Out of contract Motherwell star eyes European tour spot as plane seat uncertainty surrounds Jens Berthel Askou

The Steelmen have finished fourth in the Premiership and clinched a Conference League second round qualifying position in July. Askou has brought a possession-heavy style, gaining many plaudits across the term, and whether he’s in the Fir Park dugout for those clashes on July 23rd and 30th has been plunged into doubt.

Ligue 1 side Toulouse have made an approach for the Motherwell manager but nothing has been agreed amid ongoing talks. Gordon wasn’t a regular starting XI member under Askou but was an important part of the squad, showing his quality in end of season matches against Hearts, Celtic and Hibs post-split. The former St Johnstone double winner is one of a few players out of contract at Fir Park and is in talks over a new deal at the side he first joined in 2024.

What can Motherwell expect in Europe?

He featured in Europe with Saints as they drew with Turkish giants Galatasaray and Austrian outfit LASK away from home in 2021, with those ties rankings amongst the centre-back’s favourite. His future has not been resolved but he’d loved to be involved on European away days again.

“I don't think anyone would want to turn down a European campaign, so we'll just see what happens and then take it from there,” Gordon said. “We’d gone over to Galatasaray and got a draw, which was crazy and we probably should have won it over there, which is quite hard to believe. When they came over here, there was levels to their game, wasn't it? They had some incredible players, which was unfortunate, but to go over there and get a draw, that was certainly the highlight.

“We obviously went over to Austria as well against LASK and that was another one, 1-1 first leg, had done the hard part and gave away a penalty. Probably should have came away with a victory then and unfortunately in that game I'd hurt my knee so I missed the second leg. That was the one if we won that we would have guaranteed European football till January. So that was a bittersweet memory but the European nights - you've seen them here plenty of times before. They just they're just a bit different, aren't they? And if the boys can get that back, which I'm sure we will for next season, then it's going to be a special place to be.”

Who do Motherwell want in Europe?

While they were eliminated off both their Turkish and Austrian foes, they were nights that will stick with Gordon forever. He now hopes Motherwell can have some of that by landing a major opponent at some point in their European journey.

“It’s memories that you'll cherish for the rest of your life that you can look back on,” added Gordon. “Who knows where we'll hopefully be next year, who we'll draw, but there's certainly ones that I always look back on really fondly and if you can land a big fish and go and have that experience then it's worth its weight in gold.”

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