Motherwell

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• Nicolas Raskin has created more chances from open play (33) than any other player in the Scottish Premiership this season, with his five assists the most of any Rangers player.

• The past six league meetings between Motherwell and Rangers have an even head-to-head record, with both sides winning twice each (all by a one-goal margin) and the other two being drawn. Rangers had won six in a row against the Steelmen prior to this.

• Rangers are unbeaten in 31 league visits to Motherwell (W20 D11) since going down 1-0 in December 2002. Only at Morton have the Ibrox side ever enjoyed a longer unbeaten away run in their league history (41 from 1920 to 1987).

• Motherwell have kept a clean sheet in their past eight home league games (W7 D1), winning the latest five in a row. In the 21st century, the only side to keep nine successive home clean sheets in the Scottish top flight are Celtic (twice – December 2013 to March 2014 and October 2024 to February 2025).

• Rangers have won seven of their past eight league games (D1), a run that started with a 1-0 win over Motherwell in December. Since that day, the Ibrox club have earned at least eight more points than any side in the Scottish Premiership (22, Hearts second with 16).

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Motherwell full-back Johnny Koutroumbis drops out for a few weeks with a calf injury. But Elliot Watt and Regan Charles-Cook have resumed full training and will be assessed.

Callum Hendry remains out along with long-term absentee Zach Robinson (Achilles).

Rangers pair Youssef Chermiti and Emmanuel Fernandez come back into the squad after respective Achilles and knee injuries.

Max Aarons, Connor Barron (knee) and Derek Cornelius (muscle) are still out.

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Motherwell striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has returned home to join A-League side Sydney FC on loan until the end of the season as he eyes a place in Australia's World Cup squad.

The 26-year-old, who moved to Fir Park from Newcastle Jets in summer 2024, has netted seven goals in 27 appearances this season but has started none of the past eight league games.

Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise is the Premiership's top scorer this season and the club further added to their striker options by signing Eythor Bjorgolfsson last month.

"With Eythor's arrival and Tawanda's development, Apostolos has found regular game-time more and more difficult," said manager Jens Berthel Askou.

"An opportunity opened for him to find sharpness while we feel we are well covered in his position to attack the rest of the season.

"I wish him all the best getting regular game time back in Australia trying to push for the World Cup squad in the summer."

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Think of Motherwell under Jens Berthel Askou and what comes to mind?

Fast-flowing, attack-minded, possession football? A big bag of goals from Zimbabwe international Tawanda Maswanhise? Yes on both counts.

Just as impressive, however, is the fact that no opposition team has scored at Fir Park since the middle of October.

Falkirk were the victors then and, apart from Kilmarnock and tomorrow's opponents Rangers, no other side has claimed a topflight goal at Motherwell since the Dane's arrival in the summer.

Never mind the sexy football, what about that defending? There are two key elements, according to the Fir Park boss.

"First of all, as long as we have the ball, it's difficult for the opposition to score unless we put it in the back of the net ourselves, which we haven't done," Askou pointed out.

"The other thing is, if we have the ball a lot, they spend a lot of energy on chasing it and defending against us. If we then pose a threat at the same time, then they spend even more energy on trying to make sure we don't create chances and score goals.

"The lift in our attacking side of the game has made the opposition spend even more energy. And sometimes, they change things up from what they usually do, both in terms of approach but also formation, which makes it more difficult to perform at their best."

With the attack and defence both being praised externally, Askou singled out his goalkeeper Calum Ward, who might have gone under the radar while his other teammates have shone.

"We've also got a goalie [Ward] who's just gotten better and better, showing a really high level with his passing under pressure from day one," Askou said.

"He's also improved fantastically with his normal goalkeeping skills in terms of stopping the opposition from scoring, making saves, getting out of the box."

"It's about balance between having the ball, being good in attack and then being defensively solid, aggressive, intense, well-structured, disciplined at the same time.

"That is something we have been working on every day since we started, and it's given us a very stable defensive platform, especially here."

No kidding. Zero goals conceded at Fir Park since Saturday 18 October. It's one of the main reasons Motherwell sit solidly in fourth place in the table, just five points behind champions Celtic.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's crunch match against Rangers on Wednesday night.

Here's a taste of what he had to say...

• Askou points out Motherwell's excellent defensive record - only Rangers, Kilmarnock and Falkirk have scored at Fir Park, where no opposition team has found the net since mid October, adding "when we have the ball, the opposition can't score."

• The manager talked about reassessing the club's targets given their current success, but says "the target is to win on Wednesday. I know a lot of you will probably ask me that question again [after Wednesday]... we'll see where we are when we are closer to the end of the season. We are in a good position to make top six and that is our first big aim for the season. Then if we make that, then we are going to reach out."

• He's enjoying this season "more than he could have dreamt of" given the strides his side has made, adding "that is a testament to everyone who's involved in this football club, from the groundsmen to the staff, the players, the board of directors, all the volunteers and the fans."

• Askou admits he's looking forward to seeing what new signing Eythor Bjorgolfsson and top-scorer Tawanda Maswanhise can do against Rangers, and is confident that both can be a handful for Danny Rohl's side.

