Tawanda Maswanhise is in red hot form in the Scottish Premiership and he is now setting his sights on continuing that run against league leaders Hearts. 

Maswanhise discusses the manager’s approach during the week, and how he has shifted mindset and style of play at the club.

Jens Berthel Askou has encouraged supporters to get down to Fir Park on Saturday, to help his players face off against Hearts who have a sold-out away crowd behind them.

The Motherwell manager discusses the culture he has implemented at the club, his thoughts on how quickly he has changed the style of play and how his players look to avenge the previous meeting between the sides.

He’s back in Scotland, a move he’s been keen to secure for a while. His partner has just given birth to their second child. He’s sharing a dressing room with two of his best friends. Life on paper has been very kind to Callum Hendry of late. 

The initial move to ML1 didn’t quite go according to plan, with the striker spending a number of weeks on the sidelines after an early setback. But things have been looking up, and Hendry is just relieved to have a smile back on his face again.

“I’m really enjoying it so far,” Hendry explained.

“It was the right decision for me, and I’m glad I made it. I feel like I’m getting a lot fitter and stronger now. I haven’t played a lot of football in the last year after the move to MK Dons. The family is settled. My Mrs is from Glasgow, and we’ve got two kids now, so it’s worked out really well.

“On the pitch, I’ve enjoyed where we’re going. The boys are amazing. It’s a great club, and we’re in a good spot. It was a big call for me to come here because I wasn’t playing football, and I’m not at the age where I can sit and not play. I needed to try and get myself into a team.

“I want to play where I can do well, and I feel like I’m not far away from doing that now. I made some big sacrifices to get here, but I think it’s important to be happy off the pitch, as it makes your job, football, training and games a whole lot easier. There are no negatives right now. I’m the happiest I’ve been for quite a few years.

“I spoke to Liam [Gordon] and Elliot [Watt] loads on the phone. It’s important to hear from them because they’re in it and they know what it’s like. I spoke to them about the style and about the gaffer. They sold it a little bit, but there’s only so much they can do in a sense because we’re best pals, and they’ll obviously want me to come. I’d be doing the same thing if it was the other way round.

“They gave me a feel for it, but speaking on the phone to the gaffer was huge. I watched a lot of games before I came, and I didn’t expect to see such good football in possession. I watched the Rangers game and was blown away. I came up for the weekend to watch the St Johnstone game.

“I thought we were excellent. It didn’t need selling to me because as soon as I became available, the first club on the phone was Motherwell, and it’s important in football to feel wanted. I know this league, and I prefer living in Scotland. I know Motherwell; I’ve played against them numerous times and scored against them too! Every time I’ve come here I’ve always thought it’s a good club.

“And I’ve quickly realised since I’ve signed that the people in and around the club are top. I think it’s just a Scotland thing. You don’t come across too many bad people up here.”

Now happy in his new home, Hendry takes us right back to the early days of his footballing journey. Coming through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers, a place his father Colin had a long affiliation with, Hendry’s path was littered with obstacles from a young age.

At the age of 15, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, which put him on the back foot from an early age.

“I was playing catch-up in academy football,” the striker said.

“Once I got back fit, I agreed with Academy Manager Eric Kinder that I should go out on loan, because I was big enough, but I was really lightweight and skinny, so I thought, ‘I don’t want to play catch-up in academy football because that doesn’t get you a job.’ We agreed I would go to Clitheroe in non-league.

“I loved it. Proper old-school football, just like the juniors up here. We’d meet up at night, and I’ll have had the day off, and these guys are coming straight from work or whatever. The games were massive for me. I didn’t realise how much work I had to do in the gym to be able to compete in the men’s game, let alone in a professional environment.

“But my time was cut short there because I did my ACL again. I got a tackle off a big meathead. Everyone knows what I’m like, and my dad shouts at me all the time for it, but I wanted to go in for the tackle with this big guy, and he’s munched me. That put me out for about 14 months or something.

