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Lukas Fadinger looks ahead to Saturday’s match against Hearts and believes based off recent meetings, that it’ll be a tight match. 

Fadinger explains what he’s learned from his first season in Scotland.

Jens Berthel Askou addresses the recent run of form, as Motherwell go the league leaders searching for their first win in four matches. 

The Motherwell manager also gives his opinion on the split in the Scottish Premiership.

Jens Berthel Askou has provided the latest team news ahead of Saturday’s trip to Tynecastle.

“We’ll check Eythor [Bjørgolfsson] tomorrow,” the Motherwell manager explained.

“He had a little thing just before the last game, and we’ve been pushing to get him ready for Saturday. It’s going in the right direction, but we’ll make a final call tomorrow. Liam Gordon is back in full training. Callum Hendry is back in full training.

“Johnny [Koutroumbis] is progressing well. Regan Charles-Cook will be back in training from next week, so that’s some really positive news that we’re getting players back fit.”

Northern Ireland Senior team

The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers await the Northern Ireland Women’s National team this month, with Manager Michael McArdle selecting a 23-player panel for a home and away tie against Malta.

The squad are still awaiting their first victory of League B Group 2, with Switzerland and Turkey both level on six-points, as they chase qualification to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Named in the 23-player squad is forward, Keri Halliday, who has proven to be a bright spark since arriving in ML1. A magnificent strike on her debut swiftly opened her Motherwell account, with Halliday playing a crucial role in successive victories over Aberdeen, Montrose and Hamilton Accies.

Scotland Under-19s

Gary Doctor has named his squad that will compete in the UEFA European Championship Round Two Qualifiers this month. Scotland are aiming for a place in the last-eight in Bosnia and Herzegovina this summer, with the National team set to face a triple-header of fixtures.

The young team will play Austria, North Macedonia and Norway, as the squad seek to continue their unbeaten record in the qualifying round after victories over Belgium, Croatia and the Netherlands.

Amongst the 20-player squad, midfield duo, Sophie Townsley and Mia McArthur will both retain their place in the squad after supporting the side to victories in February.

Scotland Under-23s

The finishing line is in sight for the Scotland Women’s Under-23 squad, who will depart Scotland for Murcia, Spain this month for the final two competitive fixtures that will decide the final standings of this year’s inaugural European competition.

They will face both France, and either the USA or Denmark in the final fixture of the campaign.

Named in the 20-player squad, defender Jenna Penman will retain her place in the squad after receiving a late squad selection for the previous round over a month ago. Joining her on the flight to the Spanish coast will be midfielder, Mason Clark, who received her late squad selection following Kenzie Weir’s late addition for the Scotland senior team.

Our final five fixtures of the season have been confirmed. 

Our first post-split fixture will be at Ibrox on Sunday 26 April, before travel to Falkirk six days later on Saturday 2 May. Our first home post-split fixture takes place on Saturday 9 May against Hearts at 8pm live on Sky Sports.

It’s back-to-back home fixtures as we face Celtic in our final home match of the season on Wednesday 13 May at 8pm. We round off our season at Easter Road on Saturday 16 May.

All relevant match and ticket information will be confirmed in due course. TV selections for the final two matches of the season will be announced in the coming weeks.

• Sunday 26 April
• Rangers v Motherwell (3.00pm)

• Saturday 2 May
• Falkirk v Motherwell (3.00pm)

• Saturday 9 May
• Motherwell v Heart of Midlothian (Sky Sports, 8.00pm)

• Wednesday 13 May
• Motherwell v Celtic (8.00pm)

• Saturday 16 May
• Hibernian v Motherwell (12.30pm)

Jon Obika’s coaching career may be in its early years, but the journey so far has been littered with learning. 

Retiring from his playing career in the summer of 2024, Obika wasted no time in diving head-first into the next stage of his life. Joining the coaching staff under then-Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell, Obika began to learn on the job.

That first season as a coach would show Obika first-hand the pressures and changes football as an industry can bring. Kettlewell would depart in January 2025, and his replacement, the unknown Michael Wimmer, would arrive the following month.

But the German would depart just months later, leaving Obika a tad concerned for what would come next.

“There was concern in the summer, no doubt about it,” Jon Obika said.

“Michael Wimmer and Ahmet [Koc] were only here for a few months, and I just didn’t see them leaving coming. So, when the club was on the hunt for a new manager, you’re just not sure what type of manager will be coming in.