• The Dane was very complimentary of his opposite man Rohl, saying it wasn't easy to take over when he did: "We know they're a top team with so much momentum. Danny has really got that club on track and that wasn't easy when he arrived."

• The manager confirms the only major injury worry for the visit of Rangers on Wednesday is defender Johnny Koutroumbis, who's out "for a few weeks" with an injury.

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For fans of Aberdeen, Dundee United, Falkirk, Motherwell, and St Mirren, the Scottish Cup draw went about as well as it could have done.

They all avoided the Old Firm at the quarter-final stage and, while games against Falkirk and Motherwell have been no easy feat this season, there is a real sense it could be anyone's year.

For fans of Rangers or Celtic, who face each other at Ibrox in the next round, a route to glory is also clear. Beat your biggest rivals in a one-off game, and you become favourites for the Cup.

"What I'm so excited about is the fact any Premiership team can win it," said Craig Telfer, podcast host and Stenhousemuir fan.

While his beloved Stenny side were beaten by their local rivals on Sunday night, he admitted: "Falkirk could actually see themselves winning. Aberdeen or Motherwell, whoever comes out that, can see themselves winning it.

"You've got a Celtic team that aren't particularly good, and while Rangers are getting better, they can be got at. This is wide open for any Premiership team to go and win it."

Dundee United have beaten Celtic this season, as have Motherwell, while St Mirren famously triumphed against them at Hampden in the League Cup final.

St Mirren and Motherwell have also taken points off Rangers, as have Falkirk and Dundee United.

It is only Aberdeen who have been beaten by the Old Firm at every opportunity, but memories of last year's Cup triumph over Celtic will spur them on.

"[As a non-Old Firm fan] you always want to see Rangers and Celtic drawing with each other as early as possible in the competition to knock them out," Telfer added.

"Once they're out, or it's just one of the Old Firm teams in there, every other team should be looking to win it."

Of course, Aberdeen and Motherwell are yet to meet after their fifth round tie was postponed, while Dundee United still have to avoid an upset against The Spartans.

And don't rule out Neil Lennon, who has won this competition eight times throughout his playing and managerial career, and his Dunfermline side.

• Craig Telfer was speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, available here.

• St Mirren v Partick Thistle

• Falkirk v Dundee United or Spartans

• Rangers v Celtic

• Dunfermline Athletic v Aberdeen or Motherwell

All four last-eight ties are scheduled to be played on weekend of 7 March.

Is Motherwell's sterling defensive record this season going "under the radar"?

The Steelmen have the meanest defence in the Premiership - 17 goals conceded in 24 games - and have kept the most clean sheets (13).

They've also faced the third-fewest (behind Hearts and Celtic) shots and shots on target.

Across their past 13 games in league and cup, Jens Berthel Askou's men have shipped a grand total of two goals. And at fortress Fir Park, fourth-place Well are on a run of nine successive clean sheets.

While Premiership top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise and silky midfielder Elijah Just have garnered plenty of plaudits, former St Mirren and Falkirk player Ryan Flynn has shone a light on heroic efforts in the backline.

"One of the biggest things that goes under the radar with Motherwell is their defensive record is incredible in the league," said Flynn on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"So they're going to be a hard team to beat regardless. They've obviously got the threats at the top end of pitch. They've got some lovely footballers, Elliot Watt, Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise up front. They cause teams so many problems.

"But I think there needs to be credit to those at the back.

"Obviously Stephen Welsh went missing for a period, had to go back to Celtic. They've got him back in the building, but Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell, they deserve huge credit.

"Motherwell are a really impressive side. Askou deserves so much credit for the way he's built that side.

"It's the plaudits for the football and the style, but they've also got that steely edge to them."

We asked for your thoughts on Motherwell's business in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Del: Massive credit to the board and manager for standing their ground and keeping Tawanda Maswanhise. With the deadline day arrival of Stephen Welsh, we now end the window stronger than we started, roll on the rest of the season.

Gary: Really positive window. Keeping the core players in the club whilst strengthening up top and at the back. A big push for securing top four - dare I say, top three?

Matt: Delighted to keep Maswanhise, at least until the end of the season, and buzzing to get Welsh back until the end of the season. Time to push for the title now.

James: Most importantly keeping Elliot Watt but to get Welsh back is tremendous. Big Eythor Bjorgolfsson looks like he will be a good addition, hopefully he can form a partnership with Watt. Get Elliot Watt back and the future looks claret and amber.

Crawford: With the return of Welsh we have a well-balanced squad. Jens Berthel Askou has been excellent at rotating the first team regulars and introducing some academy players when conditions allow. Hopefully the purchase of Bjorgolfsson will give us a new dynamic up front. It will be great to see the return of Elliot Watt from injury.

Fraser: Keeping a hold of our form players was key. Welsh returning is a positive albeit he is now cup tied and potentially we have another two games [against Celtic] where he is ruled out. When Watt comes back we have a strong midfield with cover, defence is good - if John Koutroumbis is okay - and in attack we just need Bjorgolfsson to get up to speed. So the biggest take away was keeping the squad plus the two additions and releasing players which did not fit.

