Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "It feels fantastic. It is amazing to stand here today and have achieved what we set out to do for a long time.

"To get a place in Europe and reach for the maximum possible in this season. I think we've got that.

"Through one performance after another that have been incredible. We have played some wonderful football lately as well, we did not quite get the points we wanted to.

"But to get it the way we did today by dominating from start to finish, it became difficult last 20 minutes with one man down. But we put up a fight and still threaten them and press forward, and defending our box with our life when we had to.

"Incredible moments to be proud of, and I'm so moved to be part of this.

"The way the supporters have been behind our approach from day one, and fallen in love with the team as the team have fallen in love with their willingness and ability to show up all over Scotland.

"It's a special thing to experience that connection and wonderful to have that celebration down in the corner.

"These boys in there will be remembered by the fans for a very, very long time. Our intention as a club is to keep building on what we are doing.

"Now we all get a little rest, some will move on which is natural when you have performed like this. New ones will come but no matter what this club will keep driving forward and keep being ambiitous about what we're doing, with a brave approach."

The Motherwell boss says now is not the time to talk about his own future, but enjoy the moment.

Ten-man Motherwell secured fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership and guaranteed European football with a narrow win over Hibernian.

What a season from Jens Berthel Askou and his players. What did you make of it all?!

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dunfermline goalkeeper Aston Oxborough has been recalled by parent club Motherwell for Saturday's Scottish Premiership match with Hibernian.

As a result, Oxborough, who played in the first leg of Dunfermline's Scottish Premiership play-off semi-final against Partick Thistle on Tuesday, was absent from the squad for Friday's return leg at Firhill, with Billy Terrell starting in goal. The sides drew 1-1 at East End Park.

Pars manager Neil Lennon confirmed Oxborough, 28, would be back for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic on 23 May and the Premiership play-off final, should Dunfermline progress to face St Mirren.

Motherwell are fourth in the Premiership, one point above Hibs before Saturday's final league fixture of the season.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jens Berthel Askou insists there is no Motherwell hangover from the midweek VAR controversy as his side look to secure a fourth-place finish on Saturday.

The Steelmen travel to Easter Road to face Hibs, who lurk one point behind, in a shootout for guaranteed European football.

Manager Askou and his players were furious at the injury-time penalty awarded for a perceived Sam Nicholson handball in midweek as Celtic snatched a 3-2 win at Fir Park.

"We have to move on," said Askou. "We have so little time in between the games now and we can't say that this game tomorrow is less important than what we played the other night.

"That's the nature of this business, you have to deal with emotions straight away and put them behind you and then focus on what's coming."

"I think the boys and the staff have been excellent at that."

Motherwell have received many plaudits for their style of play this season, but Askou wants his players to "achieve something big for this club".

"Now we have a really good opportunity on finishing fourth, which will give us a ticket to Europe for sure, which will be the highest position in the league since 2013-14 for this club, besides the Covid season that was not fully done," he said.

"That would be a massive achievement for us, especially taking into consideration that there was a big rebuild of the squad and the staff and a lot of new things implemented in the summer.

"They're [the players] just excited and ready. I'm confident and positive they will demonstrate that one more time. Obviously there's a massive determination to go and achieve something."

Askou says Nicholson is "absolutely fine" after being at the centre of the spot-kick storm.

"He did everything right in the situation," the Well boss said.

"He tried to clear the ball, he headed it away. There was a little bit of contact which the opposition player overplayed.

"I would not ask him not to go and clear the ball with his head in the 95th minute. We need that tomorrow. I would ask him to do exactly the same and then hope and pray for the guys responsible to get that right."

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Hibs welcome Jamie McGrath back from suspension so Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) is set to be the only absentee.

Motherwell have Stephen Welsh back in their squad but Paul McGinn, Jordan McGhee, Eythor Bjorgolfsson, Zach Robinson and Andy Halliday remain out.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's trip to Hibernian in the final game of the season.

Here are the key points:

• Askou says it wasn't hard to move on from the emotions of Wednesday night's defeat to Celtic: "You have to deal with emotions straight away and put them behind you and then focus on what's coming."

• Given the controversy around VAR, especially after Wednesday night, Askou says it's not something he or his players think about when they approach a game.

• On Sam Nicholson, whose handball was at the centre of Wednesday night's controversy, Askou says "he's absolutely fine", adding: "He did everything right in the situation, and I'll ask him to clear the ball with his head in the 95th minute tomorrow if need be."

• On VAR in general and how Scottish football achieves consistency with it he says "we need to invest and improve to lift the level" and adds: "I think we're all ambitious and I think everyone is trying their best to improve and are open to the critique that we get."

• The players are "excited and ready" as they look to seal a European place which would be "a massive achievement" for the club.

• Askou says it's a "massive event for both clubs" with a fourth-place finish at stake.

• Team news: Stephen Welsh is available after missing out against parent club Celtic.

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Nick Daws is excited to "play a key role in Motherwell's continued evolution" after being appointed the club's head of football.

