Motherwell boss insists his side can win at Celtic Park

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The Celtic Star

·2 octobre 2025

Motherwell boss insists his side can win at Celtic Park

Impressive Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou insists his side will be travelling to Celtic Park ‘to win’ ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Premiership encounter…

Aberdeen v Motherwell Premier Sports Cup 20/09/2025. Referee John Beaton and Motherwell s Manager Jens Berthel Askou during the Premier Sports Quarter Final match between Aberdeen and Motherwell at Pittodrie on 20 September 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI-IMAGO

The Steelmen will make the trip to Glasgow still without a Scottish Premiership defeat this season, and their manager says they are determined to come away with all three points.

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Motherwell picked up their long-awaited first league win of the season last weekend, striking twice in added time to beat Aberdeen.

Askou’s side have consistently delivered eye-catching performances without always seeing the results to match but they have made it two wins from two against the Dons in recent weeks.

When they visited Tynecastle in August, Motherwell were 3-0 up over league leaders Hearts, only for the match to finish level after a dramatic comeback from Derek McInnes’ side. That showing, combined with their unbeaten start to the season, has given their new manager plenty of confidence.

Speaking via Daily Record ahead of his team’s visit to Celtic Park, Askou said: “We’re not just going there to frustrate Celtic and tease them a little bit. We’re going to win.

“And I believe that this team is capable of that, even though we know we’re going to play probably the toughest opponent at the toughest place in the league.”

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin talks with Motherwell Manager Jens Berthel Askou ahead of the William Hill Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen at Fir Park Stadium, Motherwell on Saturday 27th September 2025 Motherwell v Aberdeen, Scottish Premiership, 27 September 2025. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock/IMAGO

The Motherwell boss added: “But I have seen so much already from this team that gives me a lot of confidence and belief that we will go there and have a good opportunity.”

“We’re really excited and looking forward to that game,” Askou continued. “Hopefully, we’ll get one or two of the players who haven’t been available the last couple of weeks back with us and that will give us another boost.”

“The boys available right now have done a terrific job in terms of producing good performances and hitting levels, as we’ve been missing some really important players for us.”

Stephen Welsh of Motherwell, Dundee v Motherwell, Scottish Premiership, Dens Park, Dundee, 13 September 2025. Photo Neil Hanna IMAGO/Shutterstock

On-loan Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is unavailable to play against his parent club, but Askou is optimistic that a few of his injured players could return to strengthen his options for Sunday’s eagerly awaited contest at Celtic Park.

Conor Spence

Continue reading on the next page…Martin O’Neill takes brilliant Seville swipe at Jose Mourinho

Martin O’Neill takes brilliant Seville swipe at Jose Mourinho

A dejected Celtic manager Martin O’Neill after the UEFA Cup Final match between Celtic and FC Porto held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. FC Porto won the match and trophy 3-2 after extra-time. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Martin O’Neill has taken a swipe at Jose Mourinho for Porto’s UEFA Cup antics 22 years ago following his return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night…

Henrik Larsson of Celtic is sent flying by the challenge from Jorge Costa of FC Porto during the UEFA Cup Final match held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. FC Porto won the match and trophy 3-2 after extra-time. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Mourinho made his return to London this week, leading his new Benfica team into a Champions League meeting with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Although Mourinho’s European return dominated the spotlight, former Celtic manager Martin O’Neill grabbed some attention of his own from the Premier Sports studio.

The ex-Hoops boss spoke warmly about the Special One, highlighting Mourinho’s knack for handling star players and maintaining a winning touch. Yet O’Neill also slipped in a playful nod to Jose’s managerial history, referencing Celtic’s contentious 2003 UEFA Cup final against Mourinho’s Porto.

Deco of FC Porto takes the ball past Dianbobo Balde of Celtic during the UEFA Cup Final match held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Speaking via Premier Sports, O’Neill said: “I think he’s a great manager, a really great manager. He’s very, very clever. But it doesn’t mean that they didn’t cheat their whole way to the UEFA Cup final and lie down in heaps and go to Porto every single day. Travesty, travesty that game.”

Martin O'Neill still holding a grudge against Mourinho has warmed my soul this morning 😂
– mercredi 1 octobre 2025

After his sharp remark, O’Neill was soon back to commending Mourinho’s achievements and lasting impact on the game. The quip was light-hearted, but it underlined that, even 22 years later, O’Neill still remembers the sting of Celtic’s loss to Mourinho’s Porto in Seville, and so do we all.

Bobo Balde of Celtic is sent off by referee Lubos Michel during the UEFA Cup Final match between Celtic and FC Porto held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. FC Porto won the match and trophy 3-2 after extra-time. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers has mentioned the Seville run quite a number of times so far since Celtic’s calamitous exit to Kairat Almaty as the Hoops will be aiming to go far in the Europa League. O’Neill’s Celtic side had lost a Champions League qualifier to FCBasel that ultimately led Celtic to the UEFA Cup run, sp perhaps history can repeat itself this year as Celtic contest the Europa League.

21.05.2003 Photo imago/Miguelez Sports FC Porto – Celtic Glasgow 3:2 n.V., Vdig Sevilla Dynamik, Fußball EC 3 Herren Mannschaft Gruppenbild Aktion Personen

The Hoops face Portuguese outfit Braga this evening at Celtic Park and will be looking for their first victory in Europe this campaign. With the top eight places in the competition guaranteeing last 16 football, that should be the goal for Rodgers’ men between now and January.

After years of misery in Europe – last season being the exception – it would be pleasing to see Celtic make progressing by winning a few knockout games at the very least.

Conor Spence

Continue reading on the next page…

Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com

We’re certainly Putting on the Style with the new promotion from Celtic Star Books. David Potter’s final book – Celtic in the Eighties – has been selling wonderfully well since its launch earlier this month. It is by far our fastest-ever seller. Order one of the last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties and Danny McGrain will sign it for you PLUS you’ll receive a copy of David Potter’s wonderful book on Willie Fernie as a free gift.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has now signed the final batch of Celtic in the Eighties. Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny and a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.

Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.