Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou believes a hard-fought draw against an “aggressive” Hibs side could prove vital in the race for Europe, as the Steelmen earned their 10th draw of the 2025/26 campaign.
In front of a 20,000-strong sell-out crowd at Easter Road—driven by Hibs’ successful £5 ticket promotion—Motherwell maintained their grip on fourth place. The afternoon was made even sweeter for the visitors as long-term summer signing Jordan McGhee finally made his competitive debut for the club.
Maswanhise Magic Continues
The deadlock was broken in the 52nd minute by the man in the form of his life, Tawanda Maswanhise. The forward netted his 15th goal of a remarkable season, finishing off a clinical counter-attack spearheaded by Elijah Just.
Motherwell’s lead looked solid until the 69th minute when Hibs striker Kieron Bowie—who is currently a subject of intense transfer speculation—blasted an equaliser beyond Callum Ward. Despite late pressure from both sides and a missed headed opportunity for Ibrahim Said, the points were shared in the capital.
The Debut of Jordan McGhee
The highlight for the travelling 1,500 Well fans was the introduction of Jordan McGhee in the 87th minute. The defender has been sidelined with a thigh injury since his summer arrival, making this his first appearance since April last year.
“Seeing him back on the pitch puts a big smile on your face,” Askou told reporters. “He is such a good character and so versatile. We considered three different positions for him before deciding on central midfield. He has worked incredibly hard with the medical department to get here.”
Askou Rejects Hibs “Momentum”
Reflecting on the 1-1 result, Askou acknowledged the intensity of the sell-out atmosphere but stood by his team’s structural performance.
“It was a very intense game with a lot of transitions. Hibs are a very aggressive team to play against and they force mistakes, which happened for the equaliser,” Askou noted. “But it is a good point for us. We stay in fourth spot and move to within four points of the top three. Technically, we can be better, but physically and mentally, we were there.”
The Battle for Europe
The draw keeps Motherwell (41 points) in a strong position to secure European football for next season. With both Rangers and Celtic sitting just four points ahead in joint-second, Askou’s men remain the “dark horses” of the 2026 Premiership season.
FAQ: Hibs vs Motherwell Match Summary
What was the attendance at Easter Road for the Hibs vs Motherwell game? The match was a sell-out with 20,000 spectators following Hibs’ decision to slash ticket prices to £5.
Who scored for Motherwell against Hibs? Tawanda Maswanhise scored the opening goal for Motherwell, his 15th of the season.
How many draws have Motherwell had this season? This 1-1 result marks Motherwell’s 10th draw of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign.
When did Jordan McGhee last play before his Motherwell debut? Jordan McGhee’s last competitive outing was in April 2024 for Dundee—ironically also at Easter Road.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
