| 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 |
“I thought we were excellent in the first half.
“I’d be worried if the players were delighted with a draw but they are not. They knew they came off their levels in the second half and when you have that mentality it gives you a chance to correct it.”
Motherwell took a point from their final away game of the season with a 1-1 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
The Steelmen got off to a quick start with Van Veen scoring his 28th goal of the season after just three minutes.
Blair Spittal’s ball into the box from the left was cushioned by Mandron into the feet of the in-form striker and he slotted home from close range.
Despite the early goal, there weren’t many other chances on what proved to be a tricky surface.
Livi were reduced to ten men just before the break.
Shamal George came racing off his line and kicked Van Veen on the head. Incredibly it was only given as a yellow until VAR intervened and sent the goalkeeper off.
The second forty-five produced virtually no chances at all for either side until Nicky Devlin got in down the right and saw his cross poked in by substitute Shinnie.
‘Well extended their unbeaten run to five games but will be disappointed not to have seen the game out and secure seventh place.
Kevin van Veen has been capturing the headlines for all the right reasons recently, scoring in the last nine consecutive games and taking his season tally to 27 goals, the Dutchman is only focused on ending the season strongly at Motherwell.
He has been impressed by Stuart Kettlewell and Stephen Frail’s impact since they joined the club and was full of praise for the duo.
With only two matches remaining in the season, manager Stuart Kettlewell was pleased to see his team reward the amazing support the team received on Saturday against Ross County.
Now looking ahead to the cinch Premiership match against Livingston, Kettlewell is expecting another stiff test.
With Livingston picking up their first win in four, Kettlewell knows that despite claims in the media, The Lions are very much still alive and kicking and are not on ‘holiday mode.’
Addressing questions on Louis Moult’s rumoured return in the papers, the manager also gives us a squad update on Harry Paton, Dan Casey and James Furlong, who all went off injured in their last match.
With the feel-good factor brimming at Fir Park, fans turned out in their numbers for the family fun that was taking place pre match.
With the players and staff taking pictures and saying hello, the focus turned to the cinch Premiership match against Ross County.
The Highland side travelled to ML1, fighting for their lives to remain in the top flight.
Motherwell had the better of the chances in the first half but failed to get the breakthrough.
The second-half started as it would go on, with controversy from the off. Alex Samuel and Connor Randall looked to be brought down in the Motherwell penalty area, with Euan Anderson showing no hesitation to point from the spot.
However after four minutes of VAR assessing the incident, Anderson was ordered to go to the monitor where he would revert his decision.
Chances came and went for the ‘Well and it looked as though the game would finish goalless. However, in the 97th minute, after another VAR check, Motherwell would be awarded a penalty for a handball against Keith Watson which presented Kevin van Veen the opportunity to break the Motherwell post-war record for goals in consecutive games.
With the pressure heaped on the number nine, he made no mistake as Motherwell stay in 7th spot in the table.
Our last game of the 2022/23 season against Dundee United will be shown live via our pay-per-view streaming service for £10.
Kick off is 3pm on Sunday 28 May at Fir Park.
You are able to watch the match online.
The final away game of the season is on Wednesday 24 May at Tony Macaroni Arena.
Kick-off is 7.45pm.
Supporters are able to buy tickets online here.
Ticket Prices
| Away Stand | |
| Adults | £25 |
| Concessions | £17 |
| Under 16s | £10 |
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.
Motherwell can secure seventh place with three points. A win would send the Steelmen onto 49 points, four points above Wednesday’s opponents.
The hosts will be eyeing up seventh place themselves though. A Livi win would send them to the top of the bottom six group.
Stuart Kettlewell’s side have the best form in the league over the last six games, going into the game on the back of three wins and three clean sheets.
Livi’s form varies depending on how you look at it. On one hand they have only scored in two games in their last seven, losing five games in the process but at home they are unbeaten in their last four.
Max Johnston has won the 2022/23 SFWA young player of the year award.
Up against Lyall Cameron of Dundee, Charlie Reilly of Albion Rovers and St Johnstone’s Adam Montgomery, Johnston has prevailed after scoring twice and assisting three times in 15 appearances for Motherwell this season.
The 19-year-old becomes only the third player in Motherwell FC history to win the award, with David Turnbull and James McFadden coming out on top in 2019 and 2002 respectively.
He will be presented with his award on Sunday 28 May.
“My team talk was to remind the players of the levels of performance they’ve shown so far and that they needed to continue to show that for the people who turn up in their numbers.”
