Confident Stuart Kettlewell is up for the challenge of repeating last season’s incredible Old Firm style form – despite losing half of his winning team.The Motherwell boss blasted the Fir Park men to safety last term with a stunning second half of the campaign where he picked up more points than champions Celtic and only one less than Michael Beale’s Rangers.
But Kettlewell is facing a Steelmen rebuilding mission with top scorer Kevin van Veen heading for the exit along with youngster Max Johnston, defender Dan Casey and midfielder Sean Goss.Centre-back Calum Butcher is also facing four months out after surgery – leaving the Well gaffer with a job on his hands.
Kettlewell wants a lean, mean squad this term but he’s hoping a cool £300,000 compensation cheque for Johnston and a few more departures might leave him room for four new faces and tee him up for the task of kicking on from last season.The Fir Park boss – who kicks off the Viaplay Cup group stages at Elgin City on Saturday – said: “It was a great run and we did get a point more than Celtic and one one less than Rangers over that period.
In 14 games we amassed 30 points. Dundee United were relegated on 31 – we were level on points with them when I took over.“But it’s a totally different scenario – because it could look like a totally different team.
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