Latest news with #FirPark
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- General
- BBC News
Well to face Carlisle in behind-closed-doors friendly
Motherwell's pre-season schedule will include a behind-closed-doors friendly against Carlisle match will take place on 8 July, with the Fir Park side's competitive action kicking off four days later when they travel to Clyde for their League Cup group will play non-league football next term following relegation from England's League are yet to appoint a manager following the surprising departure of Michael Wimmer, who left to join German third-tier club Jahn Regensburg almost two weeks ago.
The Herald Scotland
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New Kilmarnock manager has no regrets about making way for Mark Hughes
Yet, Kettlewell has no regrets, none whatsoever, about not moving to Carlisle United or pursuing the other opportunities which presented themselves to him in the wake of his surprise and contentious exit from Fir Park. The 40-year-old, who stood down despite his men being in fifth place in the Premiership because of the toll which the fan abuse he was receiving was taking on his family, appreciated that it was important for him to choose his next job wisely. His instincts about Carlisle, who are owned by United States logistics businessman Tom and Patty Piatak, perhaps proved correct. Hughes, despite overseeing an improvement in form and getting disgruntled fans firmly onside, was helpless to prevent them suffering relegation to the National League at the end of April. Read more: 'That that was an opportunity that came up very quickly for me,' said Kettlewell. 'I think some people put two and two together. I think it was the only job available at the time, so I think it was only seven days after I'd come out of Motherwell. 'There's been kind of two or three options there since, nothing against the clubs, nothing against the opportunities. But it's about trying to find what you feel is right for you and for how you want to work and the people that you'll be surrounding yourself with and working with.' He continued, 'If we speak about that particular job, there was lots right about it. I think the ownership there and the backing has been excellent, really, really good. 'But I think that sometimes you need to go on your gut feeling as to whether you think it's the right thing. That's not in fear of the situation that you would have been inheriting, it's just making sure that you can try and put your stamp on it. 'Now there's a situation where it maybe crosses a road where it doesn't link to how exactly you want to work. Is there a desperation to get back into management, is there a desperation to get back into football? (Image: SNS Group) 'I may or may not have been right with the decision I've made on a couple of jobs that have come and the opportunities that have been presented to me. But, again, there is a bit of gut feeling in it. 'There's also a bit of weighing up everything that surrounds the football club and working out whether, and I've said it before, it's not just about working in football for me, it's trying to work in the right job. 'I love the game, I love management, but I think a lot of people just want to be in football to be able to tell somebody I work in the game. That's not really ever been a thing for me. 'I want to see the successes and I want to see the fruits of your labour at the other end of that and I want to see people prosper from within that. That's kind of how my mindsets always work.' Kettlewell is convinced that he has made the right choice taking on the Kilmarnock job and is hopeful that he will be able to bring talented young players from the Rugby Park academy through into the first team in the season ahead. The former Queen's Park, Clyde and Ross County midfielder accepts no credit at all for the rise to prominence which Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller, who joined up with the Scotland squad yesterday ahead of their friendly internationals against Iceland and Liechtenstein, has enjoyed in the past couple of seasons. However, he still gave Miller regular first team game time during his time in North Lanarkshire and even made the youngster his captain. He would love to see more gifted prospects make the step up into the senior ranks in Ayrshire. Read more: 'I take no responsibility for Lennon Miller's development,' he said. 'Yes, I played him for a lot of games and I would have played him for a lot of other games if he hadn't come across two serious injuries. But a lot of people worked with him before me. 'But I came through at Queen's Park, where young players were given an opportunity. I was a young captain, a really young captain, at the time. Then once I got into coaching, I went and started working with the under-20s at Ross County and got a lot of success there. 'That's always been a part of my pathway. My thought process is to try and give those opportunities. They come in different ways. Sometimes you sign a rough diamond and you feel that you give them a facility because I always speak about just being a facilitator. (Image: Euan Cherry - SNS Group) 'You'll see some guys walking about patting themselves on the back and saying, 'I've done that'. I've never made a football player before in my life. But I do think you facilitate it. You try and guide them and you try and show them the pathway that might be beneficial to them. 'Lennon Miller was probably the easiest one of them all. When you're a top talent, you live your life right and you do the right things. My job within it was I played him and I gave him games. 'But there's been plenty of others in the mix in there as well. If they follow your lead and they take it seriously, then I think you can help them if you're prepared to give them an opportunity. 'Bobby Wales and David Watson are two good examples of players who have taken their chance here at Kilmarnock. There's been plenty more before that. You just want to take your own version of it on.'
