Latest news with #MattyConnelly
Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Motherwell goalkeeper a target for Airdrie ahead of season opener
The Diamonds are looking to strengthen between the sticks Airdrieonians are targeting the signing of Motherwell goalkeeper Matty Connelly on loan. Lanarkshire Live Sport understands the Fir Park shot-stopper, who was handed his first team debut for the Steelmen earlier this month in a 2-1 win over Peterhead in the Premier Sports Cup, is being pursued by the Diamonds ahead of Saturday's Championship opener at home to Ross County. Rhys McCabe's side are currently light in the goalkeeping department with goalie coach David Hutton named on the bench for Saturday's cup defeat to Alloa, while 20-year-old Cade Melrose started between the sticks. Hutton has been a substitute in all of the club's cup matches, with Melrose taking the gloves. So the Diamonds are keen to strengthen in that department and the answer could lie with Connelly, who played regularly on loan at East Kilbride last season on their way to the Lowland League title and promotion to League Two. Connelly - who signed a new one year deal with Motherwell last month - had been expected to return to Kilby this season, but an injury to Fir Park No.1 Aston Oxborough in pre-season meant the Steelmen held on to their youth academy product for their Premier Sports Cup games, which concluded last midweek. However, with Oxborough returning in Friday night's friendly against Hertha Berlin off the bench and second choice Calum Ward starting that game ahead of Saturday's Premiership opener with Rangers, it is understood 22-year-old Connelly could be looking to go out on loan again. Connelly recently said in an interview with Motherwell's club media: 'The loans have been absolutely pivotal. 'I've always said I'd rather go out and play instead of just being a number two or a three. The excitement of playing games is the most important thing and especially getting the experience. 'My first loan at Gretna, which was brilliant, it was only a short period I was there before I got the facial injury, it was so benefical. What a place it is, great place to start. Moving to Stranraer, that was cut short but East Kilbride was so good. 'That's where I played the majority of my games, I think I played just under 50 games there last year. I've been there twice and had the chance to go back there which was a no brainer. 'Getting those games and experience is vital. It moulds you and gets you one step closer to playing first-team football here.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Motherwell's young keeper says patience has paid off as he grabs chance
Motherwell goalkeeper Matty Connelly says patience has paid off at Fir Park, and intends to grab his chance with both hands. The 22-year-old was heading back on loan to League Two newcomers East Kilbride on loan, but an injury to first-choice Motherwell shot-stopper Aston Oxborough suddenly opened up some possibilities. After Callum Ward sold a goal in the 2-2 draw at Clyde in Motherwell's Premier Sports Cup opener, Connelly was given the nodd for a 2-1 win over Peterhead on Tuesday and a 1-0 triumph at Stenhousemuir yesterday. Connelly, who wasn't really tested at Ochilview, said: 'I've been patiently waiting for my chance. I thought I did all right on my debut, and to get the chance to play again on Saturday, I could myself really lucky. 'I'm thankful to the gaffer for giving me the chance. 'I think it's a good base to make your debut, and when you're the team that's expected to win, it's just following that through. ''I was buzzing. It was a really calm game for me, no shots on goal, just kind of playing it out the back and stuff like that. 'The boys in front of me did brilliantly.' READ MORE: Motherwell boss: 'Our cup fate was always in our own hands, despite sticky start' READ MORE: Stenhousemuir 0, Motherwell 1: O'Donnell strike keeps Well cup hopes alive Connelly and Co can win Group D with a win over second-placed Morton on Tuesday, though they will be waiting on the Greenock club's final game at home to Clyde on Saturday. The young shot-stopper said: 'We're in a good position to qualify from the group, but Tuesday's another challenge and we'll try to get another three points and top the group. 'That's our last game, so we want the win.' Connelly has been at East Kilbride on loan for the last couple of years and played a major role last season as they won the Lowland League and the pyramid play-off against Bonnyrigg Rose. And he said: 'East Kilbride have been brilliant, the coaches – Mick Kennedy, Si Ferry, Blair Munn, Zander Cowie the goalie coach – have all been brilliant with me. 'I went back there twice and enjoyed it the first time, and set out to get promoted, and thankfully they did that. 'I would go back out there if needed. The plan when I came back in this summer was to go back out on loan, then I got the chance here to play games. 'But I'll see what happens, I do what I'm told!'
Daily Record
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Motherwell's young keeper says patience has paid off as he grabs chance
Matty Connelly has been handed the gloves in Aston Oxborough's absence Motherwell goalkeeper Matty Connelly says patience has paid off at Fir Park, and intends to grab his chance with both hands. The 22-year-old was heading back on loan to League Two newcomers East Kilbride on loan, but an injury to first-choice Motherwell shot-stopper Aston Oxborough suddenly opened up some possibilities. After Callum Ward sold a goal in the 2-2 draw at Clyde in Motherwell's Premier Sports Cup opener, Connelly was given the nodd for a 2-1 win over Peterhead on Tuesday and a 1-0 triumph at Stenhousemuir yesterday. Connelly, who wasn't really tested at Ochilview, said: 'I've been patiently waiting for my chance. I thought I did all right on my debut, and to get the chance to play again on Saturday, I could myself really lucky. 'I'm thankful to the gaffer for giving me the chance. 'I think it's a good base to make your debut, and when you're the team that's expected to win, it's just following that through. ''I was buzzing. It was a really calm game for me, no shots on goal, just kind of playing it out the back and stuff like that. 'The boys in front of me did brilliantly.' Connelly and Co can win Group D with a win over second-placed Morton on Tuesday, though they will be waiting on the Greenock club's final game at home to Clyde on Saturday. The young shot-stopper said: 'We're in a good position to qualify from the group, but Tuesday's another challenge and we'll try to get another three points and top the group. 'That's our last game, so we want the win.' Connelly has been at East Kilbride on loan for the last couple of years and played a major role last season as they won the Lowland League and the pyramid play-off against Bonnyrigg Rose. And he said: 'East Kilbride have been brilliant, the coaches – Mick Kennedy, Si Ferry, Blair Munn, Zander Cowie the goalie coach – have all been brilliant with me. 'I went back there twice and enjoyed it the first time, and set out to get promoted, and thankfully they did that. 'I would go back out there if needed. The plan when I came back in this summer was to go back out on loan, then I got the chance here to play games. 'But I'll see what happens, I do what I'm told!'
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Keeper Connelly signs new Motherwell deal
Goalkeeper Matty Connelly has penned a new one-year deal at 22-year-old academy graduate spent last season on loan at East Kilbride, playing 46 games and gaining promotion from the Lowland League to the SPFL's fourth who has also had spells at Falkirk, Gretna and Stranraer, is yet play a first-team game for Motherwell.
