Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is giving his players the necessary "freedom" on the park to "excel", says defender Emmanuel Longelo.

The left-back arrived from Birmingham on a two-year deal and has scored twice in his first four appearances, notably a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw with Rangers in last weekend's league opener.

"From the moment I spoke to him, I already knew this is the environment I wanted to be in," said the 24-year-old.

"He has just told me to be myself, giving me that freedom to express myself on the pitch and just play with a smile.

"That's definitely something I want to hear because I feel like I have attributes that can help the team progress. And also, I like to show what I'm good at.

"I feel like every player will want to hear that. When I spoke to the manager, I heard everything I wanted to hear. He just made it a place where you want to come play and excel. I've just got to repay him for the faith he's had in me.

"I feel like this way is the correct way to play football. Every day we're just buying into what the manager wants us to do, and so far it's going well".

St Mirren are up next for Motherwell in Paisley on Saturday, a game which boss Askou has suggested may require a tweak to the system.

The former Gothenburg manager said: "It is going to be a very different type of football game, because we face an opponent who has some very different strengths and a different approach to Rangers, which will give us some other challenges.

"Which means we've tried to prepare that while still focusing on ourselves and the way we want to approach the game and how to get the game as much as possible on our terms.

"We know there are going to be moments where we need to fight physically and duel with them, it's hard to take out of a game when you play against St Mirren."

• St Mirren have only won two of their past 15 league meetings with Motherwell (D7 L6), and are winless in five (D3 L2) since a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell have only lost one of their past 10 Scottish Premiership away games at St Mirren (W5 D4), a 1-0 defeat in January 2023 under Steven Hammell.

• St Mirren ended the 2024-25 campaign by going unbeaten in their final five Scottish Premiership home matches (W3 D2), and they have won their opening home fixture in both of the past two seasons: 3-0 vs Hibernian in 2024-25 and 2-1 vs Dundee in 2023-24.

• Motherwell have won their opening away game in just one of their past eight Scottish Premiership campaigns (D3 L4), but it was a 1-0 victory at St Mirren in 2022-23.

• In Motherwell's 1-1 draw with Rangers on matchday one, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos had the most shots (five), the most touches in the opposition's box (nine) and contested the most aerial duels of any player (six).

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Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou insists Lennon Miller is looking sharp and preparing to face St Mirren on Saturday amid continued uncertainty over the sought-after midfielder's future.

Miller, 18, attracted bids in January and the summer, with Bologna the favourites to beat the likes of Fiorentina, Udinese and Torino to his signature, according to reports in Italy.

"There's nothing finalised, nothing registered, he's still a Motherwell player and he's preparing for the game on Saturday," said Askou.

"He's got a full week of training under his belt now, which he hasn't had since he had his little injury and his little setback.

"That's positive, so he looks ready, he looks fresh, and he looks sharp, as always. A fantastic football player, so we're happy to have him back on the pitch."

Loan striker Eseosa Sule returned to West Brom for treatment this week and Askou was unable to elaborate on the extent of the 19-year-old's injury issue.

"We're still in a period of assessing exactly how long and what's the specific treatment that he needs. It's a big blow for him and for us," he added.

"I'm very sad on his behalf and on our behalf, because he was looking really good and we were really happy with the progress he's made and the impression he's made here in his first couple of weeks.

"We are one down, who is a specific nine, which means that the guys who are left will have to do the job until he's back. We also have other players who can cover that position."

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Motherwell goalkeeper Matty Connelly has joined Championship outfit Airdrieonians on loan for the season.

The 22-year-old made his Motherwell debut in the League Cup this summer and has previously spent time on loan at Gretna, East Kilbride, Stranraer and Falkirk.

Connelly has been backed by Fir Park boss Jens Berthel Askou to return "better, stronger and wiser" next summer.

"Matty has impressed all of us over the summer with his attitude and composure when he got his first minutes for us," said Askou.

"He's been brilliant in training and we have been looking for the best set-up for his continued development, which we have now found in this loan."