“Obviously, I’ve worked and played under so many different managers, and they all have different characters and different demands. But when the gaffer came in, he just didn’t even need time. He hit the ground running, and because he’s such a tactician and a man-manager, I’m learning something every day.

“When we found out he was going to be the new manager, the first thing I did was research. I wanted to find out what type of shape he likes, players he’s worked with and where he’s been. It allows me to find out if there are players I know that he’s maybe encountered, and I can get a feel for what he’s like.

“The gaffer called me as soon as he was announced as manager. I think he phoned every member of staff, and you could see really early on the sort of touch he had and the type of person he is. It wasn’t because he had to do that, but it was because he wanted to. It just settled everyone.

“And you can see the difference those little things have made. For example, the fact that Max Rogers and the manager hadn’t worked together prior to Motherwell, or even known of each other, for them to have built up such a smooth operation and made it such a healthy environment to work in is hugely impressive.”

From that first phone call, it wasn’t long until the new manager was in the building and starting to get to work on the season ahead.

Early on, Obika was impressed. Having coached at some big clubs like FC København, IFK Göteborg and Sparta Prague prior to his arrival in North Lanarkshire, the Motherwell first-team coach could tell that he had operated at the highest level.

“I’d even say the body language of players going into games has been impressive,” Obika explained.

“And that’s because they believe in the system that he has implemented here. It’s not an easy thing to do, especially when players aren’t used to this approach. But he’s so clear in his speech, and he makes it clear for the players. He’s made something that may seem difficult look very easy.

“I think that’s his strength. He’s so adaptable. For every opposition we come up against, there’s a different plan, and it can be our same style but just with small tweaks. There are things I’d have never thought of in my mind going into a game, so anytime he says something in a meeting or a conversation, I’m trying my best to write it down because I feel it could be something I could learn from.

“Some of the things I’m not even sure I could learn in a course or anything. So, I feel very privileged to work with him.”

Many players in the current have spoken openly about their shock and doubt when they first saw the plan for the system. The bravery and risk involved took some aback.

And it turns out, it wasn’t just the players who felt this way.

“When I think about when I was a player, the last time I played free-flowing football with dominant possession was Spurs,” Obika added.

“But even then, you had Arsenal and Man United, who were dominant too. It can be hard to implement that approach, and for a large part of my career, I wasn’t playing the way I wanted to play.

“The bravery the manager brings to his staff and to the players is impressive. We’re going into every game believing this is our style; we won’t alter it, and we’re going to put our stamp on the game.

“At the start, your mind is still in the Scottish football mindset. It was very difficult to see how it would work. But when you start to work with him, these things are ironed out very quickly, and there’s no panic from there.

“He holds himself so well around the place; there’s no fear, and that rubs off on everyone.”

Now working under his third manager at Motherwell, Obika has had to learn, adapt and implement various coaching philosophies, with every manager having their own preference on how they want things to operate.

But all these hurdles have been navigated so far, and the former Tottenham man is loving life in the dugout.

“I feel, as a player, I adapted to different environments,” he stated.

“I certainly wasn’t set in one way, and that probably comes from going out on loan so many times. You understand different characters and different people. It’s a people’s game, so the changes here have felt quite smooth for me.

“As a coach now, the demands of the different tactics change. If the manager wants something, it’s about how I bring this out of a player and ensure they follow the instruction.

“Sometimes it’s the language used. Even if I’m speaking in front of the players, it’s important I still have my own sort of stamp on things, but the language must be the same as that of the manager. And that language changes depending on who is in charge.

“And that’s the learning curve, and I’ll continue to improve on that going forward. There are so many years still to go for me in my coaching career. I feel there’s never going to be a time where you’ve grasped everything. I’m always going to be a student in that sense even when I’m 20 years down the line.

“I see the manager as an elite manager so you learn fast, and that’s helped me so much this season.”

He might be in the infancy of his coaching career, but Obika’s mind has often wandered about the future now he’s hung up the boots.

It’s only natural for him to think about what the future may hold, but that mindset is something foreign to him.

“I do think about what’s still to come, which is so strange because as a player I didn’t think about the long-term future at all,” he laughed.

“All I was thinking about was the next game when I was playing, and then when you finish and you’re now in the building around people, you just know this is what you want to be doing in the future.

“But I need to keep working under managers who inspire and motivate me. I want to be able to implement my own game also. I have loved football since I was a very young boy. But I also enjoy working with people and making them feel their best.

“I love going into the schools and speaking to the students about my journey and getting to know them. I feel like it’s something important that I should be doing.

