Motherwell boss on intriguing test posed by Nancy’s bold tactics

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The Celtic Star

·30 décembre 2025

Motherwell boss on intriguing test posed by Nancy’s bold tactics

Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou has acknowledged the intriguing test posed by Wilfried Nancy’s bold tactical philosophy as his side prepares to meet Celtic this evening at Fir Park…

The Frenchman has steadied the ship in recent games, guiding Celtic to successive victories after a disastrous start to his tenure. However, defensive solidity has yet to arrive, with Celtic conceding 13 goals and still searching for a first clean sheet under his stewardship.

Meanwhile, Motherwell saw a strong defensive run brought to an end in a narrow 1-0 loss away to theRangers at Ibrox on Saturday. While they had gone seven matches without conceding prior to that defeat, Askou’s side have struggled at the other end of the pitch, drawing blanks in four of those fixtures.

Vidéos OneFootball

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

Speaking via Motherwell’s official YouTube channel ahead of tonight’s game, Askou said: “It’s going to be a game between two teams that are very dynamic and with a lot of rotations and a lot of interesting challenges that we can face each other with.

“From a tactical point of view it’s going to be a lovely challenge for us to produce some of the same quality like we did the other day and then this time hopefully show a little bit more sharpness when the opportunities come.

“They are growing as a team and they are finding more and more structure within whatever Nancy has brought to the team and they are starting to score more goals.”

The Motherwell boss added: “I see already that they’re starting to look sharper, more confident, more natural and they are converting more chances to goals and that has lifted their confidence. It’s going to be a big test for us to see if we can keep them from scoring.”

“They invest a lot of players in their attacking game and they rotate a lot within their structure, which means that sometimes on the counter-attack they end up in positions where the recovery is maybe a little bit more tricky than if they have a more rigid and firm structure.”

“It’s a challenge one way to deal with that and then it gives some opportunities the other way. There’s some risk-reward there that we need to see if we can make to our advantage.“

Conor Spence

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