Latest news with #StephenO'Donnell
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
21-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
O'Donnell hopes Wimmer can 'spring Motherwell to life'
Stephen O'Donnell hopes the arrival of new manager Michael Wimmer will bring "a spring of life" to Motherwell as they aim to avoid a relegation Fir Park side have slipped from fourth to eighth in the Scottish Premiership amid a dreadful run of five consecutive defeats, winning just one of their last 11 matches in all have spent most of this season in the top six, and despite only being in the bottom half of the table due to goal difference, they are just four points clear of the relegation play-off spot, such is the tight nature of the qualification remains possible, but O'Donnell has told his team-mates to accept their main focus for now is to pull away from the drop zone."I hope I'm wrong and we go on and win the next five games, but I think we've been aware for the past couple of months that we are in a scrap," the former Scotland full-back said."We need to get safe first. You can say that's a negative attitude, but that's for me a realistic attitude."We haven't been consistent enough, nor has the rest of the league. We just need to make sure we bounce back from what's been a tough run with the new manager and start his reign off with a good performance."O'Donnell and co will have the chance to do that at Tannadice on Saturday when they take on fourth-placed Dundee United, and the 32-year-old is aiming to impress."I think there's always pressure and enthusiasm around a new manager," the defender added. "You need to impress him, and I just hope over the coming weeks I'm able to do that."The manager hasn't been over in Scotland before with a team, so hopefully that just comes a real spring of life for the full squad."
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Rome wasn't built in a day' - O'Donnell
Stephen O'Donnell pleaded patience from the Motherwell fans as his side gets to grip with the way new manager Michael Wimmer wants to German boss has been vocal on his intent to play intense, attacking football - quite a change from the style under previous gaffer Stuart Kettlewell."When the manager leaves, it's really disappointing and especially when you've been in the team, you've been a big part of his spell, it hurts," O'Donnell reflected on Kettlewell's exit. "But that's also part of football, we go on. It was sad that he left but there's obviously a new fresh slate and all I'd ask is that the fans give the team that the gaffer picks a bit of time to hopefully start to see improvement."I hope it comes on Saturday against Dundee United but Rome wasn't built in a day and hopefully there'll be improvements."However, the Motherwell vice-captain was confident about how quickly he and his teammates have gotten to grips with Wimmer's plans."All we can do, as players, is ask for clarity - and that's what was disappointing, I thought we had that before, I have been at clubs and we've not had that."The gaffer has come in and he looks like he's going to be very clear on what he expects from us. You get the impression that if it isn't delivered then you won't play and that's how it should work. That's how it will hopefully be, and you just hope that you're in the team whenever the team's picked."Despite the difference in perceived playing styles, O'Donnell assured fans that it hasn't been night and day from the previous regime."It doesn't look like he's ripping up everything, so that's always a good start."We've obviously got a lot of bodies in the building, which again is a positive for him he can start to cipher through where he thinks people are best suited."That will take time but I certainly see what he's looking to do, things that we maybe have come away from as a team, and hopefully the manager coming in reinvents that and starts to spring it back to life."
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Fotheringham for Motherwell job?
Former Huddersfield Town manager Mark Fotheringham, 41, would be keen to discuss the managerial vacancy at Motherwell. (Sun), externalMotherwell right-back Stephen O'Donnell, 32 admits the players are "shocked" after Stuart Kettlewell quit as boss following abuse from some fans. (Sky Sports), externalRead Wednesday's Scottish gossip
