Motherwell Spoil Ibrox Party to Provide Timely Reminder for Title Challengers
Jens Berthel Askou has urged his side to “attack the league” after Sunday’s victory over Rangers, putting Motherwell in a commanding position to wrap up European football for the first time since 2022. Goals from Lukas Fadinger and Emmanuel Longelo’s double wrestled a five-goal thriller into the Steelmen’s favour, as they delivered a third Ibrox victory in three seasons. Speaking at full-time, Askou was delighted to watch his side end their five-match winless run. “The result, it’s hard not to say that’s very pleasing. We’ve been a few points short over the last five games in terms of how we’ve performed. “First half was right up there with us at the very best. We know we needed that today to win the game. Second half became a much more difficult half, both because Rangers stepped up and lifted their game and because we didn’t have that same sharpness in our game, especially in the final third, that we had in the first half. “There were moments to score the third goal earlier in that second half but I’m very happy that we took the chance when it arrived at the end, even though the legs and the heads will be a little bit tired. Motherwell’s free-flowing nature under the Dane has been a breath of fresh air for Scottish football’s top flight. The 3-2 win was the third time this season that the Fir Park side has taken points from Rangers. Their ability to stem Ibrox’s raucous atmosphere was reminiscent of a high-level European side regularly playing through the lines. Askou was thrilled with their composure and clinical nature. “To stay cool and to still play our game when you have more than 50,000 trying to help push for the winner and to just be composed and do what we do and first of all defend with our lives, which we needed, and then to produce that final moment of quality to decide the game – really impressed with that. “And extremely happy that just looking at the performances and trying to improve the little things that it finally paid off with a win. With four league games remaining, the manager has urged his confident side to stay hungry, as they chase European football for the first time since 2022. “We want to win every game. I see a group of players that are talented enough to compete for the win in every game no matter who we play and where we play. I’ve said that throughout the season. Today was another testament to that and a demonstration of that anything is possible if you really go for it and reach out for it. “We’ve not arrived here to just say, ‘fine, top six, everything is good, now we’re in fourth place, let’s just try and defend’. We want to attack the league and get as many points as possible because that’s our mindset and that’s what gives us the best opportunity to make sure that we stay in this position.” Motherwell travel to Falkirk this weekend, before hosting Hearts under the lights at Fir Park. If Sunday is anything to go by – Askou’s boys will have plenty to say in this fascinating title race.
Hearts and Motherwell dominate all PFA Scotland Player Of The Year spots
Hearts and Motherwell’s impressive form this season earns them all the glory in this years PFA Scotland Player Of The Year awards. The Steelmen and Jambos also controlled the TOTY with a combined nine players from both clubs included. It’s Hearts’ duo Lawrence Shankland and Claudio Braga who earn their well-deserved places among the nominees. For Motherwell, Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just represent The Steelmen. Shankland and Braga have a combined 27 league goals between them, taking into consideration Shankland spent a period of time on the sidelines with an injury. However, both these players are going to be a massive factor in Hearts’ push for league glory, as they sit three points ahead of Celtic with only four games remaining. Motherwell’s talisman Maswanhise leads the goalscoring charts this season, with 17 goals to his name in the league and 22 in all competitions. Elijah Just has also been remarkable in what has been a fantastic season for himself and Motherwell. Just has seven goals and seven assists to his name for the league campaign. But not only does he contribute to Motherwell’s goals, his movement and passing play has been exceptional. All four players have had massive moments in this season so far, but with the league table still so tight, there is time for someone to prove decisive.
