengths. The second-half was much better, and we got a good result going into the semi final.

“I was more nervous for that game at Hampden, but to have that experience at the age of 20 is special. I’m really grateful. All the chatter in the build up was about how these chances don’t come around a lot.

“Hopefully, I’ll get more opportunities to play in a semi, but I’ll be better for that experience.”

Kaleta is making the most of his chance in the first-team. A strong November saw him nominated for the club’s player of the month award, as well as making the league’s team of the week for his performance against St Johnstone. He’s taken the transition to first-team like a duck to water and puts a lot of that down to the changing room.

Accountability is a big thing here,” he said.

“The environment invites people to be themselves. If you make a mistake, you can hold your hands up. It’s not a toxic changing room; people accept mistakes. We demand better f rom each other, which has helped me settle in. You’ve got the backing from your teammates.

“Steve [Seddon] is a big help to me. He’ll help me on or off the pitch, giving advice on scenarios. The move has exceeded my expectations to this point. I want to avoid injury and keep gaining experience.”

It wad fourth versus fifth in the William Hill Premiership at Fir Park, with Dundee United making the trip down from the city of discovery. 

Both teams knew that the winner would sit fourth in the table following the match, and a tight game was what followed.

Motherwell got off to the best possible start with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos netting inside the first minute. A dubious penalty decision would get United level before ten minutes.

Andy Halliday and Stamatelopoulos got on the scoresheet prior to the half time mark, with the Steelmen sitting pretty. However, Jim Goodwin’s side didn’t go away and Sam Dalby would find the back of the net to half the deficit.

Tom Sparrow returned to action and made an impact from the bench, scoring his third of the season. Former Motherwell man Louis Moult got his second goal of the season at Fir Park but Motherwell held on for an impressive win.

Assistant manager Stephen Frail speaks following Motherwell’s 4-3 victory over Dundee United in the William Hill Premiership.

Motherwell produced a wonderful attacking performance to edge out Dundee United in a seven-goal thriller and leapfrog the Tannadice side to claim fourth spot in the William Hill Premiership table.

Goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Sam Dalby inside the first five minutes set the scene for an action-packed afternoon. Two quickfire goals from Halliday and Stamatelopoulos set up the Fir Park men for a thoroughly merited 3-1 lead at the interval.

A slice of fortune then allowed Dalby to narrow the gap before Tom Sparrow came off the bench to make it 4-2. The points looked safe until Louis Moult pulled one back for United, leaving eight minutes of pulsating action before ‘Well could deservedly claim all three points.

With last week’s match winner, Tony Watt, unable to face his parent club; Tawanda Maswanhise came in to partner Apostolos Stamatelopoulos in the ‘Well attack.

The United front line was led by the former Fir Park goal hero, Louis Moult, who scored against the Steelmen on his last visit in September.

But the home side made the perfect start, finding the net after only 47 seconds.

Marvin Kaleta worked a quick exchange on the right-hand side of the box before sweeping the ball into the six-yard box, where Stamatelopoulos nipped in front of Declan Gallagher and prodded the ball past Jack Walton.

Before the Steelmen could build on that lead, though, United were level thanks to VAR’s intervention.

Referee Nick Walsh saw nothing wrong with Liam Gordon’s challenge as the defender cleared the ball before colliding into Moult. But after the referee reviewed the incident on the trackside monitor, he pointed to the penalty spot. Dalby converted with a side-footed effort into the net, sending Aston Oxborough the wrong way to make it 1-1.

‘Well had an early chance to restore their lead when Andy Halliday fed the ball through to Harry Paton. With the goal begging 12 yards away, Emmanuel Adegboyega’s sliding challenge robbed the Canadian midfielder of a strike.

United’s reply was a close-range effort from Dalby, which Oxborough reacted superbly to push the ball round the post.

That was the only relief on the visitors goal as ‘Well pressed United into their own half.

Lennon Miller’s pass allowed Maswanhise to turn at the edge of the box before driving the ball across Walton and beyond his far post.

A couple of minutes later, the home side came close again. Halliday swept the ball from the right into Stamatelopoulos’ path, who drilled his shot narrowly past the other post.

Finally, after 33 minutes, the Steelmen found the target again. Maswanhise wriggled clear on the right before crossing the ball beyond the far post. Steve Seddon took a touch and then fired the ball low back across the box for Halliday to force it into the net.

Jim Goodwin’s men had no time to reply before falling two behind.

Miller slipped the ball to Halliday, and his lofted pass towards Walton’s goal found Stamatelopoulos rising unchallenged, and the Australian guided his header high past the ‘keeper to make it 3-1.

And it might have been a fourth in additional time when Luca Stephenson’s high boot caught Paton inside the box, but on this occasion the referee and VAR decided it was not a penalty.

