Motherwell Archives - SNN Sports

Askou “not fussed” about title talks as Dens Park awaits

Jens Berthel Askou aims to give Motherwell fans “something to be proud” as they look to move within one point of Rangers in third place. Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, the manager is excited to watch his team’s progression across the remaining months of the Scottish Premiership season. “I think a very cool for us as a group and a football club that we know that we are going to compete in the top 6 after the split. The main thing for us is that it’s going to push us to our limits as a football club, and keep developing us to the maximum of our potential this season.” “We have to keep developing as human beings, as professionals, as a team, as a football club, because there’s always more until the day when we finish our careers as players or as coaches, so that is what we are looking for.” “It’s about adding details all the way, and then when we add these details, it’s about sharpening the details and being good enough at picking between these details while we keep the structure and the basis and the foundation of our game. The most important thing for us is that we want to excite people around the area, so they have something to be proud of. “ The Motherwell ranks are filled with talent, from top goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise to midfield marshal Elliot Watt. Askou has been impressed by his squad’s growth. “We know if we want to reach out to the maximum potential for this club, we have to be good both ways, and it’s really difficult to strike that balance, especially early in the phase of development. “I am very impressed with how the players have been able to just grow and develop in both directions at the same time.” Askou appreciates that Saturday’s opponent will be no pushover for his side. “Dundee is a team that has grown and developed through the season, it’s going to be a big test, and a challenge for us to see if we can keep our form and sharpness against a team that, especially at home, has looked really good.” Dundee v Motherwell Dens Park March 7th 3pm

March 5, 2026

“Outstanding” Motherwell edge closer to Premiership summit

Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou believes his team’s “defensive discipline” was crucial in their dominant victory over Dundee United, as the Steelmen move to within touching distance of Rangers and Celtic. The 2-0 triumph improves their terrific run of form to just 1 defeat in 20 matches, 14 of which have included a clean sheet. Speaking at full-time, Askou was delighted with his side’s latest win. “A very hectic and lively game. It was difficult to play around them because of their man-marking. “It was a lot about changing positions and counter-movements to open up space. When we got the ball down we played some really good football. In terms of work rate and willingness to run for each other I think it was outstanding. “The defensive discipline gave us full control of the game that was, at times, quite lively. Big credit to the boys for going out and being extremely disciplined for one another. “I think it was a good example of us playing against a team that created a lively game and still being able to control it. “Today we really deserved that clean sheet because we gave absolutely nothing away. We were on top of them, controlling the space in behind. It’s great to see the players are just as hungry to keep a clean sheet and defend as they are going forward. “We know that Tawanda Maswanhise is very, very hard to stop in open play. Eventually he’ll break through and find a chance. He might have been a little bit lucky with that one today but he had other opportunities. A top player and a fantastic young man who works very hard. We’re enjoying having him here and happy the transfer window doesn’t open tomorrow. “What we are in the mix for is for you to discuss. We had a game today, we had to attack, we did that well and got a clean sheet and three points. It was a good game for us in terms of playing against man-for-man pressure and it didn’t stop us today.” With a trip to Dens Park up next, the Fir Park side have a chance to cut the gap on league leaders Hearts to just seven points. While Askou’s team are often praised for their expansive, entertaining style of play, they deserve to be viewed as genuine title contenders. They have suffered only one home defeat all season, and with the league’s top scorer, Tawanda Maswanhise, leading the line, it’s time to stop patronising their title credentials. This is a team with the quality and resilience to remain a persistent threat to Hearts, Celtic, and Rangers throughout the campaign.

