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Luca Ross made his first-team debut for Motherwell at the age of just 16. Introduced as a substitute by then-manager Stevie Hammell at Ibrox, the young winger got a taste of what being a professional footballer was like, and it drove him on from there.

Last season, his last-minute equaliser against Ross County sparked wild scenes amongst the Fir Park faithful, but it was also a pivotal moment in his development. Scoring his first professional goal was a milestone achieved at such a young age.

Since then, a lot has happened, and Ross has progressed further. Having gone on to make five first-team appearances for the Steelmen, Ross joined Annan Athletic on loan for the 24/25 season, his first move away from Fir Park.

The good news has continued to come for the young man, with him also being offered a contract extension earlier this month.

“When I first heard I was going to get another contract for the club I’ve grown up playing for, I was over the moon,” he smiled.

“I’ve been working hard all year just to try and get another deal because I knew I was up in the summer, so I was making sure, especially because of the new manager, that I was putting all the hard work in.

“I’d just been training, and the assistant manager Ahmet [Koc] mentioned it, and then the manager spoke to me too. To be fair, I was buzzing. The manager just said he liked everything about me: how I play with the ball, how I am off the pitch and that I would be in his plans next year if it all goes well.

“It was always in the back of my head that I would be a free agent in the summer, but I always believed in my own abilities and that I could get offered terms. I didn’t want to doubt myself because that’s when things could start to dip.”

Having come up through the MFC ranks, Ross was faced with the arrival of a new manager and only a short time to impress before his deal ran out.

That meant he had to up his game and give it everything in the hope of being rewarded.

“I was thinking about the small period of time to impress the gaffer before the end of the season,” Ross admitted.

“I’m glad I got to train with him when he first arrived so he could see me. From then on, I’ve been with him, and he’s said how well I’ve been doing.”

Ross’ big moment came in the 2023/24 season when he helped secure a point with the last kick of the ball against Ross County at Fir Park, poking it home in stoppage time in a 3-3 draw.

But since then, he feels he has matured as a player and as a person.

“It feels like a wee while ago just because there’s been a few stepping stones since then,” he explained.

“Going out on loan to Annan, playing with the reserves and under-18s here and signing new deals. Training with Motherwell’s first-team has been huge for me, but to do that and then add in training with Annan at night and play games with men regularly, it matures me.

“I’ve just been taking everything as it comes, but I feel more like a man than just a boy now. I’ve had a bit of time where I’ve been on the bench at Motherwell, been involved here and there, included in matchday squads, travelling and prepping like a professional footballer.

“But I just felt the loan move would be best so I could get some games in for me to try and come back to Motherwell and be more involved than just travelling and on the bench.

“On the drive down to my first training session with Annan, I was nervous and thinking about what it was going to be like. I wondered if the players would even like me!

“It’s just because I didn’t know what to expect because I’d never been in that kind of environment before; it’s always been the same club throughout, so the move was different.”

Thankfully, the spell with the League One side has been a successful one, and the winger has built up a healthy amount of minutes and has found the back of the net three times.

“The players have looked after me,” Ross stated.

“Willie Gibson has been great because he has a lot of experience. He demands a lot and wants high intensity from everyone, and I think I can cope with that. It’s been good, and you’ve got players like Paul McGowan and Josh Todd, who have been with different clubs over the years. You know what they want from you, and they give you lots of information on the pitch.

“It’s just about listening and taking that in when playing. I think overall the time there has helped me develop my character.

“Having that feeling of being disappointed that I’ve not made the starting 11 or whatever, it’s good for me. Feeling and experiencing those moments are important because every player has them. Dealing with them at my age is important.”

Annan are battling to avoid the drop in League One. As such, every game is vital for the club, and Ross has had to deal with the pressure of playing in highly important games.

With the job not done yet at Annan, he will apply himself fully and will then return to Motherwell for pre-season with his own ambitions in mind.

“I’ll give it everything to help the club achieve its goals between now and the end of the season,” Ross said.

“When pre-season comes around, I’ll have some targets in mind. My thoughts are always going to be about playing in the first-team at Motherwell. I’ll see if I can come back one of the fitter boys, and if I can get in the manager’s eye-line and he likes me, it’ll put me in a good spot.

“I want to be playing for Motherwell; this is the club I’ve grown up playing for. Getting the new deal is clarity, but it doesn’t let me relax. I can focus on football and not contract stuff.”

Andy Halliday and Calum Ward have both signed contract extensions.

Andy Halliday

Andy Halliday has signed a contract extension that will see him remain at Fir Park for the 2025/26 campaign.

The 33-year-old has made over 50 appearances for the club since arriving in January 2024 and played in every match during the 24/25 season.

“I’ve loved my time here, and I was really eager to extend that,” Andy Halliday adds.