The second half started with Motherwell showing the same intent.

A neat move after 51 minutes found Kaleta on the right, and his ball across the box gave Stamatelopoulos a chance to test Walton with a low shot.

Two minutes later, though, United were back in the game. Glenn Middleton’s high cross into the six-yard area enticed Oxborough from his line. But when the ‘Well ‘keeper failed to connect, the ball bounced off Dalby and into an empty net.

As the visitors chased an equaliser, the play became rather frantic, and Stuart Kettlewell freshened things up, bringing on Tom Sparrow and Ewan Wilson.

However, it took two miraculous saves from Oxborough to atone for his error and preserve his side’s lead.

Moult was the provider in the 64th minute when his cross was met by Dalby, whose downward header was brilliantly palmed away from his goal line by the ‘keeper’s left hand.

Two minutes later, Moult almost added to his haul of goals at Fir Park, but his thumping drive was superbly touched on to the face of his crossbar by Oxborough.

That proved a crucial save as a minute later, ‘Well regained their two-goal advantage.

Stamatelopoulos gathered the ball at the edge of the box and rolled it in front of Sparrow, who deftly drilled it low past Walton to make it 4-2.

Two more changes from the home bench saw Stephen O’Donnell return from injury and Moses Ebiye join the attack.

And with his first touch, the Nigerian striker’s low drive forced a diving save from Walton.

With Sam Nicholson making another late appearance on his comeback from serious injury, the points looked safe and secure until United pulled another goal back four minutes from time.

Middleton’s corner was firmly met by Holt, who powered home his header and set up a nail-biting finish.

Given the explosive opening to the game, four minutes of additional time provided action for more goals.

Well had the chance to make it five, and round off a wonderful game when O’Donnell broke from his own half. But with four in claret in amber racing towards the United goal Walton raced from his line to end the threat but unable to deny the Steelmen a terrific win.

Motherwell team: Oxborough, Kaleta, Casey, Gordon, Blaney, Seddon, Halliday, Paton, Miller (C), Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos.

Motherwell subs: Hegyi, O’Donnell, Balmer, Zdravkovski, Sparrow, Nicholson, Wilson, Ebiye, Tavares. 

Motherwell have a number of players out on loan at present. Below, we take a look at how they got on in the last four weeks. 

Matty Connelly

Matty Connelly is now on 20 appearances for East Kilbride this season. An impressive 2-0 win over Celtic B has put Kilby at the top of the Lowland League tree at the weekend, and they followed it up with a comfortable 4-1 win over Broomhill midweek.

It’s been an exciting month for Connelly. He started and played every minute since our last report, despite a short spell back at Motherwell to cover the absence of Krisztián Hegyi.

Connelly played the full 90 as Championship side Falkirk knocked East Kilbride out of the Scottish Cup. They still have a semi-final tie in the Challenge Cup against Queen’s Park to look forward to.

Max Ross

Max Ross is up to eight appearances for Albion Rovers. He had started all of the last eight games for Rovers but missed out in their most recent match against Tranent.

Albion Rovers are on 27 points after 18 games. They’re seventh in the table.

Brannan McDermott

With matches postponed, Brannan McDermott has only played two game since our last loan report.

That was a 3-2 defeat to Stirling University and a 4-1 defeat midweek against East Kilbride. He played the full 90 in both matches.

Olly Whyte

Olly Whyte has now played 22 games for Cowdenbeath as he continues to impress in the middle of the pitch.

Since the last loan report, Cowdenbeath have exited the Scottish Cup. Brechin won 4-1 after extra time, where Whyte played the full 120.

That has been one of three games since the last report. In the other two, Whyte has started and played the full match. He netted a brace against Linlithgow Rose last Saturday, helping his side towards a 2-0 victory.

That was Cowdenbeath’s third victory in the Lowland League, moving them five points ahead of bottom.

Dylan Wells

After a delayed start to the action for Edinburgh City, Dylan Wells has now made his debut and has played three times.

Edinburgh City are flying in the league, winning all four of their last four matches in League Two.

Wells made his debut against Peterhead. He came on at half-time and played the second-half. He was then a substitute for his second appearance against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup, where the Citizens fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Having impressed from the bench, he was handed his first start on Saturday against Stirling Albion, where he scored after 38 minutes. City won 3-0 with Wells coming off in stoppage time.

Filip Stuparevic

Filip Stuparevic has made one further appearance since our last report. The Serbian netted a double against Raith Rovers in November, taking his goal tally to four for the season.

He has picked up a knock and missed out on their most recent match against Livingston.

Luca Ross

Luca Ross has made two further appearances for Annan, having recovered from a minor injury.

The winger was brought into the action on Saturday against Cover Rangers for the last ten minutes. Annan drew 1-1.

