Askou on Nicholson handball, VAR & European shootout

[ASFN Admin]

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has been speaking to the media as his side prepare for Saturday's trip to Hibernian in the final game of the season.

Here are the key points:

• Askou says it wasn't hard to move on from the emotions of Wednesday night's defeat to Celtic: "You have to deal with emotions straight away and put them behind you and then focus on what's coming."
• Given the controversy around VAR, especially after Wednesday night, Askou says it's not something he or his players think about when they approach a game.
• On Sam Nicholson, whose handball was at the centre of Wednesday night's controversy, Askou says "he's absolutely fine", adding: "He did everything right in the situation, and I'll ask him to clear the ball with his head in the 95th minute tomorrow if need be."
• On VAR in general and how Scottish football achieves consistency with it he says "we need to invest and improve to lift the level" and adds: "I think we're all ambitious and I think everyone is trying their best to improve and are open to the critique that we get."
• The players are "excited and ready" as they look to seal a European place which would be "a massive achievement" for the club.
• Askou says it's a "massive event for both clubs" with a fourth-place finish at stake.
• Team news: Stephen Welsh is available after missing out against parent club Celtic.

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