“It’s always something I’ve wanted to do, and it’s where my career has gone to now, and working with a first-team environment, I never wanted to leave the youngsters behind. Even the young players in our squad – there are so many things to learn in that age group or younger.

“So, if they’re aspiring footballers or athletes, it’s important for them to understand the importance of their own character. That’s something that’s vital, and the earlier they understand that, the better. I always wanted to give something back to those in our community.”

As we enter April, the end of the season begins to creep ever closer, and the coaching staff at the club need to ensure that all the players are on board for the final push to the finish line.

With so much at stake, messaging from the staff could play a crucial role in the hunt for European football.

“The message has been to be who we are, and that’s been consistent all season long,” the 35-year-old explained.

“It gives the players that sort of belief that we can continue rising up that table. There’s no fear about any team, but that messaging is so the players can focus on themselves.

“I’ve been in teams as a player where you start focusing on everything around you, and the performance levels can dip. The Gaffer talks about Motherwell and our circle. He says we focus simply on building on ourselves.

“As a player, it’s always about the next game. That approach has served us so well to this point, so I don’t see why we would alter that now. That’s always the focus from now until the end of the season.”

Motherwell travel to league leaders Hearts in their final match before the split in the William Hill Premiership on Saturday 11 April. 

Kick off is 3pm at Tynecastle.

How to Follow the Game

TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.

All tickets for this game are physical so they must be collected at Fir Park prior to the game or can be posted out. Postage will be available until Tuesday 7 April.

Two teams who have received an abundance of praise for their style of play and approach to matches all season faced off against each other at Fir Park, with Motherwell looking to pick up their first win in three matches with a win over Falkirk. 

The last away side to come away from Fir Park was Falkirk, 12 games ago, back in October, and they started in the best way possible to make that back-to-back wins, with Barney Stewart continuing his dream season in the Premiership, scoring inside five minutes.

Tawanda Maswanhise was bundled over in the box, but to the bemusement of everyone, referee Duncan Nicholson waved play on, and VAR stayed silent in what would have been a pivotal moment in the match after just seven minutes.

Elliot Watt levelled the game with a scintillating volley from outside of the box, but Falkirk restored their advantage before the break.

Motherwell tried to bring the game back to level, but when Ibrahim Said was judged to have fouled inside the box, Calvin Miller was presented with the chance to finish the game from 12 yards and made no mistake.

Motherwell kept fighting and scored a consolation goal with the last kick of the ball through Maswanhise, but with factors outwith their control combining with a sublime Falkirk display, the Steelmen went down at home for the first time since October.

Motherwell continued their derby day dominance, defeating local rivals Hamilton for the sixth consecutive game – consigning the visitors to relegation from the Scottish Power Women’s Premier League.

Striker Carla Boyce continued her recent goalscoring form, powering home the opener midway through the first half, with midfielder Milly Boughton doubling the women of steel’s advantage less than a minute later.

Jenna Penman added her name to the scoresheet in the second half, forcing home a third from close-range. Boughton secured her brace, and Motherwell’s fourth in the latter stages of the game to complete a dominant display in East Kilbride.

Head Coach, Iain Robinson made three changes to the starting XI, with Rebecca Cameron returning in goal. Jenna Penman earned her place in the Motherwell backline, with Lucy Ronald partnering mason Clark in the Motherwell midfield.

After a controlled started to proceedings, the women of steel finally found the breakthrough on the 25^th-minute. Sophie Townsley drove with pace across the right flank before cutting back onto her left foot, clipping a delicate delivery into the Hamilton penalty area, with Boyce floating her header past Halliday in the Hamilton goal.

Almost straight from kick-off, Motherwell doubled their advantage. Townsley again the provider, working her way to the byline before drilling an enticing delivery across the face of goal, and Boughton calmly placed her right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner.

Boughton soon turned provider in the second-half, delivering a dangerous delivery across the face of goal, and Penman worked her way through the Hamilton backline before forcing home the Australian’s cross from close-range.

Boughton sealed the three-points in the latter stages of the game, curling home her corner kick over the head of Halliday to secure Motherwell’s sixth consecutive victory in the Lanarkshire derby.

Falkirk secured their spot in the top-six with a 3-2 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday afternoon. 

Motherwell were looking to extend their unbeaten run at home to 13 matches, but Barney Stewart opened the scoring from a free kick inside four minutes. Elliot Watt got the Steelmen back on level terms with an absolutely stunning volley on the edge of the box on 34 minutes.

