Motherwell

Motherwell have reached a financial agreement with Toulouse for manager Jens Berthel Askou and the Dane is finalising details with the French club. (Sacha Tavolieri on X), external

Reports that Motherwell and Toulouse have reached a financial agreement for Jens Berthel Askou are premature.(Graeme McGarry on X), external

Centre-half Liam Gordon, the 30-year-old who is out of contract with Motherwell, is hoping to agree a new deal whether or not Jens Berthel Askou remains as manager. (The Scotsman), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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French Ligue 1 side Toulouse have made an official approach to Motherwell for manager Jens Berthel Askou.

The 43-year-old Dane impressed during his first campaign in Scotland as he led Motherwell to a fourth-place Scottish Premiership finish while arguably playing the best football in the country.

Well fans, how do you feel about the approach from Toulouse? Does it feel inevitable Askou will leave this summer or might he stick around for European football next term?

Have your say here

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Motherwell are in talks with defender Liam Gordon over a new deal and have confirmed seven departures from Fir Park this summer.

Callum Slattery's exit, Sam Nicholson's impending move to Livingston and Andy Halliday's retirement had already been announced.

Alongside that trio, Kofi Balmer, Zach Robinson and Dylan Wells move on while Stephen Welsh returns to Celtic after his loan spell.

Olly Whyte, 19, who spent the season on loan at Stenhousemuir, has agreed a new contract while talks are continuing with 18-year-old Zander McAllister.

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Lukas Fadinger has signed a one-year contract extension with Motherwell after becoming a near ever-present in the side during a first year of his two-year contract described as a "wonderful story" by manager Jens Berthel Askou.

The 25-year-old Austrian midfielder, who arrived last summer after leaving Rheindorf Altach, is now contracted until 2028.

Askou pointed out some might have been concerned that Fadinger arrived after the manager who signed him, Michael Wimmer, had left.

"That didn't seem to bother him and he very quickly turned into one of the most consistent and dependable performers in the team this season," he told Motherwell's website.

"His development into a dynamic line-breaking six, scoring important goals and running for two, has made him the most used player in this season at the club.

"His wonderful calm and including personality has been an equally important asset to the dressing room."

Fadinger has made 43 appearances - missing only two matches, one through suspension and the other when his partner was giving birth.

He has also scored five goals, including the weekend winner against Hibernian that sealed European football.

Fadinger has "loved every minute here this season" and excited to extend my contract at this fantastic club".

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Callum Slattery is leaving Motherwell after five years, the Fir Park club have announced.

The English midfielder, 27, made 147 appearances and scored 18 goals for the Steelmen.

Slattery returned from a 12-month injury lay-off in January last year and has played an integral role this season in helping Motherwell finish fourth in the Scottish Premiership and secure a Conference League qualifying place.

"It's always hard to say goodbye," Slattery said.

"I arrived here as a 21-year-old boy with little first-team football. Now, I'm leaving a man having made almost 150 appearances for the club, having countless memories and having a lot of appreciation for this football club.

"It has given me an unbelievable platform to go out and play regularly, and even when I was in my darkest days, it supported me throughout everything.

"To finish with those celebrations at Easter Road was the perfect ending to my five years here. I want to thank everyone at the club for what they have done for me. The fans – where do I even start?

"You have supported me through everything; you've had my back through thick and thin, and we've had some wonderful moments throughout my time here. You deserve nothing less than a good European tour next season, and I hope you all have a wonderful experience.

"To see the stands so busy this season has been remarkable, and I hope you can continue to support them in those large numbers next season."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Raphael Sallinger - Hibernian

On the losing side, but made five saves.

Tom Sparrow - Motherwell

A midfielder by trade, Sparrow has never let Motherwell down at right back.

Stephen Welsh - Motherwell

On loan from Celtic, Welsh has been a real leader at Fir Park. Played with heart, soul and real quality. Had an effort ruled out for a foul.

Ryan Astley - Dundee

Scored the winning goal to send the Dundee faithful home happy.

Tuur Rommens - Rangers

Won all his duels against Falkirk and looks a good signing by Danny Rohl.

Findlay Curtis - Kilmarnock

Surely has to be in the World Cup squad. Made the previous squad, and since then his form has been electric.

Callum McGregor - Celtic

Much has been made - rightly so - of the impact made by the return of Martin O'Neill in steering Celtic to another title. But in his own way, the captain at the centre of this team has quietly done the steering on the pitch. Since the Dundee United game there has been much more of a steely resolve and intensity when required from Celtic, and McGregor has embodied that mission in the post-split games. His teammates voiced their praise for his leadership on and off the pitch throughout what's been a tumultuous campaign that saw Brendan Rodgers and then Wilfried Nancy depart. Throughout it all McGregor has been the constant. The emotion poured out of him at the end said it all.

