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.
'Maswanhise's time to leave is not now' - Askou
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, SNSLivingston 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.
Image source, SNSFilip Stuparevic's injury-ravaged Motherwell career is over after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
The Serbian forward moved to Fir Park in summer 2024 but departs have made just four appearances, all in the League Cup, and scored one goal.
The 25-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in February last year while out on loan at Morton.
"Filip has had a hard time making an impact in the first team due to his long-term injury," said Askou.
"I'm happy for Filip that he will now get the chance to restart his football career somewhere else and wish him all the best going forward."
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSIf you said Eythor Bjorgolfsson sounds like a name straight out of the fantasy world of J.R.R Tolkien, the 6ft 3in Norwegian might actually might be quite pleased.
Motherwell's much-travelled new striker is a big fan of writer Tolkien's Lord of the Rings - or the cinematic trilogy at least.
He says one of the Middle Earth characters is a particular favourite – and might even help him adjust to life in Scotland.
The 25-year-old speaks English with an American twang and said: "I'm trying to lay off on the American accent.
"I lived in America for four-and-a-half years and that's kind of where the accent comes from. But hopefully we can tone it down a little bit.
"I've never spoken in a Scottish accent but I really like it, I love Lord of the Rings and I believe Gimli in Lord of the Rings was Scottish."
Actor Jonathan Rhys-Davies, who played the character of Gimli, was actually Welsh but chose to portray him with a west of Scotland accent to capture his "grittiness".
Bjorgolfsson certainly appreciates the down-to-earth nature of the folks he's met in and around Motherwell.
"The one thing I can say is the people here are very nice," he added.
"Very welcoming, which I like a lot. I think in Norway, stereotypically, we're more locked in, we're not very open and social with strangers.
"But since day one I came here, the taxi drivers, everyone has welcomed me very well.
"It's a country with people that live and breathe football and I think that is one of the things that excites me the most.
"You notice it in the stadium, outside of the stadium on social media, just how interactive the fans are, how much this means to them.
"For me as a football player, it almost means a lot more to me when you're playing for not only your club and your team-mates but a whole community."
Image source, SNSTawanda Maswanhise has scored in his past three league appearances, while a goal here would make him the youngest player (23 years 72 days) to net in four successive Scottish Premiership outings since Malik Tillman for Rangers in April 2023 (20y 308d), and youngest for Motherwell in the top flight since Nick Blackman in November 2010 (21y 9d).
Motherwell have only lost one of their past 15 league games (W9 D5), a 1-0 defeat at Rangers in December. Indeed, since the start of this period on 25 October (which was a 2-1 win at Livingston), only Rangers have more points in the Scottish Premiership (38) than the Steelmen (32).
Livingston remain winless in 21 league matches (D7 L14); the only side to go 22 games without a win in the Scottish top flight in the 21st century are Hamilton, who did so from November 2010 to April 2011 (D7 L15).
Motherwell have won their past two league visits to Livingston, never before winning three in a row in the top flight.
Livingston have lost their past five Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell – their longest ever top-flight losing run against the Steelmen.
David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter
Image source, SNSManager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media before his Motherwell side travel to face Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Here are the key lines:
Askou reiterated that Motherwell don't want to sell any of their top players but wouldn't say whether the club have received any bids this month.
The Dane rates the chances of Stephen Welsh returning to Fir Park on loan from Celtic as 50/50 but says the club have also been looking elsewhere for a centre-back.
"We started to look elsewhere from the day [Celtic] called [Welsh] back because we know there's a 50% chance - that's what we've calculated - that he will come back," said Askou.
The manager says the club are spending "every minute of every day" to see if they can add "the last bit of quality and competition" before the window closes on Monday night.
Eythor Bjorgolfsson is Motherwell's only January addition so far. Askou says the Norwegian striker, who made his debut off the bench in the win against Kilmarnock last weekend, fits the profile the club needed in attack.
"Eythor fits the profile we felt we were missing, in terms of a really physical, strong nine that is a kind of universal tool for every style of play," he adds.
On Saturday's opponents Livingston, Askou says: "Even though they've had a very tough spell of not winning games for a long time, I don't see a team that has given up. I see a team that fights for their life. I see a team that fights for their manager."
Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise insists he is only focused on his form amid rising transfer speculation over the 23-year-old. (Daily Record)
West Bromwich Albion striker Eseosa Sule is poised to join Partick Thistle on loan after the 19-year-old had his spell at Motherwell curtailed by injury. (Daily Record)
Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.
Image source, SNSMotherwell have apologised to any "inconvenienced" fans after next month's home Scottish Premiership game against Aberdeen was moved back 24 hours to help players through a hectic schedule.
The encounter was due to take place at Fir Park on Saturday, 14 February, but both clubs have agreed to move the game to the following day (14:30 GMT).
