Motherwell

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Wing-back Tom Sparrow is eyeing a goal in Dingwall on Sunday to end his debut season with Motherwell as the club's top scorer.

The 22-year-old Welshman is tied on six goals for the campaign with midfielder Callum Slattery and forward Tawanda Maswanhise.

Prior to Sunday's season-ending game at Ross County, Sparrow is well aware Slattery "might have something to say about" his attempts to outdo him in the scoring stakes.

Sparrow added: "We are both on six but we will see what happens in Dingwall. But that would be nice.

"He will tell you that he's played a lot less games than me. I will tell you that he plays higher up the pitch than me but he's been on fire so if he finishes top then there will be no complaints from me.

"It's not something I go into games massively thinking about. My position is more about defending first and foremost and then getting up and supporting play and getting in and around when I can.

"But as the season has gone on, I have felt more confident that I can contribute in that and it's definitely something I want to take into next season."

Instructions from recently-appointed manager Michael Wimmer have helped the goals flow for Sparrow, who has three in nine games.

"Quite early on he noticed that I hang a bit wider in build-up play and goals are scored at the back post and getting in nice and narrow," he said.

"It's something we spoke about and it's worked a couple of times, and I had another couple of chances where I probably should have scored in that position. So I will keep that going."

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Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer is preparing for life after Lennon Miller and says the 18-year-old's character will ensure he goes on to enjoy a "great career".

Midfielder Miller, who has a year left on his Fir Park contract, is attracting interest from clubs at home and abroad.

Speaking before the final-day game with Ross County on Sunday as Motherwell eye seventh place, Wimmer said: "We have to prepare for both situations. But I think it's more realistic that we have to prepare without Lennon instead of with Lennon.

"I hope for Lennon that he makes the perfect next step.

"If you're 18 years old and you have so many offers, you're always in the public eye, you're called up to the national team and you stay humble like him, you stay grounded, then it's absolutely perfect and this is something that I like.

"It shows that Lennon is a great person and it also shows that he has a fantastic environment.

"He's a fantastic football player. It's clear because he shows this every day in the training and every weekend in the matches, but more important is he's a brilliant guy.

"Whatever he decides to do, those qualities that he has will serve him well. If you have these skills and you have this character, then you will have a great career in front of you.

"Hopefully he stays healthy and finds the right club who believe in him and give him the chance to be the Lennon who he is, then I think he will have a great career."

Motherwell's finances have been bolstered by the Well Society breaking the £1m mark in its cash reserves.

Well Society chairman Philip Speedie said: "This is a landmark moment for our members, for fan ownership and for Scottish football.

"Together, we've not only built a £1m contingency fund, but strengthened a model that puts fans at the heart of everything we do."

The fan-run majority shareholder has previously committed more than £1.1m directly into the club in the form of loans, donations and share purchases.

Sportscene pundits Michael Stewart and Charlie Mulgrew discuss Lennon Miller's future after the Motherwell midfielder impressed against Kilmarnock.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 3-0 win against Kilmarnock.

Here's what some of you said:

Stephen: I thought Luke Armstrong looked fit, strong and powerful when he came on. He was a real menace to Kilmarnock's back line, which was rewarded with two good goals. Fingers crossed we can keep him into next season. Regarding Lennon Miller, he has been a good player for Motherwell, but I think it is best for all parties involved that he leaves to advance his career and provide Michael Wimmer with added cash to carry out the annual rebuild of our squad. Between those on loan and out of contract, we may lose half of the first team this summer.

Colin: Three good goals against ten men, which helped. Yet again, Callum Slattery was the best player, we need to build a team around him for next season. We do need some players with speed and guile, and robust defenders.

Gary: A shaky first half for Motherwell, struggled in the final third. Second half, Armstrong made a huge difference up top. Stephen O'Donnell and Slattery were brilliant from the back to attack. Amazing send off for Miller.

James: Some good first-touch football, and with a man advantage, always looked like scoring. Now time for a clear out and bring in some quality, rather than quantity.

Robert: A very welcome win to end our home season. Killie struggled with a red card and their manager situation, but we eventually got the job done. Miller deserves the accolades, and he's a fantastic example for other young players, as well as parents, when you think about how his Dad has helped him. I really hope we do some decent business in the summer, to replace Miller and also to get a striker who'll get us 20 goals a season.

D: A sluggish first half where we had most of the possession but didn't make it count in the final third, red card for Killie absolutely correct, however and thereafter we controlled the game when we have notoriously struggled against 10 men over the years. The introduction of Armstrong for Harry Paton was a masterstroke, going two up front and dominating the second half, and scoring three good quality goals. Look forward to the summer and the recruitment from Wimmer.

Watch highlights as Motherwell win 3-0 against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

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Luke Armstrong "can't speak highly enough" of his time in Scottish football and remains open to returning to Motherwell next season.

