Motherwell

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou tells Sky Sports: "I think the big question is what are we even doing here.

"I'm in total shock.

"I thought I had seen it all this year, but apparently I haven't, it's shocking, it's a shame for the game.

"We did everything we could to finish strong at Fir Park this season.

"Coming back from 2-1, we did that really strongly.

"Seeing the footage, I can't see any way that can be a penalty, I can't see it touch his hand, and even if it has, it's because his arm has been pushed into it.

"It's a crazy thing to be part of and the game deserved better than that.

On whether or not he has spoken to the officials or sought an explanation, he adds: "No.

"It's best I don't communicate with them now.

"There's nothing we can do about it now."

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Gary McAllister made the game of football look easy. The proverbial classy midfield player who saw the full picture, and could affect it, in the crucial seconds before his opponent.

Unprepared to succumb to a story that began with knock-backs, McAllister wrote his own place in the history and folklore of every club he played for - a winner at Motherwell, champion at Leeds, immortal at Liverpool, and a Scotland captain of some repute.

There were lows to counter the highs, and McAllister discusses these with searing honesty on the latest episode if Icons of Football.

With contributions from Steven Gerrard, Gordon Strachan and Ardal O'Hanlon, this is the story of one of the greatest Scotland players of his, or any, generation.

Watch Icons of Football: Gary McAllister on BBC iPlayer.

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On-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is ineligible for Motherwell while fellow centre-back Paul McGinn remains out along with Jordan McGhee, Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Zach Robinson.

Andy Halliday is out but Lukas Fadinger returns after becoming a father.

Celtic are still without Jota (knee), Colby Donovan (hamstring), Julian Araujo (thigh), Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder), Tomas Cvancara (groin) and Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles).

Callum Osmand is getting closer to fitness following hamstring surgery.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is confident his side's mentality against the best in the league will stand them in good stead against Celtic on Wednesday night.

Celtic travel to Fir Park a point behind Premiership leaders Hearts while fourth-placed Well are four points above Hibs.

Motherwell know a victory would seal a European place before Saturday's trip to Easter Road, while defeat for Celtic could deny Martin O'Neill's men a final-day decider.

Askou, who watched Celtic secure a fifth consecutive league win on Sunday against Rangers, said: "It's obviously a team that is in a good place, the best place they've been for a long time. But also a team that suddenly have a lot to lose, which can maybe also affect the mental state of the game.

"There will be momentum shifts in the game from start to finish and we need to deal with that emotional state of the game as well."

Askou has moulded his players into a team with no inferiority complex against the top three. They beat Celtic in December, have taken five points against Rangers, and have drawn three times with Hearts.

"It's something that has helped us, especially at Ibrox last time, also against Hearts the other day," the Dane said.

"I am confident it will also give us an advantage that we have practised that again, and again, and again when we played the big teams, to really try to be ourselves all the way through.

"I trust the players that they will be able to show their best side, not only technically and physically but also mentally.

"Obviously, it's a combination of the mental part and then the tactical approach that they have to suit each other and enhance each other.

"If we tell them not to take risks or show fear from the leadership perspective and don't trust them or react very emotionally and frustrated when we don't succeed, and still tell them to do it, then they're going to be in a place where they get confused and insecure.

"Obviously, when the big mistakes have been there – and they have been there – then it's about considering them and addressing them as mistakes for growth.

"That has been extremely important to keep looking at how to develop and how to use that going forward into making either better decisions or just improving the situations, the execution.

"Time will tell over the last couple of games how far we've come, and especially [on Wednesday] which is probably the biggest test so far of them all."

• Motherwell's 2-0 win in December was their first in 21 home games against Celtic in all competitions (D4 L16) since winning successive Fir Park matches against them in February/April 2013.

• Celtic have lost only one of their past 37 meetings with Motherwell in all competitions (W31 D5), also failing to score just once in their latest 27 against the Steelmen.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, Motherwell have won their final home league game in seven of the past nine seasons (L2), beating Kilmarnock 3-0 last year.