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Motherwell have entered into a cooperation agreement with League One Stenhousemuir, which will give young players the chance to "compete at a high level against strong teams".

The Fir Park club, who also have a player partnership with Lowland League Cowdenbeath, have sent midfielder Olly Whyte on loan to Stenhousemuir under the new agreement.

Motherwell beat Gary Naysmith's side 1-0 in the League Cup earlier this month at Ochilview, where they "observed their impressive infrastructure and dedicated fanbase."

Under player partnership agreements, which came into effect this summer, up to three young players can move more freely between the parent and lower-league club, to aid the development of young Scottish talent.

Motherwell chief executive Brian Caldwell said: "This is a fantastic development for the club.

"Collaborating with Stenhousemuir opens up opportunities for some of our players to compete at a high level against strong teams. We've been in talks with Stenhousemuir for some time, and it's evident they are eager to make the most of this partnership.

"Stenhousemuir is committed to nurturing young talent, making it an ideal environment for emerging players to flourish."

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Motherwell have confirmed Eseosa Sule will return to parent club West Brom to recover from an injury that will keep the forward out "for a period of time".

The summer signing played in the Fir Park side's League Cup group games against Clyde, Peterhead and Stenhousemuir but has not featured for almost a month.

Motherwell say Sule with return to Lanarkshire once his recovery is complete.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou added: "Eseosa has made a very good impression since he arrived and was growing with the team and developing really well until his injury.

"It's very unfortunate for him and us that we will now be missing him for a while. We all look forward to his return to full fitness and for him to continue his journey with us on the pitch."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Motherwell's late goal snatched a point against Rangers in their first Premiership match of the season, and they've got two players in my TOTW.

John Koutroumbis was another big performer at the back for Motherwell as they impressed against Rangers.

Emmanuel Longelo impressed throughout and took his chance with a big goal to level the match with Rangers.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

So 'Well fans, has everyone settled down yet?

What an atmosphere the fans brought for what was truly a fantastic way to start the season.

Some may argue it is tinpot to celebrate a draw however, as someone that was at the game, we should have won 3-1 minimum.

I can hand on heart say that was one of the best performances against Rangers I have witnessed in person and I loved every minute. I can't think of a single player that let us down or didn't get pass marks.

I jokingly said last week I was filled with blind optimism for this season and that has only magnified now.

Taking points off the Old Firm at the first time of asking is no easy feat yet here we are - both Michael Wimmer and Jens Berthel Askou were able to do so.

I have no fear this season and I am even more so convinced we will finish top six.

Now that the screenshots have stopped for if we somehow make a disaster of things, I cannot remember a time where I have felt more energised by the club.

From the results on the pitch, the strides the Well Society is making with the new memorial and beer garden opening, to the fans for coming together to support Zac Gunn's family I am so proud of my team, my community, and my club.

Relish in the joy everyone it's not very often we are twisting and shouting this early into a season.

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Former Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew thinks a lack of quality in the final third could hinder Motherwell's top-six hopes.

The Steelmen looked strong in their league opener against last year's runners-up Rangers, winning the ball back on the press and at times cutting the Glasgow side open with intricate passing play on their way to a 1-1 draw at home.

However, Mulgrew thinks they can't get ahead of themselves, considering the timing of the fixture.

Speaking to BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I think it's easy to get carried away when you play Rangers or Celtic at the start of the season and get a result.

"Motherwell are so good going through the lines, but I don't know if they have enough in the final third.

"I think their style works better against a team like Rangers that will press high so they can play through them, but I don't imagine teams will do that often against them.

"Like a St Mirren, can they break them down that way?"

Whether Jens Berthel Askou's team can gain continued success with this style is yet to be proven. However, there can be no argument that they played with the bravery their boss wants, and got a positive result against one of the best teams in the country.

Fellow ex-Scotland international Michael Stewart added: "I'm really impressed with how Motherwell played against Rangers.

