Jens Berthel Askou sees Motherwell transfer bonus within touching distance as way to unlock key star detailed

Attackers Tawanda Maswanhise and Elijah Just were both nominated for PFA Scotland Player of the Year amid an outstanding term for the Steelmen that saw five of their stars picked for Team of the Season. Askou himself has been lauded for a possession-focused style of play that’s put the team in fourth and Europe is within reach.

They will lock in a Conference League second round qualifier this summer on Saturday if Hibs are defeated by Falkirk and they avoid defeat against title-chasing Hearts. The likes of Just and Maswanhise have been linked to Rangers and Celtic but Askou insists continental football has a lure that may aid their summer transfer window.

What summer transfer business will Motherwell do this summer?

“When you experience success as a player, you want to try and use that, to take the next step,” said Askou. “But sometimes you can do that where you are already and take the next step. Obviously if we succeed in achieving a position in the league, that gives us European qualification games, then that's the next challenge for us as a club and especially this team and this group.

“To try and be successful there as well and see how far we can take that journey. It's not everyone here who has tried that. It's a very cool thing to reach out for right now and obviously something that will both be a very cool thing to be a part of for the players who are already here, but also when we're looking at a transfer market in the summer, and what business we need to do. Hopefully we have that to sell to a new player, that we can give you a platform also in Europe.”

Just won Motherwell’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year on Sunday in his first campaign since joining from Danish side Horsens last summer. Both Rangers and Celtic have been mentioned with moving for the New Zealand international bound for the World Cup this summer, given freedom by Askou to take ownership of Motherwell attacks. That bravery is something the boss sees as key to his style being implemented in perfect fashion.

How does Motherwell style of play work?

"I think for a player of his type, you need to play a certain way, that sets him up in positions,” explained Askou. “If we weren't brave enough at cutting, slicing balls through the centre and when the opposition tried to lift and press and we only went long every time, he wouldn't get in these positions where he really shines.

“If we didn't have a lot of possession in the final third, he wouldn't be able to be there. and link up with a lot of teammates and do stuff on his own as well. So obviously that has been a massive thing. Reversing it, if you really want to be successful playing the way we are, then you need players with his qualities and his character, who's always brave, always willing to want the ball, who can run all day long and who wants to run all day long, no matter if he has the ball or not.

“Who delivers quality in most of his actions. I think it's not really anything to do with Scottish football, it's universal. If you want to play football like we do, we need players with his qualities in these positions. It has been a fantastic match and hopefully he will finish at his strongest."

The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly