Askou on Hampden experience, penalty practice and 'moving in right direction'

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been talking to the media before the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against St Mirren this weekend.

Here are the key points:

• The Dane believes Hampden should be the venue for cup semi-finals despite it likely being less than half-full on Saturday, with Motherwell having sold nearly 8,500 tickets.

• Askou adds: "It means a lot, especially a club of our size, to give that to our fans. It's fantastic support. It shows how many people around Motherwell are looking forward to that game and how big an occasion it is for them."

• After rising to fifth place in the Premiership following the 2-0 win over Dundee United, Askou says it's "good to be where we are and we want to stay there" although form will be "reset" when the semi-final gets under way.

• He insists Motherwell don't need to reach the final to foster more belief in what they are doing, but it would be "another indication that the club is moving in the right direction".

• The Dane admitted his side have extensively practised penalties and if they "need that then we feel confident we can be successful".

• Stephen O'Donnell and Tawanda Maswanhise should be fit, with Aston Oxborough likely to remain on the sidelines.