Motherwell

Eleven Premiership B-teams, including Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian, Dundee United, Livingston, St Mirren, Rangers, Motherwell, Celtic, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock, have learned their first round and potential second round opponents for next season's SPFL Trust Trophy.

The first round ties will played in the midweek of 9/10 August before second round fixtures take place a fortnight later on 23/24 August.

First-round draw: 

• Brora Rangers v Aberdeen B

• Hearts B v Buckie Thistle

• Fraserburgh v St Johnstone B

• Hibernian B v Brechin City

• Elgin City v Dundee Utd B

• Bonnyrigg Rose v Livingston B

• St Mirren B v East Stirling

• Spartans v Rangers B

• Motherwell B v East Kilbride

• Albion Rovers v Celtic B

• Kilmarnock B v Cowdenbeath 

Second-round draw:

• Elgin City or Dundee Utd B v Stenhousemuir

• Forfar v Kelty Hearts

• Hibernian B or Brechin City v Stirling Albion

• East Fife v Fraserburgh or St Johnstone B

• Hearts B or Buckie v Brora or Aberdeen B

• Spartans or Rangers B v Dumbarton

• Motherwell B or East Kilbride v Annan Athletic

• Albion Rovers or Celtic B v Bonnyrigg or Livingston B

• FC Edinburgh v Stranraer

• Kilmarnock B or Cowdenbeath v St Mirren B or East Stirling

Image source, SNS

Read more: Andy Goram dies at age 58

Rangers have been among the least active of Scottish Premiership clubs in the summer transfer market so far when it comes to their first team, but this week they have snapped up three products of rival academies.

The latest, Bailey Rice, had rejected top-flight rivals Motherwell's offer of a first professional contract as he prepares to sign on the dotted line when he turns 16 in October.

He quickly followed the similar path taken by fellow midfielder Kieron Willox from Inverness Caledonian Thistle and forward Cammy Cooper from Partick Thistle, with all three clubs accepting undisclosed fees.

Motherwell say that, despite the departure, they were able to "promote nine of the 10" they wanted to keep from "an exciting, and much-coveted" squad despite a number having "significant interest from big clubs on both sides of the border".

Caley Thistle say they "did our best" to keep Willox, who had been with them for six seasons, following interest in the winger from a number of Premiership clubs.

Fellow 16 year old Cooper had been with Championship rivals Thistle since 2014, had featured regularly for their under-18 side last season and helped Scotland Under-17s reach this year's European Championship finals.

While Cooper departs, midfield duo Ben Stanway and Zander MacKenzie have been promoted from the under-18s to Ian McCall's first-team squad at Firhill.

Macron have a reputation of getting it right with Motherwell kits - have they done it again?

The Fir Park side's new away strip boasts an unusual collar while the sponsor has been shrunk and placed underneath the club crest.

Eleven B teams from Scottish Premiership clubs will enter the first round of the 2022-23 Scottish Challenge Cup.

The colt teams of Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Livingston, Motherwell, Rangers, St Johnstone and St Mirren will again feature in the competition.

The opening round will be regionalised and also feature the top four from last season's Highland and Lowland Leagues, as well as the teams finishing eighth, ninth and 10th in last term's Scottish League 2.

The draw for the first round will be on 4 August, with the ties on 9 and 10 August.

The other third-tier sides from last season and the bottom two League 1 teams enter in the second round.

Welsh sides The New Saints and Caernarfon Town and Northern Ireland's Cliftonville and Linfield enter as guest clubs in the third round along with nine Championship clubs.

Image source, SNS

To get his team ready for the task of an assault on the Europa Conference League qualifiers, Graham Alexander's side will face Partick Thistle in a friendly on Saturday 16 July, with a kick off at 3pm.

The Steelmen will host either Sligo Rovers or Bala Town in the second qualifying round the following Thursday.

Rangers and Celtic have made opening bids for Motherwell midfielder Bailey Rice, who turns 16 later this year, but they also face English Premier League competition for his signature. (Scottish Daily Express), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Just a gentle reminder of where your side is going on the opening day of the 2022-23 Premiership.

Last season almost felt never-ending with the international schedule at the start of June, and we were all due a break by the end of it.

