Motherwell were looking to show a reaction following their recent defeat at Tynecastle. Stuart Kettlewell wanted to see more of everything from his team and that's exactly what he got.  With Aberdeen in town, the Steelmen wanted to make the most of their one and only home game this month. Academy graduate Ewan Wilson banged home his first professional goal at the back post to kick off proceedings in the first-half, before Aberdeen were reduced to ten men when Slobodan Rubežić was given his marching orders for a head clash with Tony Watt. Motherwell pounced and straight from the restart, made it two through Tawanda Maswanhise. A professional display in the second-half saw Motherwell introduce Callum Slattery and Paul McGinn following on from their injury lay-offs, with the next game, once again, in just three days time.

Motherwell were looking to start 2025 in a positive light when they travelled to Tynecastle for their first fixture of the new year, but the hosts got themselves ahead in the opening stages and rarely looked back.  A lacklustre day at the office was pounced upon by the Jambos, with Hearts dominating and creating numerous openings. In what was a day to forget, the Steelmen could've snatched a point but for the late dramatics of Hearts keeper Craig Gordon. The next chance comes quick, as Aberdeen visit ML1 in just two days time.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell emphasised his disappointment at his team's performance against Hearts and wants to see a major reaction to that poor display. Kettlewell is not blaming the quantity of games as an excuse for the Hearts game, saying the team can bounce back against Aberdeen on Sunday.

Defender Dan Casey believes there is fire in the players' bellies ahead of Aberdeen's visit to Fir Park. Casey says the players are all hurting after their most recent outing and are looking to rectify immediately.  Casey thinks every team is tiring from the amount of games played in a short space of time, so there are no excuses.

Tony Watt is feeling the best he has done in a while at Motherwell having put in extra effort and work in the last few months.  Watt was disappointed to see his team on the wrong end of another decision at the weekend but believes the players have a job to do and they won't sit back and feel hard done by.

Assistant manager Stephen Frail says the KMI report that concluded Tony Watt's goal should have stood against Rangers doesn't do anything for the team and that they have moved onto the next challenge.  Frail believes Hearts are a good team with good players and is expecting a tough day at the office.

Motherwell's last points at home against Rangers were in January 2021, and with a narrow loss in the semi-final on their minds, the Steelmen wanted to start fast. And start fast they did. In the first-half, they showed ample energy and class, with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Tawanda Maswanhise dispatching two efforts past Jack Butland. Rangers made changes at the interval and got one back within the first five minutes of the second-half. But then, in similar fashion to recent weeks, refereeing controversy would be at the heart of the match. Tony Watt seemed to have given the hosts the lead, but Kevin Clancy blew bizarrely for a foul on the keeper. With the goal ruled out, Watt thought he scored again but VAR intervened, spotting an offside in the build-up. Rangers then levelled the game minutes later. Not many chances would come in the closing stages, with the Well having to settle for a point in their final run out of 2024.

Stuart Kettlewell reacts to taking a point from Rangers at home.

Manager Stuart Kettlewell wants to see some improvements from his team when Rangers come to town on Sunday. The Motherwell boss isn't fussed about the busy schedule and insists his players are focused on the job at hand. Kettlewell provides an update on the fitness of the squad.

Shane Blaney is pleased to be back in the team and playing football, with the Irish centre-back discussing how frustrating it was to spend some time on the sidelines.  The defender talks about facing Celtic and Rangers back to back, as well the mood in camp.

Motherwell had drawn both of their last two visits to Celtic Park. They were on track for a first-half shutout until the referee awarded a spot kick on the stroke of half-time, which Arne Engels dispatched.  Tony Watt was unlucky not to convert from Marvin Kaleta's header towards goals, but just minutes later, Celtic added a second, making it a mountain to climb for the Steelmen.  The league leaders added a third and a fourth before the full-time whistle, ending Motherwell's unbeaten run. There is no time to ponder, however, with Rangers visiting Fir Park in two days time.

Stuart Kettlewell's post-match thoughts.