Jens Berthel Askou praises Celtic’s recovery after ‘difficult spells’ this season

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·11 de março de 2026

Jens Berthel Askou praises Celtic’s recovery after ‘difficult spells’ this season

Jens Berthel Askou has commended Celtic for navigating what he described as a challenging period as Motherwell prepare to travel to Glasgow this weekend…

The Danish boss – who picked up the Premiership Manager of the Month award for February – guided his side to victory the last time the teams met, securing a 2–0 triumph at Fir Park in December.

Almost three months later, Motherwell will take on Martin O’Neill’s version of the Celtic side, having already faced teams led by Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy earlier in the campaign.

Vídeos OneFootball

Speaking via Sky Sports, Askou said: “Of course it is [a chance to impress]. But it is also just a chance to get another three points, which is what we are chasing every week, because we know we need them to be where we are as a football club.”

Jens Berthel Askou. Motherwell 1-1 theRangers. Scottish Premiership. Fir Park, 11 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“We are competing for positions in the Premiership that will take us on a European journey next year. That is not secured yet, so we need a lot of points in this league.”

“We have been able to compete and also win now, as we’ve shown the last couple of times we’ve played against the best. We need that belief again when we show up at Celtic Park on Saturday.”

On Celtic’s two recent Glasgow Derby encounters, Askou said: “The Glasgow Derbies are special games, and are games with extreme intensity, both on and off the pitch, which creates a very specific emotional and intense state, which blocks some of the complexity in the game, but makes the game more emotional and direct.”

Tomas Cvancara celebrates scoring the penalty that takes Celtic into the semi-finals. Scottish Cup quarter final on Sunday 8 March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou

“I’ve seen a lot of Celtic when they have played non-derby games, and they have emotionally controlled more matches. It is a club that has fought really, really hard and done extremely well to come back on top, after some really difficult spells this season.”

“They have played a lot of games, spent a lot of energy, and now they have come out on top the other day. We need to make sure we are at our very best, because it’s a team that can create a lot of pressure, especially at home.”

🗣️ "I'm part of a club that is doing well" 🏆 Targeting a "European journey" 🟢 Celtic praise after "really difficult spells" Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou on his manager of the month award for February, the title race, facing Celtic on Saturday and more ⤵️
– terça-feira, 10 de março de 2026

Jens Berthel Askou remains the front-runner for the vacant Celtic manager’s job in the summer.

Conor Spence

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