Motherwell

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Andy Halliday's penalty was enough for Motherwell to end their pre-season with a friendly win over Carlisle United.

New Well forward Eseosa Sule was fouled in the box with 20 minutes left at Fir Park and veteran midfielder Halliday fired home from the spot for the only goal of the game.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos came close on a number of occassions, finding the woodwork twice in the first half in a game Jens Berthel Askou's side dominated.

Askou will take charge of his first competitive Motherwell match on Saturday (12 July) when they visit League 2 Clyde in the League Cup.

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Joining Motherwell on a season-long loan "makes sense" to Eseosa Sule as the striker returns to Scotland from West Brom.

Sule, 19, spent over a decade with Scottish champions Celtic before moving to West Brom - who he has just signed a new deal with until the summer of 2027.

The forward has made one first-team appearance for the Baggies - in a League Cup game against Fleetwood Town - and says the opportunity for first-team minutes was one he "couldn't say no to".

"I'm excited for this move," Sule said.

"The chance to get regular first-team minutes was an opportunity I couldn't say no to. This move makes sense. Being from the area, I know the club and what it means to the supporters.

"Many players have come here, and it has helped their development. I hope to be the next player to experience that."

Sule arrives having been top goalscorer in Premier League 2 last season and Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou adds he is getting "a young forward with very interesting attributes".

"His speed, athleticism and ball-striking are all impressive," he said.

"He is a positive, energetic and eager young man who possesses great potential, and we really look forward to developing him into a very valuable and game-decisive player for the team."

Motherwell are set to snap up 19-year-old West Bromwich Albion striker Eseosa Sule on loan. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou hailed a "brave and dynamic" display from Motherwell in their pre-season defeat to Eredivisie side Twente.

In the Danish boss' first match in charge, the Fir Park side were one down at the break before going on to lose 3-0 in the Netherlands.

Despite the loss against a "top, top opponent", Askou saw "some really good moments" but says there are "lots of things to improve on".

"We created some really good opportunities," he said. "The attitude and performance was spot on.

"We tried to take moments to press and there were some really good ball wins high up the pitch."

New signings Elliot Watt and Lukas Fadinger started the game, but Askou expects more incomings and says they will "lift the quality" in the squad and add depth.

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BBC Sport has taken a look at which players will be free agents on 1 July.

The majority of major football leagues run from late summer to late spring, with pre-season in June and July. Therefore, contracts across most divisions typically expire at 23:59 on 30 June each year.

Those whose contracts are expiring but have already agreed transfers to new clubs are not included, as they will not become free agents.

Some Scottish Premiership contracts expire on 31 May rather than 30 June - the below players either already are or will become free agents.

Aberdeen: Tom Ritchie

Celtic: Greg Taylor

Dundee: Scott Fraser, Antonio Portales, Joe Shaughnessy

Dundee United: David Babunksi, Allan Campbell, Lewis Moult, Bryan Mwangi

Falkirk: N/A

Hearts: Jorge Grant, Barrie McKay, Lawrence Shankland

Hibernian: Maksymilian Boruc, Junior Hoilett

Kilmarnock: Kyle Magennis, Kieran O'Hara, Kyle Vassell

Livingston: N/A

Motherwell: Moses Ebiye, Harry Paton, Dominic Thompson, Davor Zdravkovski

Rangers: Adam Devine, Tom Lawrence, Ianis Hagi

St. Mirren: Dennis Adeniran, Elvis Bwomono

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Goalkeeper Matty Connelly has penned a new one-year deal at Motherwell.

The 22-year-old academy graduate spent last season on loan at East Kilbride, playing 46 games and gaining promotion from the Lowland League to the SPFL's fourth tier.

Connelly, who has also had spells at Falkirk, Gretna and Stranraer, is yet play a first-team game for Motherwell.

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Jordan McGhee says he was "taken aback at the quality" at Motherwell when he joined the club.

BBC Scotland reported that the versatile 28-year-old had penned a pre-contract agreement with the Lanarkshire side in January, and officially joined on 2 June on a two-year deal.

"It's a long time coming," he said in a club video.

"I stayed at Dundee the rest of the season and gave my all there and now to be here finally, is really exciting."

McGhee has not only had to get familiar with new team-mates, but with a new manager too in Jens Berthel Askou.

So far, the training has been "intense".

"The boys and our staff are really working hard and taking on board the new ideas from the gaffer," he said.

"It's really intense, we're at a high tempo and we've worked on both sides of the game now - attacking and defending.

"Since I came in I've actually been taken aback by how good the quality was in training.

"The players, obviously having played against them, their standards are excellent.

"I'm a big believer in training the way you play and so far training has been outstanding.

"I'm just looking forward to working hard and getting on the pitch with the boys and hopefully winning many games.

"On and off the field, it's a club that's always growing.

"If I can help on the pitch that would be ideal. On a personal note, I want to improve as a football player and learn different styles and adapt my game.

"It's always exciting to change myself and just looking forward to getting started with it."

