Motherwell

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Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney returns, but Callum McGregor remains out with a calf strain and Kasper Schmeichel's availability remains unclear after a shoulder issue.

Auston Trusty completes a three-match league suspension, while Arne Engels (leg), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Jota (knee), Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand (both hamstring) are still out.

Motherwell are without on-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh and Regan Charles-Cook drops out with an injury, but Lukas Fadinger has shaken off a facial injury.

Johnny Koutroumbis (calf), Callum Hendry (groin) and Zach Robinson (Achilles) remain out.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell defender Stephen O'Donnell believes the squad is capable of a strong finish to the Premiership season but will be "disappointed" if they don't achieve a European place after an impressive campaign to date.

Jens Berthel Askou's side travel to face Celtic on Saturday in fourth place, five points behind Martin O'Neill's men who lie second, off the back of just their fourth league defeat of the campaign having succumbed 2-1 to Dundee last weekend.

Despite that, and now facing top-six teams in each of their final nine league fixtures, O'Donnell is adamant belief remains intact.

"It wouldn't have dented confidence, but it did hurt," the Scotland international conceded when reflecting on that loss.

"I think it had been a long time that we hadn't lost [in the league]. It's just so important that we do react.

"If we don't end with anything, finishing in Europe now, at this stage would be obviously disappointing, because we've done so well through the season.

"The three [teams] above aren't going to make it easy.

"It's all to play for. I think the remaining games we've got certainly a hard run-in, but we've played these teams before, and we'll compete.

"We are striving along with the manager for perfection, for wins every week and clean sheets. We want that, but it obviously isn't always possible and we'll do everything we can on Saturday to get something."

Motherwell defeated Celtic in their last meeting, a comprehensive 2-0 win over a side then led by Wilfried Nancy. They narrowly lost on their earlier visit to Celtic Park when Brendan Rodgers was in charge having led late in the game until playing out from the back handed their opponents an equaliser.

O'Donnell pinpoints that match as one that really helped galvanise squad belief in Askou's approach.

"The goalkeeping pass from Calum [Ward], it's as if, 'He's hopeless, he shouldn't be playing,'" O'Donnell explained.

"It's like a narrative that then gets spun from individuals.

"The gaffer's calm, 'I ask him to play like that.' That's the things that get you belief and get the players buying into you because you don't try and throw us under the bus when things don't go well.

"We're confident, we're not over-confident. I'm not any more confident in my ability as a footballer. I'm not any quicker, I'm not any better on the ball, but I've got a belief that the manager has given us and I think we're capable of delivering that.

"He believes we are all part of the club. He doesn't really look at individuals so much, it's about what we can bring for the team. That's part of why you buy into what he sells, because he believes in it, he's passionate about it, and he gives you the information to go and try and deliver it.

"We're delighted the wins have come and put us in the position we are."

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Andy Halliday is predicting a "cracker" of a game when Motherwell visit Parkhead on Saturday and says Celtic's defensive display against Rangers last weekend was an "anomaly".

Celtic managed just one shot throughout the 120 minutes at Ibrox but still progressed to the Scottish Cup semi-final with a penalty shootout victory.

But Motherwell midfielder Halliday is braced for a much more attacking performance when the Steelmen head to the home of the reigning champions.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I think last week was an anomaly. I've not really seen Celtic play that style, domestically, for as long as I can remember.

"You've got to give them credit for it because it resulted in them getting the job done, winning the penalty shootout and getting through to the next round.

"I'd imagine the injuries played their part. Callum McGregor is such a huge part of what Celtic do on the ball.

"There's still huge question marks, regardless of injuries, about what Martin O'Neill's best team could possibly be.

"I can't see that being the case at Celtic Park. I think they'll have a gameplan to try to dominate the way they can and impose their style of play on Motherwell.

"That being said, Motherwell will have the exact same approach so I think it's going to be a cracker for everyone to watch."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media before the trip to face Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• The Danish boss expects a Celtic side more akin to the one he faced in the 3-2 away defeat when Brendan Rodgers was in charge, as opposed to the Wilfried Nancy team Motherwell defeated 2-0 at home.

• He adds: "Martin [O'Neill] and the rest of the staff have done well in terms of trying to get them back on track in a very hectic time. Some of the things they're doing are very similar to what they were used to when Brendan was there, with a few minor things adjusted."

• He revealed his excitement heading into this test as the climax to the season draws near: "I expect it to be a great game of football that I can't wait to be part of to experience from the sideline."

• The Premiership manager of the month believes his players' confidence has grown over the season, meaning he doesn't "have to show them any inspirational video of a team three years ago going to Celtic and beating them, that anything can happen in football." He adds: "They know that we're here to compete and we can win if we find our best level."