The Englishman, 56, takes the new post at Fir Park after five years as head of recruitment.

He will continue to lead player recruitment while Motherwell say his new duties include "connecting all football department staff across the club, from the first team to the academy, ensuring succession planning is in place".

Daws said: "I am delighted and honoured to accept the new position as head of football at the club.

"Over my five-year tenure as head of recruitment, I have built strong relationships across all departments and with the board.

"Having the opportunity to play a key role in Motherwell's continued evolution and support a talented, committed group of people is an exciting proposition."

Manager Jens Berthel Askou said: "Nick has been a tremendous support for me since I arrived last summer, having already put most pieces together in the staff as well as leading the process of finding the last and very vital pieces after my arrival.

"He has taken the lead on our data-driven analysis of both player recruitment and development of the game model in close cooperation with our data partner and the staff.

"His role and responsibilities have grown bigger and stronger over the last five seasons, and I'm very pleased to see him enter his new position."

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• Hibs and Motherwell have drawn their past two league meetings, but haven't done so three times in a row since December 1999.

• Motherwell have kept a clean sheet in two of their three league games against Hibs this season, as many as their previous 15 beforehand.

• Hibs haven't lost their final game in any of the past five league seasons (W1 D4), although their latest three have been drawn: 1-1 v Hearts in 2022-23, 1-1 v Livingston in 2023-24 and 2-2 v Rangers in 2024-25.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, Motherwell have only won their final league game in one of the past six seasons (D2 L3), beating Dundee United 3-2 in 2022-23.

• Since the Scottish Premiership rebranded in 2013, Hibs forward Martin Boyle has been directly involved in 99 goals in the competition (66 goals, 33 assists), one away from being the seventh player with 100+ goal involvements in this time, after James Tavernier (178), Leigh Griffiths (122), James Forrest (117), Alfredo Morelos (105), Callum McGregor (105), and Lawrence Shankland (101).

Tom Sparrow is ready to seize Motherwell's chance of European football after shaking off his disbelief over the VAR controversy that denied them a point against Celtic.

Well were heading for a fourth-place finish as they went into stoppage time drawing 2-2 with Martin O'Neill's side.

However, their anger over Kelechi Iheanacho's 99th-minute penalty – following a controversial handball call against Sam Nicholson – was compounded by Hibs' last-gasp winner at Ibrox.

With David Gray's men now a point behind in fifth, it sets up a winner-takes-all encounter at Easter Road on Saturday.

Reacting to John Beaton's penalty award, midfielder Sparrow said: "I just can't understand how he gives it. I think you can see he heads it.

"I challenge anyone to be able to punch the ball 20 yards out of play. His arm's obviously forced up from [Auston] Trusty in front of him.

"I've had multiple messages saying they can't believe it's given. You go on Twitter and there's people like Gary Lineker saying it's the worst he's ever seen.

"That obviously doesn't reflect well on the league when it's been a brilliant season for Scottish football.

"But we've said, after everyone's calmed down, that you'd take one game to get into Europe when we started."

Although the penalty could have a seismic impact in terms of the title, the more damaging late development for the Steelmen was Dane Scarlett's Hibs winner.

Motherwell would have needed a draw with or without a point against the champions.

"It's another thing we said in there, that obviously it doesn't matter," Sparrow said.

"I think it was more just the performance we had and thought we deserved something from the game itself, but it doesn't change what we've got to do going forward.

"There was a good response after the disappointment, so I'm sure we'll be ready for Saturday."

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New Zealand international Elijah Just is set to become the first permanent Motherwell player to feature at a World Cup since Tommy Coyne in 1994.

The midfielder has been confirmed in the All Whites squad for the showpiece tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

New Zealand - playing their first World Cup since 2010 when they were unbeaten in the group stage but failed to register a victory - are in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran and Egypt.

Just has earned 42 caps so far, scoring nine goals and contributing three assists.

The 26-year-old joined Motherwell from Danish second-tier side AC Horsens last summer and has been a standout in Jens Berthel Askou's team.

The midfielder, who can also be deployed on the wings or up front, has seven goals and eight assists in 42 appearances for the Steelmen.

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Celtic, who scored a controversial 99th-minute penalty winner.

Here are some of your comments:

Bill: We played really well and deserved a point if not more. The penalty decision is farcical and shows how poor the referees in Scotland really are. In no other workplace would a department be able to fail as much without heads rolling.

David: Played brilliantly again. The team have been outstanding all season. The four words which have cost us this season are controversial VAR penalty decision.

James: VAR robbery in what was a great game between two teams with plenty to lose. Gutted for all the Motherwell team and supporters.

John: Fantastic effort from a depleted squad. Some brilliant football spoiled by what will turn out to be the most talked about VAR decision in years. If you want to know why there are no Scottish referees at the World Cup, that decision shows why.

Susan: Another fantastic performance from our team. Great football from both sides and brilliant energy, ruined entirely by yet another dreadful refereeing decision. Still so proud of Motherwell this season.

