Motherwell will be better for difficult 'three manager season', says Liam Kelly

Liam Kelly admits Motherwell's 2022/23 campaign has been a drag, but reckons it is one that will serve them well in the long run.

The Steelmen are on their third manager this season after starting the campaign with Graham Alexander, before a disastrous Europa League Qualifying defeat to League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers in July spelled the end of his reign without a ball being kicked in the league.

Steven Hammell took charge and didn't fare much better as he led the team to joint-bottom of the Premiership and an embarrassing Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Raith Rovers that cost him his job in February.

But they say third time's a charm and current incumbent Stuart Kettlewell has dragged the club out of relegation danger and to the cusp of topping the bottom six, following a dramatic turnaround at Fir Park.

Club captain Kelly has been a constant throughout the lows and the rare highs, but believes the journey will stand them in good stead for next season.

Asked if he felt it had been a long campaign, Kelly smiled: "Aye. It's the first time I've ever played under three different managers [in one season].

"That Sligo game seems a long time ago but it's been a good season, a good learning season with different experiences, highs, lows, things we will be better for, and we know exactly what we don't want to experience again.

"I think we will be better for it.

"I think we've had a mixture of results and performances this season but since the manager came in, we've become steady and really consistent.

"That October to February feeling is something we don't want to experience again.

"We know what it takes but we also know if we let standards drop then we can slip back into the old ways, but that won't be happening again.

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