• Celtic won their final away league game in both 2023-24 (5-0 v Kilmarnock) and 2024-25 (5-1 v Aberdeen), but haven't done so in three successive seasons since 1994-95 to 1996-97.

• Tawanda Maswanhise has scored nine home goals for Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this season. The last player to reach double figures for the Steelmen was Kevin van Veen in 2022-23 (10), while the last to score more than 10 was David Turnbull in 2018-19 (12).

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Hearts' Claudio Braga could win an awards double after he was shortlisted for the Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year award.

The Portuguese forward is nominated alongside teammate Lawrence Shankland and Motherwell duo Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise.

The manager of the year award could also go to Tynecastle or Fir Park, with Derek McInnes and Jens Berthel Askou both nominated.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn and Celtic interim manager Martin O'Neill are also on the shortlist.

Four Scottish players are in the running for young player of the year - Falkirk striker Barney Stewart, Kilmarnock's on-loan Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, Dundee defender Luke Graham and Dunfermline's Andrew Tod.

The winners will be announced on Sunday, 17 May.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Kieran O'Hara - Dundee

A clean sheet and a penalty save as Dundee safeguarded their Premiership status.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

A star showing from Curtis with two huge goals over fellow relegation rivals St Mirren.

Stephen O'Donnell - Motherwell

What a block to deny Lawrence Shankland. Gave everything for the Motherwell cause.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

There feels like there is so much more impetus about Celtic ever since the international break. Seasoned campaigners like Tierney have really come to the fore as Celtic make their final charge to defend their title. An assist for Maeda's first goal.

Jordan Obita - Hibernian

On the scoresheet in what was a big away win at the Falkirk Stadium.

Josh Campbell - Hibernian

Two well taken goals on the way to a big result which keeps alive Hibs hopes of catching Motherwell.

Callum McGregor - Celtic

A captain's performance as the Celtic leader marshalled his teammates to great effect throughout a potentially pivotal Old Firm victory.

Cam Congreve - Dundee

Another goal for the consistently excellent Welsh international on loan from Swansea.

Toyosi Olusanya - Aberdeen

Finally, his first goal for Aberdeen. Big moment for the former St Mirren man.

Lawrence Shankland - Hearts

Denied by O'Donnell, but you don't keep the Hearts captain down for long. When the next chance came along there was never any doubt Shankland would find the net. Could be a huge goal.

Daizen Maeda - Celtic

In a decidedly mixed season, Maeda was outstanding in the Old Firm derby. Time seemed to stand still as his stupendous overhead kick looped into the net behind Jack Butland. Maeda never stood still throughout this match, his energy levels saw him chase down Rangers players throughout. Two goals on the day and six goals in four games. Coming to the boil at just the right time.

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Motherwell fans, we asked for your views on the 1-1 draw with Hearts at Fir Park. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Mark: That was one of the most entertaining matches this season. Both teams going at it full force, with a draw the right result. When Stephen O'Donnell got home after the game and emptied his pocket he took out his wallet, keys and Claudio Braga! A stellar performance and man of the match for me. Get a result against Celtic and we will be known as kingslayers.

John: Pulsating game, with both teams going for three points. Plenty of contentious decisions, but a draw was a fair result. Onwards to Celtic on Wednesday - Europe here we come!

Robert: We were poor tonight, but we had resilience. That's been absent for years. I still hope Hearts go on and win league, but I am equally extremely proud of the Motherwell team.

Adam: We got away with one, I think every day of the week that's a penalty and finally incompetent officiating went in our favour. Thought we started well but Hearts took control of the game without causing us many issues. Draw basically seals fourth for us. Great season.

Robert: Very obvious penalty, soft variety but there's contact - for no reason, he's running towards the corner flag just let him go. Can't see us putting up much of a fight against Celtic, our seasons done and I'm just over the moon to finish in the European places.

Sinky: We've played better and lost games, so that was a good point. The team did great to defend under increasing pressure. Hopefully we have a couple of players back for Wednesday night.

Stuart: Really good game and an excellent atmosphere. Both teams had chances to win it and in the end a draw probably fair. Just hope we can get over the line and keep fourth place.

