Motherwell

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

The unbeaten run is over - but we were the better team at Celtic Park.

That's not something I thought I would ever say, but it just shows how far we have grown in a short time under Jens Berthel Askou.

The performance augurs well as we build towards the League Cup semi-final against St Mirren on 1 November.

Admittedly it wasn't a perfect display as a bizarre decision from Calum Ward gifted Celtic their equaliser, but I'm not mad at him for it.

We genuinely should have beaten both Rangers and Celtic this season. Lack of focus and attention is what has ultimately cost us.

Going into another international break at this stage gives Askou more time on the training pitch with the players before a run of three league games - two at home - then the big trip to Hampden.

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Manager Jens Berthel Askou is confident his Motherwell side will make further progress with the help of returning players after his injury-hit team's 14-match unbeaten run came to an end.

The Fir Park club were on course for a first win Celtic Park since 2015 after Apostolos Stamatelopoulos hit a double either side of half-time but were beaten 3-2 in stoppage-time.

It was Askou's first defeat as Motherwell boss, but he believes the team will bounce back stronger.

"I think this team will grow," said the manager, who was without 10 first team players.

"We've had a lot of our really big players, who were really important players for us in the beginning of the season, out for a while.

"We've had good results and strong performances in that period and I'm confident with them coming back over the next week or so that we will have even more firepower for the next period, and especially the next time we play Celtic."

Motherwell will remain without long-term absentees Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic, Eseosa Sule, Jordan McGhee and Zach Robinson when they face Falkirk after the international break.

Stamatelopoulos, Ibrahim Said and Johnny Koutroumbis all went off with muscle issues at Celtic Park while Elliot Watt and Tawanda Maswanhise were also struggling towards the end, but the initial signs were that the problems were "fatigue and cramp".

But captain Paul McGinn returned from injury for the match on Sunday.

"It was fantastic to have him with us. You couldn't really see that he's been out of training and games for four weeks," Askou added.

"So it's amazing to have players of that quality coming back and then being able to deliver from day one.

"Now we have Tom Sparrow, Eli Just, Callum Hendry, Callum Slattery, really good players for us coming back within the next week or two, which is extremely positive.

"That's why, even though I would have loved to sit here with a win, even a draw, I'm still positive in what's coming."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Despite an impressive performance against Celtic, Motherwell were undone by a late Daizen Maeda goal to leave Parkhead with nothing but they have one player in my team of the week.

Apostolos Stamatelopoulos took his first goal against Celtic superbly well, showing perfect timing, bravery and with the boots flying. Showed he had ice in the veins too to fire the Steelmen ahead from the spot. Unfortunate to be on the losing side.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 3-2 defeat against Celtic.

Here's what some of you said:

David: It's now too many crazy mistakes from Calum Ward and time for a change. We had Celtic on the ropes, with the match there for the winning until the ball was played directly to Benjamin Nygren. Years since I have left Parkhead feeling this deflated.

Gary: No point playing great football when you have a goalkeeper consistently costing us goals at big moments. Six points lost due to errors from Ward. Aston Oxborough needs to be given a chance.

John: Absolutely gutted with the manner we gifted Celtic their second goal. We were totally fine until that point and again some of our football was a joy to behold. Totally confident that in the next stage of the season our football will pay off even more.

Matt: It's the hope that kills you. Good on Jens Berthel Askou and the team for not changing the approach despite the opposition. Some great football at times and Celtic looked like they were there for the taking, but alas. No doubt there will be disappointed, but this is the most fun I've had as a Motherwell supporter in years. It's also important to remember how much Askou has done in such a short amount of time.

Andrew: Ward needs dropped now. Simple as that.

Robert: We threw it away today. All our discipline and good play ruined by players switching off. Oxborough should be between the sticks, as Ward is always liable for what happened.

George: A difficult one to take. However I'd rather see us playing our own game and trying to win the game in this way, rather than packing the box and simply hoping we get something. Continues to bode well for the rest of season.

Derek: Hugely gutted to lose the game in the manner we did, a costly error from Ward which is a shame as he had made a few great saves in the game. You can see we are ultimately lacking quality off the bench with the likes of Callum Slattery, Elijah Just, Tom Sparrow and Callum Hendry all missing. We need guys like them fit and available if we are going to get results in games like this.

