| 2 | Celtic | 34 | 22 | 4 | 8 | 26 | 70 |
| 3 | Rangers | 34 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 34 | 69 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 34 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 24 | 57 |
| 5 | Hibernian | 34 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 51 |
| 6 | Falkirk | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | -5 | 46 |
Steven Hammell can understand the Motherwell fans’ frustration and says they are well within their rights to be annoyed as the team have been underperforming.
He is grateful for the backing the supporters have shown during this testing time and says he highlighted to his players the importance of representing this club.
It has been a difficult period at Motherwell Football Club, heightened by Steven Hammell and Brian Kerr departing the club three days ago.
With Stuart Kettlewell taking charge of first-team duties on an interim basis, the former Ross County manager spoke openly in the lead up to the game against St Mirren in the cinch Premiership about requiring the full team to be together and ready to fight for each other.
Opening a two goal lead through Kevin van Veen and Max Johnston, Kettlewell knew that he got the reaction that he wanted out of the players.
Ryan Strain pulled one back for St Mirren in the first half but in the end, Motherwell got their first win at Fir Park since August with a fighting victory.
Kettlewell enforced the message this win won’t define how our season ends up but it certainly builds a foundation.
Stuart McKinstry is a Motherwell himself and he knows the expectations of the supporters are way higher than what they are producing.
The wingers wants to give something back to the supporters, with 2000 of them expected at Starks Park for their Scottish Cup match against Raith Rovers.
“It’s a good feeling to get the three points.
“But it’s what this team brings from now, into the remaining games, that will define their season.”
Motherwell finally celebrated their first league home win since August with a solid and deserved win over St Mirren.
It was a perfect start to Stuart Kettlewell’s spell in the dugout with two goals from Kevin van Veen and Max Johnston inside the opening 18 minutes.
When Ryan Strain pulled back one for the Saints midway through the first half there was an uneasy expectation that it might be a case of ‘Well throwing away a lead for the third time in four home matches.
However, the Steelmen looked organised and determined in a second half where they restricted Stephen Robinson’s men to few chances and the players and ‘Well’s interim manager took a richly merited ovation at the final whistle.
Stuart Kettlewell’s first team selection showed minimal change in personnel, from outgoing boss Steven Hammell. From those who lost out to Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup, ‘Well’s interim manager changed the starting line-up with Max Johnston, James Furlong, Dean Cornelius and Sean Goss coming in.
That allowed ‘Well to line-up with a back three of Paul McGinn, Callum Butcher and Dan Casey.
Former ‘Well boss Robinson, also looking for his team to overcome a cup exit on Saturday, named a Saints side which included five players returning to Fir Park to face their former club.
Ex-strikers Tony Watt and Curtis Main posed the main threat of inflicting more pain on the Steelmen and making it a quick double for Saints especially after the latter’s winner in Paisley three weeks ago.
It was Motherwell, though, who made the brighter and energetic start as they pressed the visitors from the kick-off.
And the Fir Park men were rewarded for their positive opening after eight minutes when they opened the scoring.
Blair Spittal’s long ball over the top found van Veen chasing the ball into the box with Richard Taylor closing him down as they approached the corner of the six-yard box. Somehow the Dutch striker stayed on his feet to toe poke the ball low across Trevor Carson and into the corner of the goal to give Kettlewell the start he hoped for.
Unbelievably the home the Fir Park fans were on their feet 10 minutes later as ‘Well doubled their lead.
Another long ball this time from Sean Goss found Johnston running down the right flank and after leaving Scott Tanser in his wake his shot drifted beyond Carson and inside the ‘keeper’s far post to make it 2-0.
It took Saints until the 22nd minute to test Liam Kelly although Main’s low shot from the edge of the box was straight at the ‘Well ‘keeper.
Two minutes later, though, Saints pulled a goal back. Watt fired the ball across goal and although it was missed in front of goal Strain raced in to fire the ball Kelly and get Robinson’s men back into the game.
That gave the visitor’s a lift but although they had some possession around the home box the ‘Well players defended Kelly’s area extremely well for the remainder of the first half.
At the other end Carson was idle until three minutes from the break when the former Northern Ireland ‘keeper was happy to hold Dan Casey’s powerful header from Spittal’s corner.
The home fans were optimistic of their side earning a long overdue home win and just before the hour the Steelmen had a chance to extend their lead.
Obika who had a strong presence against his former team exchanged a quick pass with van Veen but from a tight angle ‘Well’s top scorer fired the ball into the side netting.
In the 65th minute Strain’s drive from the edge of the box raced through a packed box but the ball was firmly held by Kelly.
The ‘Well ‘keeper then had another routine save this time from ex-team mate Mark O’Hara before Kettlewell made his first substitution with 13 minutes remaining.