Lukas Fadinger - Motherwell

A steely presence all season for Motherwell. His deflected goal was the difference against Hibs.

Nicky Clescenco - Kilmarnock

Took his goal well. Looked lively and creative in the rout of Livingston.

Joe Hugill - Kilmarnock

Two goals against Livingston upped his tally to eight in his past 12 games for Kilmarnock. Has thrived under Neil McCann.

Youssef Chermiti- Rangers

Looked like an absolute world-beater against Falkirk. His goals were superb. Has had his critics, but 15 Premiership goals is a respectable tally. His challenge next season will be to up that tally, and be more consistent.

Watch all the highlights as Motherwell secured fourth spot and European football next season with a 1-0 win at Hibs. Available to UK users only.

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views on the 1-0 win over Hibernian that confirmed European football next season. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

Mark: Jens Berthel Askou has delivered a season to remember for us Well fans. Hope he stays while us Steelmen look out our passports for next season. If we build on this season the whole league could be in for a surprise. In Jens we trust.

Alistair: Askou's approach has been a breath of fresh air. Our playing style is a joy to watch and we have easily played the best football all season. Looking forward to our foray into Europe.

Alan: Another classic performance from ten-men Motherwell. This is an incredible achievement from Askou in his first season. He has developed a system that works and all the players have adapted and developed it over the season. Congratulations to all the team and back room staff for these efforts over the season. A wonderful end to the campaign achieved with ten men for the last 30 minutes.

David: We have been the best football playing team in the country. Winning the Cup in 1990 was amazing but this year has been incredible. Well done lads.

Robert: Best I've seen in 60 years. Thank you Jens, for bringing belief back to our team and Lanarkshire.

Stephen: Today is the perfect example of the courage, belief and ability of this squad. To go to Easter Road, battle against a Hibs team in good form and play them off the park from minute one, is evidence that this squad and staff are special. The best team and style of play I have ever seen from a Motherwell side. Let's build and go again next year.

Robert: An excellent win today, to round off one of the best seasons I can remember. Our players and staff this season have been fantastic and it's been a real privilege to watch. I would love our manager to stay, but after his comments to BBC Scotland today, I think he'll be offski.

Jim: A brilliant end to a season of wonderful football. We totally dominated the game from start to finish, even after going down to ten men. The scenes at the end when the players, manager, backroom and fans celebrating, where just a joy to be part of. Thank you to everyone connected with the club. I hope Jens stays with us, but either way, a massive thank you to him. Europe here we come.

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Sam Nicholson has agreed to join Livingston for next season as the experienced midfielder moves on from Motherwell.

The 32-year-old missed the first half of this season with a knee injury, making 11 appearances as a substitute in all competitions since January.

The former Hearts and Bristol Rovers player moved to Fir Park from Colorado Rapids in January 2024.

His last act in a Motherwell shirt was to concede a contentious stoppage-time penalty in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to Celtic.

Livingston have been busy in the transfer market since their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, with Jack Wilkie and Tyrese Sinclair also signed up in recent days.

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou: "It feels fantastic. It is amazing to stand here today and have achieved what we set out to do for a long time.

"To get a place in Europe and reach for the maximum possible in this season. I think we've got that.

"Through one performance after another that have been incredible. We have played some wonderful football lately as well, we did not quite get the points we wanted to.

"But to get it the way we did today by dominating from start to finish, it became difficult last 20 minutes with one man down. But we put up a fight and still threaten them and press forward, and defending our box with our life when we had to.

"Incredible moments to be proud of, and I'm so moved to be part of this.

"The way the supporters have been behind our approach from day one, and fallen in love with the team as the team have fallen in love with their willingness and ability to show up all over Scotland.

"It's a special thing to experience that connection and wonderful to have that celebration down in the corner.

"These boys in there will be remembered by the fans for a very, very long time. Our intention as a club is to keep building on what we are doing.

"Now we all get a little rest, some will move on which is natural when you have performed like this. New ones will come but no matter what this club will keep driving forward and keep being ambiitous about what we're doing, with a brave approach."

The Motherwell boss says now is not the time to talk about his own future, but enjoy the moment.

Ten-man Motherwell secured fourth spot in the Scottish Premiership and guaranteed European football with a narrow win over Hibernian.

What a season from Jens Berthel Askou and his players. What did you make of it all?!

