Motherwell

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.

Image source, SNS

• 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.

Image source, SNS

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."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Butland (Rangers)

Made several vital stops to keep Hibs at bay in Sunday's goalless draw at Easter Road.

Paul McGinn (Motherwell)

Continues to perform heroically at centre back for free-flowing Motherwell, who beat Livingston on Saturday. Sticking him in at his more accustomed right-back spot in my team.

Robbie Deas - (Kilmarnock)

Laid a solid foundation as Kilmarnock kept Aberdeen out to earn a much needed and well-deserved win.

Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Becoming increasingly important as the weeks roll by for Celtic after getting through the first part of the season. 83 good minutes against Falkirk and an assist for the Scotland defender.

Harry Milne (Hearts)

Continually impressive this season for Hearts. Provided the assist for the opening goal at Tannadice as Derek McInnes' side won comfortably.

Brad Lyons (Kilmarnock)

Led by example and got a goal to kickstart a superb performance. The captain showed heart and soul for the cause.

Elijah Just (Motherwell)

The New Zealand winger has been one of the discoveries and players of the season. An assist for Motherwell's first goal against Livingston. Elegance, poise and football intelligence in an abundance. A joy to watch.

Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell)

Two goals to sink Livingston, 18 goals in all competitions and the top scorer in the Premiership. The Zimbabwe international has been a revelation this season.

Pierre Landry Kabore (Hearts)

Filling the Lawrence Shankland-shaped hole at the top end of the pitch and did the business away at Dundee United with a double.

Tyreece John-Jules (Kilmarnock)

All round excellent display. Held the ball up, got an assist and a goal.

Alexandros Kyziridis (Hearts)

A livewire presence for Hearts. Always looks a threat, and on the scoresheet from the penalty spot.

Image source, SNS

This season's Scottish Premiership top six could be "the best" yet in terms of quality, according to former Motherwell forward James McFadden.

Hearts lead the division, with defending champions Celtic and Rangers six points adrift and Motherwell, Hibernian and Falkirk making up the top half of the table.

"It makes the top six extremely interesting," McFadden told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Falkirk are in the driving seat at that point as well. They will be a tough opposition for anybody. The next three games, if Hearts can win, I would make them heavy favourites to win the league.

"If they can win all three games and, well, that's including beating Rangers, then it goes to nine points on Rangers.

"Rangers need to play Celtic, throw Motherwell into the equation. Hibs, you look, you know, at their performance [in the draw with Rangers].

"It'll be the best top six that we've had in this split era because so many teams have so much to play for and so many strong teams are in there."

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has indicated the club will need to sign another defender before Stephen Welsh, 26, is allowed to return to Motherwell on loan. (Record), external

Monday's Scottish gossip

Watch highlights as Motherwell win 2-0 in what proved to be David Martindale's final game as Livingston manager before he moves upstairs to become sporting director. (Available to UK users only)

We asked for your views after Motherwell continued their fine form with 2-0 win at Livingston.

Here's what some of you said:

Fraser: Another solid performance with three points deservedly in the bag and another clean sheet. It's great to see players returning and slotting into the system. Scoreline flattered Livi. Jens Berthel Askou's 'Well Army keep marching on. This is a team that is worth watching.

Alan: This team are producing unsurpassed consistency with an easy on the eye efficiency we have not seen from a Motherwell team in many a year. They are confident together, and play with a confidence that surpasses any other Premiership team. Long may it continue and for once maybe we can resist the inevitable approaches for our talented players and manager.

Donald: Looked to me that Jens challenged the defence to keep a clean sheet at half-time. If we had gone at them it could have been a lot more.

James: Another terrific Motherwell result again, the manager finds the players for us to win. Jens well done.

Adam: Another excellent display by the whole team. I suppose the only disappointment was that Motherwell only scored two goals but keeping a clean sheet was equally as important.

Stuart: Another dominant display built on a clean sheet. Would be good to see others chipping in with goals. But hope the results just keep coming.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Motherwell winger Sam Nicholson feared his career may be over after suffering a serious knee injury last year.

