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Despite being arguably the better team in the match, Motherwell came away with nothing from Ibrox on Sunday afternoon, with Robbi Matondo’s deflected effort off of Cyriel Dessers deciding the match. 

Paul McGinn returned to the side, while Conor Wilkinson made the bench, having recovered from injury.

Harry Paton was the first to go close after just five minutes, he worked the space on the edge of the box before striking the ball just past Jack Butland’s post.

Blair Spittal’s delivery from a free kick was good and Sam Lammers could only header the ball back into the danger area where Bevis Mugabi looked like he would get on the end of it. However, Conor Goldson hooked the ball over the bar before the Ugandan could get a touch.

Paton and Callum Slattery linked well before the latter drove into the box and slid the ball wide on 16 minutes.

Despite a promising start, Motherwell fell behind on 24 minutes. Matondo struck towards goal and his effort came off of Dessers in the area to wrong foot Liam Kelly in the goal and the ball drifted into the net. 1-0.

As the half drew to a close, there was another opening for the visitors. Spittal crossed the ball into the box with Theo Bair flicking on behind him, wing back Brodie Spencer came rushing in however he couldn’t get a connection with the ball in the area.

Just before the hour mark and with the score still 1-0, Kelly came rushing out of his net and wiped out Dessers in the box with the Ibrox crowd pleading for a penalty. Fortunately for the Motherwell captain, the linesman had his flag up to save his blushes.

With Rangers creating a couple of openings that were dealt with by the Motherwell backline, the game was nearing it’s conclusion and Motherwell had a flurry of chances to equalise.

Spittal seen his low effort cleared off the line by James Tavenier, with Oli Shaw also being presented with a golden chance. The ball was fed through by Bair for the substitute but his effort was saved by Butland.

Georgie Gent set Spittal up right at the death but once again, the midfielder seen his effort cleared off the line by Goldson before the flag went up for offside.

Motherwell were in action all over the world this month, with five players on international duty.

Lennon Miller

Lennon Miller made his first appearance at Scotland Under 19 level. The midfielder played 90 minutes in Scotland’s first friendly match against Belgium. Miller and Scotland lost 3-0, despite an encouraging performance.

In their second match against Czech Republic, Miller was named on the bench however featured for 30 minutes in the second half. He notched an assist in the process as Scotland drew 2-2.

Bevis Mugabi

It was a huge night for Uganda as they had hopes of qualifying for AFCON in Ivory Coast. To do so, Uganda needed a win and to hope other results went their way.

Bevis Mugabi was named in the starting lineup and Uganda proved too strong for Niger as the Cranes recorded a 2-0 win. However, Tanzania drew with group winners Algeria which was enough for the former to finish second place, a point above Uganda.

During the Ugandan National Team’s time in Morocco, the country was hit with a 6.8-magnitude earthquake which has seen over 2000 people killed. Thankfully, Mugabi and his the rest of the squad avoided injury and departed the country safely.

Brodie Spencer

Brodie Spencer was called into Northern Ireland’s Under 21 squad initially but was then called into the senior squad due to injuries.

He was an unused substitute in both matches where Northern Ireland travelled to Slovenia and Kazakhstan. They lost both matches 4-2 and 1-0 respectively.

Liam Kelly

After joined up with the Scotland squad ahead of their matches against Cyprus and England, Liam Kelly had to withdraw prior the matches being played due to injury.

Davor Zravkovski

North Macedonia has two matches in this international period. The first match was a tricky game against Italy at home. Still waiting for his first senior international cap, Davor Zdravkovski wasn’t named in the matchday squad for their match against Italy. North Macedonia recorded 1-1 draw.

In their second match against Malta, Zdravkovski was an unused substitute with North Macedonia coming away with a 2-0 win.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to the defeat to Rangers.

• Players deserved to get more out of the game

• Operating at a good level

• A bitter pill to swallow

With international football now over, domestic action returns with St Mirren the visitors to Fir Park on Saturday. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

– Concessions Tickets would be ages 65 and over and FT Students with a valid matric card.
– Young Adults tickets would ages 12 to 17.
– Juveniles would be 11 and under

Supporters are able to buy tickets online here or visit the ticket office at Fir Park.

