Stuart Kettlewell has urged his Motherwell players to embark on a special Premier Sports Cup run after beating 10-man Kilmarnock 1-0 to move into the quarter-finals.
Moses Ebiye scored an extra-time winner with a brilliant header for Well, who dominated after Stuart Findlay was dismissed for the visitors in the 50th minute.
Motherwell were rewarded with a kind last-eight draw against Dundee United at home with Hampden on the horizon.
“Going through was the ultimate goal and it doesn’t matter how you get there,” Kettlewell said.
“Both teams would acknowledge that there could be more quality and chances created. Kilmarnock had another game on Thursday and we had more time to prepare so it was so important to get in the last eight.
“You want to go into the last eight of the cup and I spoke to the players about how little those opportunities can come around.
“We are in the draw and that brings excitement as it’s been a difficult start to the season because of the injury disruption.”
The big talking point pre-match was the return of Tony Watt after his acrimonious exit for Dundee United in January 2022 and subsequent social media posts.
Some sections of the Motherwell support still resent the former Celtic striker but he received an overwhelmingly positive reaction on his introduction after 60 minutes.
“I’m delighted with that,” Kettlewell admitted.
“I don’t think it would’ve affected him either way but I heard when he warmed up he got a tremendous reception.
“They will know that he’s a good player and he’s served the club really well in the past. That’s the intention of him coming back but I thought he gave plenty when he came on.”
Derek McInnes made nine changes after Kilmarnock’s European heroics against Tromso in midweek but preparations for the UEFA Conference League play-off against Copenhagen on Thursday were not helped by playing 70 minutes with 10 men after Findlay’s dismissal.
“Today we tried to play our freshest team rather than maybe our strongest team,” McInnes said.
“We’re having to deal with a schedule at the minute which we’re not used to as players and a club. We’re not complaining about it because we’d rather have the schedule.
“But it does make us a bit more vulnerable. Sunday to Thursday’s a bit easier, clearly, because you’ve got those extra days.
“But Thursday to Sunday after travelling, two away games back to back, it’s always more of a stretch and hence that was the team picked today to try to give us the freshness part of it.
“We’re disappointed to be out of the cup but we felt today was a day we could get a result with the team picked – going down to 10 men had a huge impact on that.”
[(Strasbourg) Strength]: 1. RC Strasbourg Alsace started with a 1-0 away win over FC Metz in the last Ligue 1 game. Facing FC Nantes in this game, they are motivated to take 3 points.2. RC Strasbourg Alsace were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 games, showing fit form. They secured a 0-0 draw with Brondby IF in the last Conference League match.3. RC Strasbourg Alsace recorded 2 wins,...
[(Juventus FC) Strength]: 1. Juventus FC are undoubtedly motivated to start the new season with a home win in this game.2. Jonathan David scored first in the last warm-up match against Atalanta BC, helping the team secure a win.3. In the last two warm-up games, Juventus FC beat strong Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC, showing outstanding form.4. Juventus FC were unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw in...
[(AFC Ajax) Strength]: 1. AFC Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles away from home in the last league match. They have achieved an unbeaten record of one win and one draw in two league games of the new season, maintaining a stable form.2. AFC Ajax's attack has maintained their excellent pre-season form, scoring 11 goals in the last 5 matches, with an average of over 2 goals per game.3. AFC Ajax's hom...
[(Atalanta BC) Strength]: 1. This match is the first round of the new Serie A season. Atalanta BC, playing at home, will strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In a recent friendly match against Juventus FC, Lazar Samardzic scored a goal, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Atalanta BC have scored a total of 8 goals and conceded 11 ones in their la...
[(Udinese Calcio) Strength]: 1. Arthur Atta scored the opening goal for the team in the recent Coppa Italia match. He officially joined the club during the offseason, with Udinese Calcio spending 8 million euros to secure his services.2. Udinese Calcio won 2-0 over Carrarese Calcio 1908 in the first Coppa Italia match, welcoming the new season with good performances.3. Udinese Calcio scored 2 goal...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal started the new season with an away victory in the opening round, currently sitting near the top of the league table with 3 points. After finishing 5th in La Liga last season and securing a spot in European football, the Yellow Submarine aim to maintain their strong form this campaign. Playing at home in the Estadio de la Ceramica against Girona, the team are...
[(IK Sirius) Strength]: 1. IK Sirius have recently achieved three consecutive victories in all competitions and are in good form. In the last Svenska Cupen match, they defeated Pitea IF 5-0 and advanced to the group stage.[(IK Sirius) Weakness]: 1. IK Sirius currently ranked 12th in the league table. Facing 2nd-placed Hammarby, IK Sirius, who have been performing poorly, have little chance of winn...
[(Osasuna) Strength]: 1. Osasuna lost in the first round of the league and suffered a poor start. This time playing at home, Osasuna will strive for a win to boost morale and are highly motivated.2. Osasuna are strong at home, winning all of their previous four home games.[(Osasuna) Neutral]: 1. Osasuna have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 ones in their last 5 matches. The team's offensive performan...
[(Cagliari) Strength]: 1. Cagliari finished 15th in Serie A last season, taking 36 points, narrowly avoiding relegation by a 5-point lead. In the first home match of the new season, they will face powerhouses ACF Fiorentina. The team are motivated to take home advantage to start with a win.[(Cagliari) Weakness]: 1. Cagliari captain Leonardo Pavoletti will miss the first Serie A round due to his kn...
[(FC Lorient) Strength]: 1. FC Lorient returned to Ligue 1 this season as the champions of France Ligue 2, but lost their first game away from home. This time, they will strive to secure their first win of the season at home, and their desire to win is beyond doubt.2. FC Lorient have performed very strongly at home. Last season, in 17 home games in France Ligue 2, they achieved an impressive recor...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 3 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 4 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 5 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 6 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 7 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 8 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 9 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 10 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...