Former Motherwell Fc Players Thread

[Mad Dog]

22 hours ago, MJC said:

Then you consider the ridiculous grandparent rule which allows players to pick and choose their nationality based on which one is more likely to get them capped. Angus Gunn being case in point there, he realised he wasn’t going to get picked for England so ‘decided to be Scottish’. 

It's not always an easy decision when you're half Scottish and half English, though. Or born outside of Scotland to Scottish parents. You get someone like Ollie McBurnie who was born in Leeds to a Scottish father and has always been desperate to wear the dark blue. Angus Gunn may not have had that same drive, but his old man was a Scotland cap and he saw sense in the end.

[MJC]

But in Angus Gunn’s case he had represented England at youth level all the way up to u-21 and was even called up to  the senior squad although did not get any game time. It was only when it became clear that he was far too far down the pecking order for England that he decided to “see sense” as you put it. That makes a mockery of the whole thing.
 

He chose to play for Scotland because he is not good enough to play for England, it is as simple as that. And from what I have seen he’s not all that great for Scotland either.

[Yabba's Turd]

3 minutes ago, MJC said:

But in Angus Gunn’s case he had represented England at youth level all the way up to u-21 and was even called up to  the senior squad although did not get any game time. It was only when it became clear that he was far too far down the pecking order for England that he decided to “see sense” as you put it. That makes a mockery of the whole thing.
 

He chose to play for Scotland because he is not good enough to play for England, it is as simple as that. And from what I have seen he’s not all that great for Scotland either.

I love your gatekeeping take on the regulations that allow most international players to be selected only matter because someone chose a path open to them playing football for a country they are eligible for a passport for.

He didn't wander into Hampden and demand to play for Scotland, he had eligibility and was selected, obviously good enough to be selected by England throughout his youth career, international GK seem to be an institution so he would have chosen Scotland as we were in transition at that position.

[grizzlyg]

36 minutes ago, Yabba's Turd said:

I love your gatekeeping take on the regulations that allow most international players to be selected only matter because someone chose a path open to them playing football for a country they are eligible for a passport for.

He didn't wander into Hampden and demand to play for Scotland, he had eligibility and was selected, obviously good enough to be selected by England throughout his youth career, international GK seem to be an institution so he would have chosen Scotland as we were in transition at that position.

Gunn meets qualifying criteria but my biggest gripe is that twice he was asked to represent Scotland and said No. Then shockeroonie he suddenly made himself available after Craig Gordon had double leg break.

It's the grandparent rule I don't like though if I am being hypocritical I don't mind Binks as he hasn't hidden his desire to play for Scotland.  Yer che adams...George hirst only declared interest after we had qualified for finals

[grizzlyg]

52 minutes ago, MJC said:

But in Angus Gunn’s case he had represented England at youth level all the way up to u-21 and was even called up to  the senior squad although did not get any game time. It was only when it became clear that he was far too far down the pecking order for England that he decided to “see sense” as you put it. That makes a mockery of the whole thing.
 

He chose to play for Scotland because he is not good enough to play for England, it is as simple as that. And from what I have seen he’s not all that great for Scotland either.

Jeez.....I am agreeing with MJC!, What is happening to me! 🤪

[0Neils40yarder]

1 hour ago, grizzlyg said:

Gunn meets qualifying criteria but my biggest gripe is that twice he was asked to represent Scotland and said No. Then shockeroonie he suddenly made himself available after Craig Gordon had double leg break.

It's the grandparent rule I don't like though if I am being hypocritical I don't mind Binks as he hasn't hidden his desire to play for Scotland.  Yer che adams...George hirst only declared interest after we had qualified for finals

Binks knows hes not good enough to get in the England squad...its people like Scott McTominay that you really need to tip your hat to, as he decided when very young and was playing for Man Utd

[grizzlyg]

44 minutes ago, 0Neils40yarder said:

Binks knows hes not good enough to get in the England squad...its people like Scott McTominay that you really need to tip your hat to, as he decided when very young and was playing for Man Utd

Yup definitely....and actually credit to Big Eck as he travelled down to persuade him

[SteelmaninOZ]

2 hours ago, grizzlyg said:

Jeez.....I am agreeing with MJC!, What is happening to me! 🤪

You need a holiday mate 😉

[joewarkfanclub]

On 10/4/2026 at 11:27 AM, Motherwell Daft said:

Again like all posts on here it’s personal opinion and you are 100% right to say your thoughts, mine isn’t utter bollocks, just my opinion, the boys future career ain’t going to be defined by Scotland, it’ll be defined by his play with whatever club side he is with, personally talking he should just concentrate on playing every week in Italy and see where that takes him.

Alpologies for the forthright nature of my post!

In my defence, I was still in Macedonia, and alcohol had been consumed.

However, all that said, I dont think Lennon Miller should be behaving like a petulant child and refuse to play for his country because he is currently finding it difficult to get into the side.

Look at the system that the new manager is playing. Where does Lennon fit into that, and who does he replace?

Lewis Ferguson, the Italian Cup Winning former Bolgna Captain?

Billy Gilmour? First choice pick for Napoli and arguably currently our best midfielder?

Or John McGinn, the Europa League winning Aston Villa Captain with over 90 caps?

You also need to look at in game changes, who came on and why. More importantly who didnt come on and why.

I love Lennon Miller as much as the next Motherwell fan. But there is a reason he isnt a nailed down starter for Udinese and why international managers arent yet ready to trust him as a first pick for the national team. He is only 20. His time will come and he should be ready when it does.

To suggest he tells Scotland where to go would suggest no great desire to play for the national team. Thankfully Lennon feels differently.

