Martin O’Neill has praised the work of Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou ahead of tonight’s meeting, while also suggesting the demands of managing Celtic are on an entirely different level.
Askou has emerged as the bookmakers’ leading contender to take charge at the Hoops after an impressive debut campaign at Fir Park, where he has guided Motherwell into the hunt for European qualification with an expansive style of play.
Although O’Neill’s men have beaten Motherwell twice at Celtic Park this season, the Hoops endured a difficult evening in Lanarkshire during their previous visit to Fir Park under Wilfried Nancy.
Speaking before the penultimate fixture of the league season, O’Neill acknowledged the impact Askou has made in a short space of time.
He said via Celtic’s official YouTube channel: “I think he’s done really well, really well. Yes, they play a nice brand of footballers as well too, but yes, he deserves a lot of applause.”
The Celtic manager also reflected on his side’s 2-0 defeat away to Motherwell in December, but stressed that expectations at the Scottish championship bring a completely different level of scrutiny.
He said: “It was a difficult day, yes. But since that there, we’ve been able to win the game against them at our place. It’s a difficult task.
“They play a really nice brand of football, and I think that they still want to try and qualify for Europe, I’m sure. But essentially, they’re not playing under that sort of pressure at Motherwell. You can do this, and you can play, and you can lose some matches and still have a really good season. It doesn’t happen at this club.”
O’Neill also pointed to Celtic’s recent momentum and the growing bond between the squad and supporters as key factors behind their six consecutive victories.
He said: “Yes, we’ve got some players who are playing in really good form, which is the most important thing.
“I think there’s a good connection with the team now and the fans. I think that’s been an important issue. I think Celtic Park on Sunday was kind of a reminiscent of my old days anyway.
“That’s been great. But we’ve gone away from home, we’ve won some big matches as well too. So I think just a combination of all of those things gives us a chance.”
Askou’s rise in management has attracted significant attention across Scotland following his rapid success at Motherwell.
The Dane spent most of his playing career in his homeland, although he also had spells in England with Norwich City and Millwall, where he developed a close relationship with former Ibrox boss Russell Martin.
His coaching career began in Denmark with Vendsyssel before he moved to the Faroe Islands, leading Havnar Boltfelag to a league and cup double.
A subsequent spell at Horsens earned him a move to Swedish side Goteborg, while later roles at Sparta Prague and FC Copenhagen further expanded his experience at a high level.
After helping Copenhagen secure the Danish title as assistant manager, Askou arrived at Fir Park, where his attacking philosophy and immediate results have quickly made him one of the most talked-about managers in Scottish football.
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