“So it meant I missed loads of football growing up and loads of development, but that taught me a lot of lessons in the short time I was there because I realised if I’m goingto get anywhere, I needed to get bigger. And that gave me loads of time in the gym. Physically it helped me because I was in the gym loads and had ample time with the strength coaches working on things that I needed to work on that weren’t ball-related.

“Technical stuff was never an issue for me growing up; it was the physical side of the game. And then, mentally, it made me realise what I had to do to have a career in this game. It’s hard and helped me never take it all for granted. I just want to play football; that’s why this move came about, really. I could have sat at MK Dons on a really good contract, something I thought I’d never have anyway when I injured my knee at a young age.

“When I did my ACL the second time at Blackburn, I thought, ‘I’m never going to have a big career, and I’m not going to make any money. But there is so much more to football than money. Coming up here and being happy again, my family being content, working with a great group every day – that’s what I want. The injuries were maybe the biggest lesson in my career so far, and they were over ten years ago.”

As much as football has taught Hendry harsh lessons, off the pitch in his personal life he experienced the toughest of all moments. At just the age of 12, Hendry sadly lost his mum. A turbulent moment that saw him take a break from football, something his father was keen for the youngster to do.

“My dad says it was such a tough period and that I’ve done so well to make a career in football given everything I’ve been through,” Hendry stated.

“But I’ve never thought of it like that. Sympathy is not something I’ve ever wanted. Some people don’t have any parents, so I was lucky to have a mum for 12 years as well as my dad. The year out from Blackburn was actually my dad’s idea, and as much as my memory is a bit blurry from that time, I just remember enjoying football again with my mates.

“Some mates were ones I went to school with, some I grew up with and some were playing Sunday league, and I was just enjoying the game again. The year out helped me a lot because of that age. It helped me realise, once I went back to Blackburn in the Under 14 age group, the setup I was in was incredible. I’d think about coming into the setup after school, and there would be physios, gym instructors and staff everywhere, and I’m getting all this at 14.

“Losing Mum and doing my knees, in a very weird way, put me in good stead for the future, and I know she’d be proud, so I’m content with how I’ve done so far. But I’m nowhere near done; in fact, I feel like this is just the start.”

With his contract up and departing Blackburn Rovers in 2017, everything was up in the air for Hendry. Departing Ewood Park, a place he’d grown up in, the future was uncertain for the forward, and a career in the game was hanging in the balance.

“I was going to pack football after Blackburn released me,” he explained.

“And then Callum Davidson rang my dad and said that St Johnstone would take me for a week on trial. Went up at the end of the season, done well and signed a one-year. I actually made my debut against Motherwell, and I remember coming on, and I got absolutely bullied by Cedric Kipre. We went shoulder to shoulder in the corner, and he sent me into the stand!

“I was in and out of the squads under Tommy Wright, who I owe a majority of my career to. I went on loan to Brechin City, although that didn’t last long because I broke my wrist on Raith Rovers’ plastic pitch. So I got recalled, and then Tommy kept me in January despite me thinking I was going to be going back out on loan.

“Then I ended up scoring my first senior goal against Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup. Continued to be a bit in and out but scored a couple. Under Tommy it was hard because I was chomping at the bit because I’d been doing well, and I kept asking him about starting, and he would always knock me back, saying I’d get the nod when I was ready.

“And he was right! When he did start playing me, I started scoring. When Callum Davidson came in, it got difficult because I’ve known him since I was a kid. But to be fair to him, he gave me a run of games, but I just went on one of those runs as a striker where everything I was hitting was getting blocked, saved or not going in. I ended up going out on loan in January to Aberdeen.

“I thought it was the right move at the time, to go up there and play some games. It was okay, but Aberdeen were in a really bad spot at the time, but they’re another great club. Good people all around it. I’d just moved up there with my missus, as we’d just started going out, and the people were so nice and looked after us. I only started a few games, and then Derek McInnes left for Stephen Glass.