Over the next two weeks, Motherwell face Livingston, Dundee, Aberdeen - in the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie - and Rangers before the visit of the Dons.
Aberdeen play Kilmarnock, Celtic, Motherwell and Dundee United in that same period before their trip to Fir Park.
"With this fixture marking the fifth game in 14 days, both clubs agreed to move the game to the Sunday to allow the players more time to rest, recover and prepare between their midweek matches and this fixture," the Lanarkshire club said in a statement.
"We appreciate that Sunday matches are not appreciated by all supporters, and for those that will be inconvenienced by this change, we apologise."
Jenna Thomson
Fan writer
Fortress Fir Park remains unscathed for a ninth game in a row!
We have been phenomenal this season, but Saturday's game against Kilmarnock was the first time we have delivered a lashing to a team and it was sensational. I can't think of a single player that doesn't get an A+ for their performance.
That being said, with the game being one of the elected matches the SFA and police granted an alcohol license to, it made it different.
I personally agree with the alcohol trials but feel communication about the roll-out could have been clearer.
But, as far as I am aware, the trials when carried out at Fir Park have been good and have not had any clear or obvious links to any disruptions.
There were valid reasons for the alcohol ban being brought into place, but not drinking for 90 minutes during a game isn't going to make football fans sober.
Fans can easily drink in the pub or at home before a game, and if people are able to sneak pyrotechnics into games without being detected, they can do so with alcohol too.
If the ban is lifted or at least scaled back, I wouldn't be against it.
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
Jens Berthel Askou's Motherwell were superb in their 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on Saturday and they have three players in my team of the week.
Stephen O'Donnell was outstanding at centre back as his side won comfortably, and a clean sheet to boot.
Tom Sparrow played at right-back against Kilmarnock and the midfielder performed brilliantly. An assist for Tawanda Maswanhise as this versatile and inspired Motherwell side romped to victory.
Lukas Fadinger has been a seriously impressive player all season for the Steelmen in the heart of midfield and got on the scoresheet.
Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland
Sportscene analysis: 'Motherwell's transition has been incredible'
Jens Berthel Askou deserves "so much credit" for orchestrating a "remarkable run" of "unprecedented" form at Motherwell, says midfielder Andy Halliday.
Saturday's 4-0 victory at home to 10-man Kilmarnock means the Fir Park side have set a new club record of keeping nine home clean sheets in a row.
That defensive solidity has been built without compromising Askou's attractive style of play, which is also bringing huge success.
In the league, Motherwell have lost just once in their past 15 Scottish Premiership matches and have not conceded in 10 of those games, form Halliday describes as "title-winning numbers".
The Lanarkshire club are currently fourth in the the top flight, five points ahead of Hibernian in fifth and five adrift of Celtic in third.
The next two league fixtures for Askou's men are away from home, firstly at bottom side Livingston on Saturday before a midweek trip to ninth-placed Dundee.
Positive results in those matches would set up a massive encounter with Rangers under the lights at Fir Park on Wednesday, 11 February.
"We've been in the top half of the table for a long period of time now," says Motherwell midfielder Halliday.
Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he adds: "[The form] isn't too dissimilar to the numbers Rangers are putting up, form people are now saying has put them in a position to go and win the league.
"It's a remarkable run of form, and I think the players, the manager and the club in general deserve so much credit for it.
"I think it's unprecedented what the team's doing at this moment in time. Give or take, the club probably has the ninth or 10th biggest budget in the league.
"So it's certainly not a team that's flinging big money around or big money in transfers to bring players in.
"What's been missing throughout the course of the season has probably been goals in terms of the amount of control we've had in games and the amount of chances we've created.
"So it was fantastic over the weekend for us to finally put a team to the sword."
Watch the best of the action from Fir Park as Motherwell continue their superb home form with a 4-0 rout of Kilmarnock. (Available to UK users only)
Image source, SNSElijah Just suggested "anything is possible" after being asked if his Motherwell side could catch Celtic or Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
A 4-0 win over Kilmarnock moved Jens Berthel Askou's fourth-placed side to within four points of the Old Firm, who sit level on points behind leaders Hearts.
Just, who scored his side's second goal, admits he would not have expected to be so high in the league when he joined Well from Danish club Horsens last summer but thinks "there's plenty" room for more improvement.
"It's still a group of players and staff that have only been working together for a short amount of time," the New Zealand winger said.
"So we're improving every week. Of course, anything is possible.
"I think we're just taking every game one at a time and, as well as Rangers and Celtic being above us, we know that Hibs and Falkirk are just below us and they're also playing well at the moment."
Just suggested the 4-0 scoreline was a bit unfair on second-bottom Kilmarnock considering the visitors had an goal ruled out and were then reduced to 10 men and stressed his "confident" side could not afford to "get complacent".