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

Tickets can be purchased online.

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.

Kit watch

We will be wearing our home kit on Saturday.

Team News

Calum Butcher remains missing for this match.

Mika Biereth, Pape Souare, Conor Wilkinson and Jon Obika are also all unavailable for Saturday.

Liam Kelly is a doubt after he pulled out of the Scotland squad with a back injury last week.

Blair Spittal and Shane Blaney are also struggling with knocks and will be assessed this week.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

It’s been an incredible run of form for the Steelmen. They are joint top of the table after four games and remain unbeaten.

It was a memorable trip to the capital in the last game before the international break, with Callum Slattery’s goal the difference in a 1-0 win over Hearts.

The result means Stuart Kettlewell is yet to taste defeat on the road in the cinch Premiership since his arrival, with Motherwell going ten games unbeaten in the league which is our best run since 2010.

Opposition Report

St Mirren are also unbeaten in the league thus far, with two wins and two draws in the cinch Premiership. They have drew their last two games against Aberdeen and Livingston before the break.

They got the better of Motherwell in the Viaplay Cup last month, with a 1-0 win in Paisley.

There has been a spread amongst the team when it comes to goals for St Mirren. Former Motherwell man Mikael Mandron remains their top goalscorer this season, with four goals in all competitions. Alex Grieve has two goals in his last four games with Stav Nachmani also notching his first league goal last time out against Livingston.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell was full of praise for Sunday’s opponents Rangers, having watched them overcome Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday night. 

Kettlewell has reinforced the message that matches against the old firm are not Motherwell’s fight however, that doesn’t mean they will lie down and not show fight and spirit.

We have seven players currently out on loan in various leagues. 

Ricki Lamie

Joining Dundee at the end of August, Ricki Lamie was an unused substitute against Hearts as he joined the night prior.

He made his debut away to St Johnstone seven days later, playing the full match. He scored just shy of the hour mark to give his side a two goal advantage. The home side would produce a sensational comeback in the latter stages of the match as the Dee had to settle for a point.

Sam Campbell

Young centre-back Sam Campbell signed a new deal in the summer before joining League 1 side Annan Athletic on loan.

Making his debut against Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup back in July, Campbell has made eight appearances for Annan since with the Black and Golds Galabankies picking up four points in the league so far.

The 19-year-old did miss a couple of games in August due to a slight knock but returned to full fitness shortly after.

Robbie Garcia

17-year-old Robbie Garcia was on the bench for the Motherwell first-team against St Mirren last month, before joining Lowland League side Cowdenbeath on loan.

He made his debut on 2 September against Berwick Rangers, where he featured for 12 minutes in a 2-0 win.

Three days later, he was handed his first start against Tranent at home, with the visitors picking up the 2-0 win before being an unused sub against Gala Fairydean in Cowdenbeath’s last match.

Barry Maguire

The games have been coming thick and fast for Barry Maguire and Kidderminster Harriers in the National League. With three draws and two losses in his first five games in the league, Maguire has been building up fitness since his arrival Worcestershire.

Playing a half in both of his first two matches against Bromley and Ebbsfleet, he played an hour against Southend before playing a full 90 last Saturday against Rochdale. Continuing to apply his trade his trade in the middle of the pitch, Maguire has featured a total of four times now for The Harriers as they now get ready to take on Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Ross Tierney

Similarly to Maguire, Ross Tierney has been involved in a busy period for Walsall. From taking on Hollywood’s Wrexham to a tie against Premier League Under 21 side Brighton and Hove Albion, Tierney has been racking up the minutes on the pitch.

In his time down south, the Irishman has made six appearances for Walsall and has been an unused substitute on three occasions. He has been involved in every match day squad since his arrival. He scored against Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup in what was his debut for the The Saddlers. Against Rovers, he also bagged an assist. Sitting on 11 points after seven games in League Two, it has been a promising start for Tierney and his new side.

