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Alfred Johansson gives his views on a 0-2 defeat to Hearts at Fir Park.

Motherwell lost their sixth William Hill Premiership match in a row on Sunday afternoon, as Hearts took all three points from Fir Park. 

Claudio Braga opened the scoring in the first-half, before Calvin Miller came off the bench to seal the win in the latter stages of the game.

With Storm Boelo in full flow and gusts of up to 55 mph, the Fir Park surface was looking as slick as ever when teams emerged from the tunnel. Alfred Johansson made changes from last week’s defeat at Kilmarnock, with Jake Girdwood-Reich and Dylan Levitt brought into the team. Jordan McGhee was handed his first start for the club since joining in the summer of 2025, as he took his place in the heart of the midfield.

Lukas Fadinger wasn’t in the squad due to illness, with Alex Lowry also absent. Regan Charles-Cook was also back in the squad following his spell on the sidelines.

Hearts arrived in North Lanarkshire fresh off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Trabzonspor in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night in Turkey, and with their own injury troubles hampering the availability of a number of their players, Wouter Vrancken’s side still looked sharp after a difficult week.

But after just three minutes, Motherwell had their first half chance. A back place got fired towards the Hearts keeper; under pressure from Seb Palmer-Houlden, he nicked in, and his touch took the ball into the side netting.

Hearts reacted quickly, with Josh McPake set away by Claudio Braga; the Scotland international’s shot was blocked by Tom Sparrow.

Emmanuel Longelo charged up the left wing after 14 minutes, and with space continuing to appear in front of him, his run took him to the left edge of the box, and his strike was saved by Beau Reus.

McGhee also had a go a minute later as he ran onto Joe Hodge’s layoff, but Reus was again a match for the effort.

Hearts then grew into the game and opened the scoring on 28 mins. Braga was alive in the penalty area when a cross came in from the right-hand side, his glancing header nestled into the bottom corner, giving the Jambos the lead.

Six minutes later, Motherwell could have been level, however. Reus’ poor distribution allowed Levitt to pick up possession 25-yards from the goal. The Welshman shifted the ball onto his left foot, but his effort was palmed away by the keeper, who redeemed himself for his earlier error.

Johansson’s side continued to battle. Ibrahim Said wriggled free from three Hearts defenders and fizzed a cross out wide to Longelo; his cross was aiming for Tawanda Maswanhise at the back post, but Stephen Kinglsey recovered just in time to clear. From that resulting corner, Palmer-Houlden was on the end of the delivery and, with his back to the goal, attempted an acrobatic effort to try and get the ball on target, but the ball landed just over the crossbar and onto the roof of the net.

At half-time, Motherwell may have considered themselves unfortunate to be behind given the chances, but Hearts had the advantage going into the second-half, and with the wind in their favour.

But Motherwell came out firing and looked threatening going forward. Joe Hodge found himself in the penalty area and flashed a shot across the face of goal, but nobody in a Motherwell shirt was on hand to convert.

The Steelmen then struck the woodwork, as Longelo’s corner came off the near post. Palmer-Houlden continued to run in behind, and on 61 minutes, the forward didn’t give up on what looked like a lost cause through-ball, and managed to get a shot away from a very tight angle that forced the save from Reus.

Jardell Kanga and Eythor Bjørgolfsson were introduced shortly after, and the latter had a golden opportunity to level the game. Tawanda Maswanhise played a low ball into the box, and the Norwegian striker peeled off his marker but couldn’t connect with the ball.

Three minutes later, on the opposite side, Longelo and Kanga combined with the former, played in behind. The full-back picked out Bjørgolfsson in the area, but again, he couldn’t connect with the ball.

Kanga and Hodge looked lively again on the left-wing, with Kanga slipping Hodge in. The midfielder burst into the box, but his shot was blocked by Reus.

The chance kept on coming for the Steelmen. Hodge again got himself into a dangerous position in the box; his shot was deflected high into the sky, and Bjørgolfsson got himself underneath it; however, his header was saved by a diving Reus, who once again prevented a leveller.

Energy in the home stands was high, as it seemed Motherwell would eventually get their deserved goal before the full-time whistle. But on 86 minutes, an O’Donnell clearance landed at Miller’s feet on the edge of the box; he blasted into the bottom corner with his left to secure the points for his side.

Alex Paulsen was called into action one final time in the last minute, denying Stephen Kingsley with a smart stop.

Motherwell Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, Girdwood-Reich, Moormann, Longelo, Hodge, McGhee, Levitt, Said, Palmer-Houlden, Maswanhise.

Motherwell Subs: Connelly, O’Donnell, Knight-Lebel, Booth, Wilson, Vogt, Bjørgolfsson, Kanga.

