Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell has welcomed the loan signing of Tony Watt and says he’s signed a player with a big personality as well as talent on the pitch.
Watt has returned for a second spell at Fir Park after his time at Dundee United and hopes to recapture the form that saw him impress in Lanarkshire last time around.
Motherwell was just one stop on a nomadic career that has seen Watt play for 14 different clubs in his 15 years as a professional.
Kettlewell rejected the suggestion that his new signing was “a troubled soul” and said that he was delighted to be adding another big character and personality to his squad.
“I think ‘troubled soul’ is a little bit harsh,” he said. “Tony is a guy I didn’t know particularly well but several people here at the football club did.
“The one thing that comes out when you speak to anybody about Tony is how he’s got a heart of gold and is a really good human being.
“We have all different types within football. Some are vocal, some are quiet lads and it’s safe to say that Tony is vocal.
“That’s something that I want in my group. I want a bit of personality. What everybody can see is that he’s got bottle.
“I’m looking for a good football player and somebody who can have an effect at this football club. If I’m looking at evidence for that then we’ve got it because his last spell here under Graham Alexander was very successful with his goal-scoring. His confidence was high and he found himself a place that was a good home for him here.”
Watt’s departure for United in 2022, and the fact that the striker celebrated a goal against Motherwell has left some of the Fir Park faithful unhappy at his return. Kettlewell said he understood the move and wants Watt to be judged by what he contributes.
“I think Tony has spoken for himself,” the manager said. “I’ve had a conversation with him personally. I understand supporters love their club and that’s their most important priority.
“I think we all know, if we’re being realistic here, in whatever job if you can go and double, treble, quadruple your salary for whatever role then sometimes money does talk.
“Tony has said it himself, judge him by what he does on the pitch.
“We wanted him back, he was desperate to come back, he had other offers and opportunities and this is where he felt he had a home previously and had success.”
SNS GroupWatt said that he had pushed for a move back to Motherwell and hopes to be at the club beyond the duration of his loan spell.
The 30-year-old made it clear that he had prioritised a move back to the Steelmen ahead of other options and that he hoped to be settled and back to his best.
“If I wanted to cash in at the end of my career, I could have gone places there,” Watt said. “I had a couple of offers abroad.
“My whole aim is to do well here and be offered a contract. I don’t see why at 30, I should be chasing money. I live ten minutes down the road, my wife’s settled, she’s got a good job.
“It’s in my hands to work hard but if the club want me, they can keep me. I’m ready to settle and ready to play and I will give it everything.”
Addressing the likely reaction for a section of the support, he said: “I’ve got a bit of making up to do. In a year’s time, they can look back at these interviews and say ‘right, OK, he did stay and he did commit his future’. That’s exactly what I want.”
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