Latest news with #StephenO'Donnell
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Motherwell goal hero will know it's time to pack it in when he loses buzz for the game
Stephen O'Donnell says it will be time to pack it in when he's not excited about a new season, and was buzzing after scoring Motherwell's winner at Stenhousemuir. Defender O'Donnell struck in 41 minutes to take the win and leave the Steelmen on eight points, going into last night's [Tuesday's] Premier Sports Cup Group G showdown at home to Morton where they aimed to stay top of the table for a last 16 spot. At 33, Wishaw ace O'Donnell is keen to show he's keen to learn new things, and play a part in Jens Berthel Askou's new-look side. O'Donnell said: 'I don't know if it was a good first goal of the season, but it was a good start, and my first 90 minutes. 'I was just buzzing with the goal, and happy it went in. 'If I didn't have the same hunger, desire, drive and excitement at the start of the new season, when the competitive matches come, the day I'm not excited about that is the day I maybe need to think about packing it in. 'I'm full of excitement, loving it, loving the new challenge with the manager, and hopefully it will be a positive season. READ MORE: Motherwell's young keeper says patience has paid off as he grabs chance READ MORE: Motherwell boss: 'Our cup fate was always in our own hands, despite sticky start' 'It has been good. Different ideas, so it's really good. At 33, I'm learning new things, showing I can improve, and I want to show I can perform in the system.' Callum Slattery was the architect of most of Motherwell's good play for the 68 minutes he was on the pitch at Ochilview. His cross was met with a powerful header by Tawanda Maswanhise that Darren Jamieson clawed over, and the keeper kept out the midfielder's 19-yard free kick with a terrific finger-tip save. Slattery's corner led to O'Donnell smashing in the winner, and his cross in the second half was met on the volley by Eseosa Sule, only for the sub to be thwarted by an instinctive save. O'Donnell said: 'I thought we played a lot better than we did against Clyde. The other night [2-1 win at home to Peterhead last Tuesday] it was tough in spells, but we got the win, and there were more positives. 'I thought today we played well. We could have been a bit more clinical, but we were very much in control, especially in the first half, which is everything the manager is asking for us to do, and bring. 'Within that, there's going to be wee mistakes, but as long as we keep doing the principles right, we should improve.'
STV News
7 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Stephen O'Donnell embracing new Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou's style
Motherwell defender Stephen O'Donnell is enjoying the challenge of learning fresh demands under the club's third manager of 2025. After two years of relative stability under Stuart Kettlewell, Motherwell employed their second foreign manager this year when they appointed Jens Berthel Askou to replace German Michael Wimmer. The Dane has a similar attacking philosophy to his predecessor in terms of pressing high up the park but his desire to play the ball out from the back has been more pronounced. Askou faces a big test on Tuesday when Motherwell host Morton in the Premier Sports Cup needing victory to guarantee progression to the second round. On adapting to the new boss, O'Donnell said: 'We found it with the old manager when he came in. It was a different kind of style, different ideas. And the gaffer has probably amplified that a wee bit more. 'I find it exciting, interesting, you're learning different ideas and different ways in which people think of the game. You're always trying to learn. And I think that's something I'm capable of doing. I'm excited to continue to learn. 'I've been enjoying it, trying to work on different things. The most important thing is that we are seeing progression on the pitch and in the style, and hopefully getting the wins that make that progression easier.' Elsewhere, Falkirk take on Queen's Park at home while Kilmarnock bid to cement their place at the top of Group H when they travel to Fife to take on Kelty Hearts. Dundee head coach Steven Pressley takes his team to Bonnyrigg Rose as he bids to secure his first win, although progression is already beyond his team. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Motherwell star Stephen O'Donnell embracing new style under Jens Berthel Askou
The Steelmen tackle Morton tonight in a Premier Sports League Cup group decider Motherwell defender Stephen O'Donnell is enjoying the challenge of learning fresh demands under the club's third manager of 2025. After two years of relative stability under Stuart Kettlewell, Motherwell employed their second foreign manager this year when they appointed Jens Berthel Askou to replace German Michael Wimmer. The Dane has a similar attacking philosophy to his predecessor in terms of pressing high up the park but his desire to play the ball out from the back has been more pronounced. Askou faces a big test tonight when Motherwell host Morton in the Premier Sports Cup needing victory to guarantee progression to the second round. On adapting to the new boss, O'Donnell said: "We found it with the old manager when he came in. It was a different kind of style, different ideas. And the gaffer has probably amplified that a wee bit more. "I find it exciting, interesting, you're learning different ideas and different ways in which people think of the game. You're always trying to learn. And I think that's something I'm capable of doing. I'm excited to continue to learn. "I've been enjoying it, trying to work on different things. The most important thing is that we are seeing progression on the pitch and in the style, and hopefully getting the wins that make that progression easier."
Daily Record
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin lets Premiership rival inside Rangers revamp as Zoom call sparks hope for pause on 'success'
Stephen O'Donnell will get a closer view of the new-look Gers when they arrive at Fir Park to face Motherwell in Premiership opener Stephen O'Donnell was given the inside track on Russell Martin's new Rangers style from the man himself over a zoom call. But the Motherwell star is praying it falls flat on the opening day of the season. Gers kick off their 2025/26 Premiership campaign at Fir Park on Saturday August 2, just three days after what cold be a decisive Champions League second round qualifying second leg against Panathianaikos in Athens. As part of his UEFA B coaching licence course, O'Donnell listened to Martin talk about his playing approach and was impressed, telling eager fans that they could be in for some exciting times at Ibrox this season. But he'll be doing his best to ensure a miserable curtain raiser for the Light Blues in North Lanarkshire. "I was on a Zoom call with Russell Martin talking about the B licence and I thought he spoke very well," he said. "When you're talking about learning things from managers, he's got a style of pay which I'll be very interested to see how it plays out with Rangers. "I could be really successful - I hope it's not successful against us in a couple of weeks' time! "But I think it could be successful for Rangers players and fans and hopefully after the first game of the season, he has lot's of success." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
O'Donnell embracing 'exciting & interesting' Askou approach
Stephen O'Donnell is enjoying the challenge of learning fresh "exciting and interesting" demands under Motherwell's third manager of the year. After two years of relative stability under Stuart Kettlewell - who departed in January - Motherwell appointed their second manager of 2025 when Jens Berthel Askou replaced Michael Wimmer. The Dane has a similar attacking philosophy to his predecessor but his desire to play the ball out from the back has been more noticeable. Askou faces a big test on Tuesday when Motherwell host Greenock Morton in the Premier Sports Cup needing victory to guarantee progression to the second round. On adapting to the new boss, O'Donnell said: "We found it with the old manager when he came in. It was a different kind of style, different ideas and the gaffer has probably amplified that a wee bit more. "I find it exciting and interesting. You're learning different ideas and different ways in which people think of the game. You're always trying to learn and I think that's something I'm capable of doing. I'm excited to continue to learn. "I've been enjoying it, trying to work on different things. The most important thing is that we are seeing progression on the pitch and in the style, and hopefully getting the wins that make that progression easier."