The on-loan Carlisle United forward bagged a brace last night in their Fir Park win over Killie, and he is now ready to take time and consider his options over the summer.

The 28-year-old's current Carlisle deal runs until the summer of 2027, and he has made it clear previously that he would "love" to stay at the club and continue working under Michael Wimmer.

"We still don't know," Armstrong said when quizzed on where he will be playing his football next season. "That's the discussion that are going to be going on over the next few days.

"We've got to just focus on the season and the final game, and then there'll be discussions going on of what's possible and what I'm going to do with my future."

Armstrong has scored four goals in eight Motherwell appearances, with his double against Killie added to strikes against either side of the Old Firm.

On his time so far in Scottish football, he added: "I've loved it.

"Some of the games have been unbelievable. To be fair, every game has been and the atmosphere has been really good.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't speak highly enough of the league and what I've experienced so far."

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• Lennon Miller has assisted 8 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), more than any other Motherwell player.

• Callum Slattery has scored 6 goals in the Premiership this season (1 in this game), no Motherwell player has more.

• Stephen O'Donnell attempted 93 passes in this game, the highest total for a Motherwell player in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have beaten Kilmarnock for the first time in the Premiership since 26th August 2023, a run of 5 games without a win.

• Kilmarnock have failed to score in 12 of their 37 games, only Ross County (15) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Motherwell have attempted 579 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the Premiership this season.

Kilmarnock suffered a heavy defeat in what seems set to be Derek McInnes' penultimate game as manager, as three late goals from Luke Armstrong and Callum Slattery gave Motherwell an ultimately comfortable Scottish Premiership victory.

What did you make of that, Motherwell fans? Happy with the final Fir Park game of the season?

Who impressed you? And how much will you miss Lennon Miller, should he depart?

Let us know your thoughts.

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer told BBC Scotland: "I'm very happy, very proud of the guys. It was a great atmosphere.

"It was not so easy, despite the red card. We needed a lot of patience, but the guys did really well. They were good in possession, it was only a matter of time until we scored.

"It's not our biggest strength - scoring goals. But they believe in themselves. They kept possession, played quickly, passed quickly, and deserved to win.

"This is what I want to see from my team, I don't like to be one in front and then defending the goal. Always keep going. Play for the second goal. If you get that, play for the third. This should be the attitude. It's always better to attack than defend.

"It's 11 games. I have a perfect picture. I know everything. I can say it is a brilliant team. Each guy in this team is brilliant, I love each guy. But we have to take decisions. We want to improve, we have to do something.

"We need someone [to replace] Lennon. He's a great player and he has many offers. He has a big choice. They will take the right decision. He deserves the applause, that's why he was subbed.

"I'd never sub Lennon but it was important he got the applause. We always talk about football, technique, and tactics. We often forget the character, the human side.

"At 18, with the pressure from the media, with interest from this club, that club, an invitation from the national team - to stay humble, this is most important. He's a brilliant guy and I wish him all the best."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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It took a long time for Motherwell to make the breakthrough, but once they got going, they didn't look back.

It has been hard for Michael Wimmer to know what his best XI is, given the enormous squad at his disposal, but it was his substitute Luke Armstrong who got things going.

While the win keeps them in the hunt for seventh, one of the biggest cheers of the night was when Lennon Miller was substituted.

This is Motherwell's final home game of the season and it is widely expected that the 18-year-old will be away during the summer, given his lengthy list of suitors.

The Scottish Football Writers' Association's Young Player of the Year has outgrown Motherwell, and the home fans recognise that.

But there is a real bond between player and club, and he will be sorely missed. It was only right that he was given his moment of adulation.

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Lennon Miller. If that is his goodbye, then it was a near-perfect one.

A potentially generational talent from the Motherwell academy, he is on the shopping list of plenty of European clubs this summer. This was another showing as to why.

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Lennon Miller has completed a young player of the year double by adding the Scottish Football Writers' Association (SFWA) award to his PFA Scotland prize.

The 18-year-old Motherwell midfielder fended off competition from Hearts striker James Wilson and Kilmarnock pair Bobby Wales and David Watson.

Miller became Motherwell's youngest-ever captain and has made 37 club appearances this season, scoring four goals, as well as earning a first senior Scotland call-up.

He praised his "outstanding" fellow nominees and added: "To win out of all these players is a really proud moment and one I don't take for granted."

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• Motherwell are unbeaten in six home league games against Kilmarnock (W3 D3) since a 2-0 defeat in December 2020.

• Kilmarnock are unbeaten in five league games against Motherwell (W2 D3), and could win successive league matches against the Steelmen for the first time since December 2018 (four in a row).