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Lennon Miller's rise from Motherwell towards Scotland debut as insider explains key factors in making it happen
The Fir Park starlet is in line to feature against Iceland and Leichtenstein having been selected again by Steve Clarke Stuart Kettlewell says Lennon Miller's rise towards a Scotland debut is all down to the kid's class and character. The Motherwell starlet is in line to feature against Iceland and Liechtenstein having been selected again by Steve Clarke. Miller was with the squad for the Nations League double-header against Greece in March but didn't get off the bench. He should now get a chance to shine in the summer friendlies. Former Fir Park boss Steven Hammell gave Miller a debut just six days after his 16th birthday but he pushed on during Kettewell's time at Well and was handed the armband. Kettlewell, now boss of Kilmarnock, takes no plaudits for Miller's ascent though and insists the youngster's qualities on and off the park have made it happen. Asked about nurturing the teenager, he said: 'I could take you years and years further back from that as well. I take no responsibility for Lennon's development. 'I've never made a football player before in my life but I think you facilitate it. 'You try to guide them and show the pathway that might be beneficial. 'You touch on Lennon, that one can be probably the easiest of them all when you're a top talent, you live your life right and do the right things. 'So my job within it was I played him and I gave him games. But there's been plenty of others in the mix there as well that, if they follow your lead and take it seriously, you can help them if you're prepared to give them an opportunity. 'I came through at Queen's Park where young players were given an opportunity. I was a really young captain. 'Then once I got into coaching, I started working with the Under-20s at Ross County and got a lot of success there. 'That has always been a part of my pathway and my thought process is to try to give those opportunities. 'Sometimes you sign a rough diamond and you feel that you give them a facility because I always speak about just being a facilitator.' Kettlewell's track record in handing youth a chance was a key factor in his appointment at Rugby Park. After leaving Well at the beginning of the year, he could have gone to Carlisle before Mark Hughes took the post. There were other opportunities too but they didn't hold the appeal of Kilmarnock. Kettlewell said: 'That [Carlisle] was an opportunity that came up very quickly for me. 'There's been two or three options, nothing against the clubs, nothing against the opportunities. 'Sometimes you need to go on your gut feeling as to whether you think it's the right thing. 'It's not just about working in football for me, it's trying to work in the right job. I want to see the fruits of my labour and to see people prosper from within that.'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Lennon Miller can be a Euro star like Scott McTominay, says Motherwell defender
Stephen O'Donnell reckons Miller can play at the highest level Motherwell vice-captain Stephen O'Donnell says Lennon Miller can be a top star in Europe – but would be delighted to see him remain at Fir Park next season. Right-back O'Donnell has watched Scots like Scott McTominay and Lewis Ferguson tear it up in Italy, and has no doubt that Miller could follow in those footsteps. The 18-year-old is expected to be in high demand this summer, with the Fir Park club anticipating a huge fee, and O'Donnell reckons his team-mate could become a superstar. He said: 'No-one would have said Scott McTominay would become such a talisman for Napoli, but what I would say is that some players have surprised me by going and doing so well, others haven't. 'I don't think Lennon would surprise me if he went and did well anywhere. 'I think he has a temperament, a natural ability, and if a team wants to get on the ball, I don't think there will be many better players at his age around the world at getting on the ball and trying to create stuff from deeper positions. 'I am excited to see what the future holds for him. If it's not Motherwell, I wouldn't be surprised if he went away abroad and kicked on to another level. 'Lennon is a character, he's professional, he's always fit, though he had a wee blip through the season. 'He's always training and training well, and his ability is there for everyone to see, winning the sports writers and the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year awards. 'He's a talent, and one that we're lucky to have. If he goes, he goes with everyone's blessing, and I just hope that his career goes in a direction that I and we all think it will go. 'He's a very talented boy, a really good guy, and a very good team-mate, which is the most important thing, and I'm sure he'll do great, wherever he goes.' O'Donnell reckons there are others at Fir Park that could attract attention over the summer, providing a win-win situation for the club. He said: 'There are lots of players under contract, but the ones that have done well, we can command a fee for, the likes of Callum Slattery and Lennon Miller, and you wouldn't be surprised if anyone came in for these guys, because they're very good players. 'That puts the club in a good position, and if that was to happen for one of both – or anyone – it's good for the club. 'If they're here at the start of the season, that's good for the club as well.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Motherwell to host Hertha Berlin in pre-season friendly
Motherwell will host Bundesliga 2 side Hertha Berlin in a pre-season friendly at Fir Park on Friday 25 July at 19:00 two-time German champions, who were relegated from the Bundesliga in 2023, finished 11th in the second tier last term.
