Motherwell

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Stephen O'Donnell has witnessed plenty of highs and lows during his five years at Motherwell.

Signing in the summer of 2020 under Stephen Robinson, the right-back has been part of three rebuilds and played under six managers at Fir Park.

Making 200 appearances is not something many Motherwell players do. At most, players tend to stay with us for two or three seasons then depart to pastures new.

O'Donnell has shown a loyalty that is often lacking in modern football - and the 33-year-old has been both our brightest star and our biggest scapegoat.

The man can never seem to grab the fans' hearts. This season he has been more of a rotational player than certified starter but always gives his all.

Of course he has made some mistakes over the past five years - who hasn't?

The criticism O'Donnell got while playing for Scotland has seeped into his life as a Motherwell player.

Only when he eventually moves on will people truly realise the positive impact he has had on us and start to appreciate him.

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

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Stephen O'Donnell is eager to help Motherwell get back to Hampden after making his 200th appearance for the club.

The Scotland right-back came on as a late substitute in Saturday's 0-0 Scottish Premiership draw with leaders Hearts.

O'Donnell had hoped his landmark appearance would be in Well's recent Premier Sports Cup semi-final meeting with St Mirren, but injury kept him out of the 4-1 loss.

Motherwell, who are away to Falkirk in the Premiership on Wednesday night, will begin their Scottish Cup campaign at home to second-tier Ross County in the fourth round next month.

"Clubs like ourselves love a cup run," said O'Donnell before the midweek Scottish Premiership match away to Falkirk.

"We want to get to Hampden. I've not been fortunate enough to do it yet with any club. Hopefully, I can do it and be fit this time for selection.

"Hopefully, 201 can come on Wednesday night. I've been really fortunate that I've been able to stay fit for most of the time to get to so many games in six years.

"The manager has come in and been really strong on his belief. The full season so far we've been enjoying it, learning, getting better I think."

Jens Bertel Askou's side are third in the league and Askou's assistant Max Rogers said it was "massive" for O'Donnell to have reached two centuries of appearances.

"He's a great personality" said Rogers. "He's been a really consistent player for us. With his experience, he's good to have in that leadership group with the other senior players.

"He's a good player to deal with and to work with."

Jonathan Sutherland
BBC Scotland Sportscene presenter

Two Motherwell players make my Premiership team of the week after their goalless draw with leaders Hearts.

Stephen Welsh for another hugely impressive defensive performance from the on-loan Celtic centre-half and midfielder Lukas Fadinger, an unsung, under-the-radar hero of the quiet Motherwell revolution under Jens Berthel Askou.

The Steelmen continue to impress in third place.

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

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Assistant Max Rogers says it's been "really easy" working with Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, with the side up to third in the Scottish Premiership.

The Fir Park side drew 0-0 with league-leaders Hearts on Saturday and are unbeaten in their past six Premiership outings.

"It's been really easy," Rodgers said. "Even in the times of sort of little bit of adversity when we lost to Celtic and Falkirk then that's when the real challenges out.

"We dealt with that and he dealt with that as a leader. He obviously gives all the staff, myself included, a lot of encouragement and empowerment to give opinions to come up with ideas

"It's been really enjoyable and it's always enjoyable when you win games and you play well. He's just a good person to be around as well. That makes the environment really enjoyable to be in and same with all the other staff.

Askou was criticised for comments he made in the wake of Well's win over Hibernian after alluding to targeting Grant Hanley, who conceded a penalty and was then sent off at Fir Park.

"I don't think the manager was obviously saying that in any malicious way or to call out any particular player," Rogers said.

"It's just to show that we do think deeply about how we can set up our team to give us the best chance to win and we don't want the game to be random in a sense and just go out there and hope for the best."

Andy Campbell
BBC Scotland

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Motherwell assistant manager Max Rogers has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Scottish Premiership match away to Falkirk.

Here's a flavour of what he had to say:

• Rogers reflected on the "positive" of getting another clean sheet against Hearts in Saturday's goalless draw, which reflects well on the "full team" not just defenders.

• Motherwell are "not too concerned about league position at the moment" and are prioritising "good performances" and getting the "right results". They are third in the table, nine points behind leaders Hearts.

• Manager Jens Berthel Askou meant nothing "malicious" in his recent comments about Motherwell's approach to Hibernian and defender Grant Hanley, which were criticised as "disrespectful", external by Sportsound pundit Rory Loy.

• Working with Askou is "really easy" and "enjoyable", says Rogers.

• Motherwell "haven't really spoken about or made a big deal about" their Premier Sports Cup semi-final loss to St Mirren, with the Steelmen unbeaten ever since.