"I saw them against Morton in the Premier Sports Cup, and up until that game, the issue was end product.

"I think from defensive third to middle third they'll be able to compete with anyone, but the final third will be their defining factor this season.

"It's not horrendous, but compared with how good the build-up is from defence to midfield, if they were as good in attack, they'd be comfortable top 6 and challenging above that.

"Yesterday seemed like it would be a hard luck story, creating chances and not scoring.

"But they broke through and thoroughly deserved their draw, and really arguably could've got three points. It's exciting."

Watch Sportscene analysis of Jens Berthel Askou's influence on the Motherwell team after their 1-1 draw against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Watch highlights of Motherwell's 1-1 draw against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Emmanuel Longelo admits his late equaliser on his league debut for the club was the "stuff of dreams" as Motherwell produced a stirring second-half display to earn an opening day Premiership point against Rangers.

The Ibrox side had taken an early lead through James Tavernier's close range header from a corner with the home team initially struggling to implement the style of play manager Jens Berthel Askou seeks.

That all changed after half-time with Motherwell perhaps unlucky not to earn a long-awaited home league win over Rangers.

"I feel like it was a deserved outcome," Longelo explained to BBC Scotland.

"We stuck to the manager's game plan very well, even though at times it wasn't working well for us. I felt like the boys dug in and I we should have had the victory.

"He [Berthel-Askou] just kept telling us to believe in ourselves and believe in our qualities.

He keeps mentioning to us in training that we're top players and we just have to have that self-belief every time we're on the training pitch and we step out here to just keep believing in ourselves."

"I felt like if we took our chances, more clinically in the end, we would have had the three points, but it's a stepping stone for us."

At half-time, questions were being posed as to whether Motherwell's, at times, risky desire to play out from the back might be costing them against such opposition.

It cost them the opening goal but sticking with it paid off as the home side increasingly took the game to Rangers.

"It will definitely boost the morale, boost the belief, so our fans can buy into it," the striker continued.

"Once they buy into it, it will help us each and every time we step out on this pitch or whenever we travel away.

"As long as we keep at it and keep doing what the manager wants us to do, then they'll [the fans] get on board and it will all come together."

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 1-1 draw against Rangers.

Here's what some of you said:

Mark: We are going to be a joy to watch this season! A superb second half saw us snatch a well deserved point. If we play like that all season we could be a real problem for other teams.

James W: Superb. We fell away in the first half but the second half was tremendous. Like watching a new team. Effort and refusing to lie down, a new Motherwell.

George: Delighted with our approach and mentality. Bravery and a will to try. Still plenty aspects to improve, but if we play like that every week, we will win more than we lose.

James N: A great effort from Motherwell. All that was lacking was goals. We need to keep up the work rate, I am really impressed. Thank you Jens Berthel Askou!

Susan: An inspiring start! Can totally see what Askou is trying to do. A few nervous moments initially playing from the goal line but once they settled down it went well. Struggle to recall a better opening result.

Keith: It was Motherwell who dropped three points, we were by far the braver and stronger team especially in the second half. We need to be more decisive and clinical upfront.

Rangers dropped points on the opening day for the third Scottish Premiership season in a row after Motherwell scored a late equaliser to deny Russell Martin a winning league start.

Let us know your thoughts on the game here.

Read the full match report here.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "Second half we came out the way we wanted, we tried to be more dominant and brave.

"We were able to gear up and put pressure on Rangers.

"I was quite impressed with that.

"With more sharpness and effectiveness, we could've taken three points."

When asked if he was frustrated by how the corner for Rangers' goal was given away, he replied: "No, no.

"If people think we are frustrated when we try to do what we know is going to give us a lot of success over time... I want more bravery."

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Kilmarnock have signed Dominic Thompson after the 25-year-old left-back left Scottish Premiership rivals Motherwell.

The Londoner made 15 appearances for Well, 11 of them starts, after signing a short-term deal in January following his exit from Blackpool.