Crawford: We stayed brave, even with a makeshift rearguard. Hearts are a gutsy team and we went toe-to-toe. If only we had a Lawrence Shankland!

Alan: Another composed and confident display by Motherwell against the longstanding leaders of the league. All systems worked well and the atmosphere from the crowd made it a night to remember. Europe here we come!

Leaders Hearts nudged four points clear of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race by drawing at Motherwell - but missed an opportunity to put maximum pressure on the defending champions before Sunday's Old Firm derby.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "I don't think there's enough in that to give a penalty [Maswanhise on Kyziridis].

"There is some form of contact, but it is minimal and Kyziridis does his best to make it look like there's more contact than there is.

"I was actually quite shocked that that he didn't give a penalty because decisions like that have gone against us all season.

"We had a call that's gone our way and I think we deserved that. I am just glad it wasn't decided by a wrong decision."

"We had the highest attendance here for more than 20 years and we hope for a huge night on Wednesday. I don't think the final chapter has been written.

"I think our performance in general was outstanding. I thought we took control of the game in the beginning. We drove the tempo, took initiative, and we were brave.

"We defended very bravely and strongly in the box besides their goal in the first half, so that was one of those moments we should have done better."

Blair Spittal, 30, is pushing for a Hearts start against former club Motherwell after recent impressive performances off the bench. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Motherwell full-back Johnny Koutroumbis is pushing for a comeback while Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Zach Robinson remain out.

Hearts boss Derek McInnes hopes Harry Milne (calf) and Cammy Devlin (muscle) can return after injury, but Oisin McEntee, Calem Nieuwenhof (both hamstring), Tomas Magnusson, Ageu (both thigh) and Craig Gordon (shoulder) remain out.

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Elijah Just is embracing the pressure that accompanies the race for Europe as Motherwell aim to secure a fourth-place Premiership finish.

The Steelmen are six points ahead of Hibs in fifth with three matches of the season to play. They host Hearts and Celtic before a final-day trip to Easter Road.

And New Zealand international Just is determined to seal fourth spot - and a guaranteed European place - as soon as possible.

"I think in the beginning of the season, there weren't too many expectations on us to finish in Europe," he said.

"But the way we've played and the position we've put ourselves in, now it's become an expectation for us.

"So we want to get the job done, especially at home. And we have a really good opportunity this weekend against Hearts.

"If we can manage to finish in fourth and secure that Europe spot, then it will feel like a job well done.

"And if things were to happen that meant we dropped out and finished in fifth, I think that's the worst position to be in, to be waiting for Celtic and Dunfermline to play [in the Scottish Cup final] and be hoping for a Celtic win.

"We want to get the job done on our own terms and just secure fourth place.

"There is pressure on us. Like I said before, I think people would probably look at the season with a bit of a different light if we did finish in fifth."

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Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday has announced he will retire at the end of this season.

The 34-year-old has made just two Premiership appearances this season - both as a substitute - following five matches in the Scottish League Cup.

He started his senior career with Livingston, before permanent spells with Middlesbrough, Bradford City, Rangers and Hearts, before signing for Motherwell in 2024. He has also played on loan for Walsall, Blackpool and Azerbaijani side Gabala in an 18-year playing career.

Halliday won the Scottish Championship twice - with Rangers in 2016 and with Hearts in 2021.

"I feel that time is right for me to step away from the playing side of the sport I adore," Halliday said in a statement on the Motherwell website.

"There have been some ups and downs along the way, but when I look back on my career, I have zero regrets. So many players may not get to experience some of the things I've managed over the years, and for that, I'm grateful.

"Being a footballer isn't easy. It's required a lot of sacrifice over the years, which is all part of what I signed up for, but for my loved ones, I owe them my deepest thank you. I simply wouldn't have been able to get to where I got to without them. Their support has been incredible on this journey, and I don't know what I would have done without them all.

"I want to thank my teammates and staff at Livingston, Middlesbrough, Walsall, Blackpool, Bradford City, Rangers, Hearts and Motherwell for being a part of my journey. I've met some friends for life through this sport, and at every club I hold the fondest of memories that will stick with me. Thank you.

