Reliable defender Johnny Koutroumbis and fan favourite Tawanda Maswanhise talk us through the start of the Jens Berthel Askou era, as Motherwell kick off their 2025/26 competitive season in the group-stage of the Premier Sports Cup.  Facing stiff tests against Clyde, Peterhead, Stenhousemuir and Morton in the Cup, July was rounded off with a competitive friendly against German giants Hertha BSC. From the highs and lows to everything in between, Koutroumbis and Maswanhise break the first month of action down and provide insight into what they were thinking on the pitch.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou believes his side will be coming up against a completely different side in the form of St Mirren, compared to what they have faced this season. He believes the team will have to adapt their game and be patient throughout the 90 minutes.  The boss provides a squad update, as well as discussing the responsibility put on Apostolos Stamatelopoulos being the only fit striker available for the first-team.

Summer signing Emmanuel Longelo is delighted with the start he has made in Motherwell colours, but has set his sights on further ambitions for the season ahead.  Longelo discusses how he has settled into the squad and what he thinks they can achieve this season.

It couldn't have been much more of a difficult start for Motherwell in the William Hill Premiership, kicking off the new campaign against Rangers at Fir Park.  Over 6000 Motherwell supporters made their way to ML1, keen to see the new style and philosophy being implemented by Jens Berthel Askou. Demanding the players showed everyone who we want to be; Berthel Askou and his approach excited the fans in the early stages of the game. But it was Rangers who opened the scoring from a corner. Conceding early didn't derail the plan, and Motherwell worked their way back into proceedings. Creating chance after chance, the home crowd got more involved, and the goal looked like it was coming. And on the 87th minute, it did. Emmanuel Longelo drilled home to level the game and earn the Steelmen a more than deserved opening day point.

Jens Berthel Askou gives his thoughts on earning a point against Rangers.

Liam Gordon is looking forward to a new campaign after a strong pre-season. The centre-back has enjoyed learning the new style being adopted by manager Jens Berthel Askou, and hopes the team can put in a good shift on Saturday against Rangers.  Gordon believes the group of players have what it takes to cause an upset on Saturday.

Manager Jens Berthel Askou is looking forward to kicking off the league season against former teammate Russell Martin, with the Motherwell boss pleased with the efforts his team have put in thus far. Berthel Askou answers questions regarding Lennon Miller and all the speculation surrounding the 18-year-old, and also discusses coming up against such a tough opponent so early on in his tenure.

Hertha BSC travelled from Germany to take on Motherwell in a final friendly test ahead of the William Hill Premiership kicking off in seven days time.  Despite the Germans taking an early lead, this new look Motherwell side battled valiantly and went toe-to-toe with their impressive opponents. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos netted a deserved leveller on the night, to round off a successful and encouraging season test.

Thoughts from the manager after his side drew with 2. Bundesliga side Hertha BSC in the final game before the league season kicks off.

In Motherwell's fourth and final match of the Premier Sports Cup group-stage, they sealed their place in the Round of 16 with an assured victory over Morton.  The hosts battled through frustrations in the final third, to coast to a commanding three-goal cushion in the second-half, with Apostolos Stamatelopoulos breaking the deadlock with his first-goal of the season, before Tawanda Maswanhise netted a magnificent double to secure all three-points. Never in danger of conceding, Motherwell can take confidence from Tuesday evening's encounter, as they face Hertha Berlin in a final pre-season test before the opening game of the season against Rangers.

Jens Berthel Askou gives his views on the 3-0 win over Greenock Morton that saw Motherwell finish top of Group G of the Premier Sports Cup.

In Motherwell's third match of the Premier Sports Cup group-stage, they were back on the road, this time to Stenhousemuir. As the torrential rain fell, over 1000 Motherwell fans gathered in stands as Motherwell started the game on the front foot. With a number of big opportunities not taken, it was just before half-time when the Steelmen got their deserved lead through Stephen O'Donnell. The second-half followed a similar narrative. Creating plenty opportunities, that killer instinct to put the game beyond Stenhousemuir's reach was lacking. Never in danger of conceding, the game fizzled out and the win meant Motherwell are now one win away from qualifying top of the group.