Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou did not hide his frustration after his side’s 3-1 defeat at Celtic Park, insisting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was fortunate to remain on the pitch after a heavy early challenge on Elijah Just.
The incident occurred just seven minutes into the match when the Celtic midfielder flew into a late tackle on the New Zealand international.
The referee produced only a yellow card, but Askou believes the challenge could easily have resulted in a dismissal — especially given the potential consequences for Just ahead of a crucial period in his international career.
Despite his anger over that moment, the Motherwell boss accepted the VAR decision that awarded Celtic a penalty later in the match. However, he felt key refereeing calls ultimately swung the game away from his side.
Askou believes early challenge could have been a red card
Speaking after the match, Askou admitted the defeat was difficult to take, particularly after the level of effort his team showed at Celtic Park.
“We’re obviously extremely disappointed that we didn’t get anything result-wise.
“But the way we invested with everything we are was tremendous. And you also know that when you play these venues, sometimes you need the 50-50 calls, that you can’t control, to go our way.
“And once again, that was not the case. That was obviously the situation with Eli in the beginning.
“I’ve seen that turn into a red card a lot more often than the penalty given in a fight on the ball in the box. Fair enough, that’s the call.
“I don’t see anything vicious in the tackle, it’s just a little bit clumsy, coincidental, but it’s still a tackle that almost wipes out Eli’s opportunity of going to the World Cup.
“Thank God, he was able to keep playing. And then there’s another incident with the same player fouling Ibrahim Said and he could have had his second yellow there, maybe should.
“And these are the things that you also sometimes need to go your way. If not, then you have to be extraordinarily good to counter that. And we were good, but not that good.”
Just battles through heavy knock
Elijah Just managed to continue playing after the tackle and lasted more than 70 minutes, but Askou revealed the winger was left badly bruised after the match.
“He’s very, very sore. He looks swollen down the leg. It doesn’t look good. It looks like he’s been at war.
“You have to take the cuts and the bruises and the knocks and then trust that the referees will do what they need to do to look after him.
“I can’t see why he wasn’t called to the monitor in that case, but, done is done.”
Askou accepts penalty decision but rues red card moment
While the Motherwell manager questioned some decisions, he admitted his defender Emmanuel Longelo had put himself in a difficult position during the incident that led to Celtic’s penalty and the sending off.
“You can argue that Manny is holding him a little bit too long. Maeda’s also trying, they’re wrestling. You see that situation a million times.
“I know Manny is gutted right now that he didn’t control that situation better than he did.
“And then obviously we get the double punishment with the red card, which gave us a mountain to climb at that point, because we were actually, I think, in very good control of the game there, ready to really accelerate and push for the last 20-25 minutes to get the win.”
Pride despite defeat
Despite the final scoreline, Askou praised the performance and spirit his players showed — even after being reduced to ten men.
“I think it was a very good statement from both teams in terms of how you want football to be played and to entertain.
“I’m very happy and proud with the amount of control we exercised throughout the game. And I’m also happy with how we tried, even with one man down, to get something from the game.
Obviously, that third goal killed our opportunity to really get something out of it. But we tried and didn’t collapse and didn’t sit back. We tried to push with high press, with being even braver on the ball.”
For Motherwell, the defeat was a frustrating one, but Askou’s reaction suggested he was encouraged by the resilience and courage his side displayed — even in difficult circumstances at Celtic Park.