MATCH REPORT

HAVE YOUR SAY

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Dunfermline goalkeeper Aston Oxborough has been recalled by parent club Motherwell for Saturday's Scottish Premiership match with Hibernian.

As a result, Oxborough, who played in the first leg of Dunfermline's Scottish Premiership play-off semi-final against Partick Thistle on Tuesday, was absent from the squad for Friday's return leg at Firhill, with Billy Terrell starting in goal. The sides drew 1-1 at East End Park.

Pars manager Neil Lennon confirmed Oxborough, 28, would be back for the Scottish Cup final against Celtic on 23 May and the Premiership play-off final, should Dunfermline progress to face St Mirren.

Motherwell are fourth in the Premiership, one point above Hibs before Saturday's final league fixture of the season.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jens Berthel Askou insists there is no Motherwell hangover from the midweek VAR controversy as his side look to secure a fourth-place finish on Saturday.

The Steelmen travel to Easter Road to face Hibs, who lurk one point behind, in a shootout for guaranteed European football.

Manager Askou and his players were furious at the injury-time penalty awarded for a perceived Sam Nicholson handball in midweek as Celtic snatched a 3-2 win at Fir Park.

"We have to move on," said Askou. "We have so little time in between the games now and we can't say that this game tomorrow is less important than what we played the other night.

"That's the nature of this business, you have to deal with emotions straight away and put them behind you and then focus on what's coming."

"I think the boys and the staff have been excellent at that."

Motherwell have received many plaudits for their style of play this season, but Askou wants his players to "achieve something big for this club".

"Now we have a really good opportunity on finishing fourth, which will give us a ticket to Europe for sure, which will be the highest position in the league since 2013-14 for this club, besides the Covid season that was not fully done," he said.

"That would be a massive achievement for us, especially taking into consideration that there was a big rebuild of the squad and the staff and a lot of new things implemented in the summer.

"They're [the players] just excited and ready. I'm confident and positive they will demonstrate that one more time. Obviously there's a massive determination to go and achieve something."

Askou says Nicholson is "absolutely fine" after being at the centre of the spot-kick storm.

"He did everything right in the situation," the Well boss said.

"He tried to clear the ball, he headed it away. There was a little bit of contact which the opposition player overplayed.

"I would not ask him not to go and clear the ball with his head in the 95th minute. We need that tomorrow. I would ask him to do exactly the same and then hope and pray for the guys responsible to get that right."

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Hibs welcome Jamie McGrath back from suspension so Rudi Molotnikov (ankle) is set to be the only absentee.

Motherwell have Stephen Welsh back in their squad but Paul McGinn, Jordan McGhee, Eythor Bjorgolfsson, Zach Robinson and Andy Halliday remain out.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's trip to Hibernian in the final game of the season.

Here are the key points:

• Askou says it wasn't hard to move on from the emotions of Wednesday night's defeat to Celtic: "You have to deal with emotions straight away and put them behind you and then focus on what's coming."

• Given the controversy around VAR, especially after Wednesday night, Askou says it's not something he or his players think about when they approach a game.

• On Sam Nicholson, whose handball was at the centre of Wednesday night's controversy, Askou says "he's absolutely fine", adding: "He did everything right in the situation, and I'll ask him to clear the ball with his head in the 95th minute tomorrow if need be."

• On VAR in general and how Scottish football achieves consistency with it he says "we need to invest and improve to lift the level" and adds: "I think we're all ambitious and I think everyone is trying their best to improve and are open to the critique that we get."

• The players are "excited and ready" as they look to seal a European place which would be "a massive achievement" for the club.

• Askou says it's a "massive event for both clubs" with a fourth-place finish at stake.

• Team news: Stephen Welsh is available after missing out against parent club Celtic.

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Nick Daws is excited to "play a key role in Motherwell's continued evolution" after being appointed the club's head of football.

The Englishman, 56, takes the new post at Fir Park after five years as head of recruitment.

He will continue to lead player recruitment while Motherwell say his new duties include "connecting all football department staff across the club, from the first team to the academy, ensuring succession planning is in place".

Daws said: "I am delighted and honoured to accept the new position as head of football at the club.

"Over my five-year tenure as head of recruitment, I have built strong relationships across all departments and with the board.

"Having the opportunity to play a key role in Motherwell's continued evolution and support a talented, committed group of people is an exciting proposition."

Manager Jens Berthel Askou said: "Nick has been a tremendous support for me since I arrived last summer, having already put most pieces together in the staff as well as leading the process of finding the last and very vital pieces after my arrival.

"He has taken the lead on our data-driven analysis of both player recruitment and development of the game model in close cooperation with our data partner and the staff.