As for life under highly-praised manager Jens Berthel Askou, Just added: "I think he gets the mix right between instructions and also freedom.
"At the end of the day, what he wants is for the players to play to their maximum potential.
"So it's a lot of small-sided games, a lot of freedom in training just to create those with each other and then, at the same time, a mix of the tactical aspects and how he wants us to play."
We asked for your views on Motherwell's 4-0 win against Kilmarnock.
Here's what some of you said:
Mark: What a result for the 'Well. The disallowed goal really woke us up and from there on it was a demolition job. Four really well worked goals cementing us in fourth place and five clear of Hibs. Just hope Martin O'Neill wasn't watching on again - hands off Tawanda Maswanhise.
Eddie: I never thought I'd see a Motherwell team play football like that. The manager deserves all the credit, the transformation from the last three seasons is unbelievable.
James: Another fantastic performance. All of the players are performing to a top quality, and a great watch every week. Long may it continue. Thank you so much Jens Berthel Askou.
Alan: The flair and adaptability of the whole squad has taken Motherwell to new heights. It's very pleasing to see the goal scorers are varied along with the ever so dependable Maswanhise. Another excellent performance. Let's see this for the rest of the season and who knows what our achievements will be come May. The squad togetherness shines through.
Colin: A really good all round performance from every player in the park. It's good to see some great goals resulting from our excellent play. It's a great time to be a 'Well fan.
Alan: 4-0 at Fir Park, and nine home games without conceding, Motherwell aren't just in form, they've turned their ground into a fortress.
Image source, SNSJens Berthel Askou disappointed Tawanda Maswanhise by taking him off
Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou said substituting hot property Tawanda Maswanhise during Saturday's 4-0 win over Kilmarnock was "like telling your son it's time to go to bed".
The 23-year-old Zimbabwe forward scored his side's second goal in first-half stoppage time and looked frustrated to be withdrawn after an hour shortly after his side extended their lead further.
Having returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, Maswanhise has moved on to 16 goals for Well this season amid media speculation that his form is attracting interest from other clubs, including Celtic and Rangers.
"The transfer talk is mainly in the media, not in this building and not with him or his agent," Askou said.
"It's very easy to focus on what we need to do here. That's to make sure we're successful, that we improve and that he improves.
"He's doing really well. When I took him off, it was like telling your son it's time to go to bed. He wanted to play another half hour."
Including a goal in a 3-2 defeat by South Africa, Maswanhise has now scored in five straight games for country and club.
"I got a little smile when I told him that we were just looking after him," Askou added. "He's been to Afcon and not been rested much since he came back.
"We're getting into a spell now with a lot of games. We need to keep him fresh and sharp."
Rangers will have to splash out upwards of £4m if they want to sign in-form 23-year-old Motherwell forward Tawanda Maswanhise this month. (Football Insider), external
Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Motherwell maintained their superb home record and deepened Kilmarnock's relegation fears as the hosts strolled to a comfortable Scottish Premiership win.
Image source, SNSMotherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou tells BBC Scotland: "We started bright and then we switched off for a second and the ball was in the back of the net. We were lucky to be saved by a sharp offside.
"After that disallowed goal we really stepped on the pedal and didn't look back.
"I'm really impressed with the tempo and quality on a pitch you wouldn't expect us to.
"Fantastic stuff and I was really happy we were able to speed up again at the end and get the fourth goal.
"A lot of good stuff and it was good to see some new faces. Rocco [McColm] getting his debut - he still needs to grow a bit, but you can see he's an intelligent player.
"Our new player up front [Eythor Bjorgolfsson], he is a handful and is going to be a good player for us. Some really positive moments for us today."
[On potential interest in his players this month]: "We have a plan and the plan is made to be followed - that is to keep building on what we have.
"There is interest, which is understandable because the players are performing at a very high level. We will see what comes in the summer."
Hibernian and Motherwell are poised to miss out on Sheffield Wednesday's Barry Bannan as the 36-year-old Scotland capped midfielder holds advanced talks with Millwall. (Daily Record), external
Read Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
Image source, SNSNew Motherwell striker Eythor Bjorgolfsson could feature against Kilmarnock. Sam Nicholson is almost back in full training while Andy Halliday is on his way back from injury. Elliot Watt (hamstring) and Regan Charles-Cook (ankle) remains out with long-term absentees Filip Stuparevic (knee) and Zach Robinson (Achilles).
Greg Kiltie is closing in on a comeback for Kilmarnock, who got relatively positive news on Marley Watkins' injury this week. Long-term absentees Max Stryjek (heart), Kyle Magennis (knee), Jamie Brandon (ankle/groin), Djenairo Daniels (knee) and Matty Kennedy (hip) remain out while James Brown has also been missing with a knock in recent weeks.
