Motherwell

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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.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Jens Berthel Askou has refused to rule out in-demand Lennon Miller featuring in Motherwell's Scottish Premiership opener with Rangers on Saturday.

The Scotland midfielder played in the Fir Park side's pre-season friendlies but missed the League Cup group matches with a minor injury.

Askou gave no update on the bids the Lanarkshire club have received for the teenager but revealed he could be part of the squad this weekend.

"He was partially in training [on Thursday] and almost full training [on Friday]," the Dane said prior to Saturday's match at Fir Park.

"Then we'll take a decision on whether it's time for him to be part of the team again on Saturday or whether it's too late while all the other things are working in background."

On whether the club has accepted a bid for Miller, Askou replied: "That is a question not for me but for the board."

The former Copenhagen coach, who would not reveal how many teams are interested in Miller, added: "A lot of things are going on. Interest is increasing every day and every week.

"We'll see when we can say more. There have been some bids and that intensifies the situation around him."

In terms of incomings, Askou wants to "add more depth, more quality and more competition" - but his immediate focus is on Rangers.

The former Norwich player, who was a team-mate of Ibrox boss Russell Martin at Carrow Road, is aiming to implement a brave and expansive style at Fir Park - and he does not want his side to shy away from that approach on Saturday.

"I expect us to do what we want to do and not let the level of Rangers stress us and take away our courage," Askou said.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media prior to Motherwell's Scottish Premiership opener at home to Rangers on Saturday.

Here are the key lines:

• On whether the club has accepted a bid for Lennon Miller, Askou says: "That is a question not for me but for the board."

• Askou would not reveal how many clubs are interested in the teenage midfielder, but says Miller could be involved on Saturday.

• He adds: "He was partially in training today and will be almost full training tomorrow. Then we'll take a decision on whether it's time for him to be part of the team again on Saturday or whether it's too late while all the other things are working in background."

• On his team's form going into Saturday's match, Askou says they are getting "better and better" but knows there is "still work to be done".

• "Recent performances have been quite solid, although we know there are areas we haven't practised that much," he adds. "We'll be tested on these areas on Saturday."

• Askou says his current group are "quite harmonic", but he still wants to add to his squad: "We need to add more depth, more quality and more competition."

• On facing Rangers: "We know it'll be a very big test against a top side who performed really well [against Panathinaikos]. We know we're not favourites, but it doesn't mean we can't make a result and good performance."

• On his expectations for the season, Askou's aim is to finish in the top six: "We want to reach out for things and be brave while doing that and not protective and defensive. We'll see how far it takes us."

• And on what he wants from his team on Saturday: "I expect us to do what we want to do and not let the level of Rangers stress us and take away our courage to do what we want to do and what we know we're best at, instead of trying to do it very basically and with fear."

An English League Two club and a number in the Scottish Championship are keen on Kofi Balmer, but it remains to be seen whether Motherwell are willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old defender. (Daily Record), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Where will Motherwell finish in the league and why?

I am bursting with new-season optimism and cannot wait for it to come crashing down in November.

Jokes aside, after seeing the style of play our new manager Jens Berthel Askou has been implementing, I can see us finishing fifth or sixth.

The way we play now is engaging and something we haven't seen at Fir Park before. Playing with wingers has been a breath of fresh air after Stuart Kettlewell's reluctance to sign or field any, and it is paying off.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

Signing wise, it is too soon to tell who is the best. What it will come down to most is who we go for once we inevitably cash in on Lennon Miller.

What do you want from your manager?

My expectations are not massive as it would be unfair to expect miracles from Askou at this stage. If we can reach a cup semi-final and a get top-six finish, I'll be more than happy. European football would be nice too.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

So far Tawanda Maswanhise and Callum Slattery have gone from underrated to applauded now that Miller is out of the spotlight. If we can spread the goals between those two I can see them being our two most important players.

What is your biggest concern?

The only thing I'm really concerned about involves Miller. If we get less than expected for him or struggle to replace his ability, we could be in trouble.

However, I don't expect us to suffer hugely as we have shown we can replace important players who have departed in the past, like David Turnbull and Kevin van Veen.

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Motherwell travel to face St Johnstone in the second round of the League Cup.

The Championship side had a flawless record in Group F, winning four from four, while Motherwell topped Group G.

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 16th/17th August.

With neither Bologna nor Udinese having turned interest in Lennon Miller into a transfer bid, Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is considering giving the 18-year-old Scotland midfielder his first appearance of the season in Saturday's Scottish Premiership opener against Rangers. (Sunday Mail), external

Read the rest of Sunday's Scottish gossip.

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Motherwell brought their league preparations to a close with a 1-1 friendly draw against Hertha Berlin.

The Fir Park hosts fell a goal behind after a short Liam Gordon back pass led to keeper Calum Ward wiping out Jon Thorsteinsson. Fabian Reese converted calmly.

There wasn't much to shout about for the majority of the 3,931 inside Fir Park in the first half before the Steelmen stepped up the pressure late on.

And with the clock ticking down they got their reward with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos turning in a Callum Slattery cross at the front post.

The Steelmen finished the stronger of the two, but Hertha, who finished last season 11th in Bundesliga 2, held firm.

Jen's Berthel Askou, who fielded the same XI to the side which defeated Morton to secure top spot in their Premier Sports Cup group, will see his side kick off their Premiership campaign at home to Rangers on 2 August.