• Motherwell have lost their final home league game in two of the past four seasons (W2), as many as their previous 11 beforehand (W6 D3 L2 – including curtailed 2019-20 season).

• Excluding the curtailed 2019-20 season, Kilmarnock have only lost their final away game in one of their past 16 top-flight campaigns (W11 D4), although that was at Motherwell in 2016-17 (3-1).

• In his top-flight managerial career, only against current side Kilmarnock (24) has Derek McInnes won more games than he has over Motherwell (21), although he is winless in his past six away league games against the Steelmen (D4 L2) since a 3-0 victory with Aberdeen in October 2019.

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Motherwell defender Johnny Koutroumbis completes a two-match ban. Liam Gordon, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Paul McGinn are back training but might not feature.

Kofi Balmer (hamstring), Shane Blaney (knee), Sam Nicholson (knee), Jack Vale and Zach Robinson (both Achilles) remain out.

Kilmarnock's Kyle Magennis is back training following a knee problem but the game comes too soon. Brad Lyons (groin) and Joe Wright (hip) remain out but both have a chance for Sunday.

Youth team winger Cole Burke, 16, is added to the squad.

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer has stressed the need for his players to "give everything" in their final home match of the season against Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

The Fir Park outfit are unbeaten in their past four home matches, but fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Hearts last time out.

A bounce-back win over Killie would guarantee Motherwell finish above the Ayrshire side in the table and Wimmer wants an improved display in front of their own supporters.

"The key message is it's our last home game," the German manager said.

"It's important for the fans, but it's also important for the club to finish the season as well as possible.

"It's also important for me because I want to see improvements and not steps back.

"Especially out of possession, especially in defending our last third, it was not good and I want to see that we do it better.

"As I say, this is the last home game, we have a responsibility to the fans, to give them a team with energy on the pitch, to give everything."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

It was certainly a game to forget on Saturday at Hearts for Motherwell, a 3-0 defeat in the capital.

At this stage I feel an overall sense of apathy towards the remaining games now we know we have safety secured.

But the announcement of captain Paul McGinn extending his contract last week was a pleasant surprise.

Given the amount of injuries he has picked up this season, and the fact he is yet to play under manager Michael Wimmer, I was expecting him to perhaps hang up the boots rather than sign on again.

As one of our most consistent defenders, I'm glad he is staying. With some luck we can see him during the League Cup group stage in the summer to help build him back up to top form.

And if we can pick up three points on Wednesday against Kilmarnock as a nice send-off to the fans in our final home game, that would be ideal.

Plus, there is no reason why we can't also beat a Ross County side who are scrapping for their lives on the last day of the season on Sunday.

Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart analyses the decision to disallow Callum Slattery's goal in Motherwell's defeat at Hearts. (Available to UK users only)

Watch highlights as Hearts win 3-0 against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 3-0 defeat against Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Really poor. As if the players have booked their place in the league, and have booked their holidays. Callum Slattery apart, team were rubbish. Again, calamity defending from Stephen O'Donnell for the first goal. A great servant, but never a central defender.

Bill: A lovely day in Edinburgh, it's a pity we never got into the game. I can't understand why the manager is so keen to give contracts to the players who have brought us to this position. It's essential we bring in younger, faster and more skillful players. Same players, same outcome next season?

Eddie: Another dismal performance from players who show no passion. Massive clearout required. I'd rather play the academy players next season.

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• Motherwell have failed to score in 12 of their 36 games, only Ross County (15) have failed to score more often in the Premiership this season.

• Lawrence Shankland has scored eight goals in the Premiership this season (two in this game), more than any other Hearts player.

• Tom Sparrow attempted nine tackles in this game, more than any other player (ahead of Beni Baningime - five tackles).

• Cameron Devlin made five fouls in this game, more than any other player (ahead of Anthony Paul Watt - four fouls).

Two goals from Lawrence Shankland helped Hearts to a comfortable win against Motherwell.

Were you at Tynecastle or following the match from home? Either way, we want your views on the game – have your say here.

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Motherwell manager Michael Wimmer: "It was a bad result. The goals were too easy. There were four shots [on target] for Hearts and they scored three times. I don't want to talk about VAR every weekend, it's always the same.

"I didn't see it [Callum Slattery's disallowed goal[ on the television so I don't want to speak about it. What should I say?

"We discuss each weekend, last weekend it was lucky for us and unlucky for Dundee, this weekend it was unlucky for us and lucky for Hearts.

"In my opinion if it is a clear decision then why does the VAR take five minutes and then the referee take five minutes? It wasn't clear so the VAR should say no and leave it to the referee.

"But it's not necessary to get angry, it's not the reason we lost the game. It was a bad result but I don't think it was a bad performance.

"In the last three games we got seven points and secured our league [status] so that's the positive, and the other positive is we have a game on Wednesday, our last home game and we want to win it."