Motherwell

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Johnny Koutroumbis has signed a contract extension at Motherwell until summer 2028, with manager Jens Berthel Askou praising the Australian's "big impact on the team's development".

The 27-year-old full-back has recovered from an injury-ravaged first season at Fir Park to become a regular under Askou, making 29 appearances this term.

"He has adapted seamlessly to our new style in his natural position at right-back but has delivered equally impressive performances at left-back when needed there," Askou added.

"His strong defensive discipline combined with his relentless attacking runs with and without the ball are invaluable qualities in our team.

"Off the pitch his loyalty and social skills have proved vital when integrating new players from down under."

Koutroumbis says it was an "easy decision" to remain with the Steelmen.

"I'm so happy to stay at this club at a time when it's going in an exciting direction. Everything is in such a good place, and there is a lot of potential for us going forward," he said.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell midfielder Oscar Priestman believes he has "improved enormously" as a player since singing for the Fir Park club last summer.

The Australian arrived on a three-year contract from Western Sydney Wanderers for an undisclosed fee and initially took time to adjust, making his first start in late November.

Priestman has been given more opportunities since the turn of the year as Motherwell have enjoyed an impressive Premiership campaign.

"I think it was a real learning curve when I first got here in terms of style of play, completely new country, new system, new team-mates," he explained.

"It was all really new but I think all the coaches, they've been really good in giving me really detailed instructions.

"I think I've improved enormously from where I was when I first came in so I just want to keep building on that and hopefully I can get better and better."

The 23 year-old Australian believes his confidence has grown as a result of the demands placed on the squad to play in an attractive manner, something he hopes will result in more starts in the season run-in.

"I think the system and the challenges it asks of you, especially playing out from the back and being really brave with the ball has really pushed me," he said.

"That's probably the biggest change I've had from back home where it was a bit more risk averse.

"I think I've seen big improvements from buying into that and I just hope it can keep getting better and better.

"It's obviously tough as a footballer when you're not playing and I maybe didn't play as much as I would have liked at the start of the year.

"It's been really nice to get some starts here and there and hopefully I can just keep pushing and pushing and become a really key player for this football club."

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jens Berthel Askou has speaking with the media before Motherwell's Scottish Premiership home match against Falkirk on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• On Callum Slattery being given a retrospective four-match ban - two games of which are suspended - for simulation against St Mirren in February, Askou says: "Time will tell whether it's the start of a change of culture, or whether it's a perfect recipe for a governing body to risk losing the trust from the people they are here to serve."

• The Motherwell boss admits it is "a big blow" to be without midfielder Slattery for two games and adds: "Whether we agree or not on what they have concluded, on the evidence that they have submitted, that's a different story. We have to accept it and try and learn from this case.

• While Askou "applauds" the Scottish FA for trying to clamp down on players acting "cynically or dishonestly", he says there needs to be "a lot of consistency in that, for not just us to have had a lesson, but for the culture to change".

• He admits the severity of the punishment surprised him: "If you get caught doing it in the game, then I think the most you can get is a booking, so of course, but if that's what it takes, and they think that's what it takes to change a culture, then obviously that's what they've decided."

• In-form New Zealand international Elijah Just has trained with the squad following his long-haul return after scoring for his country and Askou says: "The good thing is he's used to that. He knows how to deal with that. He's not six or seven feet tall, so he doesn't squeeze in a seat for 18 hours!"

• The Dane is hopeful some longer-term injured players may start being reintegrated with the first team shortly.

• Motherwell's last defeat at Fir Park came against Falkirk back in September and Askou insists "we've progressed a lot" since that game but also acknowledges the Bairns "have developed probably even more since then, added some new players with quality".

• He adds: "It's going to be a really, really big game for us and a hard opponent. We have to, especially defensively, really be at our best because it's a team that can hurt us in all sorts of ways in possession and also in transitions."

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• Barney Stewart has scored in each of Falkirk's past three league games; the last player to score in four successive top-flight appearances for the club was Anthony Stokes in November 2006.

• Falkirk have only won one of their past five league matches (D1 L3), picking up just four points; since the start of this time (14 February), only Aberdeen have fewer points in the Scottish Premiership (two).

• Motherwell are unbeaten in 12 home league games (W9 D3), conceding only one goal while keeping 11 clean sheets in this period. It's the fewest goals shipped by any side over a run of 12 home games in the Premiership since Rangers conceded one in 14 from August 2020 to February 2021.

• Falkirk have won their past two league visits to Motherwell, although these came over 15 years apart: 1-0 in April 2010 and 2-1 in October 2025.