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• Dundee have lost three of their last four league games against Motherwell (D1), after having only lost one of their previous seven beforehand (W3 D3).

• Both teams have scored in each of Dundee's last five home league matches against Motherwell (nine Dundee goals, eight Motherwell), although the Steelmen have only lost one of these visits (W2 D2).

• Dundee have won five of their last eight home league games (L3), although lost their last 0-1 to Hearts in January. The Dee last suffered successive home league defeats in August.

• Motherwell are unbeaten in their last seven midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (W5 D2) since a 0-1 defeat at Hearts in January 2025.

• Dundee's Simon Murray has been directly involved in six goals in his last 10 league appearances against Motherwell (four goals, two assists), although hasn't scored in any of his four Scottish Premiership games against them at Dens Park.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

The transfer window is finally over meaning we can unlock the gates and let Tawanda Maswanhise escape from the Fir Park dungeons.

I won't lie I was concerned we would have lost our star man on deadline day if we were given an offer we would be unable to refuse.

Overall it was a quiet window but a successful one nonetheless.

Keeping Tawanda is massive for us and could be detrimental to the top three if he continues the form he's in. I said in one of my first few columns of the season that he would be one of our most important players this year and I was right.

Having Stephen Welsh return is great business. However, Celtic only playing him in their cup game so he can't play in any of our games is petty. I know he couldn't have featured against them anyways regardless of if it was in the cup or the league but to blatantly sabotage us like that is shameful.

I am quite disappointed there wasn't an option to buy at the end of the season featured in this new loan deal since he has been phenomenal for us and is quite clearly enjoying his time or else he wouldn't have been so eager to return.

I'd rate our window a solid 8/10 out of ten based on the players coming in and the ones that departed.

Now the distractions are over the Aberdeen double header combined with Dundee and Rangers during the week make this month one of our most important.

Realistically I do believe we will progress through to the next round of the cup and take seven points out of 9.

If things continue they way they have been I can see us making another appearance at Hampden soon.

Jens Berthel Askou has confirmed Motherwell dismissed late deadline-day interest in Tawanda Maswanhise, who had been interesting Anderlecht, Celtic and Blackburn Rovers. (Scottish Sun)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou revealed the club knocked back several offers for star striker Tawanda Maswanhise during the winter transfer window.

The league's top scorer was linked with Anderlecht and Blackburn, but no one was able to force Motherwell's hand.

Askou, whose side visit Dundee in the Premiership on Wednesday, said: "Obviously he has attracted an extreme amount of interest from all over the world, I would say, and also from the UK, and a little bit earlier than we expected and than maybe he expected.

"There have been offers but they have not been at an amount that is anywhere near the valuation that we put on him.

"So it has been very easy just to say, 'well, no, now is not the time and not to change the plans that we have made.'"

Maswanhise hasn't let any interest unsettle him, scoring five goals in four league games throughout January.

"I think maybe a little bit relieved that he doesn't have to speculate about that any more because he's really happy to be here," the manager added.

"And he knows that there's a big chance for him to be top scorer in the league, which is a second ambition of his. The first one is to do as well as possible with the team.

"So he's happy, we're happy. It's been quite uncomplicated actually."

Motherwell's only deadline-day business was to bring back Celtic defender Stephen Welsh on loan.

"He's really happy," Askou said of the 26-year-old. "I've had contact with him throughout the window, he's looked happier than ever and today he has a big smile and really excited to just kick on."

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Dundee could hand debuts to Scott Wright and Lewis Montsma. They remain without centre-backs Billy Koumetio (knee) and Clark Robertson (thigh) plus forwards Joe Westley (ankle) and Ashley Hay (broken toe).

Motherwell have Stephen Welsh back in their ranks after he resumed a loan from Celtic. There is a question mark over Johnny Koutroumbis after he went off with a calf injury at Livingston.

Elliot Watt (hamstring), Regan Charles-Cook (ankle) and Callum Hendry remain out along with long-term absentee Zach Robinson (Achilles).

With the transfer window now shut, we want to know if you think your team have made the right moves.

Motherwell got the one they wanted on deadline day, with Stephen Welsh returning on loan from Celtic, to add to the arrival of forward Eythor Bjorgolfsson.

Kofi Balmer, Esapa Osong, Eseosa Sule and Filip Stuparevic have all left the Fir Park club, while top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise crucially stayed put.

Are you happy with Motherwell's January transfer business? Are they in good shape for a strong end to a memorable season?

Tell us your thoughts here.

Watch Sportscene pundit Michael Stewart discuss Motherwell's great run of form and the influence of forward Tawanda Maswanhise, who scored twice in the win at Livingston.

"A lot was made about Motherwell not having somebody at the top end of the park who could find the back of the net regularly," Stewart said.

"It turns out they had him in the building already. They changed the front line and Maswanhise is playing more centrally.

"Motherwell were outstanding in the first half. They were clinical and Maswanhise is loving his football."