• Askou conceded the Premiership run-in will be Motherwell's toughest spell of the campaign facing top-six sides from now until the end of the season.

• He adds: "I think it's very likely that no team is going to go unbeaten. We've both lost and drawn and won against all the opponents we're going to face now. It is likely that that's going to happen as well."

• He wants Motherwell to be "up there fighting for the top positions" and says: "I really hope that the next nine games we play will be the strongest nine games, nine performances that we've had in the season."

• The Fir Park side are off the back of a rare league defeat having fallen 2-1 away to Dundee last weekend. Askou preferred to focus on the performance than the outcome: "We don't have to react. We're doing something that is constant. We have to deal with the emotions that come from a defeat but looking at the performance, it was similar to many of our other performances this season."

• Regan Charles-Cook suffered a small injury against Dundee and will be out for a few weeks. Matthew Connelly had a knock in training, prompting the return of Aston Oxborough from his Dunfermline loan but the hope is he can go back to the Pars after this weekend. Stephen Welsh cannot feature against his parent club.

Is Hearts boss Derek McInnes a more deserving candidate for manager of the year than Motherwell's Jens Berthel Askou?

Both were appointed last summer and both have their teams achieving far beyond expectations.

McInnes has Hearts on course for their first top-flight crown in 66 years while Askou's fourth-place Motherwell have an outside chance of the title and have won plaudits for their bold style of play and rock-solid defence.

The Dane has a win rate of over 48% and a points per game of 1.2 while his Motherwell side have scored 48 goals and conceded 20 (the fewest in the division). The Steelmen have won 14 league games, 10 of those victories have come at Fir Park.

Hearts are five points clear at the top with a win rate of over 65% and a points per game of 2.2. His Hearts side have scored 52 goals, conceded 24 and won 19 games - 11 at home, where they remain unbeaten.

And former Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson feels suggestions of anyone other than McInnes as manager of the year are well wide of the mark.

"It really annoys me the fact that people even just now will talk about the Motherwell manager as being manager of the season," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think it's absolutely outrageous.

"Jamestown's been brilliant, I get that. But if you've not got a guy there that can lead players, that can coach them, that can put an arm round them when they need it, or know when they need a kick up the backside, it's pretty pointless. And that's what Derek is.

"He's a tremendous man-manager. He's a tremendous tactical manager as well. People just don't give him credit where it's due.

"And don't be kidded, one of the main reasons that Hearts are where they are so early in this Tony Bloom era is 100% down to Derek McInnes."

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• Celtic have only lost one of their past 31 home games against Motherwell in all competitions (W26 D4), going unbeaten in their last 17 (W15 D2) since a 2-1 league defeat in December 2015.

• After their 2-0 win in December, Motherwell are looking for back-to-back league victories over Celtic for the first time since April 2013 under Stuart McCall.

• After their 2-1 defeat at Dundee last time out, Motherwell could suffer back-to-back league defeats for just a second time this season; the previous occasion in October included a 3-2 defeat away to Celtic (also 2-1 v Falkirk).

• Celtic have both scored (10 goals) and conceded (eight) in their past five league games (W3 D1 L1); they last did so in six successive Scottish Premiership matches in April/May 2017.

• Celtic's Kieran Tierney has five goals in 26 Scottish Premiership games this season (including two in his last two), as many as his previous 102 appearances in the competition prior to 2025-26. Tierney also has seven assists in the competition this term, his joint-most in a league campaign in his career (also seven in 2017-18).

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Former Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller hopes the Fir Park side can "keep it going" after an "impressive" Scottish Premiership campaign so far.

Jens Berthel Askou's side are fourth after 29 games, four points below Rangers.

Scotland cap Miller, 19, left Fir Park for Udinese in Serie A last summer but maintains a keen interest in football in his homeland.

"I've got close friends still at the club," Miller told BBC Scotland.

"I was there for so long so I know a good few of them.

"They've done amazingly. I've been trying to watch as many as I can and it's been really impressive to see and hopefully they can keep it going for the last few games."

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Motherwell will "aim ambitiously for a strong finish to the season", says Jens Berthel Askou, after the Dane picked up his second Scottish Premiership manager of the month award.

The 43-year-old becomes the first Fir Park boss to claim the accolade twice in one campaign since Graham Alexander in 2021.

Despite suffering a Scottish Cup exit at Aberdeen halfway through the month, Motherwell picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in the league in February.

A late draw with 10 men at home to Rangers was followed by a trio of wins against the Dons, St Mirren and Dundee United, scoring nine goals without conceding.

Askou's fourth-place side started March with a 2-1 defeat at Dundee, their first loss in 10 league games, but will be aiming to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Celtic, who sit two places and five points above.

"The pride of the first-team staff, as well as the rest of the club, fills me with joy as I share this award with all my colleagues at the club," Askou said.