“That loan taught me a few things. It maybe made me realise that chomping to go to a club like that so quickly can also halt your career because I didn’t play as much as I would’ve liked. So I returned to St Johnstone, and Callum [Davidson] said I was going to be his starting striker. I did okay, but the team were struggling. We didn’t win many games, and Chris Kane worked his way into the team, so I went to Kilmarnock on loan with Tommy Wright, and that was a bit like Motherwell. I found love for the game again.

“Another great club, but I don’t think you get bad Scottish people; that’s why I love living up here. Killie was good for me; I scored a few goals, and I went back to Saints thinking this is my chance to make a good career. I realised that I could score quite a lot of goals, and I had a purple patch after that. Everything I was touching was going in. We managed to beat Inverness in the relegation playoff, and that summer I thought that was probably a good time to move on.

“They’ve done so much for me and rejuvenated my career, even though it took longer than I wanted it to.”

And having scored nine goals from February to May, stock in Hendry was high as he looked for his next move. But with the 27-year-old looking for a fresh challenge, he returned to England for the first time since leaving Blackburn in 2017 to join up with Salford.

“It was exciting,” he laughed.

“Me and my missus were all for it, and I think with the benefit of hindsight, it was the right move. I loved my time at Salford. That first season we got beat in the playoffs to go into League One. Living down there was fun. Manchester was great, and I met Elliot there. Stevie Mallan, who was at St Johnstone, was there too. Scored some goals, played well, and the second year was similar.

“Karl Robinson came in, who I speak to all the time, one of the best in the game. He looked after me, and even after I came back from injury and did well, MK Dons came sniffing, and a few teams wanted to put bids in. He made sure that it was a good move for me. At the time, it looked like it was a perfect move for me.

“It started well, but results turned. My MK career quickly changed, but that’s football. I’ve got some close pals from there still, but I don’t have any regrets about moving back to Scotland.”

An incredible journey, with lots of highs and lows along the way, Hendry has learnt a lot about himself, the industry he is in and what is most important to him through all the adversity he has faced.

“The performances, the money, the fame and all that stuff comes if you’re happy,” Callum Hendry added.

“It doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at. If you’re not happy playing football, you’ll struggle to be happy doing anything else because the thing with us as footballers is we live and breathe the game, and if the game isn’t going well, you can put a face on, and as much as you should separate family from football, we’re all human.

“You have to be patient and keep working hard because you’ll get a break. It got to a point at St Johnstone where I started to wonder if I’d get a break because I was going to quit, signed for St Johnstone and started going downhill, and wondered if I should have just walked away. But it changes so quickly, and now I’m thinking why I would ever give all of this up.”

And even this fresh outlook is true for Hendry currently. Biding his time, he scored his first Motherwell goal against St Mirren after hitting the bar and seeing efforts cleared off the line in previous games. But despite the chances and goals, he is jostling with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos for a spot in the forward line.

But the patience and competitiveness with the Australian doesn’t deter the friendship between the pair, who have struck up a close bond off the pitch.

“Everyone wants to play football; that’s just how we all see it,” the Motherwell man stated.

“You back yourself every time. I’ve got really close with Apostolos since I signed. We’ve been out a few times up the West End together and spent good time with him. He’s a good guy, but if we’re only going to play one striker at the minute, that spot is up for grabs, and I feel like I’m getting close to 100%, and he’s done well too this season.

“If we’re both at it every day and every game, it’s the perfect headache for the manager, and hopefully that means we’re going to get results at the top end of the pitch. That’s what we want for each other and the club too. It’s healthy competition.”

Crowds are up. Optimism is high. And the vision is clear. 

This season we saw 300 new season ticket holders join the journey at Fir Park, as the club embarked on an exciting and fresh voyage under Jens Berthel Askou.

An eye-catching and adventurous style of play has seen us reach the semi-final of the Premier Sports Cup, enter the top-six in the William Hill Premiership and enjoy spine-tingling moments together as one.

This is your chance to also see our new approach in action. Half Season tickets are now available to buy by clickinghere.

Our Half season tickets are the perfect Christmas gift for the Well fan in your life.

If you are on the home page of the ticketing website, you can click on ‘Season Tickets’ at the top right of the page, and this will take you to the Half season ticket purchasing section. We acknowledge this is slightly confusing but we are unable to change this for the time being.

