Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has moved to address speculation around Tawanda Maswanhise after renewed Celtic rumours followed Martin O’Neill’s recent scouting visit to Fir Park.
The winger has been one of the standout performers in the Scottish Premiership this season, and his progress has not gone unnoticed beyond Lanarkshire.
Celtic interest has been widely discussed in recent days after O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham were seen watching Motherwell in Scottish Cup action. That appearance, combined with Celtic’s open search for attacking reinforcements, has naturally placed Maswanhise at the centre of attention.
The 23-year-old’s form has made him a talking point across the league. His pace, confidence, and direct style have helped Motherwell push on this season, while also raising questions about how long the club can retain him.
Askou, however, has been keen to lower the temperature around any immediate move. Speaking openly about his squad and the wider context at Fir Park, the Motherwell boss stressed that there is no rush to cash in, despite growing interest.
He said: (NewsDay), “Well, we don’t have to cash in on Maswanhise.
“Am I calm about it? Yeah. The interest has been growing and will hopefully grow until we find the right moment with the player to move them on. That moment is not now.
“We can’t keep Tawanda forever, and we shouldn’t keep him forever. But there is no plan for any of our players to be moving on now, and there has been no one coming with a big wish on that.
“On the contrary, everyone is excited and committed about what we are doing, and that’s the track we are taking.”
“Rushing things might be good right now, but in the long-term, it’s sometimes better to be a little bit cool. We have no plans to make a big rebuild now.
“There’s no doubt that there’s potential in Tawanda, but that potential we need to let grow with Motherwell Football Club, because there’s also potential in this club.
“And for now, that will grow together. And then I am sure that in the coming years we will see many of these players move on and do really well in the next stage, and some of them maybe even on the biggest stage.
“I know the new generation spends a lot of time on social media, and he’s probably also got some friends who think he needs to move on.
“And I know there are many Zimbabwe fans who follow our club, because he’s a very popular fellow.
“So there’s a lot of attention, but as I said before, it’s about using that attention as positive energy, because it’s going well.”
Askou’s comments underline Motherwell’s current position of strength. The club are not under immediate financial pressure to sell, and the manager is clearly focused on maintaining stability during a positive spell on the pitch.
Maswanhise has become a key part of that progress. His influence has grown steadily, and his performances have lifted expectations both within the squad and among supporters. For Motherwell, keeping that momentum matters more than reacting to outside noise.
The wider attention is not limited to Scotland. Maswanhise’s profile has risen with international supporters following his development closely, adding another layer to the scrutiny around his future.
Askou acknowledged that reality while reinforcing his belief that patience is the best approach. He emphasised that development does not need to be rushed and that both player and club can benefit from staying aligned for now.
From Celtic’s perspective, O’Neill has already made clear that watching domestic matches is part of his routine rather than a signal of an imminent deal. Even so, Fir Park appearances during a transfer window are always likely to fuel speculation.
For Motherwell, the message is consistent. They are building something they believe in, and Maswanhise remains central to those plans in the short term. Any future move, if it comes, will be handled on their terms.
As the window moves on, interest may continue to grow. Askou’s stance suggests that Motherwell are prepared for that attention, but not prepared to be driven by it.
For now, the focus stays on football. Maswanhise continues to develop in claret and amber, and Motherwell are content to let that journey unfold at its own pace.
