Motherwell

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, SNS

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."

Image source, Motherwell

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."

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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...

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

See Motherwell's full fixture list here

Image source, SNS

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.

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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

Image source, SNS

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.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

New Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment.

Here are the key points:

• Motherwell's "new board and new ideas" were among the reasons for him being attracted to the job, along with the club's history and traditions.

• The Dane feels being the boss suits him best and that serving as assistant at his past two clubs - FC Copenhagen and Sparta Prague - has given him "a great experience to use in my next step as a manager". He adds: "I've got a deeper knowledge on things and how to implement them."

• He wants to play "dynamic football with players who want the ball and who want to take the initiative". Askou says his style of play with "big intensity" will be attractive to watch.

• The 42-year-old says it's too early to set targets, but sees no reason why the club can't reach the top six more often than they have done in recent years.

• He acknowledges it will take time to "stabilise the club" and they "need some time to get things in the right direction".

• Askou is looking forward to becoming reacquainted with Russell Martin (played with him at Norwich) and Jimmy Thelin (both managed in Sweden). He says he didn't speak to them about this move, but is keen to catch up with them.

• On Lennon Miller, Askou knows he's an exciting player and has heard all the transfer rumours, but as far as he's aware there is no news on his future. He hasn't yet met Miller.

Image source, SNS

Ahmet Koc has departed Motherwell "with a heavy heart" to purse an opportunity elsewhere and allow new manager Jens Berthel Askou to choose his own assistant.

Koc joined the Fir Park club with Michael Wimmer in February and remained in post following the German's exit to Jahn Regensburg last month.

In the aftermath of Wimmer's departure, club chairman Kyrk Macmillan said Koc was "delighted to be in Scotland" and "wants to continue" his role.

But, less than a month later, the coach has decided to leave Fir Park.

"I have loved every minute at Motherwell and have taken the club, the staff and the fans to my heart," Koc said.

"It is with a heavy heart that I have chosen to pursue a different path in football away from Fir Park.

"I feel it's important Jens has the opportunity to build his own team now for the season ahead while I now also have the opportunity to pursue a different career path in football.

"As difficult a decision as this has been for me, I will always support the club from afar, and who knows, we may meet again in the future."

Image source, SNS

Defender Steve Seddon is among four players who will not be returning to Motherwell next season following the end of their contracts.

Harry Paton, Davor Zdravkovski and Moses Ebiye will join left-back Seddon in exiting Fir Park this summer.

The Lanarkshire side said they were in talks with all four players, plus Dan Casey, who has joined Wycombe, and Dominic Thompson, who remains in dialogue with the club, about new deals.

However, the quartet will depart as new manager Jens Berthel Askou prepares to take over after agreeing to replace Michael Wimmer.

Midfielders Paton and Zdravkovski featured more than 60 times each for Motherwell, with striker Ebiye scoring seven goals in 39 games.

Seddon impressed in spells after joining last summer but endured an injury-hit campaign, featuring 17 times.

With the transfer window now open for business for the remainder of the summer, we asked for your views on what new Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou needs.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Mark: We need depth. Not quantity over quality, but meaningful depth. A solid central defender is a must after Dan Casey's exit. A creative midfielder would also come nicely with the money we should get for Lennon Miller. A new wide player and a striker who's not allergic to goal would also be a step in the right direction.

George: Pace! Tom Sparrow and Tawanda Maswanhise aside, we were too pedestrian going forward and back. If our new manager is true to his word on a preference for pressing, he'll have to get some younger legs in from front to back.

Eddie: He needs youth and energy in the team, so many last season were going through the motions.

James: Definitely some pace. A must. A goalscorer/poacher, doesn't need to be a great player. Strength in midfield. Suppose a lot will depend on the money coming in for Miller. Maybe some hidden gems the manager is aware of.

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

There are plenty of unknowns at Fir Park heading into the new season.

The change of manager in Jens Berthel Askou. The expected loss of wunderkind Lennon Miller. The corpulent squad that has been trimmed back in places.

Although, given the timing of the new boss' arrival, it's hard to tell what he will inherit.

Six players had their contracts end come the campaign's close, while a further 10 left after their loan spells expired. Let's have a look through the squad to see who remains.

In goal, Aston Oxborough impressed when fit last season. He is expected to stay as number one, with Calum Ward providing back-up. No dramas.

At right-back, there is a surplus of options. Jordan McGhee has arrived from Dundee - although his versatility means he can play centre-back or centre-mid.

Stephen O'Donnell and captain Paul McGinn are other possibilities, who can also slot into a back-three. There's also Australian Johnny Koutroumbis, who has a battle on his hands for meaningful minutes.

Left-back is trickier. Both Steve Seddon and Dom Thompson are out of contract, leaving just academy product Ewan Wilson. If either of them sign a deal, that side should be shored up.

The only two natural centre-backs remaining are Liam Gordon, who enjoyed a decent debut season, and Kofi Balmer, who didn't match those heights.

In midfield, Miller is expected to depart while Davor Zdravkovski and Harry Paton can walk away for free.

That leaves Callum Slattery, who was superb on his return from injury, and Andy Halliday - the player's player of the year at the club last season - as well as new signing Lukas Fadinger.

There is a serious shortage of wide players. Sam Nicholson missed almost all of last season through injury, with just Tom Sparrow bolstering the senior ranks.

The little Welshman enjoyed an impressive debut campaign but was often shunted to wing-back. He looked better further forward.

Up top, Motherwell need goals. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has more vowels in his surname than Premiership goals so far, while Zach Robinson didn't win over Motherwell fans the way he did in Dundee.

Moses Ebiye is another out of contract, and Filip Stuparevic is recovering from an ACL injury picked up last winter.

Tawanda Maswanhise was so often a bright spark last season and can be relied upon, but his six-goal return needs support.

What does Askou need then? Clarity at left-back. At least one centre-back, maybe two. A couple of wingers, and a striker who can score. And desperately, desperately, he needs some pace in the team.

Who do you think should be high up on Askou's shopping list? Let us know your thoughts HERE.