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Motherwell have signed a "hungry, talented and determined" midfielder in Elliot Watt, says manager Jens Berthel Askou.

The 25-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at St Johnstone, has left Burton to sign a two-year deal at Fir Park, with the club holding the option of a further year.

The former Scotland Under-21 international, who has also had spells at Bradford and Salford, played 30 times as captain of Burton in the first half of last term before departing for Scotland in January.

Watt, who has joined up with the Well squad for their pre-season camp in the Netherlands, made nine appearances for relegated St Johnstone, with one of his two goals coming against his new club.

"In Elliot we've found a hungry, talented and determined young man who already has plenty of experience in the senior game," Fir Park boss Askou said.

"He has recently had a taste of the Scottish Premiership. He is a highly skilled passer of the ball, dictating the game in possession by always being brave and available.

"He covers ground well and possesses a strong positional discipline."

Defensive midfielder Watt added: "I've spoken with some of the players I know in the squad. They have said how impressed they have been under the new manager and that gave me real excitement for this move.

"From my short time in Scotland last year, I enjoyed the league. When this opportunity came up, I didn't think twice.

"It's a great opportunity for me to play regularly and enjoy my football. This is a club that has a great reputation and I'm looking forward to being a part of that."

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Jens Berthel Askou believes Motherwell have appointed "the perfect man" in Max Rogers as his new assistant manager.

Previous number two Ahmet Koc left the club last week following the departure of German manager Michael Wimmer in May.

Former St Mirren youth coach Rogers, who has also worked in the USA and England, came out on top among "high interest" in the role.

Rogers, 34, was most recently assistant manager at Wigan Athletic and worked with former Scotland international, Shaun Maloney.

"In my discussions with the manager, I was really impressed with his vision for the team along with the winning mentality that he wants to create at the club and in the squad," Rogers told club media.

"I believe my skills and experience align well with and complement the current coaching staff."

Askou added: "Max fits the profile we have been looking for perfectly."

"In Max, I'm convinced we've found the perfect man to help drive and accelerate the development of Motherwell.

"He is extremely passionate, detailed and hard-working, and has an innovative approach to his work.

"At a young age, he has gained a lot of valuable experience through different coaching roles and environments with very talented and modern-thinking people., and on top of that, he has a solid, positive and likeable personality that will inspire and motivate his surroundings.

"We have gathered positive and strong references on Max, and the interviews and talks have confirmed our initial feeling."

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Motherwell are yet to receive a "firm bid" for Lennon Miller, says the teenage midfielder's father.

Speculation continues to surround the future of the 18-year-old, who has just one year remaining on his Fir Park contract.

The youngster, who ended a stellar campaign by impressing for Scotland earlier this month, is due to return to Motherwell on Monday for pre-season training.

On what the future holds for Miller, his dad Lee said on BBC Sportsound: "We'll just wait and see what happens, but he just ultimately wants to play football.

"In terms of decision-wise, we'll sit down and weigh up the pros and cons about different things, but there's not been a firm bid put in place for Lennon."

With a number of Miller's international team-mates excelling in Italy, such as Billy Gilmour, Scott McTominay and Lewis Ferguson, the teenager's father hinted that his son is open to moving abroad.

"[Scottish players] are being given an opportunity, they're being given a platform to go and express themselves and they've been shown a lot of faith abroad," the former Scotland and Aberdeen striker said.

"It's only going to benefit the national team in years to come."

We asked for your views on Motherwell's Scottish Premiership fixtures and how they will be faring after 10 games.

Here's what some of you said:

Clare: Well, well, well, what can I say, I am feeling very positive about where the new manager wants us to finish, which is in the top six. Our opening day fixture against Rangers, well at least it's at home. All I can say for the season ahead is 'bring it on' because this is my fourth season being a season ticket holder and I am just so excited and pumped. Time will tell if my feelings will change.

Taylor: Twenty points after 10 games, you heard it here first. Askou-ball from the start!

D: A tough start certainly, but if we have aspirations of top six then we need to get results in some of these games. Games against the Old Firm don't define our season, but we need to get points against the rest of the sides. Will be interesting to see what style the new manager implements.

Andy: Sadly I think we are heading for relegation this year. And we will be in the bottom four after the first 10 games.

James: Tough start so need to get up and running and playing with confidence - will need to boost the squad immediately.

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Clearly an 18-year-old who has played 76 first-team games, captained his club, and made his international debut possesses talent which is going to attract attention.

Since his debut Lennon Miller's close control, passing range, and vision have caught the eye.

Clubs across the world are data driven, always looking for young players with positive numbers who can be bought at a relatively low price, developed, and sold on.

A look at some of the numbers for central midfielders in the Scottish Premiership last season demonstrates why Miller would appear in lots of databases.

Already an adept set-piece taker, Miller grabbed eight assists for Motherwell, a tally only bettered by Rangers' Nicolas Raskin among central midfielders in the league.

Mostly a deeper-lying midfielder, he was deployed as one of two number 10s in the early part of the campaign for Motherwell, and ranked third among midfielders for chances created by the end of the season, as well as deliveries into the box.