March 3, 2026

Motherwell explore Fir Park redevelopment following AGM talks

Motherwell have taken the first step toward a potential stadium upgrade, with chairman Kyrk MacMillan confirming that a feasibility study into the ground’s redevelopment is officially underway. Addressing shareholders at the club’s AGM, MacMillan confirmed the recent launch of the project: “Very recently, we’ve undertaken a feasibility study in regards to the redevelopment of Fir Park or potential other options “Those results were only shared with the board on Tuesday so we’re not in a position right now where we can share the outcome because it’s 200 pages long. “So everything’s on the table right now. For us it’s really important we make the right decision which is why we’ve undertaken a significant feasibility study. “It’s a really, really significant investment so it’s really important we take the right decision and take our time over it.” A Motherwell shareholder raised concerns regarding the condition of the 65-year-old Phil O’Donnell Stand. While the club’s strong form on the pitch continues, supporters may find further encouragement in the board’s proactive approach to infrastructure. Alongside these development plans, the club announced a loss of £263,000 in its annual accounts for the 2024-2025 period. However, the club noted: “This was after depreciation costs of about £550,000 and the £105,000 finance cost for the ‘interest free economic benefit’ arising from the Scottish Government’s Covid recovery loan. “Excluding the impact of the two accounting practices, the club made a profit of £400,000, up more than £70,000 on the previous season.”

February 26, 2026

Aberdeen 2-0 Motherwell: Dons Progress to Quarters after 3 Red Cards

Aberdeen booked their place in the Scottish Cup quarter‑finals with a hard‑fought win over Motherwell in a chaotic Pittodrie encounter. The match, which featured three red cards, saw Peter Leven’s side keep their season alive with a goal in each half. Kevin Nisbet opened the scoring with a superb free kick from the left edge of the box. Moments earlier, Oscar Priestman’s costly slip brought down Lyall Cameron, prompting referee John Beaton to show the first red card inside just three minutes. Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Aberdeen grew in confidence, but they too were reduced to ten men when Dennis Geiger was dismissed for a high challenge on Lukas Fadinger. Motherwell’s night worsened when John Beaton again intervened, sending off Liam Gordon for tripping the onrushing Toyosi Olusanya. Initially shown a yellow card, the offence was upgraded to red following a VAR review, leaving the visitors with nine men. Aberdeen ultimately sealed the result shortly after the hour mark. Captain Graeme Shinnie calmed the Pittodrie nerves with a precise left‑footed strike from 25 yards, drilling the ball into the bottom corner. Leven’s side now turn their attention back to Premiership action against Dundee on Saturday, while Motherwell prepare for their trip to Paisley to face St Mirren. Aberdeen: Bratveit, Devlin, Milne, McIntyre, Frame, Shinnie, Geiger, Cameron (Nilsen 85′) Milanovic (Olusanya 46′) Keskinen (Palaversa 46′) Nisbet (Lazetic 80′) Motherwell: Connelly, Sparrow (Slattery 46′) McGinn, Gordon, O’Donnell, Priestman, Fadinger (Longelo 61′) Just (Said 68′)Charles-Cook (Nicholson 80′) Maswanhise, Bjorgolfsson (Watt 61′)

February 19, 2026

Maswanhise gives “watch out for us” message to the top three

Maswanhise is ready for a title challenge as the winger warns “watch out for us” to all Hearts, Celtic and Rangers. Following Motherwell’s 1-1 draw with Rangers last night, Maswanhise fully believes Motherwell can go in and challenge for the title this season and fancies their chances although the Lanarkshire side sit 13 points off of league leaders Heart Of Midlothian. Maswanhise netted on four occasions in five outings for the Steelmen in January and currently sits as the top goal scorer on 13 for the season with Benjamin Nygren slowly creeping up on the Motherwell starman. Many of clubs such as Anderlecht, Rangers and Celtic were all showing interest in January but the Fir Park outfit did all they could to keep hold of Maswanhise. Maswanhise told Sky Sports: “You’ve seen it yesterday with one man down, every man on that pitch for Motherwell, including myself, we fought really hard to get the point that we deserved. “We’ve been doing the same style of play the whole season [and] you’re starting to see more results now. You’re starting to see more success, we’re getting our plaudits. It has been good. “A lot of people, a lot of players want to say it’s a three-horse race right now, but we’re still behind it. “I genuinely think we can nick a few points and be in and around it. So, just watch out for us and we should crack on.” It’s been an excellent year for Maswanhise after being called up to represent Zimbabwe at AFCOM as well as grabbing a goal on International duty. Speaking on his speculation, he said: “Honestly, I knew there was going to be speculation from clubs in and around the country – but I had my head down. “You’ve just got to play football. Let the football do the talking, everyone’s heard that saying. I’ve done that really well in January, and I’ve just got to carry on.” Mawanhise and Motherwell have a big game coming on Sunday where they host a well rested Aberdeen side who haven’t played in over 2 weeks due to three back-to-back postponements. The Steelmen also have a chance of continuing their cup run as Aberdeen await on Wednesday night at Pittodrie which would round up a perfect season for Maswanhise.