“It’s really encouraging to see the groundwork being put in place for next season, which I think everyone should be optimistic about.

“We’ve had some special moments this season, including Hampden and the Friday night win over Dundee United, which are the moments that make you appreciate where you play your football. I want to thank all the fans for their support since I arrived, and I’ll get back to work once again.”

Scoring four goals and assisting four times, he was awarded the Players’ Player of the Year award for his consistency and durability throughout the campaign.

“I’ve been so impressed by Andy since I arrived,” manager Michael Wimmer said.

“He has trained and played at such a high level all the time, and it’s great to get him signed up for next season. He is a role-model professional for every other player and a great character to have in the dressing room.

“We’re continuing to sign players for next season, which is great, and I’m glad we’ve been able to make progress in that department, as there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes.”

Calum Ward

Calum Ward signed a one-year contract extension, with the club holding the option of a further year.

“Calum is a great guy and has shown an excellent attitude,” Michael Wimmer added.

“I was keen to get him on board for next season. He has shown real quality in training, and it will be interesting to see the competition for the goalkeeping position.”

The goalkeeper arrived on deadline day in February, initially signing a contract until the end of the current season.

“The club have been brilliant with me, and the last few months have been great,” Calum Ward said.

“I will keep working hard in training and will be looking to impress. The goalkeeping group here are great, and we’re constantly pushing each other. I’m looking forward to the rest of my time here.”

We will be running a supporters bus for our season finale against Ross County on Sunday 18 May.

The bus will leave from outside the Cooper Suite at 9am and return straight after the match. Price per person is £30 and your place can be secured here.

You can book your spot on the bus here.

If we do not get sufficient numbers, we will not be able to provide this service. Updates on numbers will be communicated periodically in the lead up to the day.

Motherwell make the trip to Dundee on Saturday 3 May in the William Hill Premiership. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

Ambulant/Wheelchair & Carer will be available to purchase directly from Dundee FC Ticket office by calling 01382 889966 or emailing tickets@dundeefc.co.uk. Supporters must be in receipt of PIP/DLA.

Kit Watch

We will be wearing our home kit for this match.

Squad Update

There are no new injury concerns.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell took a major step towards securing their Premiership status on Saturday, winning 3-2 against bottom side St Johnstone. Callum Slattery scored his fifth goal of the season as he continues to make up for lost time through injury, with Johnny Koutroumbis netting his first in Motherwell colours also.

Tom Sparrow continues his fine season, scoring his fifth in all competitions. That result means Motherwell cannot finish bottom this season and are safe from automatic relegation.

Opposition Report

Dundee are in the middle of a battle to avoid the relegation playoff spot but produced a terrific 1-0 victory over Hearts last Saturday to help boost their chances.

The result moved them two points clear of Ross County with four games to go. Simon Murray has been a key component for the Dee all season. His 20 goals this season saw him nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award this week alongside Celtic trio Kuhn, McGregor and Maeda.

With five games to go, and the potential of a relegation scrap looming, Motherwell knew a win against bottom-side St Johnstone would lift them away from any danger. 

The game got off to the worst possible start for Michael Wimmer, as he watched his side concede to a Mackenzie Kirk strike early in the first-half. But his side rallied, and after a number of dangerous attacks, Callum Slattery and Johnny Koutroumbis had the Steelmen ahead at the break.

Tom Sparrow added a third to seemingly kill the game off, until St Johnstone found the back of the net for a second time to setup a nervous end to proceedings.

However, the points would stay in North Lanarkshire and with four games left, Motherwell’s target will be 7th place.

Lennon Miller has been nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the second year running.

The 18-year-old has continued his upward rise, making 34 appearances in all competitions this season. The midfielder has scored four goals and assisted six times this season.

Having cemented his place in the starting 11 last season, Miller has remained an ever-present in the Motherwell midfield. After a number of injuries, having already become Motherwell’s youngest ever player back in 2022, Miller became Motherwell’s youngest ever captain.

He had the armband for the Steelmen’s trip to Hampden in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.

Maturing and ticking off further milestones, he would be rewarded with his first ever call-up to the senior Scotland side in March.

Narrowly missing out on this award 12 months ago, Miller is in the running once again as he looks to become the first Motherwell player to win the award since James McFadden in 2003.

“It’s always an honour to be nominated for these awards,” Lennon Miller said.

“This season has had its highs and lows. Captaining the club at Hampden and for the other games was a massive privilege that will stay with me for the rest of my career. Hearing I was called up to the Scotland squad was also a hugely proud moment for my family and me.

“I’ve tried to keep my head down this season and been looking for consistency every week. I’ve still got a lot to learn but will continue to work hard. Hopefully we can have a strong end to the season.”

The manager gives his thoughts as his side come from behind to take all three points against St Johnstone.