Thompson was a product of Arsenal's academy before spells with Brentford, Swindon Town and Ipswich Town then in 2022 joined Blackpool, from whom he spent a spell on loan to Forest Green Rovers before his move to Fir Park.

He is available to make his Kilmarnock debut as their Scottish Premiership season gets under way on Saturday at home to promoted Livingston.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou did not rule out including in-demand Lennon Miller in his squad if he proves his fitness after a minor injury.

Jordan McGhee (thigh), Sam Nicholson (knee) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) are out.

Mikey Moore is unlikely to be available for Rangers as he awaits international clearance on his loan move from Tottenham while Thelo Aasgaard and Hamza Igamane miss out with knocks.

We asked for your views on how Motherwell are shaping up for the new season, which kicks off with the visit of Rangers on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

George: Looking forward to a new-look approach from Motherwell. However, a bit nervous about the central defence playing out from the back, that area of the team needs strengthening.

Eddie: First few games will be difficult but with a few more additions hopeful of a decent season.

Del: Recruitment wise so far I've been fairly pleased with the business we have done, centre-half is still a concern as I feel we need to improve that in order to fully adapt to the manager's style of play and we probably could do with another midfielder with the imminent departure of Lennon Miller. Would like to see another striker with a bit of experience come in, if we could do that then I would be more than happy with the squad for the season.

Alfie Robinson
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell defender Liam Gordon is excited to put Jens Berthel Askou's "fresh ideas" into practice in the Premiership opener at home to Rangers.

New manager Askou's clear vision of possession-based attractive football has been evident in the Steelmen's successful League Cup group-stage campaign and pre-season draw with Hertha Berlin.

"We've learned lots of new ideas and we're really enjoying it, I'm just exited to take the new style into the league campaign," said Gordon.

"I think you can see from the first few games against Hertha and then the League Cup games we're focusing much more on possession and controlling the game on and off the ball.

"The manager has given us a good structure to build from and we all know our jobs. It's been very detailed personally and collectively. He's brought a nice fresh idea to Motherwell and hopefully it will be successful."

Gordon believes the visit of Rangers on Saturday is the perfect test, adding: "I get that it's tough right at the start of the season, but I think it's a great game to kick us off. Especially at home to one of the biggest teams in the country.

"You can always be better but we take confidence from the Hertha game, who were a very good opposition and probably a similar standard to Rangers.

"So I don't see why we can't do the same again, we're under no illusion it will be easy but we back ourselves."

Askou has not ruled out the possibility of Lennon Miller featuring on Saturday and Gordon praised the teenage star's mentality amid fervent transfer speculation.

"He just handles his business, I sometimes feel I'm a young player speaking to him the way he carries himself but honestly he's been brilliant," he said.

"So much noise around him but you'd never know, just takes it in his stride. I'd be a nervous wreck so credit to him."

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• Motherwell have won two of their past four league meetings with Rangers (D1 L1), as many as their previous 71 beforehand (W2 D16 L53). The Steelmen are looking to pick up back-to-back league wins over Rangers for the frst time since April 1960.

• Rangers are unbeaten in 30 away league visits to Motherwell (W20 D10) since a 1-0 defeat in December 2002. Only at Morton (41 from 1920 to 1987) have the Ibrox side ever enjoyed a longer unbeaten away run in the league.

• Motherwell's Jens Berthel Askou will be the frst Danish manager to take charge of a side in the Scottish top-fight since Ebbe Skovdahl, who oversaw 130 league matches with Aberdeen from 1999 to 2002 (W40 D31 L59).

• Rangers have failed to win or even score on matchday one in both of their past two league seasons (D1 L1); they last failed to win their opening game in three straight league campaigns from 1982-83 to 1984-85 (D3) – one of which was a 2-2 draw at Motherwell.

• Rangers have won their first league match under a new manager (including interim/caretaker) in seven of their past eight attempts, with the only exception being Steven Gerrard's 1-1 draw at Aberdeen in 2018-19.