The Steelmen take on Hearts in the William Hill Premiership this afternoon at Fir Park. 

Kick off is 2pm.

Tickets

You can buy tickets online by CLICKING HERE.

• Young Adults tickets are ages 13-17.
•  Concessions are classed as, Over 65, Full Time Students
• Child is 12 and Under

On Match days, the Ticket Office is open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

How to Watch

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.

The match is being shown live on Premier Sports.

Show Racism the Red Card

We are proudly continuing our support for Show Racism the Red Card during our match against Hearts.

For more information, please visit the Show Racism the Red Card website by CLICKING HERE.

Weather Forecast

There will be gusty winds of up to 50 mph on Sunday in Motherwell, with spots of rain. Temperatures will be nine degrees.

Other Fan Information

The Cooper Bar will be open from 11am until kick-off. It will re-open for one hour post-match for those looking to avoid the traffic.

The Centenary Suite is open from 12pm, and will also be open for one hour post-match. The 91 Lounge is open from 12:45pm and will be open for one hour post-match.

Mrs Baillie’s Fanzone will be CLOSED.

St Andrews will be collecting money via bucket collection.

Block E are holding a food collection outside the Cooper Stand from 12:30pm. They are looking for non-perishable items that will be donated to Motherwell foodbanks.

The Well Shop is open from 11:30 am until kick-off, then for 30 minutes after the final whistle.

Please check your journey ahead of departure and allow extra time on the roads.

Emmanuel Longelo believes staying level headed and calm during this difficult run will stand the team in good stead going forward.

The full-back explains the manager’s impact and how he’s helping the squad during this losing run.

Alfred Johansson says he’ll draw on previous experience in Norway to help guide his squad through this bump in the road. Motherwell are looking to end a losing run of five matches against Hearts on Sunday in the William Hill Premiership, with the Motherwell boss citing a difficult run at Rosenborg as an example of what can happen when you turn things around.

Johansson is looking forward to facing Hearts, and wants to see the squad as a collective improve this weekend.

Checking in on our boys out on loan. 

Olly Whyte

Olly Whyte has continued his 100% record of starting matches for Ayr United this season, with the midfielder now on seven appearances for the season.

In those four games since our September report, Ayr have won one and drawn one. The Honest Men are on 12 points after 11 games and sit seventh in the standings.

• Appearances: 7
• Starts: 7
• Goals: 0 

Luca Ross

Luca Ross has played five games for Alloa Athletic since our report four weeks ago, starting four of those five matches. Alloa lost two of the league matches Ross played in but has faired much better in the KDM Evolution Trophy, beating Hibernian B and drawing with Gala Fairydean Rovers and Annan Athletic.

Ross registered an assist in the 4-1 win over the Hibees last month, his first in Alloa colours. After ending a losing run against East Fife last weekend, Alloa are now sixth in the table on 12 points after 11 games, four points away from the promotion playoffs.

• Appearances: 7
• Starts: 5
• Goals: 0

Lucas Weir

Lucas Weir made his debut for Cowdenbeath at the start of the month in the Scottish Cup, coming on as a sub with ten minutes to play in a 4-0 win over Berwick Rangers.

Weir was on the bench for Cowdenbeath’s 2-2 draw with Bonnyrigg Rose as he continued to play for Motherwell B in the KDM Evolution Trophy.

• Appearances: 1
• Starts: 0
• Goals: 0

Aaron Thomson

Aaron Thomson came on as a second-half substitute for Spartans last weekend, as he made his debut for the League Two side against Spartans.

Thomson has continued to play for Motherwell B during their KDM Evolution Trophy campaign, whilst also missing games as he represented Scotland’s Under 19s.

• Appearances: 1
• Starts: 0
• Goals: 0

Zander McAllister

Zander McAllister also made his debut for Spartans in October and played a second time against Edinburgh City in a 3-1 win.

Spartans sit fourth in the table, on 15 points after 11 games.

McAllister has continued to play for Motherwell B during their KDM Evolution Trophy campaign, whilst also missing games as he represented Scotland’s Under 19s.

• Appearances: 2
• Starts: 0
• Goals: 0

Nine years ago, Motherwell fans made the trip to the south side of Glasgow hoping to see their team reach their first domestic cup final since 2011.

A dominant and memorable 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Fir Park had given Stephen Robinson’s side the opportunity to make history and offered the Motherwell faithful hope of lifting silverware for the first time since 1991.

As always when facing one of Glasgow’s big two, the odds were stacked firmly against the claret and amber. But in the build-up, optimism was certainly high in the Motherwell camp.