• Motherwell have only won two of their past 13 league meetings with Falkirk (D5 L6), although both were at home in October 2008 (3-2) and October 2009 (1-0).

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Despite it being the international break there are plenty of goings ons happening in the 'Shire.

To start with, Callum Slattery receiving a two-game ban after his antics against St Mirren is a complicated one. I do genuinely think he dived, however, why has it taken so long for the Scottish FA to reach that conclusion and why are they only punishing him now?

It has been over a month since that game yet the ban will take place during two of our most important games. If this had been decided even within two weeks of the original match I wouldn't bat an eyelid. However, because of the time elapsed since it happened Motherwell had every right to release the statement they did questioning if he is being made an example of or if the same harshness will be inflicted on all offenders going forward.

On a slightly more positive note, with the announcement that national teams must submit a World Cup squad candidate list of more than 50 players to Fifa then narrow it down to 26 confirmed players, it is great news for those on the outskirts of a Scotland call-up. With a bit of luck, common sense will prevail and Steve Clarke will drop Anthony Ralston for Stephen O'Donnell. Even more so if he is able to sneak a goal or two before the season ends!

Falkirk are the next visitors to grace Fir Park on Saturday and I have a very uneasy feeling towards the match. Falkirk have been one of the few teams we seem incapable of beating this season. They were also one of the last teams to score at Fir Park back in October, with only Rangers doing it since.

On paper it is a winnable game, however, the pressure of this game is solely on our shoulders not Falkirk's. They are safe from the drop zone and have all but officially finished within the top six whereas we have lost two games on the bounce away from home then drawn 0-0 with Hibs. We need a win and fast before the yearly downward spiral starts to show it's ugly face.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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How rare is it to have three brothers all involved in professional football? Very. How rare is it for all of them to be enjoying good seasons? Even more so, it seems.

The McGinn family group chat has been a positive place for the most part of this campaign, with John's Aston Villa flying high in the Premier League, Paul's Motherwell doing likewise in the Scottish Premiership, and Stephen's Falkirk enjoying a dream return to the top flight.

"In terms of seasons in football, this has probably been right up there for the three of us," Villa captain John, the youngest of the three brothers, tells BBC Scotland.

"Normally we're in the group chat - mum and dad and my sister are in there as well - and somebody has been beaten, somebody's been trounced, or one of us is going through a bad spell.

"This season's been pretty positive. Falkirk seem to be winning, Motherwell seem to be winning and so do Villa. There have been loads of weekends where all three of us have won."

Oldest brother Stephen, 37, has retired from playing and is now assistant to manager John McGlynn at Falkirk.

Following back-to-back promotions from the third tier all the way to the Premiership, McGlynn's side are on course for a top-six finish and have a Scottish Cup semi-final against rivals Dunfermline to look forward to next month.

"Stephen has been really good for John McGlynn and John McGlynn has been really good for Stephen," John says. "They are very different but both love football and they see the game in the same way.

"Stephen has his eye on being a manager in his own right one day and, for him, he is so fortunate to be learning from a great manager. Hopefully they can kick on and win a cup this season."

Paul, meanwhile, is enjoying one of the finest seasons of his career at the age of 35, captaining Motherwell as they push for European football.

They too have received plaudits for their brave and expansive style of football under Jens Berthel Askou, all while boasting the best defensive record in the league.

Paul has been integral to that success and has excelled as a ball-playing centre-back - to the surprise of many. But John always knew his older brother had it in him.

"Paul's having one of the best seasons of his career," the Scotland midfielder adds. "He's had a manager come in and allow him to flourish.

"He's always had that ability, but it's just about having a manager who gives him that responsibility and belief.

"At 35, he's showing no sign of slowing down and he's capable of going up another gear or two."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell's Elijah Just continued his impressive form by netting for World Cup-bound New Zealand in their convincing 4-1 victory over Chile.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has been one of the standout performers in the Scottish Premiership this season, scoring seven goals and providing six assists for Jens Berthel Askou's fourth-placed side.

He has taken that form into international duty, bagging the second of New Zealand's four goals in Monday's eye-catching win.

Just suffered a friendly defeat to Finland on Friday before the 4-1 success against Chile. He will now travel back to Lanarkshire from Auckland.

New Zealand feature in a group with Belgium, Egypt and Iran at the 2026 World Cup.

Motherwell, meanwhile, will hope to move closer to securing European football for next season when they host Falkirk on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

With five days to go until kick-off at Fir Park, Askou will hope Just is in a fit condition to start the crucial encounter after his long journey.