Adam MacDonald

Adam MacDonald has become something of a regular starter at Cowdenbeath in the Lowland League since his arrival on loan. The 17-year-old has started six games, with his first goal for the club coming in his second match against Edinburgh Uni.

He scored his second goal last Saturday, coming on a second half substitute against Gala Fairydean. The midfielder scored with only five minutes remaining, earning his side a point.

A successful spell so far at Cowdenbeath, MacDonald will now be looking to add to his eight appearances at the Blue Brazil.

Robbie Mahon

Winger Robbie Mahon has made eight appearances so far for Edinburgh City in all competitions. It has been a troublesome spell at the League One outfit, with no wins so far across the board and a SPFL Trust Trophy exit to East Kilbride on Saturday.

Despite the tricky run of form, Mahon has bagged an assist so far in his three starts and five substitute appearances. He missed their last match against East Kilbride in the SPFL Trust Trophy with a return to league action against Montrose next on the list for Edinburgh City.

Stephen O’Donnell discusses his recent return to regular action and how much he has benefitted under Stuart Kettlewell.

Once a Scotland national team regular, O’Donnell says the manager’s detail and thoroughness towards his work ensures there is clear clarity when he steps onto the pitch.

With one of the most difficult matches of the season on Sunday, a trip to Ibrox, O’Donnell knows the challenge that awaits and says if Rangers are even the slightest bit off of their top form, that the Steelmen need to make the most of it.

Joe Efford has left the club having had his contact terminated by mutual consent.

The American forward joined the club in January 2022 and has made 31 appearances for the Steelmen, scoring four goals.

He has made three appearances this season, starting once against Kilmarnock at Fir Park in August.

We thank Joe for his efforts at Motherwell and wish him well for the future.

Kayla Jardine has left the club and will return to Rangers after being recalled from a season-long loan deal.

The 18-year-old, who netted three times across her first spell in Lanarkshire, extended her stay at the club this summer after signing an initial short-term loan deal in January last season.

However, the forward has returned to her parent club having yet to make her first appearance in claret and amber for the 2023/24 campaign.

We thank Kayla for her efforts at Motherwell and wish her all the best for the future.

A swift return to action will see Motherwell turn their attention to title-chasing Rangers, with a tough trip to Broadwood expected, as the hosts remain unbeaten domestically with five wins and a draw against defending champions Glasgow City.

Motherwell will be looking to replicate their impeccable home record that has yet to materialise on the road. The women of steel’s hunt for their first points away from home continued in Glasgow, as Paul Brownlie’s side left Springburn empty-handed, with Thistle netting a decisive late opener.

The Tale of the Tape

Motherwell

The women of steel will be looking to break their recent struggles away from home, with three narrow defeats to Aberdeen, Glasgow City and Partick Thistle failing to mirror the squads successes at K-Park.

Brownlie’s side faced a closely-fought encounter last time out at Broadwood, with a 89^th-minute Chelsea Cornet goal doubling Hannah Davidson’s early first-half opener, as chances from Kaela McDonald-Nguah and Katie Rice narrowly evaded the target.

Laura McCartney has returned to the matchday squad and will be eligible for contention this week, with Morgan Cross, Morgan Hay and Eve Donald all doubtful for a return following injuries sustained in the past week.

Rangers

The hosts have built a fine start to the 2023/24 SWPL campaign, with Jo Potter’s side remaining unbeaten in their opening six league encounters, including a pulsating 1-8 victory over Dundee United at Foundation Park.

Rangers’ prolific form in-front of goal has the Glasgow side sat comfortably at the top of the SWPL league table, netting 23-times thus far whilst maintaining a one-point advantage over rivals Celtic.

Midfielder Chelsea Cornet leads the goalscoring chart in Glasgow, netting five-times so far, with striker Kirsty Howat also netting her fourth goal of the new campaign by rounding off her hat-trick against United last weekend.

Ticket Information

• Adult – £7
• Concession – £3
• Juvenile – £3

How to follow the action

Supporters can follow Sunday’s encounter on Twitter @motherwellwomen, with a full report of the action available post-match.