In the league, Motherwell and Rangers were close. Robinson’s men sat fourth in the table heading into the semi-final, with Rangers just a point ahead in third. Pedro Caixinha’s side created chances in the early stages, but goalkeeper Trevor Carson remained calm under pressure.

Louis Moult and Ryan Bowman led the line for the Steelmen, continuing to cause the Rangers defence all manner of problems with their physical presence and high work rate. As the first half progressed, however, Motherwell’s confidence grew and the pressure on Jak Alnwick began to mount. Moult, Chris Cadden and Cedric Kipre all had chances, with the latter seeing his effort cleared off the line.

A strong start to the second half was crucial, although the momentum initially appeared to swing in Rangers’ favour, with Alfredo Morelos, Eduardo Herrera and Josh Windass all threatening for the Ibrox side.

But when Cadden’s corner caused chaos in the Rangers penalty area on 52 minutes, Peter Hartley connected with a header but couldn’t convert. Moult reacted quickest to the rebound, only to see his effort crash against the crossbar. Given a third opportunity, however, he made no mistake, smashing the ball into the roof of the net to give Motherwell the lead and put them within touching distance of the final.

Tempers would flare on the touchline, with both managers sent to the stands following a coming together involving Bowman and a Rangers player. Keith Lasley assumed his position in the technical area, but any concern that Robinson’s absence might negatively affect proceedings was firmly dispelled moments later.

Rangers tried to respond and fashioned a few half-chances. In the Motherwell end, nerves were beginning to take hold as supporters contemplated the possibility of their side letting this huge opportunity slip away.

Then came a moment of history.

Charles Dunne sent a high ball forward down the left, and Moult was on hand to meet it as it dropped. Showing remarkable audacity, he chipped the goalkeeper to score a second and create a lasting memory for Motherwell fans everywhere, while all but securing their place in the cup final.

The final 20 minutes or so passed in a blur of celebration for the Motherwell supporters, who were firmly in party mode as they looked ahead to a second trip to Hampden, this time for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic the following month.

Matchday nine awaits the women of steel this Wednesday evening, as Motherwell return home to face Partick Thistle under the lights of the Bumblebee Stadium. 

Iain Robinson’s side will make their swift return to action following last weekend’s three-nil defeat to Glasgow City. Wednesday evening marks the opening to an energy-draining week of football, with Motherwell set to face the Jags before a difficult visit to league leaders Rangers. 

As Motherwell set their sights on restoring their status as a top-six side, securing victory over Partick Thistle will be essential. 

The Tale of the Tape 

Motherwell 

The women of steel will face the Jags for the first time since a narrow 2-1 defeat at Petershill Park last December. Kodie hay broke the deadlock for Motherwell in the second-half, but a double from Rachel Donaldson and Jo Love sealed victory for the hosts on that day. 

Despite numerous close encounters, Motherwell have been able to overcome partick Thistle since a dominant 6-1 victory in 2020. 

Goalkeeper, Rowena Armitage, may feature in the matchday squad after missing out last weekend through injury. 

Partick Thistle

Thistle will be determined to respond following a heavy defeat at the hands of Hearts last weekend. A six-one defeat in the Scottish capital followed a narrow defeat to league leaders Rangers. 

Ticket Information 

Tickets can be purchased through the matchday turnstiles at the Bumblebee Stadium at K-Park. Both cash and card payments are accepted. 

• Adult – £10.
• Concession (Over-65s and Under-17s) – £5.
• Under-11 – FREE TO ENTER. 

Additional Information – no pets allowed within The Bumblebee Stadium – previously named The Ross Commercial Finance Stadium at K-Park. 

Matchday Travel 

• Sunday 21st October 2026, kick-off 7.30PM. 

• The Bumblebee Stadium at K-Park, Calderglen Country Park, East Kilbride, G75 0QZ. 

• First Glasgow service No.21 stops at Jura Slip Road, a 10-minute walk from the stadium. East Kilbride railway station is approx. 20 mins away on foot. 

• Free on-site parking is available, with overflow parking signposted at the park entrance. Please follow the one-way system upon your exit. 

• Selection of hot food, baking, confectionary and both hot and cold drinks available at the kiosk before and during the match. 

Follow our live matchday coverage on the Motherwell Women X (formerly Twitter) account. 

Motherwell are in more Sunday action this weekend against Hearts in the William Hill Premiership. 

Kick off is 2pm at Fir Park.

How to Follow the Game

You can buy tickets online by CLICKING HERE.

• Young Adults tickets are ages 13-17.
•  Concessions are classed as, Over 65, Full Time Students
• Child is 12 and Under

On Match days, the Ticket Office is open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

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.

The match is being shown live on Premier Sports.