As for the dirtier side of the game, only Celtic captain Callum McGregor won the ball back more times than Miller.

The teenager was also the most fouled central midfielder in the league, a nod to his ability to use his body to protect the ball in tight spaces, and his dribbling prowess too.

His passing accuracy as a whole is further down the charts, which hints at an area for development, but Motherwell's direct style and Miller's tendency to play riskier passes forward could also be behind the lower figure.

Of course individual statistics are not themselves the basis for signing players.

But what has been striking about Miller has been the calmness and confidence with which he has played since his debut.

He has often been keen to take responsibility, for example scoring an injury-time penalty against Dundee United to send Motherwell to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Miller was similarly unbothered by his first Scotland start against Liechtenstein, putting in a standout display.

"He makes football look easy regardless of what game he plays in," his former Motherwell team-mate Tony Watt posted on X after that game.

Read more: What next for highly-rated Motherwell teenager Miller?

Opta have crunched the numbers to rank the difficulty of each Scottish Premiership club's first four fixtures of the 2025-26 season.

According to their data model, St Mirren have the toughest start, followed by two clubs helmed by new managers, Dundee and Motherwell.

As for the easiest, Hibernian and capital rivals Hearts should got off to a flier, right?

Take a look below to see where your side places...

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Aside from the first game of the season against Rangers, all dates are subject to change as a result of broadcast and other requirements.

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See Motherwell's full fixture list here

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If Jens Berthel Askou was seeking a simple start to the Scottish Premiership, he might want a word with the SPFL.

The Motherwell boss welcomes his former team-mate Russell Martin - and his Rangers side - to Fir Park on Saturday, 2 August at 17:45 BST in the first game of the league season.

If that wasn't a dive into the deep end enough, away trips to St Mirren (9 August) and Hearts (23 August) follow, before Stuart Kettlewell makes his return to ML1 with his new Kilmarnock side on 30 August.

Fast forward to a six-game December and it's not the most wonderful time of the year for Well.

Two days after Christmas, Motherwell travel to Ibrox before Celtic come to town on Tuesday, 30 December for a 19:45 kick-off.

The pre-split campaign ends with a trip to Tynecastle on Saturday, 11 April.

Looking at the fixture list, where do you think Motherwell will be after 10 games? Tell us here.

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Jens Berthel Askou's first Scottish Premiership game as Motherwell manager will be at home to Rangers.

The match will take place on Saturday, 2 August at 17:30 BST, with Well's first away fixture against St Mirren on 9 August at 15:00.

See Motherwell's Scottish Premiership fixtures in full here.

Where do you think Well will be after 10 games and what do you make of how the fixtures have fallen? Share your views here.

No sooner does the season finish and we start looking forward to key dates for the next campaign - and that will be a lot easier to do on Friday when the Scottish Premiership fixtures are released.

That's right, that special day in the calendar is almost here already. The day when you'll learn details of derby fixtures, Christmas opponents and the run-in to the split.

This page will bring you all the fixtures when they drop at 09:00 BST on Friday and we'll be giving you the chance to have your say on how things look.

The new campaign kicks off on the weekend of Saturday, 2 August and will conclude on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jens Berthel Askou says "fantastic" Lennon Miller's future has "not been top of my mind" - but the Motherwell boss admits "there probably is" interest in the teenager.

The 18-year-old midfielder has been given extended time off after impressing in his first start for Scotland in Liechtenstein last week.

Speculation continues to surround the future of Fir Park youth product, who has a year left to run on his contract.

But Askou is unsure whether this summer is the time when Miller will "take the next step" in his career.

"There probably is [interest in him], but it's not been top of my mind," the new Well manager said.

"I'll probably need to get that update myself. I know he's a fantastic player, he's just gone into the national team, he's a big profile for Scottish football.

"For sure he's going to face a fantastic international career, then we'll see over time if it's going to be this summer that he will take the next step.

"I haven't met him yet because he's got a few extra days off, so I think it would be fair for me to meet him first and have some good discussions with him before I answer any specific questions about his future."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter at Fir Park

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As Jens Berthel Askou approached the top table in the Fir Park press room, where he would face the media for the first time as new Motherwell manager, we were all greeted with a handshake, a big smile and a friendly "hello".

It was a nice touch from the Danish coach, who left his post as Copenhagen assistant to become the Lanarkshire side's third boss in five months.

Askou was quick to mention the club's history and community feel, even though he had only been in the country for 24 hours.

During that short time he mentioned he fell victim to the school-run traffic a stone's throw from Fir Park. That only added to the community vibe.

He was big on the club board, their ambitions, and was also enthusiastic and clear when speaking about his own hopes, especially on how he wants his team to play.

"Some dynamic football, with big intensity," he said. Music to the ears of Well fans, you would think.

He came across well and was confident when delivering his ideas and aspirations for the immediate and long-term future.

From our early interactions, he seems to have real belief in his own ability as a manager and coach and is determined to "break barriers" in Scottish football.