Blair Spittal Motherwell contract latest as Stuart Kettlewell makes 'heaven and earth' pledge to Fir Park star

Stuart Kettlewell admits he’d move heaven and earth to tie Blair Spittal down on a new deal at Motherwell.

The playmaker is a doubt for Sunday’s clash with Celtic after missing last weekend’s defeat to Hearts with a knee knock picked up against Aberdeen. But the 28-year-old has been a standout performer for the Steelmen, chipping in with nine goals this season, and up until the weekend had played all but 10 minutes of the entire campaign. Spittal is out of contract in the summer and was heavily linked with St Mirren in the January window. Talks are ongoing over a new deal and Kettlewell said: “Everyone will know we want Blair to be a Motherwell player for as long as possible.

“I would move heaven and earth to have him here for as long as we possibly could. Since I walked in the door in February last year he has played almost every minute. I generally don’t take him off the pitch because I can trust him with my life with how he goes about his business.

“I signed him for Ross County and the growth in Blair has been exceptional. He has been performing to an unbelievable level for us all season. I don’t think I can tell you a game where he’s not been over a seven out of 10.

“Against Rangers and Celtic, I watch him in these games and he is top drawer. The guys round about him will thrive and know the movements they can make when you have that ability to find them.”

Meanwhile Motherwell are in talks with two parties as they hunt fresh investment. The fan-owned club launched a five-figure advertising campaign last month, name-checking pop star Taylor Swift in a quirky nod to Hollywood investment elsewhere in British football.

Outgoing chairman McMahon said their aim was to “de-risk the club” and added: “The whole strategy is