"While we are receiving praise and recognition on our journey, we strive to continue to develop and aim ambitiously for a strong finish to the season."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

As the dust settles on an ugly weekend in Scottish football Motherwell remain fourth in the league following an unexpected loss at Dens Park.

Our game away to Celtic on Saturday now takes on cup final importance.

Celtic are a weakened side and we won't have many better opportunities to beat them at Parkhead.

The Dundee game was only our fourth loss this league season and we are in March. Over the years we have been lucky to get four wins between January and March never mind only four defeats all season.

I did panic slightly after the cup loss to Aberdeen but we bounced back with a 5-0 thrashing of St Mirren. Similarly, if we slip up again this weekend, I am confident we can respond strongly.

The closer we get to the split the more nervous and excited I get for what is to come. I am still waiting for the bubble to burst and so far it is yet to happen.

Hopefully this new golden era of the 'Well continues and we will be able to undo the painful Sligo Rovers memories from the last time we played in Europe.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou insists he has no plans to leave Fir Park any time soon and is planning for the future with the Scottish Premiership high-flyers. (Sun), external

Former Scotland forward Kenny Miller believes Aberdeen could find their own version of Askou in Eirik Horneland, who has been linked with the Dons. (Press and Journal - subscription required), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

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Motherwell have recalled goalkeeper Aston Oxborough from his loan to Dunfermline Athletic following a training injury to Matty Connelly.

But the Scottish Premiership club say: "We anticipate this recall to only be temporary and, should Connelly's recovery go according to plan, Oxborough will be able to rejoin Dunfermline on loan at some stage."

Motherwell exercised the option in the loan agreement to emergency recall the 27-year-old Englishman.

Oxborough, who joined Well from Norwich City in 2022, has kept three clean sheets in his four appearances for Championship side Dunfermline.

He helped Neil Lennon's side to a three-match unbeaten run in the league that lifted the Pars back up to fourth in the table - and in the promotion play-off spots - before Saturday's 3-0 defeat of top-flight Aberdeen secured a Scottish Cup semi-final against Falkirk.

Connelly has played twice since the 23-year-old Scot returned to Well in January from his loan to Airdrieonians but has otherwise been second choice behind Calum Ward.

Fourth-placed Motherwell next visit second-top reigning champions Celtic on Saturday as Dunfermline host Fife rivals Raith Rovers.

Dundee pick up all three points in an entertaining Scottish Premiership encounter with Motherwell (UK only).

A selection of views from Motherwell supporters following the 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat by Dundee...

John: I know we lost today, which on another day we could have won, but I am still proud of everything that we have done this season. Wherever we finish in the league it's a season I'll never forget.

Alan: The performances over the last 20 games has been very impressive. This defeat may result in a wake-up call to help galvanise this team to even greater heights than previously thought possible.

Colin: Unfortunately, not one of our best performances today. Had all of the first half but failure to score cost us. Didn't really look like scoring from open play as game wore on and defence didn't look as solid as previous games. Really hope this is not the beginning of a downward spiral to take shine of a great season.

Andy: It's not how you start but how you finish. Old Firm are nowhere near us and Hearts are stumbling towards the finish line. Going to be a bloodbath after the split and Falkirk will have a big say in where the title ends up. Lot of big games to come. In Jens we trust.

Fraser: The Well were in control for the entirety. Dundee were chasing spaces for the majority of the game. The fans are coming back and there is a real buzz and enthusiasm amongst fans and the team. A strong starting line-up and strength off the bench. This is a surreal season and one where we as Well fans can only keep dreaming. In JBA we trust.

Alistair: A below-par performance, combined with stout Dundee defending, blunted our flowing football. Several of our players were not up to their usual high standard (although Tom Sparrow showed up well when he came on at half-time) and it became a frustrating afternoon for 'Well fans. Dundee profited from our defensive errors and took their chances to score, while we huffed and puffed but failed to do likewise when opportunities came our way. Must do better at Parkhead!

Dundee leapfrog Aberdeen to move up to eighth in the Scottish Premiership after inflicting title-chasing Motherwell's first league defeat since December.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "Disappointed about the result, happy with the effort.

"We played against a team that has caused us trouble this season, it's no coincidence they are a well coached team who work hard, defend the box with their lives and have an attacking threat.

"I think we really tried to up the tempo, had some really good moments in the first half we didn't take.

"Eventually we got the goal and chased the win, it became a very open game, there were moments at both ends but Dundee were the better team at being able to take those moments. But the effort was there although the quality was not quite there.

"We switched off in a single moment which they took advantage of because we'd spent a lot of energy really chasing. That can happen at times, unfortunately it happened today and gave us a mountain to climb in the last 10 minutes. We tried but didn't quite reach the top.