"Despite this announcement and my appreciation for all the kind messages I've received recently, I don't want any distractions for the boys as they look to finish this incredible season on a high. We're all desperate to close out as strongly as possible and gather as many points as we can, starting tomorrow against Hearts. Thank you to the Motherwell fans for their support all season long, and let's get stuck into these last three games."

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Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou would be a "very good" choice to fill Celtic's managerial vacancy this summer, according to Robbie Neilson.

Dane Askou, 43, has transformed the Steelmen into a slick passing side this season and has the club on course for a fourth-place finish.

Former Hearts and Dundee United boss Neilson believes Celtic should move quickly in a bid to secure Askou, with the club facing a major squad rebuild.

"I think he's done a fantastic job and he'd be one of the main candidates," Neilson told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"There was talk of Kieran McKenna at Ipswich but they've just been promoted, he's not leaving the Premiership in England for Celtic.

"Robbie Keane [currently at Ferencvaros], maybe. Askou in my opinion would be a very good appointment and he knows the league now.

"The biggest problem Celtic have is what direction are they going in? At the moment they don't have a head coach for next season, they don't have a head of recruitment and they don't have players lined up.

"How are you going to play? How can you recruit players if you don't know what the manager wants to do?

"So I think they need to get something sorted very, very quickly to get plans moving forward. Askou would be a really good appointment."

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• Both of Motherwell's past two home league games against Hearts have finished 0-0, despite a combined 35 shots (15 Motherwell, 20 Hearts) and 2.38 xG (0.85 Motherwell, 1.53 Hearts).

• Hearts are unbeaten in six league meetings with Motherwell (W3 D3) since losing 3-1 in August 2024.

• Motherwell have won just one of their past seven league games (D1 L5). Since the start of March they have picked up the fewest points of any Scottish Premiership side (four).

• Hearts have won their past three Premiership games, despite falling 1-0 behind each time – including a 3-1 win over Motherwell in April. The last side to win four successive games in the competition despite trailing in each were Kilmarnock in September/October 2018.

• Lawrence Shankland, who has scored in six of his past nine league starts, has won 73% of his appearances in the competition this season – the highest rate of any player to play 25+ games. By contrast, Hearts have just four wins in nine league games without the forward this campaign (44%).

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"They could have beaten us in all three games."

Derek McInnes needs no reminding of the threat Motherwell pose as he bids to inch Hearts closer to the title with victory at Fir Park on Saturday.

While Jens Berthel Askou's impressive Steelmen have yet to beat the Tynecastle side in three attempts this season, they've provided plenty of problems.

Motherwell led 3-0 in Gorgie back in August before the hosts mounted an incredible comeback in the final 25 minutes to salvage a point.

Then came a goalless stalemate at Fir Park in November, before Hearts needed another Tynecastle rescue when the sides met again last month, the visitors eventually losing 3-1 after spurning chances to burnish their lead.

"They carved us open a few times," McInnes said of that encounter.

"But they're a team who constantly test your organisation throughout the game, and they can make little subtle tweaks and little different ways of playing that can maybe test your organisation.

"I'm not the only opposition manager to sit before you play Motherwell and say how well they've done.

"They're a good team, well coached, they're a confident team, they look like a team who enjoy playing and what they've been asked to do."

Hearts forwards Claudio Braga and Lawrence Shankland and Motherwell attacking duo Elijah Just and Tawanda Maswanhise were the four candidates for PFA Scotland's Premiership player of the year award.

Braga was the eventual winner but McInnes thinks his opponents don't get enough credit for the individual quality throughout their side.

"I think they've also got very good players," he said.

"I sometimes think that gets left behind, it's all about how well coached they are and how they play, the style, but they've actually got really good individual players as well.

"I know you've said they've been problematic, and they have, but they've been problematic for most teams. But we have to be honest, they could have beaten us in all three games.

"But we've managed to do our job well enough for long enough in all the games to pick up points against them.

"And this game will be tough again for loads of reasons.

"You have to be so on point when you're out of possession, because if you're not, they're the type of team that can punish you.

"And that's what happens when you're up against good teams and well-coached teams."