With Dumbarton and Inverness both receiving 15-point deductions for entering administration, Annan are 10th in the table, eight clear of Inverness.

Mark Ferrie

Mark Ferrie has now played nine games for Bonnyrigg Rose this season, with their match being postponed last Saturday against Spartans.

Ferrie has started three out of the last four games, with Bonnyrigg’s last loss in the league coming back in early October.

Despite a six-point deduction, Bonnyrigg are only three points off of the promotion playoff spots.

Having made his first appearance of the season against St Mirren last weekend, Sam Nicholson reflects on what he describes as his most frustrating injury in his career, and talks about how good it feels to be back in action. 

Admitting he still needs to build up fitness and sharpness, Nicholson is determined to build up his minutes in a Motherwell shirt this season and also explains how the tightness of the group helped him through his darker days.

Assistant Manager Stephen Frail will be leading in the dugout this weekend due to manager Stuart Kettlewell serving a one-game touchline ban but insists that this won’t alter any pre-match messaging and says the manager will be in constant contact during the game. 

The Motherwell number two discusses the fitness of Paul McGinn, Ross Callachan and Callum Slattery, as well as explaining the thought process behind playing Jair Tavares in a slightly different position.

The women of steel fought valiantly against title-chasers Rangers, battling till the final whistle in an intense physical contest, but their efforts were left unrewarded as Rangers’ defensive backline held out for the three points under the thick fog at K-Park. 

Head Coach Paul Brownlie named four changes to the side that completed a seven-goal advantage over SWPL2 outfit Rossvale in the Scottish Cup last weekend. Goalkeeper Emily Mutch and Katie Rice both returned to the starting XI, with Rebecca Cameron and Bailley Collins both taking their place on the bench. Despite three key first-team players ineligible – namely Laura Berry, Mason Clark and Sophie Black – against their parent club, Motherwell maintained their standards in an assured and competitive performance over the league leaders.

Rangers opened the scoring after only seven minutes, with Katie Wilkinson’s glancing header finding the target after escaping her marker to prod home Lizzie Arnot’s dangerous delivery across the face of goal. From that point, Rangers’ early dominance subsided, and the hosts started to find a foothold in the game. Rachel Todd’s ambitious effort from distance had Jenna Fife scrambling in the Rangers goal, but the Gers were able to maintain their lead as the half-time whistle blew and the freezing cold temperatures continued to drop in East Kilbride.

As the second-half resumed, Motherwell were firmly in the ascendency, pinning the Rangers backline deep into their own half in an assured passage of play from the hosts. An enticing through ball had Louisa Boyes darting through the centre of the Rangers final third, but the midfielder couldn’t find a clean connection on the ball; sending her attempt over the crossbar.

Motherwell continued two threaten, with second-half substitute Lucy Barclay coming close to a dramatic late equaliser, sending her powerful low effort past the post. Motherwell will be motivated by their performance, when they travel to the Scottish capital this weekend to face fellow top-six side Hibernian at Meadowbank.

Motherwell welcome Dundee United to Fir Park on Saturday 14 December in the William Hill Premiership. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

What else is happening?

Shelter Scotland will be at Fir Park on Saturday, with pop-ups in the Cooper Car Park and away turnstiles.

They are looking for good-quality, pre-loved clothing and accessories. These can be any clothing items, including coats, jackets, jumpers, scarves, gloves, and hats, which are all especially welcomed at this time of year. The link below also outlines the full list of what items they can and can’t accept to their shops.

For more, click here.

Spotlight Shotts are on hand collecting money for a bucket collection.

They help residents of Shotts and surrounding districts to be able to enjoy plays, world-class music, comedy shows, children’s theatre, puppets, and storytelling without having to spend time and money on train and bus fares or worrying how to manage the bus and train journeys.

For more information, please visit their website.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Jack Vale, Ross Callachan, Tom Sparrow and Zach Robinson remain out for this game.

Stephen O’Donnell was fit enough for the bench on Saturday against St Mirren. Tony Watt is ineligible.

Stuart Kettlewell will be serving a one-game touchline ban for an accumulation of yellow cards.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell got back to winning ways last time out against St Mirren. Tony Watt’s late winner put an end to a three-game losing run and closed the gap to fourth to just two points.

After 15 games last season, Motherwell were on 14 points. The Steelmen are eight points better off this time round.

These two teams have met twice already this season, once in the league and once in the Premier Sports Cup. Both times, Motherwell won 2-1.

Opposition Report

Dundee United currently occupies fourth place in the table after a strong start to the season.

The Tangerines are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning two and drawing three. Their last defeat came against Motherwell at Tannadice at the end of October.

Sam Dalby is the man in form in the division. The 25-year-old has scored six goals in the last eight games, including a run of four games where he scored consecutively. The Welshman picked up the SPFL Player of the Month award for November.