[weeyin]

Miller doesn't need to be starting for Scotland, but he was worth a punt as a sub in the Slovenia game for example. 

[joewarkfanclub]

1 hour ago, weeyin said:

Miller doesn't need to be starting for Scotland, but he was worth a punt as a sub in the Slovenia game for example. 

I dont disagree.

But he wasnt.

I still dont think he should refuse to play for Scotland to concentrate on his club career as was suggested.

[0Neils40yarder]

2 minutes ago, joewarkfanclub said:

I dont disagree.

But he wasnt.

I still dont think he should refuse to play for Scotland to concentrate on his club career as was suggested.

An absolutely wild shout that a 20year old in our strongest area of the pitch would even think like that

[joewarkfanclub]

15 minutes ago, 0Neils40yarder said:

An absolutely wild shout that a 20year old in our strongest area of the pitch would even think like that

I get that some Motherwell fans just arent Scotland fans, and thats perfectly fine.

But given the extra kudos, not to mention salary and transfer value that being an international player brings, you dont even have to be that bothered about playing for your country to see the benefits of it.

[grizzlyg]

I am massive well fan and Scotland fan.  Lennon just needs to be patient.  Mcginn looking finished at that level sadly and christie just headless chicken.  Team.in transition, he will get his chance

[stv]

29 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

I am massive well fan and Scotland fan.  Lennon just needs to be patient.  Mcginn looking finished at that level sadly and christie just headless chicken.  Team.in transition, he will get his chance

McGinn looks fat n a bit past international quality I'm afraid.

What a change from first half to the second half tonight. May take a while to sort this team out .

[weeyin]

21 minutes ago, stv said:

McGinn looks fat n a bit past international quality I'm afraid.

What a change from first half to the second half tonight. May take a while to sort this team out .

We could have been 3 down after the first half.

[joewarkfanclub]

Tonight was an absolute shitshow.

Our press and shape were all over the place.

Kinda glad Lennon didnt get any minutes tonight. Not sure he would have been able to influence the game at all and might have just ended up denting his confidence.

[weeyin]

3 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Tonight was an absolute shitshow.

Our press and shape were all over the place.

Kinda glad Lennon didnt get any minutes tonight. Not sure he would have been able to influence the game at all and might have just ended up denting his confidence.

I like the idea of the press, but it must be difficult to drill a bunch of random players to execute it with a week or two's training. And if you don't get it right 100% of the time you really expose yourself.

And as we all know from our JBA experience, everyone has to be on it from front to back. No use if only half the team is pressing and the other half is zonal.

[stv]

11 hours ago, weeyin said:

We could have been 3 down after the first half.

And we could have scored as well .  McBurnie is not the answer. Don't know who is but it's no him. Lennon doing fine in the back ground the now.

[Great Balls of Shire]

22 hours ago, joewarkfanclub said:

Alpologies for the forthright nature of my post!

In my defence, I was still in Macedonia, and alcohol had been consumed.

However, all that said, I dont think Lennon Miller should be behaving like a petulant child and refuse to play for his country because he is currently finding it difficult to get into the side.

Look at the system that the new manager is playing. Where does Lennon fit into that, and who does he replace?

Lewis Ferguson, the Italian Cup Winning former Bolgna Captain?

Billy Gilmour? First choice pick for Napoli and arguably currently our best midfielder?

Or John McGinn, the Europa League winning Aston Villa Captain with over 90 caps?

You also need to look at in game changes, who came on and why. More importantly who didnt come on and why.

I love Lennon Miller as much as the next Motherwell fan. But there is a reason he isnt a nailed down starter for Udinese and why international managers arent yet ready to trust him as a first pick for the national team. He is only 20. His time will come and he should be ready when it does.

To suggest he tells Scotland where to go would suggest no great desire to play for the national team. Thankfully Lennon feels differently.

Although not at his peak, I would persevere with McGinn, always capable of something. 

Ferguson,  on the other hand , I dont see it, if he does find his man, its always square and he gives too many fouls away...I get he works hard, but just pretty average at most things.

Ive not seen him play for his  club so maybe hes different for them.

[joewarkfanclub]

36 minutes ago, Great Balls of Shire said:

Although not at his peak, I would persevere with McGinn, always capable of something. 

Ferguson,  on the other hand , I dont see it, if he does find his man, its always square and he gives too many fouls away...I get he works hard, but just pretty average at most things.

Ive not seen him play for his  club so maybe hes different for them.

Fergusons performances in a Scotland shirt have certainly been a little underwhelming. However, he was one of the few who actually came out of the World Cup with any credit in the bank and was probably one of our better performers thru qualification.

This camp he has been just ok. Id cut him some slack for the Switzerland game as he was forced to run around putting out fires. Last night though he was absolutely honking.

Would Lennon be better playing the 6 currently? Certainly he has the composure on the ball and ability to find a pass. My concern would be whether he is ready for it physically and psycholgically. Id be a lot happier if he had nailed down a starting spot for Udinese and their fans were raving about him the way Bologna fans did with Ferguson.

Im not sure he is quite there yet, but this camp will certainly have given Poconogli food for thought.

Im not sold on the 3 at the back as I dont think it gets our best players all playing in their best positions. If he solves that, there might be more room for Lennon.

Edit: Id add the proviso that we still have McTominay to come back.

[wellfan]

I’m beginning to think Pocognoli is going to be a disastrous experiment. Lennon not getting any minutes, particularly last night when it was clear the central midfield had run out of steam after the same guys had played four consecutive games, is probably the least of our worries now as Scotland fans.

[David]

1 hour ago, wellfan said:

I’m beginning to think Pocognoli is going to be a disastrous experiment.

You mean appointment? He's not an experiment 😂