Motherwell

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Elliot Watt has made it a December double for Motherwell by being named Scottish Premiership player of the month.

After Jens Berthel Askou took the manager prize, midfielder Watt's fine form has been recognised.

The 25-year-old scored three times in five appearances during December - including netting the second in the 2-0 victory over Celtic - as he helped fourth-place Motherwell to three wins and a draw, with the sole defeat coming at Ibrox.

"December was a really successful month for the whole squad," said Watt.

"To win this award is a real delight, but I can't emphasise enough just how much this is an award for the full squad.

"The feeling around the full club is a positive one, and it's now our job to keep that feeling going. Together we've achieved a lot, but there's more to come."

Manager Askou said Watt is taking "huge steps" this season, adding: "He's grown into a highly respected leader within the group, always driving our performance levels to the highest standards."

Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill says Stephen Welsh was recalled as he needed cover at centre-half but suggests that the 25-year-old could return to Motherwell on loan this month. (The National), external

Read the rest of Tuesday's Scottish gossip.

Watch Sportscene pundit Charlie Mulgrew discuss whether Motherwell and Hibernian are title contenders.

Jens Berthel Askou's side are fourth on 37 points, 10 behind league-leaders Hearts, while Hibs are two further back.

"I'd be surprised, especially if Hibs made their way that far up the league," said Mulgrew, who won five top-flight titles with Celtic. "Hibs are five unbeaten, they're doing great.

"Motherwell we talk about being the best footballing team in the league so it's hard to rule them out. Although, I just think they won't have enough to go all the way and win the title. They'll definitely be taking points off the big teams."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

One of the best bits of business Motherwell could do in this January window is hang on to Tawanda Maswanhise.

Goals and pace - a lethal combination that is always in high demand. Proved his worth again as he notched his 10th Premiership goal of the season against Hibernian.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been named Scottish Premiership manager of the month for December.

The Fir Park outfit took 11 points from their six matches, beating Livingston, Dundee and Celtic as part of a superb run of form.

"This award belongs to the entire club, not just the manager," Askou said.

"It serves as an acknowledgement that everyone at the club is doing a great job, which is essentially reflected in our performances on the pitch.

"On behalf of the entire club, I thank you for this positive attention while we remain committed to improving on and off the pitch and reaching out for more."

Watch highlights as Hibs draw 1-1 against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership.

We asked for your views on Motherwell's 1-1 draw against Hibernian on Saturday.

Here's what some of you said:

Colin: One of Motherwell's toughest games this season. Players should show a bit of grit and determination as some of our players weren't at their best today. Yet another game without a so called recognised striker, don't think the manager fancies who we have. Need to ship them out and get a decent striker in.

Derek: Thought we started slowly in the first half and struggled to get to grips with Hibs and then were the better side for the last 20 minutes of first half, second half we played okay, had the best chances and should've won it at the end, obviously needing a striker and that's something Jens Berthel Askou is working on and it was great to see Jordan McGhee make his debut after a long time out injured.

Stuart: Tough game, thought we had the better of the chances, but a draw was probably a fair result.

Grant: Can't complain about a point at Easter Road. Tawanda Maswanhise has been immense and hopefully like our manager and other players that we can keep them for the second half of the season, we missed Elliot Watt but other players have to step up.

Walter: Get Stephen Welsh signed up as future captain.

James: Not at our best. Gave away possession far too often. Several players were off the boil. However, would probably have taken a point before the game, so not too bad of a result. Again, we were wasteful of chances. Onwards we go.

Kieron Bowie's leveller earned Hibernian a Scottish Premiership point to stay in touch with Motherwell as the European hopefuls played out a thrilling draw in front of a sell-out Easter Road.

Have your say on the game here.

Read our match report here.

Motherwell centre-half Kofi Balmer is closing in on a loan deal to Bristol Rovers despite interest in the 25-year-old from Ross County and Derry City. (Record), external

Aberdeen have made an approach to Celtic to sign centre-half Stephen Welsh on a permanent transfer despite the 25-year-old currently being on loan to Motherwell. (Record), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Hibs are without Josh Campbell, Martin Boyle (both hamstring) and Nicky Cadden (calf) but Jack Iredale and Kanayo Megwa are both expected to be fit after being forced off with injuries against Kilmarnock last weekend.

Rocky Bushiri and Miguel Chaiwa are both back in contention after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Motherwell have a doubt over Elliot Watt with a muscle problem. Andy Halliday, Jordan McGhee and Aston Oxborough are closing in on returns while Regan Charles-Cook (ankle) remains out with long-term absentees Filip Stuparevic (knee), Sam Nicholson (knee) and Zach Robinson (Achilles).

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Lukas Fadinger is convinced Motherwell have the squad strength to cope with the likely absence of his in-form midfield partner Elliot Watt.

Watt is being assessed after picking up an injury and looks set to miss Saturday's Premiership trip to face Hibs.

"He's been fantastic for the season as have many other players, but I think we already proved in the previous games that it doesn't really matter who is playing, we can perform with any squad or with any team," said Fadinger.

"We do a lot of tactical stuff during the training sessions and have a good, big squad.

"Everyone deserves to play and I think the most important thing is that our manager also gives us the confidence that everyone is needed and that everyone is strong enough to play.

"[He] pushes us every day and he's sometimes hard on us, but not too hard in a good way and he just wants us to be better every training, every game."

Fadinger admits he did not expect to be challenging at the top end of the table when he signed for the club in the summer.

The Austrian arrived days after previous manager Michael Wimmer departed and has become a fixture in the first team under Jens Berthel Askou during their rise to fourth place.

"We are happy to be in this position and we are pleased with the way we play," he added.

"We want to improve every day, every game. I think everyone has a lot of confidence, but it comes with hard work, with playing well.