The 31-year-old made his comeback for the Fir Park club as a substitute in Saturday's 2-0 win over Livingston been sidelined since February 2025.

A first operation failed to resolve the issue, with Nicholson saying his return was "quite emotional".

The former Hearts player added: "I was at a point where I was thinking I might not play again. Getting back on the pitch, it's a great feeling.

"Two surgeries later, it was a complicated injury, but I feel great now, so I'm just looking to push on now.

"It's been a long road, very stressful, very hard, but I'm just delighted to be on the other end of it now."

Nicholson was introduced after 65 minutes, with Motherwell in control thanks to a first-half double from Tawanda Maswanhise.

"Because I've been out for a wee while, there were times where I couldn't catch my breath," he said.

"A couple of stray passes, which is normal, but I'm absolutely delighted to be back. I've been watching the team all year in the stands and it's nice football.

"I want to be involved, so it's a road to get back into the team now."

Nicholson admits there were some dark days in 11 months out and that got him considering life without football.

He explained: "There has been times where I've been thinking, what am I going to do if this is it for me? It's been hard to sort of try and not be a bad person as well. You know, your head's in a bad place.

"I know football's a short career regardless. You want to stay at the top level as long as you can. I'm enjoying being at Motherwell. I've grown a great feeling for the club.

"I just want to stay involved as long as possible and contribute in any way I can."

Nicholson, who had spells with Colorado and Minnesota in the MLS, praised the way Motherwell have helped him come through such a difficult period.

"I think when you're out injured and it's a new manager as well, it's important to go to the games and see how they play," he said. "See if you can fit in, where you can try and help the team.

"My team-mates have been brilliant with me. The club management and staff have been really good the whole way through, always checking in on me. Checking on mental wellbeing as well as physical, which is huge nowadays."

Motherwell cruised to a completely dominant victory over Livingston to move two points behind third-placed Celtic in the Scottish Premiership courtesy of a Tawanda Maswanhise double.

Read the match report here.

Let us know your thoughts here.

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "We got a big scare in the beginning, before we really got started. It took [goalkeeper] Calum [Ward] to get us out of trouble, but from then on we had control of the game.

"I honestly think they are a hard team to play against because they're good on the ball, hard to press, good in the build-up play. There were some really good moments in the first half from us and we could have scored another goal or two.

"Second half, we didn't find out best level, but we stayed in control throughout, which was important."

As for Livingston, Askou adds: "If they keep going, keep believing in themselves, they're going to get some wins eventually, and crawl up the table, and we'll see where that's going to end for them."

"We look for space, and if there is no space, then we have to create it, and sometimes we do that by a lot of counter-movements, and a lot of dynamic positioning in the centre of the pitch, sometimes we play back to Calum [Ward], to open up the opposition, and then accelerate from there.

"Obviously we are getting better and better at it, and today our first half was a lot brighter than last time we were here, and we knew that was needed. It was really good to see that we got the pay-off already in the first half, with two really good goals and some chances for more.

[On Tawanda Maswanhise] "I'm not offering [Maswanhise] to anyone. What's important is that we have a plan that he's here, and we're going to stick to that plan, because he's adding value to the team.

"His performances and the team's performances is adding value to him, which will benefit him when he will move on eventually, and it will benefit the club.

"Until then, we are building a very, very strong team around his qualities, making sure we service him enough, and then it's up to him to keep doing what he's doing.

"It's a discussion when the right club comes in at the right time, and we decide that it's time for him, which is not now."

Image source, SNS

Livingston forward Jeremy Bokila is suspended. Cristian Montano, Scott Arfield and Aidan Denholm are all close to recovering from injury but this game may come too soon.

Motherwell have Sam Nicholson and Andy Halliday back in training while Elliot Watt (hamstring) and Regan Charles-Cook (ankle) are making good progress.

Callum Hendry is a bit further behind while long-term absentee Zach Robinson (Achilles) is continuing his rehab. Filip Stuparevic's contract has been terminated by mutual agreement.