Latest News

Manager Jens Berthel Askou wishes Lennon Miller and his family all the best for the future following his club-record transfer to Udinese. 

The Motherwell boss previews the match on Saturday, hoping his side can take another step closer to Hampden. He also provides the latest teams new from the Motherwell camp and explains his joy in securing Tawanda Maswanhise until 2028.

Jens Berthel Askou provided the latest squad update ahead of our trip to St Johnstone on Saturday. 

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Motherwell boss discusses a number of players and their availability this weekend.

“Apostolos had a little thing that we addressed last week,” the manager said.

“He is fine now and training. Johnny Koutroumbis and Liam Gordon had some minor issues, so they’re not ready for Saturday. We’ll assess that again next week.

“Jordan McGhee is back in full training next week, which is very positive. I look forward to getting him back on the pitch.

“Eseosa Sule has had surgery, and he will be out for several months. The surgery went well, and we hope for a speedy recovery.”

Tawanda Maswanhise has extended his contract at Motherwell. 

The 22-year-old Zimbabwe international has penned a new deal that will see him remain at the club until the summer of 2027, with the club holding an option of a further year.

“Since joining Motherwell FC a year ago, Tawanda has made huge strides in his development,” manager Jens Berthel Askou added.

“His speed and aggressiveness pose a constant threat to any defence in the league, both in and out of possession, and his start to this season has been nothing short of impressive.

“He has shown a strong desire to improve and an excellent ability to use his strengths for the benefit of the team. We have high expectations that he will be an important and decisive player for us in the season ahead, and we’re delighted to have extended his contract.”

Maswanhise has made a breathless start to his 2025/26 season, scoring four goals in the group-stage of the Premier Sports Cup. His efforts earned him the player of the month award for July.

The winger arrived 12 months ago and has made 40 appearances so far, scoring ten goals.

“I have truly enjoyed my time here,” Tawanda Maswanhise expressed.

“Ultimately, I wanted to stay, and signing this deal was a straightforward choice. The fans, players, and staff are all fantastic. I’ve felt valued by everyone, which motivates me to keep contributing my best.

“I will keep working hard and giving my all for this football club. It’s an exciting time.”

We can confirm Lennon Miller has joined Udinese for a club-record transfer fee.

The fee will remain undisclosed as per the confidentiality clause within the agreement; however, it substantially surpasses the previous record fee set when David Turnbull joined Celtic in 2020 and contains various contingent fees including a sell-on.

“Motherwell is all I’ve ever known,” Lennon Miller said.

“It’s been my home since I was a young boy, and I’ve achieved my dream of playing in the first-team, playing in the big stadiums and wearing the armband.

“My thanks goes to all the supporters for taking me in. The support up and down the country every week has been exceptional. For all the coaches I’ve worked under and who have helped me improve as a player and as a man, thank you. I simply wouldn’t be here without their guidance and support.

“To all the players who I’ve played alongside with, and for all the kind words they’ve said about me, thank you. My teammates have helped me through everything and allowed me to play with freedom.

“I want to also express my appreciation to all the staff behind the scenes at the club. Some are still there, some have moved on, but they all work so hard to keep the place going. You may not see first-hand the hard work and sacrifices they make, but having been in the building all these years, I can’t thank them enough for everything they do.

“This is a new chapter in my life, and I move on filled with excitement. I may not be at Fir Park to cheer on the boys, but I’ll be watching and following from afar. The club has a big place in my heart, and I will always be grateful. I wish all the lads the best for the rest of the season.

“Mon the Well.”

Miller, a product of the Motherwell Academy, has been within the ranks at the club since the age of seven.

Consistently impressing and playing above his level, Miller went on to become the youngest-ever player in our 139-year history when he appeared as a second-half substitute against Inverness in the League Cup in 2022 at the age of 16.

From then, he has gone from strength to strength and established himself as a first-team starter under Stuart Kettlewell. He scored his first professional goal against Elgin City in the Viaplay Cup in July 2023 and started every match in the 23/24 Premiership season until he was ruled out through injury.

