Jens Berthel Askou is a quick learner in the ways of Scottish football.
He used four League Cup ties to impose a brand of football that few thought possible on the Motherwell squad.
This season the Fir Park side are the most watchable side in Scotland.
Today they are sitting in fourth place in the SPFL Premiership table. Five points ahead of Hibs with a game in hand, 16 points clear of Aberdeen.
Only the lack of a clinical striker has denied Motherwell top place. After 25 SPFL matches they have lost just 18 goals. Nico Raskin’s goal last night was the first conceded at Fir Park since October.
Askou knows his stuff. He isn’t a fantasist like Wilfried Nancy or Russell Martin. He is a pragmatist that delivers results.
Which makes it very very frustrating when his success is being hindered by Scottish referees.
ASKOU ON THE RECEIVING END
In two matches against Danny Rohl’s side the Fir Park boss has found himself up against Scotland’s most formidable opponent.
David Dickinson and Greg Aitken at Ibrox in December, last night it was over to Steven McLean and John Beaton. Spot The Difference?
At Ibrox it was a big decision, an obvious call. In the 87th minute Manny Fernandez chopped Lukas Fadinger deep inside the penalty box. Three weeks later Dickinson conjured up a penalty against Aberdeen when Djeidi Gassama decided to take a tumble.
PATTERNS OF ASSISTANCE
At Fir Park last night things were less obvious. But there was a pattern, you could call it the Dickinson Pattern. Those marginal issues going in a certain direction.
The free kicks and bookings. They tally up. Getting some early fouls in unpunished when you area goal up contributes.
Then your opponent feels the full force of the Laws of the Game. Fadinger was justly sent off for a dangerous attack on Mikey Moore. We know how it would have been viewed if the contact had been reversed.
Dickinson’s performance at Ibrox alerted Askou. Going into last night’s match he knew the impact of James Tavernier in the Rohl Revolution!
Straight after the match is when you are mostly likely to get the truth from manager’s. Askou didn’t disappoint
🗣️ “Absolutely sensational performance from start to finish”
🟥 “The intensity and intentions of the tackle were not worse than many of the tackles we received”Jens Berthel Askou believes Motherwell “dominated” in their draw with Rangers ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/wvuvOKQ7r0
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 11, 2026
POST MATCH- LIVE ON SKY SPORT
The Motherwell boss said:
They had to [concede] one free-kick after another to stop us. I was surprised that they didn’t get more yellow cards in the first half, and I don’t think it’s good enough.
It’s an absolutely top game, probably the best game you can get in Scottish football right now, and you get to play that cynical?
I think it’s a shame for the game, that’s the reason why there weren’t more goals in the game.
We didn’t let frustration take over, we stuck in it and adjusted a few things at half-time and knew there would be chances in the second half.
Askou isn’t on the Scottish managerial circuit.
He doesn’t fit into jobs between shifts on Sportsound or Sportscene.
This is likely to be his only season in Scottish football. In the summer there is bound to be a progressive European club prepared to give him a bigger stage. An even platform to test his coaching and managerial ability.
AN OUTSIDER SPEAKS OUT
Askou speaks refreshingly about the big taboo in Scottish football. Looking around the Premiership managers none of the others would dare call out the issues obstacles that they face in one particular fixture.
Craig Levein did it once in 2008. He spent the rest of his managerial career retreating from those comments on the Revered Mike McCurrie.
The Willie Collum and Gordon Duncan double act will be out soon, possibly tomorrow to whitewash over recent refereeing issues.
That VAR Review is a selfless act of self promotion. Collum as a regular football guy only wanting the best. Duncan drawing in the cash from Radio Clyde, Sky Sports and the SFA.
Conflicted? You bet he is.
The current show will continue through until May.
Celtic’s self destruction has been a major factor to this ‘thrilling’ title race. They have made the routine honest mistakes witnessed every week relevant.
Neil Doncaster recently popped up on Sky Sports prospecting over a final day decider for the title.
But where would the SFA deploy McLean, Beaton and Dickinson on that day while Aitken and Andrew Dallas keep close control in the VAR Room?
In other words stop giving rangers penalties everytime there struggling ,
Dropped points in 2 games recently hibs and motherwell , what do they both have in common ?
They haven’t been given penalty for nothing..
Souttar handball last night was stonewall motherwell penalty
— col mcm (@McmCol) February 12, 2026
RELATED READING