Watch the incident with Richard King that led to Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery being banned for four games.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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When Motherwell's Paul McGinn pulled up with a recurrence of a thigh injury, bringing his 2024-25 season to a premature end, he feared his career was over.

Making his first start in three months against Hibernian in January, the same problem struck again - a devastating blow.

However, the veteran defender has recovered to enjoy arguably his finest season at the age of 35, playing a key role in forming the Scottish Premiership's meanest backline.

Jens Berthel Askou's side have achieved that while playing the most expansive football in the league, with McGinn thriving as a ball-playing centre-back.

"I remember coming off as a sub at Hibs thinking that was me done, fully," McGinn told Motherwell's club media. "I thought that was it because it was the same injury I'd just come back from.

"I don't know how I've got back to this, to be honest. This season has been right up there for me."

McGinn had initial doubts about Askou's style in the early weeks of the Dane's tenure, but an impressive pre-season display against Hertha Berlin fuelled the captain with belief.

In the following match, he made an error for Rangers' opening goal in Motherwell's first league game, before Askou's side responded to earn a deserved point.

The Fir Park club have since become one of the stories of the season, sitting fourth in the table having lost just five games and conceded only 23 goals in 31 league fixtures.

Many Motherwell fans are watching their team play the best football of their lives during a surreal season that has even seen the Lanarkshire side involved in title talk.

That conversation has quietened after a three-game winless run - defeats to Dundee and Celtic, followed by a draw with Hibs - but McGinn says the focus must now be on securing fourth place as a minimum.

"We need to finish strong," he added. "We want to finish high and in a position we feel we deserve.

"It would've been surprising at the start of the season to say we'd be disappointed with anything lower than fourth. But we would have underachieved if we dropped out of the top four.

"We've got a tough run of fixtures. It's not going to be easy, but no team comes to play us thinking it'll be an easy victory."

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Rangers are set to battle Celtic for the services of 25-year-old in-form Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just in the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Watch Sportscene pundit Steven Naismith analyse how Hibernian's off-the-ball structure disrupted Motherwell's approach play in Saturday's goalles draw.

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Motherwell have confirmed Tawanda Maswanhise will not take part in Zimbabwe's upcoming friendly matches after reporting "a small issue" following Saturday's goalless draw with Hibernian.

The 23-year-old, who is the Scottish Premiership's top scorer this season, was due to travel to for a Four Nations Tournament in Botswana this week.

However, the Fir Park club have announced the forward has suffered a minor problem and he will remain in Scotland "to manage the issue".

Maswanhise played the entirety of Saturday's 0-0 stalemate with fellow European hopefuls Hibs but failed to add to his tally of 16 league goals in the draw.

Watch European hopefuls Motherwell and Hibernian play out a hard-fought Scottish Premiership draw at Fir Park.

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We asked you Motherwell fans for your views on the goalless draw with Hibernian at Fir Park. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Edward: The most disappointing result of the season in my mind. Looked tired and leggy. International break will do us good.

Hugh: This off-side rule is a farce. If the pass is off side when it is made, why does it take three minutes approx for the flag to go up? It is very frustrating for the fans.

James: Not a great game for both teams, no cutting edge, another clean sheet but not a good spectacle.

Bruce: Well were flat today. Frustrating performance spoiled by inconsistent refereeing and VAR continuing to baffle with its application. Are the clubs who pay for this getting good value? Destroying spontaneity with long delays.

Fourth-placed Motherwell maintained their six-point lead over Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership but failed to put pressure on the top three ahead of the international break after a stalemate at Fir Park.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "It doesn't feel like a big point right now but in eight weeks it might be a very big point.

"There were a lot of things to be happy about - our defensive intensity, our ability to keep them away from big chances - but we could all see and feel we lacked the last bit of sharpness to open them up.

"We were unlucky in the first half, it was a very tight offside call, and JT had a big moment in the second half but he didn't connect well enough with the ball.

"Credit to both teams, they really made it hard for the opposition to create big opportunities.

"You always want a good, solid defensive performance. You know how good Hibs are but we didn't allow them to show that today and that's a big thing for me. We know they have some of the best crossers in the league so we had to defend the box extremely well and we also know they can really put pressure on you in set plays. I think in all these areas we were really good.

"We always hoped for our attacking players to really create the magic that we've seen them do for a long time. They didn't really succeed in doing that today.