Signing a new deal running until the summer of 2026, during that layoff, he made his return to action and went on to win the club’s Young Player of the Year award and was nominated for SFWA Young Player of the Year.

During the 24/25 season, he has continued his development in the first team. Adding goals and assists to his game, he would make history by becoming the youngest-ever Motherwell captain at 18 years old when he led the side out at the national stadium against Rangers in the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup.

He would go on to captain the side on ten occasions before fracturing his ankle in December 2024, ruling him out for two months.

The injury didn’t derail a successful campaign, as Miller scooped the Motherwell Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Coaches’ Player of the Year awards. He also won the SFWA Young Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards.

After receiving all the praise and recognition for his performances in the 2024/25 season, he soon made his first senior Scotland appearance against Iceland in a friendly. A second-half substitute, he was handed his first start just days later, where he notched an assist in an impressive 90-minute display against Liechtenstein.

The 18-year-old made 76 appearances for the club in total.

“The time was right for all parties for Lennon to make the next move in his career,” Chief Executive Brian Caldwell added.

“He is an example of the pathway and model that exists at Motherwell and is a huge success story for everyone associated with the club.

“The sell-on included ensures we will be compensated should Lennon go on to a fruitful career beyond this move, something that was crucial for us.

“My thanks go to Lennon for his professionalism throughout this lengthy process, and I hope he goes on to have a successful and healthy career in the game.”

The club thanks Lennon for his immense contribution, and we wish him the very best for the future.

Motherwell take a break from league action and turn their attention to the Premier Sport Cup on Saturday 16 August, taking on St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park. 

Kick off is 3pm.

How to follow the game

You can buy tickets online by clicking here.

Ambulant disabled supporters: buy online – age appropriate price.  Where an ambulant disabled supporter requires a personal assistant, please select an additional seat and choose PA (personal assistant) from the dropdown list before adding to your basket.

Wheelchair supporters: age appropriate price – please contact ticket office on 01738 459090 (option 1) to purchase.

There are a limited number of disabled parking bays for visiting fans to book in advance. Please email DAO@perthsaints.co.uk to book or to enquire.

The Supporters Bus running from Fir Park is now sold out. 

The Cooper Bar will be open from 11:30am for refreshments, with the coach leaving promptly at 1:15pm.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only. Please note, the commentary will be St Johnstone’s own commentators.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell remain unbeaten in competitive action under Jens Berthel Askou. A 0-0 draw in Paisley on Saturday meant it’s been two draws from the two opening league matches.

Ibrahim Said earned his first start in Motherwell colours, with Stephen O’Donnell and Paul McGinn chosen to be the centre-back pairing.

These two sides met five times last season, three of which took place at McDiarmid. Motherwell got the better of Saints on three of those occasions. The last meeting ended in a 3-2 win for the Steelmen, with Slattery and Sparrow getting on the scoresheet either side of an own goal.

Opposition Report

This is a new-look St Johnstone side, who have signed 12 players following their relegation to the Championship. 16 players departed the club, with a further five players returning to their parent clubs following the expiry of their loan deals.

Simo Valakari’s side have made a powerful start to their competitive season. Playing four matches in the Premier Sports Cup and two matches in the Championship, they have won all six games, conceding four goals and scoring 21 times.

They topped their group with 12 points, beating East Kilbride, Inverness CT, Elgin City and Raith Rovers to be seeded in the Last 16 draw.

Jens Berthel Askou’s first away game in the William Hill Premiership was in Paisley, against St Mirren. Ahead of the match, the Motherwell boss wanted to see his side be adaptable in their game model as the team geared up for a different type of challenge. 

All the positive signs were there for the Steelmen, as they dominated possession and created plenty chances against Stephen Robinson’s side. Ibrahim Said, Callum Slattery, Tawanda Maswanhise and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos all had chances, but couldn’t convert.

Having 70% of the ball, the 927 travelling fans were enthused by what they were seeing on the pitch and despite not taking all three points, walked out of the stadium full of optimism.

Jens Berthel Askou gives his reaction to the goalless draw with St Mirren in Paisley.

