Image source, SNSImage caption, Paul McGinn and Stephen Welsh have helped Motherwell sustain the best defensive record in the Scottish Premiership so far this season
ByMartin DowdenBBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter- Published1 hour ago
Jens Berthel Askou is not surprised none of his Motherwell squad have been selected for Scotland's upcoming pre-World Cup friendlies, despite the Fir Park's impressive season.
The Danish manager insisted it's not for him to have an opinion and players need to fit into a different style from what they do at his club.
Motherwell are fourth in the Scottish Premiership, with the fewest goals conceded.
Askou added he would have been very surprised if Scotland coach Steve Clarke had made significant changes to a squad that has got them to the World Cup. However, he conceded some players may have hoped to be involved.
"I don't have the knowledge about potential players that he can pick," said Askou.
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"Steve Clarke is in a much better position to pick his team for his style of football and for what's coming, which is a massive thing for Scottish football and for him and his staff and the team, which is the World Cup just around the corner.
"I would be very surprised if there were suddenly a lot of changes in that squad that has brought them there and that, with the last opportunity they have before it kicks off in the summer, they would start testing all sorts of things.
"So, I'm not surprised. As I've said before, we play a very different style of football than the national team does, which means that what our players showcase with us might not be possible for them to show."
'It's not something that's been a topic'
Motherwell defenders Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell have won Scotland caps under Clarke while team-mates Stephen Welsh, on loan from Celtic, and Elliot Watt were part of the country's under-21 squad earlier in their careers.
And Askou commented: "I do hope that all our players get to live that dream, that I was nowhere near when I was playing back in the day because I imagine that it is something very, very special to go and represent your country - and especially at the big tournaments.
"It's not something that we have made a theme with, not in the office at all and not with the players. They've probably been discussing it inside the dressing room, back and forward. Some of them might have hoped, because they've had a good season, but it's not something that has been a topic in our club.
"Whether they can play games and perform at a high level in general, yes, I have seen that. I've seen more than enough to trust that they can play against really good opponents."