"We're happy that the pitch has more tempo in it now, there's more grass out there, but you saw towards the end of the game it was still bouncing in some important moments when you were hoping it would just come straight at you. It possibly made a bit of a difference today. Next time we play, in two weeks' time, hopefully the pitch will be better."

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New Zealand boss Darren Bazeley says Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just "looks like the best player in the league at the moment", with Rangers and Celtic both interested in the 25-year-old. (Daily Record - subscription required), external

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Motherwell defender Emmanuel Longelo drops out through suspension but Stephen Welsh returns.

Regan Charles-Cook remains out alongside Johnny Koutroumbis (calf), Callum Hendry (groin) and Zach Robinson (Achilles).

Hibernian defenders Jordan Obita and Grant Hanley are back in contention after hamstring issues but Rudi Molitnikov and Josh Mulligan (both ankle) are unavailable.

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell midfielder Tom Sparrow insists they are focused on ensuring the season ends on a high with sights set on claiming a European place as reward for their high-flying season.

The Fir Park side face fifth placed Hibernian on Saturday, six points clear of the Edinburgh side with eight league games remaining.

"That's a big thing, to make sure we don't just peter out and that we finish strongly because what we've done this season would be a real disappointment if we didn't do that," he explained.

"Everyone's definitely focused on that. I think we need to push for that, [Europe] definitely.

"I've never played in Europe personally, something I'd obviously love to do. There's a few lads who have, which is obviously good for us because they know what it takes to get there. So, yes, definitely the aim and definitely something that I think we can get to."

Much of the focus of late has been on whether Motherwell could mount a challenge for the Scottish Premiership title. Back-to-back defeats against Dundee and Celtic has tempered that given they sit 10 point adrift of leaders Hearts.

However, playing the side immediately below them in the table offers David Gray's side to move just three points adrift of Motherwell.

"It's not something we've spoke about, but obviously that is the reality," Sparrow added.

"I think you just have to take it for what it is. You play each other so many times up here that we'll play them again after this weekend. Three points would be important but if not, just go again the next week."

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• After their 2-0 win in November, Motherwell are looking for back-to-back home league wins over Hibs within a single season for the first time since 2007-08.

• Hibs have only lost two of their past eight league meetings with Motherwell (W3 D3), although are winless against them in the Scottish Premiership this season (D1 L1).

• Motherwell have lost their past two league games, conceding as many goals in those matches as they had in their previous 19 in the Premiership (five). The Steelmen last lost more league fixtures in a row in February 2025 (five).

• Hibs have only lost two of their past 13 league games (W6 D5) and are unbeaten in four (W2 D2) since a 1-0 defeat to Hearts in February.

• Motherwell's Ibrahim Said has created 33 chances in the league this season but is yet to provide an assist, the most of any player without setting up a goal. Said also ranks second in the top flight for dribbles completed (52), behind Djeidi Gassama (53).

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking with the media before Motherwell's home Premiership fixture against Hibernian on Saturday.

Here are the key points:

• With no Motherwell players selected for Scotland's pre-World Cup upcoming friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, the Danish manager says it was no surprise to him, adding it's "not up to me".

• "I would be very surprised if there were suddenly a lot of changes in that squad that has brought them there [to the World Cup]," he says. "We play a very different style of football than the national team does."

• But Askou adds: "I do hope that all our players get to live that dream, that I was nowhere near when I was playing back in the days. Some of them might have hoped, because they've had a good season, but it's not something that has been a topic in our club."

• Motherwell are six points ahead of Hibs, who they face on Saturday, but Askou insists: "We try to look forward. Staring at a league table won't make us better. We are fully aware we are in a position now in the league we would love to stay in and then reach out for whatever is possible from there."

• The Dane says European football is now the target having secured a top-six place: "Getting into Europe and getting these qualification matches after the summer break is something that we are really ambitious about."

• He describes Hibs as a team that have had "some really good spells" and recruited well, having sold Kieron Bowie "for a really good fee", something he hopes will lead the way for other clubs to generate more income.

• Askou adds: "I hope in general for Scottish football that we are able to lift our income transfer revenue."

• On the chance of big-money departures for players linked with moves in the summer, Askou says: "That's the ambition we have on their behalf when they come here, that they get an opportunity to highlight and showcase themselves and lift the club at the same time up to the next level. And then when the time is right, like it was with Lennon [Miller] last summer, and like it wasn't in the winter for a few of our players where there was some possibilities if we had chased them, it will happen."

• Elijah Just is fit for the weekend although Emmanuel Longelo is suspended for one match after his red card in the defeat to Celtic. On-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is available again.