With your half season ticket, you willguarantee your spot at Fir Park for TEN William Hill Premiership matches this season. And the good news doesn’t stop there.

Buying a half season ticket will save you money compared to buying a ticket for each individual match. There are savings of up to £58 to be made, the equivalent of over two match ticket prices. Our juvenile half Season tickets are available for just £30 – which is just £3 per match to back the Steelmen!

If two or moreadult half season tickets are purchased at the same time, then a 10% discount will apply.

Your half season ticket will also get you:

• Access to an open training session at Fir Park
• A whole range of discounts at various local stores and outlets
• Priority ticket access for away matches where restricted allocations are in place
• An opportunity to retain your seat for future seasons

This season, there is also the opportunity for you take advantage of our Centenary Suite half-time offer. This deal includes: 

• Access to suite pre-match
• Access to suite at half-time for traditional refreshments
• Access to suite at full-time for player post-match interviews

How to buy guide

Thinking this sounds like something you want to buy? Or buy as a Christmas present for someone?

It’s nice and easy to purchase and doing it online is the most efficient and straight-forward way to buy.

You can click here to buyonline.

If you are on the home page of the ticketing website, you can click on ‘Season Tickets’ at the top right of the page, and this will take you to the Half season ticket purchasing section. We acknowledge this is slightly confusing but we are unable to change this for the time being.

Alternatively, call us on 01698 333333 or email tickets@motherwellfc.co.uk.

Games eligible (all fixtures are subject to change):

• Motherwell v Celtic Sunday 30 December – 8pm Kick Off 
• Motherwell v St Mirren Saturday 3 January – 3pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Kilmarnock Saturday 24 January – 3pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Rangers Wednesday 11 February – 7:45pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Aberdeen Saturday 14 February – 3pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Dundee United Saturday 28 February – 3pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Hibernian Saturday 21 March- 3pm Kick Off
• Motherwell v Falkirk Saturday 4 April – 3pm Kick Off
• Guaranteed at least two further home fixtures post-split 

Discounts

Whilst you’re here…

We have a range of Black Friday deals that will be available to buy from Monday 24 November. 

Gifts

• Commemorative brick on the Davie Cooper stand – reduced from £55 to £40
• First Team Home Kit Sponsorship – reduced from £420 to £230
• First Team Away Kit Sponsorship – reduced from £410 to £220
• Training Top Sponsorship – 50% off – reduced from £340 to £170

Hospitality

Choice of two matches:

• Motherwell v Kilmarnock, Saturday 24th January 2026
• Motherwell v Aberdeen, Saturday 14th February 2026

Centenary Suite

Enjoy a 3-course meal in the Centenary Suite, half-time refreshments, a match ticket, a match programme, and a teamsheet with a pay bar facility. Player appearance and interview post-match.

Our special Black Friday prices are £45 for season ticket holders, £60 for non-season ticket holders and £20 for children (under 12s for a kid’s meal).

Centenary Suite Half-time

Match ticket in the Phil O’Donnell stand with refreshments served in the Centenary Suite at half-time. Access to the lounge pre-match and post-match. Player appearance and interview post-match.

Our special Black Friday price is £40 per person.

Cooper Box

Come in out of the cold and enjoy relaxed hospitality from the warmth and comfort of our Cooper Box. The package includes viewing the match from the box, half-time refreshments, a match programme, a teamsheet and 2 complimentary drinks per person.

Our special Black Friday prices are £45 for season ticket holders and £55 for non-season ticket holders.

LED Advertising

Bring your brand to electronic life with our new LED system on the John Hunter stand, directly across from the TV cameras at Fir Park.

Secure 3 minutes of advertising at the following matches for only £620 + VAT:

• Motherwell v Kilmarnock, Saturday 24th January 2026
• Motherwell v Aberdeen, Saturday 14th February 2026
• Motherwell v Dundee United, Saturday 28th February 2026

Motherwell were at their very best when Hibernian came to Fir Park. The Steelmen were aiming to make it 13 points from a possible 15 and move to joint third in the process. That’s exactly what they achieved. 

