Theo Bair's Canada call-up is merited, but he has more to come, says Motherwell boss

Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell reckons striker Theo Bair deserves his Canada call-up – and says there’s more to come from the big striker.

The 24-year-old’s form this season, scoring 11 goals in 32 games – and nine in his last 12 – has earned Bair his first chance in the international set-up since 2020.

Bair is in the squad for a CONCAF Nations League play-off against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, March 23, and Kettlewell is delighted for his player.

He said: “It’s excellent. Any time we get anybody with an international call-up at whatever level, whatever country, it always bodes well.

“There’s always a talking point that you don’t want your players going away and risking injury, and I don’t really buy into it.

“It’s great for the football club, it’s a good news story, but most importantly it’s good for the player.

“I know when Theo came here, he had a real ambition to get back in that Canadian national squad.

“His form, I think it’s nine goals in his last 12 games, and however many assists in there – is a heck of a record, when you think about some of the teams we’ve played in that stretch of games.

“It’s his just reward, he’s been working tirelessly, he gets his just rewards, and we’re all delighted for him.

“But we’re delighted for all the lads that have got that international call-up, hopefully they all go away, get minutes on the pitch, and come back with some really good experiences.”

Kettlewell says simple hard work and self-belief is working well for Bair, who has flourished this season at Fir Park.

He said: “I’ve always been a believer in that if you work incredibly hard, you’ll get to look yourself in the mirror at the end of it – for better or worse – and with big Theo, it just shows that work ethic,