Motherwell took a major step towards securing their Premiership status on Saturday afternoon, defeating St Johnstone 3-2 at Fir Park.

Callum Slattery drew Motherwell level after going 1-0 down before Johnny Koutroumbis’ effort found the back of the net just minutes later to turn the game on its head. Tom Sparrow added a third just after the interval, before St Johnstone scored a consolation before the end of the 90.

Motherwell saw off the challenge of St Johnstone for a hard-fought, narrow but deserved win.

The three points were sufficient to ensure that the Fir Park side would be clear of the automatic relegation.

The extensive injury list, which has limited team selection for almost the entire season, posed another problem for the Well boss. Without Liam Gordon and Kofi Balmer, it left Dan Casey as the only recognised central defender in the starting line-up with Stephen O’Donnell and Johnny Koutroumbis alongside the Irishman.

St Johnstone showed no signs of a Scottish Cup semi-final hangover, as needing three points to maintain their slim hopes of surviving relegation, they pushed forward with three up front from the kick-off.

The revamped Well defence was exposed after only six minutes.

Josh McPake powered past Koutroumbis on the left, and his cutback was confidently slammed home by Kirk.

A good break-up field earned the home side its first corner after 20 minutes. Andy Halliday whipped the ball into a packed box, but when the ball was laid back to Harry Paton, he fired over the bar from 16 yards.

Gradually the Steelmen found some half-chances as the game moved towards the interval.

A quick turn at the edge of the box and drive from Slattery after 28 minutes found the ball skimming a couple of feet beyond Andy Fisher’s right-hand post.

A minute later the Well midfield man was on target; this time, his 20-yard shot forced Fisher to stretch himself to push the ball round his left-hand post.

With a bit more urgency in their play, the pressure towards the Saints goal was increasing, and after 38 minutes, the game was level.

Tony Watt chased a ball down the left touchline, and after getting beyond Sam Curtis, he cut the ball back for Slattery, who, third time lucky, slid a low finish inside Fisher’s right-hand post for his fifth since his comeback from injury.

A minute later, Well were ahead, and once again, Watt was the architect. Having sneaked past his marker to get to the byeline, the on-loan striker delivered a teasing ball across the face of the goal. Koutroumbis at the back post made sure of grabbing his first goal for the club, hammering it off the far post and into the net to change the complexity of the game.

Saints tried to get back into the game before the interval, but facing a couple of free kicks, the home defence held firm.

However, it should have been game over within three minutes of the restart when the Fir Park men extended their lead.

Dom Thompson withstood a heavy challenge on the left of the box to get back on his feet. His floated ball into the six-yard box was met by Sparrow, who stabbed it over the line to make it 3-1.

Ellery Balcombe then made his first save low to his left to hold a long-range effort from Steven Taylor.

The Well keeper had to be smart to smother the ball on his goal line as former Hearts striker Uche Ikpeazu tried to force it home.

At the other end, the home side should have extended its lead after 68 minutes. Watt was again the provider, working a quick exchange with Paton on the left before chipping the ball to the waiting Sparrow, who could head the ball straight at Fisher.

A minute later, it was Saints’ Watt who grabbed the headlines when his speculative shot from 22 yards bounced past Balcombe to reduce the leeway and give the visitors a boost.

In an attempt to put the game to bed, Wimmer made his first substitution after 68 minutes, sending on Luke Armstrong to join Watt up front.

It almost paid off 10 minutes later when Armstrong cut the ball back to the corner of the six-yard box, and Watt’s firm snapshot was blocked by the keeper, denying him a thoroughly deserved goal for his massive contribution to the game.

That was recognised by the Fir Park fans when Watt and Halliday had a standing ovation when they made way for Moses Ebiye and Davor Zdravkovski for the final 10 minutes.

With five minutes of additional time signalled and Saints pressing for an equaliser, Kai Andrews replaced Slattery, as his efforts were also recognised by the fans.

As the Perth side made a final onslaught on the Well goal and Wimmer screamed for his players to push Saints further up the pitch, the makeshift defence held out for a narrow win and three points to erase the threat of automatic relegation.

Johnny Koutroumbis has had his fair share of battles to face since coming to Scotland in the summer, but the Aussie defender has maintained a positive mindset throughout and is ready to help the team when called upon. 

Koutroumbis talks about having to be patient throughout the season, playing in different positions and what his journey, which has included beating cancer, has been like for him.

Manager Michael Wimmer has provided a squad update in his latest press conference ahead of Saturday’s match against St Johnstone. Wimmer says he wants to get the club’s top flight status confirmed as soon as possible, to avoid any sort of relegation fight. 

The German also said players will be fighting to remain at the club next season, as he had spoken to every player about their current situation, making it clear to the each individual what it is they need to do before the season ends.