James: Gutted we left with nothing. The second goal was a nightmare. Lots of plus points but ultimately no points. At least we had hope for a bit, it was the first time in a long time we had that at Celtic Park.

Watch the highlights as Daizen Maeda's dramatic late winner secured all three points for Celtic against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

(Available to UK users only)

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "I'm gutted on the players' and fans' behalf. I'm extremely proud of our performances, not just today but the first part of the season. We've come a long way.

"We've had to juggle a bit with the squad, progressing in the cup and getting points in the league. Today we showed up and tried to do it our way and gave it our best shot.

"We danced a bit on the line and it went the wrong way. That's how it is when you play the best teams.

"I can't praise our players enough. We gave ourselves the opportunity to win today, which not many teams do here. I know we'll grow over the next period.

"I'm not asking them to give the ball to the opposition inside the box, but no matter which style you prefer there will be ball losses.

"We win a lot from what we do, I think it's obvious. It (Celtic's second goal) was a moment of bad decision-making, which comes sometimes."

Daizen Maeda's injury-time header earned Celtic a thrilling Scottish Premiership victory after being pushed to the limit by Motherwell.

Have your say on the game here.

Read the match report here.

Scott Mullen at Fir Park
BBC Sport Scotland

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Johnny Koutroumbis says Motherwell will not abandon their brave style of play when they go to face defending champions Celtic on Sunday.

The Fir Park side are undefeated under Jens Berthel Askou, who has committed to a bold approach of play including short passes out from the back and building play.

But with arguably their toughest test so far coming, albeit against a misfiring Celtic, Koutroumbis says belief in the camp right now is high.

"The belief that we can go out and play with confidence is infectious," said the Australian defender.

"We have to be confident to play. We can't go away from our playing style based on who we are playing against.

"If we are going to have a successful season we have to stick to the fundamentals that the coach has implemented."

Koutroumbis was the unlikely goal hero last Saturday as Motherwell recorded their first Scottish Premiership win of the season against Aberdeen.

"It was a big relief," said the right-back. "It started to feel like losses walking off the pitch with only one point.

"Two wins against Aberdeen, we just need to keep going and look forward."

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Celtic captain Callum McGregor believes it is only natural that Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is looking for a victory over his side.

The Fir Park boss has not been shy in expressing his desire to earn the Lanarkshire club a first win at Celtic Park since 2015.

Well sit fourth in the Premiership table, having not lost a match this season with their unbeaten run stretching back 14 games.

Meanwhile, Celtic lie six points ahead in second. Brendan Rodgers' side have failed to score in their past two matches - a goalless draw with Hibernian and a Europa League defeat to Braga.

"I think every manager and every team and every player, when they turn up to a game at the weekend, they want to win," the 32-year-old midfielder said.

"If he said anything different, then you'd probably question that. We're the same. We turn up, we want to win, we want to play good football. Let's see what kind of match we get on Sunday.

"They've started the season really well. I watched them in the first game of the season. Really committing, trying to play the right way. It's good to see that and they've had good success with it as well.

"For sure, they'll come here on Sunday and they'll try to play, which then gives us an opportunity to be aggressive on the pressure and try to implement our style into the game."

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Celtic are still missing Alistair Johnston (hamstring) and long-term absentee Jota (knee).

Stephen Welsh cannot face his parent club but Motherwell can bring captain Paul McGinn back into defence after injury.

Elijah Just, Tom Sparrow, Callum Hendry and Callum Slattery are back in training and manager Jens Berthel Askou hopes at least one of them can make the squad.

Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic (both knee), Eseosa Sule, Jordan McGhee (both thigh) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) are long-term absentees.

Scott Mullen at Fir Park
BBC Sport Scotland

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Jens Berthel Askou is out to "build something that will stand" as he prepares to take his undefeated Motherwell to Celtic Park.

The Fir Park side go to Glasgow on Sunday hoping to catch a vulnerable Celtic off guard after their Europa League defeat to Braga on Thursday.

Since arriving in the summer, Askou has revamped Motherwell's style of play into a brave and bold possession-based machine which continues to motor.

"One thing is to do something that looks good over six, seven, 10 games maybe. Nice," said the Dane.