• Opposition teams will want to "knock Motherwell down a peg or two" after their recent form.

• Falkirk have "grown into this league" and Rogers has great admiration for Bairns manager John McGlynn.

• Team news: Elijah Just is "fine", having been substituted late on against Hearts and the Steelmen will go with the same squad in Falkirk.

Watch all the highlights as Motherwell and Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts play out a goalless draw at Fir Park.

Available to UK users only

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Johnny Koutroumbis says Motherwell's Premiership draw with league leaders Hearts demonstrated that the Steelmen have added some steel to go with their free-flowing football.

The home side had the better of the chances at Fir Park but had to settle for a goalless draw.

"It was a tough game, one of the tougher ones we've had this year," Koutroumbis told BBC Scotland.

"It's hard to determine who came out on top. I felt like we did, personally, but it was one of those tough games where the top teams clash, and it was quite scrappy out there.

"I think the boys held up quite well and we won our battles, the majority of them, so we're happy.

"That's something we lacked at the start of the year, where we dominated games, but we just didn't show that defending desire.

"It's pleasing to see that as the season's gone on, and it's not been too late in the season, we've shown we're a very good team off the ball too."

Koutroumbis says Well manager Jens Berthel Askou deserves credit for instilling belief in his players to stick to their style no matter the opposition.

"He gives us great confidence," said the Australian. "He gives each individual player confidence, the licence to play, but also he has a structure and everyone respects that structure.

"We all know how we want to play. We can't shy away from wanting to play the way we want to play based on who we come up against.

"Whether it's first in the league or last in the league, we're still going to play the same way with confidence."

We asked for your views after Motherwell drew 0-0 with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Ian: With 112 'successful' passes in final third, there needs to be a higher number of these ending in shots on goal. This is where it consistently breaks down. Why did Ibrahim Said, on a good run with plenty of space in front of him, stop dead in his tracks instead of making a beeline for goal? However, another great performance with some fantastic passing moves, especially in midfield. While others often get the plaudits, Lukas Fadinger impressed, going about his game quietly and efficiently.

Alan: Another excellent performance from Motherwell who were denied by the brilliance of the Hearts goalkeeper. Motherwell were the more determined team committed to winning and were unfortunate not to. Our midfield were superb and controlled the game by pressing very effectively. Hearts did not look or play like league leaders.

James: Another excellent performance by Motherwell, all that was missing was a goa. The manager has made Motherwell the best passing side in Scotland, well done.

George: A point against the league leaders and we're disappointed. Now up to third in the league. And best of all, we genuinely believe we can still get better. Won't last forever, but right now we can enjoy the Fir Park smiles!

Grant: Shows how far we have come in a short time this season that we are disappointed with not beating the league leaders. Great to see a packed out stadium and seven points in a week out of a possible nine is great going, hopefully we can keep it up.

Allan: All we want for Christmas is a striker. I have been going to Fir Park for 45 years and never seen football like this. The last 2 games versus Hibs and Hearts have been outstanding. Whether you support Motherwell or not you can't not admire what they are doing this season. I do hope we never change our style now. If we manage to get a striker of decent quality I think a top four finish is possible this season.

Leaders Hearts dropped Scottish Premiership points for the third game running as they played out a goalless draw with Motherwell.

Read the match report.

Have your say.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "It should, could [have been three points].

"We gave ourselves the opportunity and that's the main thing. We knew it was going to be a difficult game and I didn't expect it to end 0-0. We were very close to getting a goal.

"We kept pushing, fought well throughout the spell in the second half where Hearts had momentum.

"We then had some really big moments where we could have taken all three points.

"I hope that people enjoyed the performance - I did. We have been quite efficient in the past month. Today we kept Hearts away from scoring, keeping that control and dealing with their threat on the counter-attack.

"I'm not going to lose much sleep because we got the performance we hoped for.

"I've seen progression since the summer and in moments we have found a very high level."

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Motherwell have Stephen O'Donnell back in contention following injury while Andy Halliday is making progress.

Filip Stuparevic (knee) is the closest of the long-term absentees including Aston Oxborough (hand), Sam Nicholson (knee), Zach Robinson (Achilles) and Jordan McGhee and Eseosa Sule (both thigh).

Hearts defender Craig Halkett returns after suspension, while Lawrence Shankland and Stuart Findlay are expected to be fit.

Craig Gordon was struggling with illness earlier in the week while Ageu, Beni Baningime, Calem Nieuwenhof and Finlay Pollock all miss out with hamstring injuries.

Caleb Akpo-Young and Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland

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Free-scoring Motherwell forward Tawanada Maswanhise is flourishing under Jens Berthel Askou.