What else is happening?

The Cooper Bar will be open from 11am until kick-off. It will re-open for one hour post-match for those looking to avoid the traffic.

The Centenary Suite is open from 12pm, and will also be open for one hour post-match. The 91 Lounge is open from 12:45pm and will be open for one hour post-match.

Mrs Baillie’s Fanzone IS CLOSED.

St Andrews will be collecting money via bucket collection.

Block E are holding a food collection outside the Cooper Stand from 12:30pm. They are looking for non-perishable items that will be donated to Motherwell foodbanks.

Weather Forecast

There will be gusty winds of up to 48 mph on Sunday in Motherwell, with spots of rain. Temperatures will be nine degrees.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell’s 3-2 defeat on Saturday afternoon was the Steelmen’s fifth defeat in a row. That was the first time Motherwell lost five consecutive games since February 2025, when they lost six.

Johnny Koutroumbis made his first appearance since August on Saturday, following his spell on the sidelines. Alfred Johansson is hoping to have more faces back from the treatment room, with the likes of Oscar Priestman, Callum Hendry and Regan Charles-Cook all edging closer to their returns.

Hearts were one of two sides Motherwell failed to beat last season in the William Hill Premiership. Motherwell registered two points from a possible 12. It’s been over two years since Motherwell tasted victory over the Jambos. Goals from Tom Sparrow, Stephen O’Donnell and Paul McGinn saw the Steelmen defeat Hearts 3-1 back in August 2024 at Fir Park.

Opposition Report

Hearts came agonisingly close to winning the Scottish Premiership for the first time since 1960 last season, only to miss out on the final day. Derek McInnes’ side finished with 80 points, just two behind champions Celtic, after a campaign that saw them emerge as title contenders. Since that defeat, however, it has been a period of significant change in Gorgie. McInnes departed for Rangers, with Belgian coach Wouter Vrancken recruited as his successor.

There have also been major changes on the pitch. Club captain Lawrence Shankland joined McInnes at Ibrox after scoring 16 league goals last season, leaving a significant void in Hearts’ attack. Last season’s leading scorer Claudio Braga remained at Tynecastle despite reported interest from elsewhere. Drawing on their data-led recruitment strategy, Hearts added new faces from across the globe, but two of their summer signings who have made particularly strong starts arrived from much closer to home.

Josh McPake joined from St Johnstone after rebuilding his career through Scotland’s lower leagues, having previously come through the ranks at Rangers. His performances quickly caught the eye, with three goals and eight assists in his first 14 appearances this season earning him his first Scotland call-up and senior international cap. Calvin Miller arrived from Falkirk following their top-six finish in the Premiership last season. The versatile attacker has also made an impressive start to life in Gorgie, establishing himself as an important part of Vrancken’s attacking options and attracting attention as a potential Scotland international.

The Tynecastle side have also had to balance their domestic campaign with European football. Defeats to Sturm Graz and Benfica during Champions League and Europa League qualifying saw Hearts drop into the Conference League play-off round. A penalty shootout victory over Rapid Vienna ultimately secured their place in the league phase. Hearts made a promising start to that campaign against Nordsjælland at Tynecastle, taking the lead through Oisin McEntee before conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Domestically, Hearts collected 16 points from their opening nine league matches, winning five, before their latest outing brought a painful return to Celtic Park. Having come so close to denying Celtic the title on the final day of last season, Vrancken’s side were comprehensively beaten 7-1 on their return to Glasgow. The result was a setback for a team that had started the campaign with ambitions of challenging near the top of the table, but remain in the mix.

Hearts must now put that defeat behind them quickly as they travel to Turkey to face Trabzonspor on Thursday night in their second Conference League league-phase fixture. The Jambos will be looking to respond positively in Europe, but their domestic away form remains another area of concern. Despite their strong overall start to the season, they have struggled to secure league victories on the road outside Edinburgh, with their two away league wins since the start of the year both coming at Easter Road. Vrancken will be hoping his side can put their Celtic disappointment behind them and deliver a response on their travels.

Motherwell travelled to Ayrshire looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat in the William Hill Premiership, with Kilmarnock looking to move level on points with the Steelmen. 

And inside one minute, it was the hosts who moved closer to their target. A goal from Greg Kiltie could have knocked the stuffing out of Motherwell, but the squad rallied and subsequently levelled through Alex Lowry 20 minutes later.

Motherwell continued to create chances, and when Seb Palmer-Houlden converted to make it 2-1 early in the second-half, the visitors looked like they could end their losing streak. But Kilmarnock had other plans and scored their second and third goals thereafter, ensuring Motherwell lost five on the bounce for the first time since February 2025.