February 12, 2026

Askou Cites “Cynical” Rangers Performance in Fir Park draw

Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou was disappointed at Rangers’ approach during Wednesday’s dramatic draw, believing the Gers’ “cynical” performance was a “shame for the game”. Speaking to Sky Sports at full-time, Askou reckons his side “dominated the game in so many ways”. “I thought our intensity and speed of play was outstanding and it caused a tonne of problems for Rangers out there. They had to [concede] one free-kick after another to stop us. “I was surprised that they didn’t get more yellow cards in the first half and I don’t think it’s good enough. “It’s an absolutely top game, probably the best game you can get in Scottish football right now, and you get to play that cynical? “I think it’s a shame for the game, that’s the reason why there weren’t more goals in the game. “We didn’t let frustration take over, we stuck in it and adjusted a few things at half-time and knew there would be chances in the second half.” While Askou agreed with Lukas Fadinger’s second half dismissal, the Dane didn’t see a huge difference between that challenge and some on his own team. “Lukas gets sent off and it’s our first red card.” Askou added. “The intensity of the tackle was not worse than many of the other tackles we received. “He’s just a little bit unlucky that he catches him five inches off the ground.” Celtic loanee Stephen Welsh scored a crucial late equaliser to haunt Rangers; the draw preserves Motherwell’s long-standing home record, dating back to mid-October. Pushing for the title may be a bridge too far, but Askou’s side will have a major say in which of the top three side’s take home the title.

February 12, 2026

Motherwell 1-1 Rangers: Celtic loanee haunts Gers with late equaliser

Motherwell 1-1 Rangers Raskin (6′) Welsh (89′) Stephen Welsh dented Rangers’ title charge with a deserved point at Fir Park, leaving Danny Rohl’s side five points behind leaders Hearts in the pulsating title race. Motherwell went close in the opening four minutes after Stephen O’Donnell’s cross found Emmanuel Longelo at the back post. The Englishman drilled past Jack Butland in August, but the goalkeeper parried his powerful strike from the left edge of the penalty box on this occasion. Rangers opened the scoring moments later. The hosts afforded Mohamed Diomande acres of space to drive towards Calum Ward’s goal. The midfielder’s cute pass split the Motherwell defence, allowing the onrushing Nico Raskin to sidefoot home from the penalty box. It was the dream start for Danny Rohl’s men, considering this was the first goal the hosts had conceded at Fir Park since mid-October. Jens Berthel Askou would have been disappointed with the cheapness of Rangers’ opener, but his side continued to settle. Despite enjoying large periods of possession in the opening 20 minutes, Elijah Just’s routine free kick was the only other test for Butland. Premiership top-goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise has impressed throughout Motherwell’s standout season. He went close to equalising in the 27th minute, but after latching on to O’Donnell’s defence-splitting ball, his strike cannoned off the woodwork from a tight angle. Raskin produced a brilliant goal-line header to deny Stephen Welsh soon after, as the hosts continued to threaten. Rangers may have held the lead, but Askou’s side looked likely to find the equaliser. Youssef Chermiti had a golden chance to double Rangers’ advantage near the break. Welsh’s misjudged header found its way to the striker in the box, but he showed little composure with his slashed effort. January signing Ryan Naderi, sitting on the bench, may have fancied his chances. Chances were rare for both sides in the opening twenty minutes of the second period, as Rangers stemmed the home side’s dominance in the second half. Just stung the palms of Butland in the 66th minute as they looked to force a crucial equaliser. Motherwell’s task got harder after Stephen McLean gave Lukas Fadinger his marching orders. The midfielder’s lunge caught the calf of Mikey Moore, and after reviewing the VAR monitor, the referee rightly sent the Austrian off. Eythor Bjørgolfsson’s close-range header forced Butland into a save, but Motherwell forced an equaliser courtesy of their Celtic loanee moments later. Rangers’ lead evaporated in the 89th minute when Bjørgolfsson’s cushioned header found Welsh, who clinically fired home from inside the area. It was a hauntingly familiar scene for the visitors; having conceded a late leveller at Fir Park back in August, they were forced to endure the same late-game heartbreak all over again. Neither side could find a winner in the closing minutes, as Stephen McLean called a halt to proceedings on a remarkable night. The draw leaves Rangers five points behind Hearts before Sunday’s meeting with the league leaders at Ibrox. Motherwell remain fourth, and host Aberdeen this weekend. Motherwell: Ward 7 O’Donnell 7 McGinn 7 Welsh 8 Longelo 7 Fadinger 5 Watt 6 Slattery 6 Just 6 Said 6 Maswanhise 7 Substitutes: Priestman 6 Bjorgolfsson 5 Sparrow 5 Charles-Cook 3 Nicholson 3 Rangers: Butland 7 Tavernier 6 Souttar 7 Djiga 6 Meghoma 6 Chukwuani 6 Raskin 7 Diomande 6 Gassama 6 Moore 7 Chermiti 6 Substitutes: Naderi 6 Fernandez 4 Aasgaard 3 Miovski 3 Sterling 3