The 23-year-old stands alone at the top of the Scottish Premiership scoring charts after stroking home a penalty to send Motherwell on their way to a 2-0 win over Hibs on Tuesday night.

Having netted six times in 34 appearances last season following his arrival from Leicester City, Maswanhise is already on eight league goals - and 12 in all competitions - this term.

Only one of Maswanhise's goals came from the penalty spot and all were scored from inside the box, providing a finishing touch to Motherwell's slick build-up play.

Overall, he has had 56 touches in the opposition box this season - only five players in the Premiership can boast a higher tally.

As well as moving ahead on the scoring front, the Zimbabwe international is the league's most fouled player in the final third. He has been fouled 12 times in this area, most recently when Hibs defender Grant Hanley clipped his heels at Fir Park to earn a red card.

Maswanhise has credited new boss Askou for the transformation in his form this season, although admits it was tough at first to adjust to the Dane's brave passing style.

"It was difficult because it was new to all of us, but we've had a few sessions together now and it looks like it's making more sense, and it is," he said.

While Maswanhise hopes to add to his goal haul against Hearts on Saturday, the Steelmen will soon have to do without the in-form forward as he is in the Zimbabwe squad for next month's Africa Cup of Nations.

"It's going to be my first big tournament with my national team, so I'm really excited," he said.

"I'm probably going to be leaving in the second week of December, and then hopefully have a lot of success in that tournament and really enjoy it.

"Hopefully, while I'm away, we'll [Motherwell] still keep the same energy levels and intensity on the pitch. It would be great if I come back and we're still flying like this."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

When these two sides met at Tynecastle in August, they delivered arguably the best match of the season so far.

Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell swept into a three-goal lead with some of the free-flowing football we've become accustomed to from them this season, before Hearts roared back to snatch a point thanks to Claudio Braga's double.

They lock horns again this weekend, with a similarly high-scoring encounter hopefully in the works.

Motherwell have climbed up to fourth in the table with four wins from their past five league outings, drawing 1-1 at Aberdeen in the other.

In contrast, Hearts have stumbled for the first time this season.

They lost 1-0 at Pittodrie last weekend - their first league defeat - and have dropped points in three of their four matches since they beat Celtic last month.

Hearts could go seven points clear of Celtic with a win, although the defending champions could reduce that deficit back to four when they take on Hibernian on Sunday.

Will Derek McInnes' side continue their title push or will Motherwell move within six points of their opponents?

Read all the weekend Premiership picks

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• This match features both of the top two scorers in this season's Scottish Premiership in Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise (eight) and Hearts' Lawrence Shankland (seven). Both players' goals have been worth five points to their sides, the joint-most of any players in the division this term (Rangers' James Tavernier also five points).

• Motherwell have only won one of their Past seven league games against Hearts (D2 L4), a 3-1 victory in August 2024.

• Hearts are unbeaten in all four league matches against Motherwell in 2025 (W2 D2), last going longer without losing to the Steelmen in the top flight in September 2007 (eight).

• Motherwell have won four of their Past five league games (D1) – as many as their previous 17 beforehand (W4 D8 L5) – and are looking to win three in a row in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since September 2023, when the third win was over Hearts (1-0).

• After winning eight of their first nine league games of this season, Hearts have since won just one of their past four (D2 L1). Away from home, Hearts won their opening four league matches, but have since failed to win their past two (D1 L1).

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stay "hungry, humble but not greedy" is the message from Jens Berthel Askou to his players as Motherwell seek to continue their eye-catching form and performances.

Motherwell are have taken 13 points from the last 15 on offer and their win over 10-man Hibs on Tuesday night moved them up fourth in league, level on points with the Easter Road side and Rangers.

However, with that comes a warning from the manager, who says culture on and off the pitch is crucial in avoiding complacency.

"We need to stay hungry, humble, not greedy. To stay on the right side of that thin line where you get overconfident because things are going well," said Askou.

He added: "It shows in the little things every day. Let's say they don't pick up their coffee cup when they leave the dressing room or they stop doing the extra set or the last repetition in the gym.

"That's where it starts, when you feel you're on top and nothing can hurt you, for some. Because I think it's natural for people to sometimes, when you've worked hard for a long time to achieve something, or you think you've achieved something, then you start to become a little bit complacent or lazy or just a little bit too comfortable.

"So it's about striking hard on these little things. And that's what we are keeping an eye on. It's culture, basically.

"Every day, no matter if you've lost 10 games or if you've won 10, it never stops. And I think we have a good group of players and staff who are good at reminding each other and also showing each other how we want to do some things and how we want to be successful and how we want to build and guard the culture."