"But we haven't won anything, we haven't really produced anything league-wise yet. Except some good performances and a few good results here and there. But we want to do something throughout the season.

"And we want to push in the cups as well, see how far we can go there. So I hope that when we are in May, in June, that we are in a positive place as well. That's the most important thing."

Despite going unbeaten this season so far in all competitions, Motherwell had to wait until last weekend for their first Premiership win as they eventually saw off Aberdeen.

Another victory - which would be their first at Celtic Park for almost 10 years - could spring them into third spot, and Askou is emboldened going to Glasgow focused on winning rather than setting up to stop their hosts.

"I think the most important thing is for us to focus on us, knowing that we are competing against clubs who have had more time together than us, who have more resources than us," he said.

"It's no excuse to not be competitive and ambitious. And that's what we try to do. And we know it's going to be really, really hard to get a top position in the league when the league is over.

"But we are going for it with everything we can. And Sunday is going to be a big game for us to show that we are serious when we say we are here to compete."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Motherwell picked up their first league win of the season against Aberdeen last weekend, Elliot Watt was right at the heart of it.

Not on the scoresheet, or the provider of an assist, but the midfielder ran the Saturday night show.

In the first half, when the Dons burst out the blocks and appeared rejuvenated by their switch in system, Jens Berthel Askou's side were forced to sit back, suck up pressure and scurry away on the break.

Watt was consistently on hand to change the direction of play, pull the strings and set the Steelmen on their way. He did so with elegance and energy.

He sprayed the most passes in claret and amber - 110, with 102 of them deemed accurate by Opta, and made the most entries into the final third (22).

Such presence will need to be replicated if Motherwell are to come away from Celtic Park with a positive result on Sunday.

Following their meek Europa League performance in defeat to Braga, Brendan Rodgers' side are far from firing on all cylinders. A chance for a first 'Well win in the east end of Glasgow since December 2015?

Read all the weekend's Premiership picks

Scott Mullen at Fir Park
BBC Sport Scotland

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Undefeated Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou sat down with the media at Fir Park to preview his side's Scottish Premiership meeting with Celtic on Sunday.

Here are the key points:

• The Motherwell manager says his team are going to Celtic Park to win.

• He trusts his players to create chances and score goals, and is "convinced" keeping Celtic's chances at a minimum means there's a chance of a positive result.

• When asked if it is a good time to face out-of-sorts Celtic, Askou replied "maybe", but predicts they will be sharper than they were in defeat to Braga on Thursday.

• Motherwell are still growing, but "we haven't really produced anything league-wise yet", with Askou adding: "When the season is over, that's when it counts".

• Captain Paul McGinn is back for the trip to Parkhead. Elijah Just, Tom Sparrow, Callum Hendry and Callum Slattery have been training with the chance one may make it on Sunday.

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• Motherwell remain unbeaten in six Scottish Premiership games this season (W1 D5), their longest unbeaten start to a league campaign since 2012-13 (first seven).

• Celtic are unbeaten in 34 meetings with Motherwell in all competitions (W29 D5) since a 2-1 home league defeat in December 2015 under Ronny Deila.

• Motherwell have lost 14 of their past 16 away games against Celtic in all competitions (D2), conceding 50 goals while scoring just six in this period.

• Celtic have only lost one of their past 44 home league games that have come the weekend immediately after a European game (W38 D5), going down 2-0 to Hearts in December 2023.

• Only Celtic's Benjamin Nygren (11) has created more chances from open play in the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership than Motherwell's Ibrahim Said (10). However, only Rangers' James Tavernier (11) has created more chances overall without yet registering an assist in the competition this term than Said (10).

Motherwell are going to Celtic Park on Sunday to win, says head coach Jens Berthel Askou. (Record), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Another weekend, another win against Aberdeen.

Not only did the men's team beat them back to back, the Women of Steel were able to dispatch the Dons on Sunday too.

I can honestly say we haven't played a game this season where I thought we were lucky to get a point or victory.

The biggest test so far comes this weekend against Celtic, who were frustrated by Hibs last Saturday, and I'm optimistic we can cause them problems at Parkhead.