February 11, 2026

Askou praises “defensive platform” ahead of Rangers clash

Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou believes his side’s balance is a key component to their defensive stability this season in the Scottish Premiership. Speaking ahead of their home clash with Rangers on Wednesday evening, Askou was full of praise for his “disciplined” side. “First of all, as long as we have the ball, it’s difficult for the opposition to score unless we put it in the back of the net ourselves, which we haven’t done,” “The other thing is, if we have the ball a lot, they spend a lot of energy on chasing it and defending against us. If we then pose a threat at the same time, then they spend even more energy on trying to make sure we don’t create chances and score goals. “The lift in our attacking side of the game has made the opposition spend even more energy. And sometimes, they change things up from what they usually do, both in terms of approach but also formation, which makes it more difficult to perform at their best.” With high praise for his side’s attack and defence, the Dane pointed out goalkeeper Calum Ward, who continues to enhance his game behind the forward flair. “We’ve also got a goalie who’s just gotten better and better, showing a really high level with his passing under pressure from day one,” Askou said. “He’s also improved fantastically with his normal goalkeeping skills in terms of stopping the opposition from scoring, making saves, and getting out of the box.” “It’s about balance between having the ball, being good in attack and then being defensively solid, aggressive, intense, well-structured, disciplined at the same time. “That is something we have been working on every day since we started, and it’s given us a very stable defensive platform, especially here.” The statistics behind the Steelmen’s rise highlight Askou’s imprint on this galvanised squad, holding the most Premiership clean sheets in the league with 13, and conceding just 5 goals at Fir Park all season. Their home dominance is amplified considering Falkirk were the last visiting team to score a goal against them, on October 18th 2025. That match against the Bairns was also the only home defeat of the season. The likes of Celtic, Hibs, Dundee United, and Aberdeen have all failed to pick up points at Fir Park. December’s 2-0 over Nancy’s Celtic caught the attention of the entire country, as Askou’s men bullied and toyed with the dismal visiting side. It remains to be seen how far this reinvigorated team can go, but with top goalscorer Tawanda Maswanhise still in the ranks, and defensive stalwart Stephen Welsh returning on loan, the remaining five months of the season could yet turn out memorable at Motherwell. They remain in the Scottish Cup mix, and their red-hot domestic form may encourage fans to dream of lifting silverware for the first time since 1991.

