Motherwell "will battle it out" with Hibernian for fourth place and European football, former captain Stephen Craigan has predicted. The ex-Northern Ireland centre-half was waxing lyrical on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound about the impact of manager Jens Berthel Askou since the Dane arrived from IFK Gothenburg in the summer. The "brilliant story" continued with Saturday's 2-0 win over St Mirren that keeps Well fourth in the table.
Motherwell "will battle it out" with Hibernian for fourth place and European football, former captain Stephen Craigan has predicted.
The ex-Northern Ireland centre-half was waxing lyrical on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound about the impact of manager Jens Berthel Askou since the Dane arrived from IFK Gothenburg in the summer.
The "brilliant story" continued with Saturday's 2-0 win over St Mirren that keeps Well fourth in the table.
"There are so many stats," Craigan said. "Lost one in 13. They have 11 clean sheets. They have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 16 goals, yet people say they play the most attacking, open football.
"So you can see it is not just about that. They have conceded one goal in their last nine league games.
"They are averaging 59% possession. This is unheard of from any team outside of the Old Firm."
Craigan has watched Askou's side improve since early in the season.
"It was possession without real purpose," he recalled. "They lacked a cutting edge. But, slowly but surely, they have found a way to goal and a way to dominate games.
"They have changed ever so slightly. What I noticed against Celtic and what I noticed against St Mirren yesterday - it's not all about playing in front."
Observers outside Scotland took notice after the midweek win over the reigning champions, with Craigan pointing out they did not play with a traditional centre-half or a traditional striker.
"He is happy to mix it up and they are a joy to watch," he said.
Askou has "united everybody" at the club behind his tactics, with nearly 8,000 in attendance against St Mirren - compared to just under 5,000 for a similar fixture last year.
Asked if Well could even mount a challenge at the top, Craigan added: "Title race, not for the me at the minute.
"Hibs will have grander ambitions of catching the top three, but I don't think they will. If Motherwell can end the season with European football, it will have been a magnificent season."
Askou's side travel to Hibs on Saturday, with a packed Easter Road expected to watch on.
Category: General Sports