"We want to be on our best and we need to be on our top level to compete against them."

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Is a clinical striker the missing piece to Motherwell's puzzle?

The Steelmen are currently fourth in the Premiership, two points behind Celtic above and eight off leaders Hearts, albeit having played a game more.

With just 30 goals in 21 games, Motherwell are the lowest scorers in the top five.

And Scottish coach and analyst John Walker suggests the lack of a potent finisher is preventing the Steelmen being serious title contenders.

"If Motherwell had a goalscorer they would be in a title race," Walker told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"If Motherwell had Lawrence Shankland in their team there's no reason why, if everyone stays fit, they couldn't go for the title.

"I've not seen many teams do to Celtic what Motherwell did. Teams have beaten Celtic recently in the last few years, but I've never seen anyone play Celtic off the park for 60 minutes the way they did.

"Motherwell are the only team this year that I think have made Hearts look bang average for 70 minutes and look defensively all over the place.

"If they got a goalscorer, I'd be more convinced it is a proper four-horse race. I think right now Motherwell are maybe an injury to Elliot Watt or Elijah Just away from going through a sticky spell."

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• Hibs have won two of their past three home league games against Motherwell (L1), after having only won one of their previous six beforehand (D3 L2).

• After their 2-0 victory in November, Motherwell could win back-to-back league games against Hibs within a single season for the first time since 2013-14.

• Hibs have won their past three league games, and could win four in a row for the first time since December 2024.

• Motherwell have won their past two league matches, last winning three on the bounce in September 2023.

• Motherwell have kept eight clean sheets in their past nine league games, shipping just one goal in this run (v Rangers in December). They are the first side to concede as little as one goal over a run of nine Scottish Premiership matches since Celtic from October to December 2024, and first non-Old Firm club (Celtic/Rangers) to do so since Hearts from November 2017 to January 2018.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking with the media before the Premiership trip to face Hibernian on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• On being linked with other clubs given the success he has enjoyed with Motherwell, Askou says: "It's natural. Sometimes you get linked with getting sacked if you're not winning enough games. We take all the good attention that comes from us doing well."

• When asked if he could offer reassurance to supporters over his future, the Dane says: "I'm extremely happy to be here. I'm like everyone else here, really enjoying what we're doing and want to see how far we can take it."

• Impressive midfielder Elliot Watt is an injury concern and being assessed, with Askou unable to confirm whether that is potentially long term or not at this stage.

• With fourth-place Motherwell two points ahead of Hibs, Askou describes the visit to Easter Road as a "really big game" with "two sides with a lot of momentum".

• The Dane plays down the prospect of a Motherwell title challenge, saying it's "basically impossible" because of the financial gap with the biggest clubs.

• He adds: "For us, it's about getting as high up that league table as possible. Our first big aim is to make sure that after 33 games we're in top six. From there, we want to reach out after as much as possible. We are extremely ambitious."

• He expects some January transfer business but not too much with more focus on retaining his squad and seeing if they can add.

We asked for your views on what business Motherwell should do in the January transfer window.

Here's what some of you said:

Mark: I think we need to start with getting rid of the deadwood, which there isn't much of. As much as we are doing really well we still miss that key out-and-out goalscorer. If we can afford it from the Lennon Miller money, a £750k-plus striker would lift us from fourth to potentially second place.

Kevin: I'd be amazed if most supporters don't say a decent number nine. I'd like to see us sign two strikers, a big physical striker good on the deck, as well as a penalty box striker. Our squad other than that looks as good as it has been for a while. One of St Mirren's big strikers wouldn't go wrong, James Wilson at Hearts might be another good investment long term.

George: A pleasant change when us fans we aren't crying for major surgery! Clearly a more regular goalscoring striker is a signing priority. The key to our season will however be keeping hold of prime talents like our manager himself, plus Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise, as clubs cast envious eyes toward them, while hoping Celtic leave Stephen Welsh with us. Otherwise, all good at Fir Park!

James: Without a doubt a striker would be ideal to finish off all the great football made from midfield and defence.

Susan: Obviously we would benefit from a dedicated striker, but quite honestly if we come out of this window with the current team and manager all still at the club and doing what they're doing already, I'll be happy.

Laurie: Motherwell already have a good selection of players, however, I would like to see an established striker with more physical strength as a point man. I feel that the team are bossed off the ball in the final third and not able to convert our opportunities into more goals. We are strong in all other areas of the team.

Motherwell are enjoying a magnificent season under Jens Berthel Askou and appear to be going from strength to strength.

There have not been any incomings or outgoings yet, but which areas of Askou's squad do you think could be improved in the January transfer window?

Send us your thoughts.

Motherwell deserve all the plaudits they are receiving this season, says Hibernian midfielder Jamie McGrath. (Edinburgh Evening news - subscription required), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

It is safe to say Motherwell are full of new year cheer.

With a dazzling win over Celtic - beating the Parkhead club for the first time in a decade - in late 2025 followed by a revenge victory over St Mirren, it doesn't get much better.

To be sitting in fourth, only only two points away from both Old Firm teams, is a sentence I never thought I would speak outside of the first few weeks of the season.

Not only are our results good but our attendances have grown significantly for both home and away games.

Rangers away on 27 December was a sellout and the trip to face Hibs on Saturday is the same. That is an achievement for our club.

Having stayed in Motherwell my full 23 years on this planet I know all too well there are many residents that choose one of the Glasgow two over us. Now we are doing well and making people pay attention, I'm hoping we can steal the limelight off them for longer.

This has been the most enjoyable season I've ever had supporting Motherwell. If we can swat away any interest in Jens Berthel Askou we will be lucky.

I love what he has done for this club, but his transformative work since taking charge last summer means I wouldn't be surprised if other clubs start trying to turn his head.