Van Veen had played his part and was roundly applauded by the Fir Park faithful as he was replaced by Jack Aitchison.
And five minutes later the former Celtic player almost killed the game when he jinked past three players in the Saints’ box before firing over Carson’s bar.
In the added four minutes ‘Well, for the first time in recent home games, looked comfortable in a lead they held for three deserved points which lifts them up to ninth in the league table.
We return to Scottish Cup action this weekend, taking on Raith Rovers at Starks Park.
Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday 11th February.
Supporters will be in the North Stand with Motherwell fans able to purchase their tickets online.
Tickets can be purchased online ONLY. There is no pay-at-the-gate facility at Starks Park.
| North Stand | |
| Adults | £20 |
| Senior citizen (over 65 & under 21) | £11 |
| Under 12 | £5 |
Last month’s 0-2 win over Arbroath sets up this fifth round clash with Raith Rovers.
Championship side Raith reached the fifth round with wins over Auchinleck Talbot and Linlithgow Rose and have yet to concede in the competition.
Saturday’s opponents are in good form and have only tasted defeat once in eleven games.
You’d have to go back to August of 1999 to find the last time Motherwell played competitively at Starks Park.
Goals from Paul Browne and Stephen Halliday had Motherwell two-up with 15 minutes to play but Alex Burns and Craig Dargo forced extra-time and eventually penalties where the Steelmen came out on top 5-4.
Match Officials
Motherwell suffered another disappointing defeat at Pittodrie.
A Kevin van Veen penalty proved too little too late as the Steelmen lost 3-1 to Aberdeen
Steven Hammell made five changes from the side that lost 0-2 to St Johnstone midweek.
In came Max Johnston, Dean Cornelius, Blair Spittal, Jon Obika and James Furlong, replacing Shane Blaney, Olly Crankshaw, Kevin van Veen, Riku Danzaki and Callum Slattery.
Aberdeen had a good chance to take the lead after eight minutes when Duk turned O’Donnell in the box and forced a good save from the feet of Liam Kelly.
The Dons had two further chances to take the lead – MacDonald headed just wide from a corner and Ramadani forced another save from Kelly.
The home side took the lead two minutes before the break. Jonny Hayes hung up a cross to the back post and an unmarked Duk was on hand to head it into the net.
Motherwell came out in the second half and still couldn’t find a way through the Aberdeen defence and were two goals behind just after the hour mark.
Ramadani robbed Callum Slattery and played in Miovski who cooly chipped the ball over the onrushing Liam Kelly to give the Dons a comfortable lead.
That lead was extended minutes later when Miovski got his brace, tapping in Clarkson’s through ball.
Kevin van Veen got a consolation goal from the penalty spot after Matty Kennedy handled Danzaki’s shot in the box but it proved to be too little, too late for Motherwell who must pick themselves up for a big cup game next weekend against Raith Rovers.
“We didn’t create enough. When we get those big moments in the game, we need to be better.”
Calum Butcher has signed for Motherwell on a deal until the end of the 2023/24 season.
The former Dundee United and Burton Albion man has returned to Scotland after an eight month stint at The Brewers.
Making 17 appearances in all competitions this season, Butcher becomes Motherwell’s ninth signing of the winter transfer window.
He has ample experience of the Scottish game after making 135 appearances for Dundee United over the course of two-and-a-half seasons.
“Similar to Dan, Calum is a player we have liked for a while and been monitoring closely,” manager Steven Hammell said.
“It adds some depth to the middle of the park but more importantly, he’s a different type of midfielder to what we have at the minute.
“He’s tough, determined to make a difference and has plenty knowledge on the league and the team.
“Unfortunately, today’s match against Aberdeen has come too soon due to him travelling up from England, but he will be able to get a good week’s training and see where we are next week.
Butcher will wear the number 66 kit this season.
Dan Casey is Motherwell’s latest signing.
The 25-year-old has represented Ireland at youth level and has over 80 appearances in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
Most recently at Sacramento Republic in America, the Irishman made 64 appearances in the States scoring four times.
In their U.S open cup campaign last season, Casey and second division Sacramento went on a remarkable run to the final beating MLS sides, San Jose Earthquakes, Los Angeles and Sporting Kansas before Orlando City beat them in the final.
Prior to his move to America, Casey was a main feature in both Bohemians and Cork City’s respective lineups after coming through the ranks at Sunderland.
“Dan has been someone we have been tracking for a while,” manager Steven Hammell said.
“He had a great season in America where MLS clubs were interested in securing his signature. We feel like we needed some cover in this area of the pitch with Shane picking up a knock in our most recent game.
“As I’ve said before, before I sign any player, they need to want to be here and that’s the case with Dan.”