On Saturday Motherwell welcome table-topping Hearts, who have stumbled in recent weeks and suffered a first defeat of the season last Sunday at Aberdeen.

"You see even the best teams in the world, they struggle to every game. So I'm not surprised that Hearts eventually lost a football game. It will happen to everyone," Askou said.

"And I don't think it will ruin their confidence or their feel of flow or the way they approach the game."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media before his side's Premiership match with leaders Hearts.

Here are the key lines:

• He insist his players must stay "hungry, humble but not greedy". Says it's important not to get too complacent and "to stay on the right side of that thin line where you get overconfident" because things are going well.

• Askou is not surprised Hearts have slipped up in the past two matches, saying even the "best teams in the world struggle winning every game", and doesn't think it will affect their confidence.

• On Motherwell's recent form and performances, the Dane says he's been surprised at how quickly he has transformed things although he always knew the potential was there.

• Despite a good win over Hibs in midweek, he's told his players not to "expect us to just be on top" against "very strong team" Hearts. Askou says they have to be mindful of the previous meeting when Hearts rallied from three down to draw.

• On Premiership top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise, Askou says he is "extremely important because he has that ability to really explode" with his pace.

• The club are in talks about when Maswanhise will join up with Zimbabwe for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on 21 December. Askou says while it's a blow to lose the forward, Motherwell have "a plan" and it doesn't mean they'll be less competitive in that position.

• The Motherwell manager is relishing the atmosphere on Saturday when a crowd of around 10,000 - including 4,800 away fans - is expected.

• He adds: "We won't be blown out of the stadium by 20,000 supporters like you sometimes have the feeling you do when you play at Tynecastle."

• Stephen O'Donnell is back in training and has a chance of making the squad on Saturday. Andy Halliday is "progressing".

Stephen Welsh could force Celtic into a January decision about his loan to Motherwell because his form has the 25-year-old knocking on the door to the Scotland squad. (Record), external

Hibernian are "hurting" following their midweek loss to Motherwell, says Chris Cadden. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Thursday's Scottish gossip

Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell play "sensational" football and are the best team to watch in the Scottish Premiership.

That's the verdict of former Hibs, Celtic and Dundee United midfielder Scott Allan, who was blown away by his first in-person viewing of Askou's side on Tuesday night.

The Steelmen brushed Hibs aside 2-0 at Fir Park to move level on points with David Gray's third-place team.

Under Dane Askou, Motherwell have won five of their 13 league games, losing just two, and reached the League Cup semi-finals where they lost to St Mirren.

"Their performance was sensational," Allan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "There were times you have to clap at some of the stuff that was going on.

"I've watched them on the TV, that was my first time watching them live, I think they are the best football team in the league.

"I don't think they have the best players but they are the best football team to watch in the league.

"The way they play is credit to the manager. They set up completely differently last night, targeting Hibs' weaknesses and at the same time taking away all the good things Hibs do.

"Whether that was the Cadden brothers putting crosses into the box, the space in behind for [Martin] Boyle to run the channels, [Josh] Mulligan's running power from midfield. They took all that away and it was purely down to the shape of how the manager set the players up.

"At the same time as all that, some of the football was just sensational and they were unlucky not to run away with three of four goals on the night."

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We asked for your views after Motherwell dipatched Hibs 2-0 to move fourth in the Premiership.

Here's what some of you said:

Daniel: Brilliant play, just glad to see that we're finally converting the chances we deserve. Great team effort, stuck in together and a fantastic goalline clearance from Johnny Koutroumbis. All in for an Edinburgh double.

John: We have been the best footballing team all season and are finally getting the results our play has deserved. Honestly fear no one this season, bring on the Hearts this Saturday.

Alastair: Great night at Fir Park. Motherwell were great and thoroughly deserved the win. No failures and everyone knew their responsibilities. Great to watch.

Stuart: Really good performance from start to finish, including the goalline clearance. Would have been good to see the third goal go in, but 2-0 against Hibs is an excellent result.

James: As good as it gets. Was expecting a tough game, we were in full control even before the red card. Quality of football was outstanding. Goalline clearance changed the game. Some terrific performances, players brought in were superb. Same again on Saturday please.

D: Superb performance from the team, made Hibs look bang average. Tawanda Maswanhise continues to impress with every game, we are very lucky to have Jens Berthel Askou as manager, very exciting times ahead with him. Up to joint third in the league, long may it continue.

David: What a performance on a cold Tuesday evening. Dominated the ball from start to finish, even with five changes from the weekend. Fantastic rotation from the manager and great to see Tom Sparrow and Oscar Priestman get more minutes. Stephen Welsh has been an outstanding addition at the back, just hope we can keep him beyond January.