Ross Stewart has backed Stuart Kettlewell and insists he is the man to keep Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.
The former Ross County boss has been put in interim charge of the Steelmen after Stevie Hammell was sacked last weekend. The Scotland international worked under Kettlewell at Ross County and believes he can more than safeguard Motherwell’s top flight existence.
Kettlewell, who will take the team for Sunday’s game with Hearts, is on the final Fir Park shortlist along with Ian Holloway and Grant McCann. Stewart said: “With the situation Motherwell are in and knowing the way Stuart works he would be ideal for that job. They don’t want to be at the bottom end and it will be a battle but I think Stuart would be ideal for the Motherwell job. I don’t know all the names under consideration but Stuart would be the obvious choice for me. I firmly believe he could keep them up and then look to build the team up again. He knows the league, the club, is a good man-manager and is also a top coach and manager.”
Kettlewell boosted his chances as he led Motherwell to their first league win since September, by taking all three points against St Mirren on Wednesday. “When I heard Stuart had taken interim charge at charge I wasn’t surprised to hear he had beaten St Mirren,” Stewart insisted.
“I know Hearts are a really good team and they have them at the weekend but I wouldn’t be surprised if Motherwell was to get a result there. Football is all about results and if Stuart can get back-to-back results or even performances then that would speak for itself in terms of his application they are in. You have to give Stuart great credit as a coach and manager. “He is very big on work rate and shape, getting people behind the ball and then giving players the freedom to express themselves when they go forward.”
Kettlewell has already guided Ross County to the Championship title and Challenge Cup. He was also the man who plucked Stewart from obscurity with St Mirren and helped send him on to the English Championship with Sunderland. Stewart continued: “The only surprise for me is that Stuart hasn’t been given another first-team since he left Ross County.
“It really is a surprise because he did a great job at County. “He and Steven Ferguson were the management team as we won the Championship and Challenge Cup and he also kept us in the Premiership in the first season, during covid. He has had success and he will have more success in football management going forward. Fingers crossed it starts with the Motherwell job.”
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