A record breaking Kevin van Veen goal from the penalty spot late into added on time earned Motherwell a third consecutive win for the first time this season.
In a match full of drama it was perhaps fitting that the Dutch striker finally broke the deadlock extending his incredible scoring run to nine consecutive games.
His confidently struck penalty 10 minutes into added on time only conveys some of the controversy.
In a difficult afternoon for referee Euan Anderson, he was twice directed to the pitch side monitor by video assistant referee Willie Collum. And for once VAR favoured the Steelmen.
Firstly, the ref changed his initial decision to award County a penalty at the start of the second half. Then with County reduced to ten men and the game destined to end in a stalemate having ignored pleas for a ‘Well penalty a review judging a handball against Keith Watson ended with Anderson pointing to the penalty spot and van Veen claiming his 27th goal of the season.
Having already bagged five goals against the Staggies this season, Kevin van Veen was expected to increase that haul but along with his team-mates the Dutch striker failed to get the better of Ross Laidlaw in the County goal until the closing minutes
The ‘Well boss made one change from the side which defeated St Johnstone last week, Harry Paton replacing Callum Slattery in a three man midfield.
And the former County man set up the first opening after two minutes, slipping the ball to Paul McGinn and his low drive from 25 yards forced Ross Laidlaw to dive to his right and produce a fine save.
As has become a common feature, Blair Spittal’s long pass provided Van Veen with his first chance but from a tight angle his left foot drive was blocked by Laidlaw’s legs.
‘Well’s steady build up through Calum Butcher from the centre of defence gave the home side plenty of possession without really getting beyond County’s back three.
After 23 minutes McGinn decided to go alone and having carried the ball 40 yards towards the visitor’s box his low shot forced another diving save from Laidlaw.
Another precise pass from Spittal sent van Veen through the middle but the ‘keeper raced from his line to bravely gather the ball a before the ‘Well striker could get a touch.
It took the Fir Park men until the 32nd minute to win the first corner. When Sean Goss whipped the ball into a packed box Butcher’s flick on found Dan Casey at the back of the area but he could only watch his well struck volley blocked in the six yard box.
Two minutes later County got the first of three consecutive corners when Alex Samuel’s effort took a deflection to carry the ball wide of Liam Kelly’s right hand post.
Following that the Staggies had more of the ball without threatening the home goal.
Similarly, ‘Well found the route to goal blocked. Smart footwork from Van Veen created a bit of space 15 yards from goal only to find Laidlaw once again responding to his final shot.
Three minutes from the break Paton limped off to be replaced by Dean Cornelius.
The first half finished where it began with the County ‘keeper called into action to palm a long range drive from Casey over his crossbar.
Explosive and controversial start to the second half.
Only three minutes played when Butcher was adjudged to have tripped Connor Randall in the penalty box. Referee Euan Anderson had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot.
But with Butcher pleading his innocence and the customary VAR check being carried by Wullie Collum, the referee was asked to review the incident on the pitch side monitor.
After which and much to the anger of the Highlanders he changed his decision and handed the ball to Liam Kelly.
The Fir Park men forced into another change just beyond the hour mark when Shane Blaney came on for James Furlong. Minutes later Casey took a tough tumble onto his shoulder and with Jon Obika waiting to replace Mikael Mandron, Jack Aitchison quickly stripped to make it a double substitution as Blaney moved into a back three.
After a stop-start period of the second half the Steelmen entered the final 20 minutes with a more attacking formation, with an immediate effect.
Van Veen turned provider whipping in a cross aimed at Obika and only Keith Watson’s touch in the six-yard box prevented the substitute from testing the ‘keeper.
A minute later Cornelius laid the ball in front of Goss and from 25 yards his left foot drive whizzed past the post.
Van Veen’s attempt to break the deadlock ended with two left foot efforts slashed wide of the target.
There was more drama when just as the fourth official indicated that there would be 12 minutes additional time, County were reduced to ten men when substitute Owura Edwards picked up his second yellow card.
That handed the advantage to the home side but it seemed County would survive a lengthy period of added on time on for a precious point.
Until Stephen O’Donnell floated the ball into a packed box and as it bounced towards the six yard box with Obika in pursuit the ‘Well striker strongly claimed for a handball.
After initially waving play on, via Collum in his earpiece, the referee was instructed to check the monitor and for a second time he faced the wrath of County as he pointed to the penalty spot.
Van Veen didn’t need a second attempt this week , hammering the ball low to Laidlaw’s right to take his league tally to 23 goals.