Motherwell travelled west on Saturday afternoon in their second William Hill Premiership match of the season, drawing 0-0 with St Mirren. 

Jens Berthel Askou made two changes from the side that drew with Rangers on the opening day. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Liam Gordon came out of the starting 11, with the former dropping to the bench, in place of Stephen O’Donnell and Ibrahim Said.

The first chance of the afternoon fell to the hosts. Inside the first minute, a lofted ball into the box was met by the head of Kieran Phillips; he headed it down into the path of St Mirren captain Mark O’Hara, who blazed high and wide of Calum Ward’s goal.

The gusty conditions made it a difficult afternoon to keep passes accurate. Chances were limited in the opening exchanges.

Motherwell’s first big chance arrived on 20 minutes. Good play between the Well midfield sent Slattery away on the right wing; he slipped the ball through for Said who cut into the area and saw his effort saved by Shamal George.

Just before the half-hour mark, Johnny Koutroumbis had a go on the volley from the edge of the box, but his effort was never troubling the keeper.

Maswanhise went close on 34 minutes. He latched onto a through ball, beat Marcus Fraser for pace and curled an effort past the far post.

Motherwell were forced into their first alteration before the interval. Johnny Koutroumbis went down and had to be replaced, with Tom Sparrow coming on in his place.

On 44 minutes, Emmanuel Longelo intercepted a pass and drove forward. He gave the ball to Elijah Just, who was seemingly trying to find Said at the back post with his cross, but the wind diverted the ball and it fell just past the post.

With the game level at 0-0 going into the second half, both sides would have fancied their chances at taking all three points. Motherwell started brightly; Said was in a promising position after a counter-attack, but he couldn’t get a shot away. Longelo’s cross caused havoc moments later, with St Mirren desperate to clear anywhere.

On the hour mark, the Motherwell backline presented St Mirren with their best chance of the game. Ward’s pass was cut out and intercepted. O’Donnell managed to get a block in for the first effort, but O’Hara had a go with the second, but it was diverted for a corner.

Playing a slightly different position through the middle, Mawasnhise was latching onto any scraps. He won a foul on 63 minutes, tussling and getting the better of Fraser to win a free kick 25 yards out. Slattery lined it up and saw his precise effort saved by George.

On 67 minutes, Evan Mooney shot wide from Keanu Baccus’ cross.

On 77 minutes, Ward had to make an excellent save from Alex Gogic’s header. The Motherwell stopper did well to tip it over the bar.

As the game entered the closing stages, the match hung in the balance. Stamatelopoulos did everything he could to get on the end of Slattery’s cross, but he didn’t get the connection to trouble George.

With three minutes added, and the 927 travelling Well fans doing everything they could to cheer the team on, both sides continued to hunt for the winner, but neither could find the breakthrough.

Motherwell Team: Ward, Koutroumbis (42′), McGinn, O’Donnell, Longelo, Fadinger, Slattery, Watt, Just, Maswanhise (86′), Said (70′). 

Motherwell Subs: Oxborough, Balmer, Wilson, Gillies, Forrest, Halliday, Sparrow (42′), Ross (86′), Stamatelopoulos (70′).

Reliable defender Johnny Koutroumbis and fan favourite Tawanda Maswanhise talk us through the start of the Jens Berthel Askou era, as Motherwell kick off their 2025/26 competitive season in the group-stage of the Premier Sports Cup. 

Facing stiff tests against Clyde, Peterhead, Stenhousemuir and Morton in the Cup, July was rounded off with a competitive friendly against German giants Hertha BSC.

From the highs and lows to everything in between, Koutroumbis and Maswanhise break the first month of action down and provide insight into what they were thinking on the pitch.

We have secured extra tickets from St Mirren that will go on sale on Saturday 9 August at 10am.

These will be available on the link here.

If you have purchased tickets for the game but have been unable to collect them from the Fir Park ticket office, the Motherwell SLO Chris Thomson will be at the away turnstiles (North Stand) with your ticket for the match.

We’ll see you all in Paisley tomorrow, thank you for dedicated and unwavering support.