Kevin: Shocking decision. Not one Celtic player or member of their bench even claimed for a penalty, they assumed it was going to be a Celtic corner/throw-in. Would never be given the other way round. The whole of Scotland will now want Hearts to win the league and rightly so.

Watch all the highlights as Celtic were awarded a late penalty at Motherwell to seal a 3-2 win and take the title race to the final day. Available to UK users only.

Celtic secured an incredible title lifeline as Kelechi Iheanacho's controversially awarded 99th-minute penalty earned a win at Motherwell that leaves them a point behind Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts before the sides meet in Glasgow on Saturday.

Read the match report here.

Have your say here.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells Sky Sports: "I think the big question is what are we even doing here.

"I'm in total shock.

"I thought I had seen it all this year, but apparently I haven't, it's shocking, it's a shame for the game.

"We did everything we could to finish strong at Fir Park this season.

"Coming back from 2-1, we did that really strongly.

"Seeing the footage, I can't see any way that can be a penalty, I can't see it touch his hand, and even if it has, it's because his arm has been pushed into it.

"It's a crazy thing to be part of and the game deserved better than that.

On whether or not he has spoken to the officials or sought an explanation, he adds: "No.

"It's best I don't communicate with them now.

"There's nothing we can do about it now."

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Gary McAllister made the game of football look easy. The proverbial classy midfield player who saw the full picture, and could affect it, in the crucial seconds before his opponent.

Unprepared to succumb to a story that began with knock-backs, McAllister wrote his own place in the history and folklore of every club he played for - a winner at Motherwell, champion at Leeds, immortal at Liverpool, and a Scotland captain of some repute.

There were lows to counter the highs, and McAllister discusses these with searing honesty on the latest episode if Icons of Football.

With contributions from Steven Gerrard, Gordon Strachan and Ardal O'Hanlon, this is the story of one of the greatest Scotland players of his, or any, generation.

Watch Icons of Football: Gary McAllister on BBC iPlayer.

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On-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is ineligible for Motherwell while fellow centre-back Paul McGinn remains out along with Jordan McGhee, Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Zach Robinson.

Andy Halliday is out but Lukas Fadinger returns after becoming a father.

Celtic are still without Jota (knee), Colby Donovan (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder), Tomas Cvancara (groin) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).

Callum Osmand is getting closer to fitness following hamstring surgery.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is confident his side's mentality against the best in the league will stand them in good stead against Celtic on Wednesday night.

Celtic travel to Fir Park a point behind Premiership leaders Hearts while fourth-placed Well are four points above Hibs.

Motherwell know a victory would seal a European place before Saturday's trip to Easter Road, while defeat for Celtic could deny Martin O'Neill's men a final-day decider.

Askou, who watched Celtic secure a fifth consecutive league win on Sunday against Rangers, said: "It's obviously a team that is in a good place, the best place they've been for a long time. But also a team that suddenly have a lot to lose, which can maybe also affect the mental state of the game.

"There will be momentum shifts in the game from start to finish and we need to deal with that emotional state of the game as well."

Askou has moulded his players into a team with no inferiority complex against the top three. They beat Celtic in December, have taken five points against Rangers, and have drawn three times with Hearts.

"It's something that has helped us, especially at Ibrox last time, also against Hearts the other day," the Dane said.

"I am confident it will also give us an advantage that we have practised that again, and again, and again when we played the big teams, to really try to be ourselves all the way through.

"I trust the players that they will be able to show their best side, not only technically and physically but also mentally.

"Obviously, it's a combination of the mental part and then the tactical approach that they have to suit each other and enhance each other.

"If we tell them not to take risks or show fear from the leadership perspective and don't trust them or react very emotionally and frustrated when we don't succeed, and still tell them to do it, then they're going to be in a place where they get confused and insecure.

"Obviously, when the big mistakes have been there – and they have been there – then it's about considering them and addressing them as mistakes for growth.

"That has been extremely important to keep looking at how to develop and how to use that going forward into making either better decisions or just improving the situations, the execution.

"Time will tell over the last couple of games how far we've come, and especially [on Wednesday] which is probably the biggest test so far of them all."

• Motherwell's 2-0 win in December was their first in 21 home games against Celtic in all competitions (D4 L16) since winning successive Fir Park matches against them in February/April 2013.

• Celtic have lost only one of their past 37 meetings with Motherwell in all competitions (W31 D5), also failing to score just once in their latest 27 against the Steelmen.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, Motherwell have won their final home league game in seven of the past nine seasons (L2), beating Kilmarnock 3-0 last year.

• Celtic won their final away league game in both 2023-24 (5-0 v Kilmarnock) and 2024-25 (5-1 v Aberdeen), but haven't done so in three successive seasons since 1994-95 to 1996-97.

• Tawanda Maswanhise has scored nine home goals for Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this season. The last player to reach double figures for the Steelmen was Kevin van Veen in 2022-23 (10), while the last to score more than 10 was David Turnbull in 2018-19 (12).