"We need to make sure when we get the opportunities next week we need to take them.

"We're here to try and win football games and get as high in the table as possible. We have not, and never will be, no matter how good a season we have, be favourites to win the title so it's not something we address. We will try and climb as high as possible in the table.

"Even though we have been almost invincible over a large period of time, we knew that there would come a day where the opposition just outplayed us and we didn't get the result - that was today.

"I know the players and staff will do their best to make sure that never happens again and we get back to our best on Saturday and then time will tell where that's going to take us."

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Emmanuel Longelo's determination to aim for the top meant a title challenge was in his thoughts when he arrived at Motherwell last summer.

Few others would have considered that a possibility but Motherwell can go seven points off the top of the Scottish Premiership when they take on Dundee in their game in hand at Dens Park on Saturday.

Longelo's optimism is coupled with the awareness that he must focus on the task in hand rather than getting carried away with what might be possible come May.

"I thought I was coming into a good team, a good club with good morals, wonderful people," he said.

"Fighting for the league is something I had at the back of my mind. Obviously, you play to win. So I came up and set my targets.

"Expectations are just expectations. You've got to rise above it and reach for the ultimate goal."

Winning on Saturday would give Motherwell the chance to move second when they travel to Celtic Park seven days later.

"It's a massive opportunity," Longelo said. "We want to be amongst the top. So we'll definitely go in there with full fight.

"We've got to be 100% focused on the game and get the job done because we know that we can't afford to drop any points."

Celtic are interested in Motherwell winger Elijah Just and Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa as they prepare a squad overhaul in the summer. (The Herald, subscription required), external

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Jens Berthel Askou says his Motherwell team have been "moved" by the praise from supporters who have flocked to Fir Park to watch his team.

While Well's league position has surged, so to have home attendances with 7,300 home tickets sold for their win over Dundee United last Saturday.

Watching a winning team helps, but it's the particular brand of football instilled in the team by Askou that has captured the imagination of fans young and old.

"Of course it moves us that people come up to us and say that they have followed the club for 60 years and it's the best they've seen us play ever, or that they are really thankful that they get to experience this," said the Dane.

"We have kids coming up who are extremely excited, a new generation of fans who will be the foundation for the future.

"We make sure that in 10, 20, 30, 40 years from now we also have a new generation of fans, because obviously it gets easier and easier as time goes to get access to football on TV, but also to travel around the world and watch football.

"We really need to get hold of the next generation of fans and it seems as if the club are doing some really, really good things, not just us on the pitch but also around us to support that.

"The more the older fans are excited about that, the more that excitement can also rub off to the next generation."

Askou takes his team to Dundee on Saturday in the Premiership, knowing if they win their game in hand it takes them within a point of Celtic, two of Rangers and seven of Hearts as the split looms.

"I think a very cool thing for us as players and as a group and as a football club is that we know that we're going to compete in the top six here after the split," he said.

"We know that it's one game at a time, now we're playing Dundee here, so it's a very important game for us and an opportunity to get three more points.

"The main thing for us in that aspect [playing top-six teams] is that it's going to push us to our limits as a football club and as a team and keep developing us to the maximum of our potential this season, and that's what we want.

"Then time will tell whether you will say one week that we are in the title race and the next week we are out and then we are in again. We are not too fussed about that."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media to preview Motherwell's Premiership match at Dundee this weekend.

Here's the best of what he said:

• Askou does not know if Motherwell's form has peaked, but he is "striving for more".

• He and his team want to excite people, which has happened with crowds increasing at Fir Park. The Motherwell boss now wants to excite the broader community.

• Askou is not concerned about talk of the club being in a title race, but acknowledges the challenge of facing top-six teams after this weekend until the season's conclusion.

• The Dane says securing a top-six spot already has allowed for financial planning and will help make the club more attractive to players.

• He says Motherwell will face a Dundee team who have built and improved as the season has gone on.

• No new injury concerns with Johnny Koutroumbis, Callum Hendry and long-term absentee Zach Robinson the only players out.

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• Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise has 16 goals in the Scottish Premiership this season; since the competition rebranded in 2013-14, the only African to net more in a single campaign is Cyriel Dessers in 2024-25 (18) with Rangers.

• Dundee have only won one of their past seven league games (D3 L3), a 3-2 victory at Aberdeen in February.

• Motherwell have won their past three league outings; the Steelmen last won more in a row in February 2019 under Stephen Robinson (run of six wins).

• Dundee have only won two of their past 10 Scottish Premiership home games against Motherwell (D2 L6), although both were by a three-goal margin: 3-0 in November 2021 and 4-1 in December 2024.

• Motherwell have won three of their past four league games against Dundee (D1), after only winning one of their previous seven beforehand (D3 L3).