February 9, 2026

Livingston 0-2 Motherwell: Maswanhise Magic Worries Bottom of Pile Livingston

Tawanda Maswanhise scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season as Motherwell strolled to a 2-0 win over bottom of the league Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. The attacker moves clear of next highest scorers in Premiership golden boot race, as rumours of his future rumble before Monday’s transfer deadline. It now means that Livingston have went twenty two games without a win in the Premiership, equalling a record low in this division this century. In a half that was one-way-traffic for the visiting side, the hosts had a glaring opportunity to score the opener inside two minutes. Stevie May combined with Scott Pittman to knock the ball over to an unmarked Connor McLennan, but he was denied excellently by Calum Ward as his extended arm put the ball out for a corner. The league’s top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise resumed his usual business less than five minutes in when he was was picked out perfectly by midfielder Elijah Just. The New Zealand international’s pinpoint cross was met with a looping nod from his Zimbabwean teammate to give the Steelmen an early advantage. Just could have been provider for Maswanhise again 24 minutes in had he chosen to be. A long ball from the Motherwell backline seemingly out of nowhere seen the pair through in a 2 vs 1, with Just opting to go for goal rather than pick out the goalscorer again. His effort however, curled off of the post. Maswanhise would grab his second though just four minutes later. Daniel Finlayson’s clearance failed to go beyond Callum Slattery just outside the Livingston box. The Motherwell number eight slipped in his frontman, who made it two for him and the ‘Well with a lovely opened-body curled finish into the bottom right corner. It is the thirteenth goal in the league this season for the 23-year-old, which puts him two clear of both Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren and injured Hearts’ captain Lawrence Shankland. The foot came off the gas for Motherwell in the second half, threatening with far less frequency than they did in the first with a wayward effort from Ibrahim Said and tame strike from hat-trick hunter Maswanhise. Livingston nearly found a way back into the game with just over twenty minutes to play. Connor McLennan’s cross from the left travelled the width of the Motherwell six-yard-box, but could not be met by Scott Pittman, despite a sliding attempt to. Calum Ward nearly gifted the home side a way back into the match on the 73rd minute. The goalkeeper’s lacklustre pass out was halted by the foot of Robbie Moorhead, yet the heaviness of the touch allowed Ward to recollect and spare his blushes, keeping a shutout on the cards. Tawanda Maswanhise left the field to a standing ovation from the away support, who will be hoping he is still playing in claret and amber for their visit to Dundee this Wednesday, amid intense speculation linking him with moves to Celtic, Rangers and Blackburn Rovers. Defeat for Livingston today coinciding with a Kilmarnock win at home to Aberdeen sees them fall further behind the Rugby Park side at the foot of the table, with the gap now standing at six points. Twenty-two Premiership matches since David Martindale’s side last tasted victory when they defeated Falkirk on the second day of the campaign. If they fail to beat John McGlynn’s side on Wednesday evening, they overtake Hamilton Academical’s unwanted record of most games without a win from 2010/11. Jens Berthel Askou’s men continue to pull up trees as they move further ahead of Hibernian in fourth place, with the Easter Road club not in action until a home fixture against Rangers tomorrow. They make a trip North to face Dundee on Wednesday, before turning their attention to an away Scottish Cup tie against manager-less Aberdeen. LIVINGSTON: Prior 5, Fati 4 (Lawal 77’ 1), McGowan 4 , Pittman 6, Muirhead 4 (Tamm 77’ 1), McLennan 5 (Smith 77’ 1 ), May 4 (Zimmerman 67’ 4), Finlayson 3, Danso 5 (Sylla 67’ 1), Tait 4, Brenet 5 MOTHERWELL: Ward 6, O’Donnell 6, Sparrow 6, Slattery 6, Fadinger 5, McGinn 6, Maswanhise 9 (Mbule 76’ 1), Just 8 (Nicholson 64’ 2), Koutroumbis 5 (Gordon 85’ 1), Priestman 5, Said 6 (Bjorgolfsson 64’ 2)

January 31, 2026

Celtic recall Welsh from Motherwell loan

Celtic have boosted their defensive options by recalling Stephen Welsh from his loan at Motherwell. The 25-year-old signed a season-long loan deal on Deadline Day and made 17 appearances for the Fir Park side. He impressed in Jens Berthel Askou’s defence, helping them to 4th place, and achieving 9 clean sheets. Motherwell confirmed the recall on their website earlier today, stating, ‘We want to thank Stephen for his hard work during his time at Motherwell and wish him the very best for the future.’ Welsh becomes Celtic’s second January move, after completing a loan deal for Bournemouth right back Julián Araujo. Martin O’Neill is still without the stalwart defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, so both could become key cogs for the Scottish champions. O’Neill’s latest interim reign got off to the perfect start, with a commanding 4-0 home victory over Dundee United. They return to league action against Falkirk on Wednesday.

January 12, 2026

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