Tawanda Maswanhise broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, moving the Zimbabwean to the top of the goalscoring charts in the Scottish Premiership.

Elijah Just then doubled the advantage shortly afterwards, before Grant Hanley headed for an early shower before the first-half was out.

Free-flowing football was in no short supply, as Motherwell racked up 70% possession over the course of the night, completing nearly 800 passes also. With the Motherwell fans fully entertained and engrossed, the Steelmen powered to the finish line, setting up an almighty clash with league leaders Hearts this weekend.

The league leaders are in town on Saturday 29 November, as Motherwell take on Hearts at Fir Park. 

Kick off 3pm.

How to follow the game

You can buy tickets onlinehere.

• Young Adults tickets would ages 13-17.
•  Concessions are classed as, Over 65, Full Time Students, 18-21 Year olds.
• Juveniles would be 12 and under

On Match days, the Ticket Office is open from 11am – the ticket office is open until kick-off with no pay gate facility.

If you are outside the UK, you can watch the game via Motherwell TV.

Should you be in the UK, it will be live commentary only.

What else is happening?

Uddingston Pipe Band will be holding a bucket collection for this match.

The Cooper Suite will be open from 12 noon for food and drinks and one-hour post-match for those looking to avoid to the traffic. Home and away fans are welcome.

Beer Garden will be open from 12pm – 3pm.

Block E will hold its annual Christmas toy drive on Saturday 29th November.

Their toy collection point will be beside the club shop, outside the Cooper Stand and donations will be welcome from 1:30pm.

They are looking for any unused gifts up to age 16. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Motherwell’s Fortunes

Motherwell moved up to their highest league position of the season on Tuesday night, defeating Hibernian 2-0 at Fir Park. Collecting 13 points from their last 15 available, the Steelmen moved into joint-third position in the league table.

Tawanda Maswanhise also moved to the top of the goalscoring charts in Scotland, with the forward netting his 12th goal in competitions against Hibernian and making it three goals in two games.

These two sides have met once this season, with the game ending 3-3 at Tynecastle. It may have been a point collected, but it felt like a defeat as the Steelmen lost a three-goal lead on the day after Callum Slattery, Maswanhise and Emmanuel had put Motherwell in pole position.

Opposition Report

Derek McInnes arrived in the Hearts hot seat from Kilmarnock this summer, and the Jambos have caught all the headlines for the correct reasons. An outstanding start to the season sees Hearts top of the table, four points clear of Celtic.

Having drawn only three of their opening 12 games, with nine wins registered, Hearts suffered their first league defeat of the season in matchday 13 against Aberdeen last time out.

Lawrence Shankland has found his magic touch again this campaign, with the Scotland international scoring ten goals in all competitions to this point; however, he did miss Hearts’ last match at Pittodrie. Claudio Braga has also been an excellent piece of business for the Gorgie side, as the Portuguese forward has scored nine goals this season.

The manager gives his views as the Steelmen jump up to third with a comfortable 2-0 win over Hibernian at Fir Park.

Tawanda Maswanhise netted his twelfth goal of the season from the spot and Elijah Just doubled the home side’s lead in the first half.

Motherwell secured back-to-back wins in the William Hill Premiership after a thoroughly dominant display against Hibernian at Fir Park, defeating the Edinburgh outfit 2-0. 

Tawanda Maswanhise got his 12th of the season before Elijah Just doubled the Steelmen’s advantage. The Hibernian agony continued as Grant Hanley was shown a straight red card before the half-time break.

Coming into the game high on confidence, having picked up 10 points from a possible 12, Jens Berthel Askou freshened up the side and shape from the side that defeated Kilmarnock 3-1 just three days ago.

Tom Sparrow, Liam Gordon, Oscar Priestman, Elijah Just and Regan Charles-Cook were all handed starts, with Callum Hendry, Emmanuel Longelo, Lukas Fadinger, Ibrahim Said and Callum Slattery all dropping to the bench.

