There are some things which truly do not age well. The narrative surrounding the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership season is one such example. Motherwell's home clash with Rangers in early August saw two former Norwich City teammates lock horns.
Russell Martin's Ibrox Appointment
The first managerial appointment of the new American regime at Ibrox, Russell Martin had impressed at MK Dons, Swansea City, and Southampton, guiding the latter to the Premier League. A disciple of possession-based football showcased by Barcelona, Manchester City, and Spain, the former Scotland international pledged to succeed at Ibrox with a certain style.
There was something faintly dismissive about the prevailing attitude towards Jens Berthel Askou at that time. A journeyman player who briefly featured in the same Norwich side as Martin, the highlights of his managerial career had come in the Faroe Islands, where he won the league and cup with HB Torshavn. Keeping Gothenburg up against the odds, his career took a wrong turn as an assistant coach with Sparta Prague but got back on track when he won the Danish Cup in a similar role with FC Copenhagen.
Askou's Immediate Impact
Who exactly was this guy? What had Motherwell seen in him to believe he could make an appreciable impact in Lanarkshire? By the end of that first joust, we had our answer. Askou's side only drew that match, but he won the battle for hearts and minds hands down, with his players embracing a front-foot, aggressive approach. After some ropey displays in the League Cup group stage, the Dane's vision of playing slick, incisive, effective football was manifest. The buy-in from those in the stands was absolute.
As Askou explained in detail how his players had largely outplayed their opponents, standing a few yards up the touchline, Martin was starting to dig his own grave by demanding that certain big names park their egos. So much for Rangers appointing a progressive, modern football manager who could win matches with panache while developing players. It turned out that the identikit of that individual was in the opposing dugout.
Askou's Rise to Favourite
It has been some time since anyone questioned Askou's suitability for the job. The only debate presently surrounding the 43-year-old centres on his future. Although contracted to Motherwell for another year, it seems a racing certainty that big offers are incoming. From the moment they became hypnotised by the Dane's magical brand of football, the Fir Park fanbase have resolved to simply enjoy it while it lasts.
And what's not to enjoy? Their side have entertained, but there has been a purpose to every pass played and every run made. They create space and exploit it. The fluency in their play stems from their complete confidence in their manager's plan. Little wonder that Motherwell's crowds are estimated to have risen by between 10 and 15 per cent this term, with away allocations regularly sold out.
If the SPFL dished out bonus points for artistic merit, Askou's side would probably be champions elect. As it is, they are still on the brink of capping a memorable season with a return to European competition for the first time in four years. That will go a long way to assuaging the pain at failing to go all the way in one of the cups. With Hibs four points behind them, a win against Celtic would wrap up fourth place. While that outcome would almost certainly signal the end of the Parkhead club's title challenge, it would strengthen the view that Askou would be the right man to succeed Martin O'Neill and oversee a huge rebuilding job.
Celtic's Next Manager
It is indeed difficult to see why Celtic's hierarchy would look elsewhere. For all Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy, two young managers of promise, have played for the club and know the expectations, they have not managed in this unique environment. From a standing start, Askou has taken Motherwell from eighth place to the brink of fourth. It is four years since the club last enjoyed a top-six finish. He has succeeded in a league while learning on the job. He now knows every player, every blade of grass.
It has always been difficult to ascertain exactly what is meant by playing 'the Celtic way'. Brendan Rodgers was another advocate of possession football. O'Neill's preference is for a more direct style. But Askou's attacking brand of play, with its echoes of Ange Postecoglou, would surely encounter little opposition.
Transformation on a Budget
The transformation in Motherwell's fortunes under him would have been commendable enough had he been handed a pot of gold. Clearly, he has not. The list of summer arrivals included free signings — Lukas Fadinger, last of Rheindorf Altach, Elliot Watt, who had been with Burton Albion, and Emmanuel Longelo, most recently of Birmingham City. Modest fees were paid to Viborg for Ibrahim Said and to Western Sydney Wanderers for Oscar Priestman. Elijah Just came in from Denmark for buttons, where he had previously worked with the manager at AC Horsens.
New Zealand forward Eli Just has been one of the stars of the season and is linked with Celtic. In a season brimming with outstanding individual contributions from men in claret and amber, the Kiwi has had no peer. He will represent New Zealand at this year's World Cup in the form of his life. Equally impressive has been the improvement seen in so many individuals Askou inherited. Tawanda Maswanhise has stepped up a level. Stephen O'Donnell has played the best football of his life at 34. Likewise Paul McGinn, who is a year older.
It is easy to forget that this raft of new faces arrived at the club just as Lennon Miller was leaving for Udinese for a record fee. Motherwell lost their best player and their captain yet still improved immeasurably. It begs an obvious question: If the Dane can evoke such a profound shift in a club's fortunes with such modest resources, what might he be capable of with serious backing? A growing number of Celtic supporters would like to find that out. You do not need to dig into data to see that Askou is a manager of substance with the kind of aura the Parkhead job demands. Only two working eyes in your head.