But with five weeks to go, excitement is bubbling away already for the start of next term.

By the end of next month we'll be bursting and ready to go.

Scotland centre-back Declan Gallagher is St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson's seventh summer signing.

Three of those seven recruits - Gallagher, Mark O'Hara and Trevor Carson - are players the ex-Motherwell manager worked with during his time at Fir Park.

Add in Richard Tait, Charles Dunne and Curtis Main, who were already at the club, plus assistant coach Diarmuid O'Carroll and chief executive Keith Lasley, that's eight former Motherwell employees the current Buddies boss has with him in Paisley.

St Mirren's summer transfers:

Ins: Declan Gallagher (Aberdeen); Keanu Baccus (Western Sydney); Mark O'Hara (Motherwell); Ryan Strain (Maccabi Haifa); Trevor Carson (Dundee Utd); Toyosi Olusanya (Middlesbrough); Jonah Ayunga (Morecambe)

Outs: Conor McCarthy (Barnsley); Jak Alnwick (Cardiff City); Alan Power (Kilmarnock); Kyle McAllister (Forest Green); Danny Finlayson (Linfield, loan)

A Motherwell fans group is appealing for donations as they aim to turn Fir Park claret and amber for the club's return to European action next month.

A target of £4,500 is close to being met for a tifo display, external in the Europa Conference qualifier first leg against Bala Town or Sligo Rovers on 21 July.

Having created colourful displays at their Scottish and League Cup final appearances in 2017-2018, the latest plan is "more ambitious" and will "include as many Motherwell supporters as possible".

Motherwell's new head of goalkeeping Andy Dibble brings "vast knowledge" and "top-level", says manager Graham Alexander.

The 57-year-old Welshman has been appointed at Fir Park after five seasons with English Championship club Cardiff City.

Dibble turned out for clubs including Manchester City, Cardiff and Rangers - and won three caps - in a 24-year playing career before moving into coaching.

“I’m delighted to welcome Andy to the club," said Alexander.

“He has vast knowledge as a coach and his top-level experience from his playing days will certainly help our keepers.

"Having experienced the Scottish game before, I know how excited he is to join us and help us keep progressing.”

Image source, Getty Images

A flying start to the new campaign is Motherwell's aim as they attempt to reach the group stage of European football for the first time.

The Europa Conference League qualifiers will travel in early July to Obertraun, Austria, where they face Austrian club SK Vorwarts Steyr in a friendly.

The Steelmen take on Bala Town or Sligo Rovers in the Europa Conference second qualifying round first leg on 21 July.

Image source, SNS

Liam Kelly's season only officially ended last week when Scotland's four-game international camp came to a close.

But after a gruelling 11-month campaign, the Motherwell keeper is determined to make an impact in Europe when his club side returns to action next month.

The Fir Park outfit get their Conference League adventure under way on 21 July when they host either Bala Town or Sligo Rovers in the first leg of second-round qualifying.

"To finish fifth [last season] and secure a Euro spot is a great achievement," the 26-year-old told the Scottish Sun, external. "I have never played in a European game before in my career and I can’t wait.

"They'll be difficult games, but we have to go out and enjoy them and make sure we give a good account of ourselves."

Motherwell have been on the search for a goalkeeping coach after the departure of Craig Hinchcliffe to Dundee United.

And a report suggests they've got their man as the Daily Record, external state ex-Rangers and Aberdeen keeper Andy Dibble is set to fill the void.

With the Fir Park side due to start their European campaign in a month, Dibble will be tasked with getting Scotland's Liam Kelly ready for the season.

Image source, SNS

Obviously, everyone plays each other three times before the split - but what do you make of this season’s fixtures as a Motherwell fan?

Will Graham Alexander find the right games to rotate in should they progress in Europe? Is there a tricky run of games that you're worried about in there?

Have your say here

The European exploits of Scottish clubs often cause schedule amendments, and don't expect anything different this term.

Motherwell fans, don't be surprised to see your side's opening fixture at St Mirren nudged to the Sunday as your club are scheduled play the return leg of their second round Conference League qualifier on the Thursday prior.

Dundee United (Conference League) and Hearts (Europa League) can also anticipate changes to their calendar with Thursday night qualifiers due to be played in the early weeks of the campaign.