With the temperature sitting well in the minus, both teams looked to entertain the fans in the stands with a fast start. Motherwell controlled early possession, and the first major involvement in the game was a penalty claim for the Steelmen when Just was brought down in the area, but the referee waved play on.

That was one that may not have stood, but Just was involved when Motherwell did earn a spot kit on 17 minutes. The New Zealand international moved into the box, and his shot was blocked by the hand of a Hibernian defender as the forward got a clattering also. VAR called the referee over for a look, and the penalty was awarded.

Tawanda Maswanhise stepped up and slotted home for his 12th goal of the season. And the Zimbabwean caused more trouble when he got in behind a saw hit shot saved by the Hibernian keeper. But Motherwell continued to probe.

And on 22 minutes, the Hibs backline failed to clear, and Just pounced to slot home for a second. And Motherwell weren’t done there. Piling on the pressure, Maswanhise got in behind again thanks to a Paul McGinn pass, Grant Hanley brought him down and after a VAR check, the Hibernian defender was shown a straight red card for denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.

On 40 minutes, Hibernian looked to have one back. Kieron Bowie slipped Martin Boyle in; he went past Calum Ward and knocked into an empty net. That was until Johnny Koutroumbis arrived on the scene, sliding into his own net to prevent a certain goal. Celebrated like a goal by the home support, the Steelmen made sure of no further openings in the remaining stages, as they held onto the ball for large periods until the half was out.

Callum Hendry came on for Tawanda Maswanhise at the interval, as Jens Berthel Askou plotted his second-half approach.

The first chance of the half fell to Just on 53 minutes. Tom Sparrow remained composed to slip a ball inside for Just; he moved the ball onto his left foot but saw his shot saved.

Hendry was next to have a go just a minute later. Koutroumbis crossed one into the striker; his flicked header didn’t trouble the keeper, however. The chances kept coming for the Well, and it was Oscar Priestman who went close next on 61 minutes. The Aussie, on his first start, carried the ball inside the pitch, reversed on himself and had a go from 20 yards; his effort came off the post thanks to a deflection on the way through, and Sparrow couldn’t keep his follow-up effort under the bar.

Ibrahim Said and Callum Slattery entered the pitch, and the latter nearly finished off a wonderful flowing move on 67 minutes. A long spell of possession and probing ended with Slattery picking up the ball on the edge of the box; he moved towards goal and had a go with the outside of his right boot, searching for the far bottom corner. The ball trickled just wide, and Motherwell looked for a third.

Said then threatened on 73 minutes. Carrying the ball forward, he jinked into the box and smashed the ball into the side netting.

Charles-Cook then had an attempt for a third on 78 minutes. Elliot Watt cutely slipped the forward in the channel; he stayed onside and blasted goalwards, but the keeper stood tall to save.

Academy Graduate Luca Ross was brought on in place of Oscar Priestman with less than ten minutes to go, with Watt frustrated at not being able to convert from Said’s pull-back shortly after.

Charles-Cook hit over the bar following a quick counter-attack involving Hendry, with the Grenada international unable to keep his left-footed effort down on 88 minutes. Esapa Osong replaced Charles-Cook moments later after an excellent showing from the winger.

The remaining stages of the game were played entirely in the Hibernian half, as Motherwell secured another three points and moved to joint third in the table.

Motherwell Team: Ward, Sparrow, McGinn, Gordon, Welsh, Koutroumbis, Watt, Priestman, Charles-Cook, Maswanhise, Just.

Motherwell Subs: Connelly, Balmer, Ross, Balmer, Longelo, Fadinger, Slattery, Osong, Said.

Liam Gordon opens up on the impact Jens Berthel Askou has had on his game, as he has adapted to the new style of play. 

Gordon also speaks about the upcoming run of tightly congested matches, saying it could be a really successful period for the team.

Jens Berthel Askou offers an update on the playing squad after their recent win over Kilmarnock, and gives his thoughts on Hibernian.

Askou also discusses VAR and its role in Scottish football.