I won't be angry if we do lose, as long as the scoreline doesn't make a mockery of what we have been producing so far under Jens Berthel Askou.

Normally I view a game against Celtic as a glorified training session due to the massive gap in resources. However, this is genuinely the first time I feel confident we may get something out of it.

That's because our style of football right now is something I've never seen Motherwell be capable of and we are showing no signs of slowing down.

We have transformed so much that Stephen O'Donnell has gone from weekly scapegoat to being applauded again!

I couldn't tell you the last time it felt so good to be a 'Well fan and long may this era continue.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Motherwell were excellent again in the Premiership and finally secured their first league win with two late goals against Aberdeen.

They have two players in my team of the week.

Calum Ward kept Aberdeen at bay with several saves, securing a clean sheet and paving the way for Motherwell's smash and grab at the end.

Elliott Watt has become a key figure in the way Motherwell play their impressive brand of football under Jens Berthel Askou. He sets the tone and dictates the play.

Watch Sportscene analysis of Motherwell's 2-0 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Watch all the highlights as Motherwell secured a dramatic late victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 2-0 win against Aberdeen.

Here's what some of you said:

Bruce: Finally getting results. Play is good. Fans entertained. Unbeaten this season and in a semi-final. Life is good again as a 'Well fan.

Mark: Fully deserved result. I would have liked to have seen the ball in the net a bit sooner but who doesn't love last minute winners? That's three points on the board now, as well as a clean sheet at home. I'm so glad Apostolos Stamatelopoulos got his goal- he has been needing it and now he, and all of us, have our just reward for such good football.

Alan: With Elliot Watt and Lukas Fadinger totally controlling the midfield this was an excellent result for Motherwell. Stamatelopoulos worked his socks off and took the penalty with aplomb. With some more fine tuning in the finishing department this could be the best Motherwell team for some time. The new system is working well. The team spirit was also very evident after the second goal.

David: Not our best performance but kept going until the end and and finally got the result that the previous games should have got. Onwards and upwards.

Susan: So impressed with the astounding turnaround at Fir Park. Thoroughly enjoyed it. This new group of players never give up and have such a belief and togetherness. It's a joy to be a 'Well fan at the moment.

Grant: Great result against a poor Aberdeen team who are lacking in belief, if they were on top of their game they would probably have scored a couple themselves, going to miss Stephen Welsh next week but fingers crossed that some players start coming back from injury.

Aberdeen endured another miserable day in their wretched season when Motherwell scored twice in stoppage-time to record their first Scottish Premiership win of the season.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "It feels great.

"I think everyone is enjoying the moment right now. We're happy. We enjoyed the performance from the sidelines, the fans were excellent and it seemed like they enjoyed the performance too.

"'When the first goal went in] I felt happiness and joy, the thrill that goes through your body when you score a goal and you know it could be decisive. I was happy on everyone's behalf that we put ourselves in a position where we could win the game. I was even more happy with the second goal because it put a big fat line under how much we invested in winning the game.

"I think we can use all the performances and training sessions we've had since we started this season because every second and pass and tackle and movement we've done so far have brought us to a point where we're producing stable performances and keep the opposition from scoring.

"Now we are winning games and it's about continuing to raise the level because I think we can still be a little bit sharper.

"I think everyone is extremely happy on Apostolos Stamatelopoulos' behalf. He's such a hard worker and today we had to create a penalty where he could score meanwhile he has worked extremely hard for his teammates. He really deserved that."

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James McFadden on BBC Sportsound: I think the manager, his instruction, his belief of how he wants to play, the belief he's given to the players, is massively key for Motherwell.

It's all well and good, but the players still need to step up and it's credit to them because they are willing to take the risk.

Not an outstanding display from Motherwell, but a very good one and finally a victory on the board.

Willie Miller on BBC Sportsound: It wasn't just better, it was much better. Aberdeen in the first half created a number of chances but didn't take them. I think over the course of the 90 minutes, if you take away the two goals at the end, it's a very even game.

I'm sure Jimmy Thelin will be in a situation where Aberdeen fans are not pleased with the result tonight, but I can assure you it was a much better performance.

If this type of performance had been earlier in the season, you'd be hopeful it would turn round. It's cruel for Aberdeen but magnificent for Motherwell.