Jens Berthel Askou’s side would only be level for ten minutes, with Ben Broggio capitalising on a mix-up when Motherwell were trying to break Falkirk’s press.

Duncan Nicholson was at the heart of the action when he pointed to the penalty spot for an infringement on Filip Lissah by Ibrahim Said, with Calvin Miller netting the subsequent spot kick just after the hour mark.

Tawanda Maswanhise netted a consolation goal with the last kick of the game, slotting past Scott Bain for his 22nd club goal of the season.

Following the final international break of the season, Jens Berthel Askou was forced into changes to his team. Callum Slattery served the first of his two-match suspension, with both Liam Gordon and Eythor Bjørgolfsson missing out, as well as Johnny Koutroumbis, Callum Hendry, Regan Charles-Cook and Zach Robinson.

The Motherwell bench was made up of five Motherwell Academy graduates, including 16-year-old Blane Watson, who was named amongst the substitutes for the first time.

With anticipation high ahead of kick-off that the 90 minutes would be filled with action between two exciting sides, it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken. After just three minutes, Miller whipped in a left-footed delivery from the left-hand side which found Stewart, who continued his fine form in front of goal.

The early setback didn’t seem to unsettle the Steelmen, who reacted positive to the early setback. Just minutes later, Elijah Just tested the reactions of Bain in goal, with the forward cutting inside on his right foot and having a go from distance, but the keeper was a match to the effort.

Motherwell were then unfortunate not to be awarded a spot kick on seven minutes. Just, again involved, set off chasing down the ball on the left wing and managed to get a cross into the box towards Maswanhise, who was brought down by Liam Henderson in the area. The Falkirk defender wiped out Maswanhise’s standing leg, but play was waved on by Nicholson, who missed the event.

The hosts continued to probe, knowing it would take something special to beat Bain, who looked alert between the sticks. And when the ball fell into Watt’s path on the edge of the box following a corner, the midfielder set himself and produced expert technique to catch the ball sweetly on the volley, which beat the keeper and drew his side level. 34 minutes gone and the game was level once again.

With momentum seemingly in Motherwell’s favour, Tom Sparrow was brought down in a promising position on the edge of the box as the Welshman latched onto a through ball. The free kick was awarded on the right-edge of the box, which favoured Just’s left foot. The New Zealand international got his effort on target, but once again, Bain was behind it.

But Falkirk stuck to their game plan, and when Watt was unable to find Calum Ward with his pass backwards, Broggio was there to pounce as Ward couldn’t connect with the ball, leaving an empty net for a tap-in right before the break.

At the start of the second-half, Motherwell looked to respond early. Longelo’s searching cross-field ball landed right into Sparrow’s path, as the utility man had got in behind the Falkirk backline. His control was perfect, but his effort on his weaker left side went way over the bar.

Falkirk were still looking threatening, however. Miller brought the ball down well under press from Paul McGinn. He swivelled to get away from the defender, and from 35-yards, spotted Ward off his line. His chipped effort was on target and needed to be touched onto the woodwork by a back-tracking Ward.

And just seconds later, Motherwell lost possession, and Keelan Adams found Broggio, looking for his second goal, in the area with a low ball. Once again, it had to be the last line of defence to prevent a goal, with McGinn on hand on the goal line to clear.

With wind in their sails, Falkirk were awarded a penalty kick just before the hour mark. A corner was delivered and then cleared by Stephen O’Donnell, but Nicholson pointed to the spot for Said’s apparent holding on Lissah. VAR decided not to intervene, and Miller made no mistake from the spot.

Motherwell made changes to try and get themselves back into the match, which left them vulnerable at the back. Dylan Tait was just off target with his strike, and substitute Ethan Ross cut inside and fired wide of the post.

But Motherwell kept on probing, with Just being denied once again from Bain, who palmed Just’s effort out for a corner in the latter stages. Maswanhise was unfortunate not to convert from Said’s cross, as Bain came rushing out to block the Zimbabwean’s attempt at goal.

Right at the death, Just swivelled in the middle of the pitch and slipped Maswanhise through on goal, and the forward made no mistake this time, dispatching it into the bottom corner. Only seconds remained, however, in the match as the referee blew for full time almost immediately after the restart, as Motherwell lost at Fir Park for the first time since October.

Motherwell Team: Ward, O’Donnell, McGinn, Welsh, Longelo, Watt, Fadinger, Sparrow, Just, Maswanhise, Said.

Motherwell Subs: Connelly, McGhee, Priestman, McAllister, Halliday, McColm, Watson, Nicholson, Ross.