Celtic Vs Motherwell: O’Donnell Says Askou Has Instilled Belief Ahead Of Trip
Motherwell defender Stephen O’Donnell says belief from manager Jens Berthel Askou has galvanised the squad as they prepare for Celtic Vs Motherwell, a match that pits two sides with very different recent trajectories against one another.
Celtic Vs Motherwell: O’Donnell on belief after the Dundee defeat
O’Donnell conceded the recent 2-1 loss to Dundee — Motherwell’s fourth league defeat of the campaign — hurt, but he stressed it had not dented confidence. He said the squad remains convinced it can push for a European place and would be disappointed if they failed to finish in Europe after an impressive season to date.
Pointing to moments that have helped build trust in Askou’s approach, O’Donnell recalled critics’ reaction to a goalkeeping pass from Calum Ward and how the manager’s calm defence of his players has fostered buy-in. He insisted the team are confident without being over-confident, adding: “I’m not any more confident in my ability as a footballer. I’m not any quicker, I’m not any better on the ball, but I’ve got a belief that the manager has given us and I think we’re capable of delivering that. “
O’Donnell underlined the collective focus under Askou: the manager emphasises what players bring to the team rather than singling out individuals, a stance that has helped the squad maintain belief despite a challenging run-in full of top-six opponents.
Celtic’s upheaval and the context behind the meeting
Celtic arrive at this fixture having had a turbulent season that included three managers, fan disruptions and inconsistent results. Brendan Rodgers opted to leave his managerial position in late October because of a breakdown in relations with the board. Martin O’Neill then took charge on an interim basis and won all of his five matches, briefly steadying the club’s form.
A subsequent period under Wilfried Nancy proved difficult; Nancy lost six and won just two of his eight matches before being dismissed after 33 days, the shortest reign in the club’s history. O’Neill returned for a second spell and has overseen improvement: Celtic have won six, drawn two and lost one of nine league games under his recent stewardship and progressed to the semi-finals of the Scottish FA Cup, overcoming Rangers on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Injury and suspension issues will affect selection. Celtic are without Jota, Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum Osmand, Adam Montgomery and Arne Engels through injury, while Auston Trusty is suspended.
What the match means for both sides and the closing run-in
Motherwell sit fourth and are five points behind Celtic, a position that leaves European qualification a realistic target if the squad can maintain form. O’Donnell acknowledged the remaining fixtures will be tough — his side face top-six teams across the final run of games — but argued past results have shown the players can compete.
Motherwell’s memorable recent results include a 2-0 win over Celtic at Fir Park in their last meeting, and a narrow defeat at Celtic Park earlier in the campaign that O’Donnell singled out as galvanising for squad belief. He stressed the team will strive for wins and clean sheets but also recognise that perfection is not always possible.
Both teams have clear short-term goals: Celtic will aim to keep pace with the leaders as they head into the post-split period, while Motherwell want to convert their season’s form into a top finish and European football. The match therefore carries significant implications for league positions and momentum as the campaign approaches its decisive phase.
More clarity on lineups and tactics will emerge closer to kick-off, but the headline for now is the contrasting narratives: Celtic seeking stability after managerial upheaval, and Motherwell buoyed by a squad unified behind Askou’s message.