"His role and responsibilities have grown bigger and stronger over the last five seasons, and I'm very pleased to see him enter his new position."

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• Hibs and Motherwell have drawn their past two league meetings, but haven't done so three times in a row since December 1999.

• Motherwell have kept a clean sheet in two of their three league games against Hibs this season, as many as their previous 15 beforehand.

• Hibs haven't lost their final game in any of the past five league seasons (W1 D4), although their latest three have been drawn: 1-1 v Hearts in 2022-23, 1-1 v Livingston in 2023-24 and 2-2 v Rangers in 2024-25.

• Including the curtailed 2019-20 campaign, Motherwell have only won their final league game in one of the past six seasons (D2 L3), beating Dundee United 3-2 in 2022-23.

• Since the Scottish Premiership rebranded in 2013, Hibs forward Martin Boyle has been directly involved in 99 goals in the competition (66 goals, 33 assists), one away from being the seventh player with 100+ goal involvements in this time, after James Tavernier (178), Leigh Griffiths (122), James Forrest (117), Alfredo Morelos (105), Callum McGregor (105), and Lawrence Shankland (101).

Tom Sparrow is ready to seize Motherwell's chance of European football after shaking off his disbelief over the VAR controversy that denied them a point against Celtic.

Well were heading for a fourth-place finish as they went into stoppage time drawing 2-2 with Martin O'Neill's side.

However, their anger over Kelechi Iheanacho's 99th-minute penalty – following a controversial handball call against Sam Nicholson – was compounded by Hibs' last-gasp winner at Ibrox.

With David Gray's men now a point behind in fifth, it sets up a winner-takes-all encounter at Easter Road on Saturday.

Reacting to John Beaton's penalty award, midfielder Sparrow said: "I just can't understand how he gives it. I think you can see he heads it.

"I challenge anyone to be able to punch the ball 20 yards out of play. His arm's obviously forced up from [Auston] Trusty in front of him.

"I've had multiple messages saying they can't believe it's given. You go on Twitter and there's people like Gary Lineker saying it's the worst he's ever seen.

"That obviously doesn't reflect well on the league when it's been a brilliant season for Scottish football.

"But we've said, after everyone's calmed down, that you'd take one game to get into Europe when we started."

Although the penalty could have a seismic impact in terms of the title, the more damaging late development for the Steelmen was Dane Scarlett's Hibs winner.

Motherwell would have needed a draw with or without a point against the champions.

"It's another thing we said in there, that obviously it doesn't matter," Sparrow said.

"I think it was more just the performance we had and thought we deserved something from the game itself, but it doesn't change what we've got to do going forward.

"There was a good response after the disappointment, so I'm sure we'll be ready for Saturday."

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New Zealand international Elijah Just is set to become the first permanent Motherwell player to feature at a World Cup since Tommy Coyne in 1994.

The midfielder has been confirmed in the All Whites squad for the showpiece tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

New Zealand - playing their first World Cup since 2010 when they were unbeaten in the group stage but failed to register a victory - are in Group G alongside Belgium, Iran and Egypt.

Just has earned 42 caps so far, scoring nine goals and contributing three assists.

The 26-year-old joined Motherwell from Danish second-tier side AC Horsens last summer and has been a standout in Jens Berthel Askou's team.

The midfielder, who can also be deployed on the wings or up front, has seven goals and eight assists in 42 appearances for the Steelmen.

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after the dramatic 3-2 defeat to Celtic, who scored a controversial 99th-minute penalty winner.

Here are some of your comments:

Bill: We played really well and deserved a point if not more. The penalty decision is farcical and shows how poor the referees in Scotland really are. In no other workplace would a department be able to fail as much without heads rolling.

David: Played brilliantly again. The team have been outstanding all season. The four words which have cost us this season are controversial VAR penalty decision.

James: VAR robbery in what was a great game between two teams with plenty to lose. Gutted for all the Motherwell team and supporters.

John: Fantastic effort from a depleted squad. Some brilliant football spoiled by what will turn out to be the most talked about VAR decision in years. If you want to know why there are no Scottish referees at the World Cup, that decision shows why.

Susan: Another fantastic performance from our team. Great football from both sides and brilliant energy, ruined entirely by yet another dreadful refereeing decision. Still so proud of Motherwell this season.

Kevin: Shocking decision. Not one Celtic player or member of their bench even claimed for a penalty, they assumed it was going to be a Celtic corner/throw-in. Would never be given the other way round. The whole of Scotland will now want Hearts to win the league and rightly so.

Watch all the highlights as Celtic were awarded a late penalty at Motherwell to seal a 3-2 win and take the title race to the final day. Available to UK users only.