Motherwell fans have already taken manager Jens Berthel Askou to their hearts – and that is before he has even given them a league win.
He simply has no idea what would come his way if he was able to guide the club to their first trophy in 34 years.
The Danish coach has emerged as one of the surprise packages in Scottish football this season, rapidly implementing a fearless, free-flowing playing style at Fir Park.
Despite failing to win a league match this term, drawing all five of their games, Askou’s side are unbeaten in 10 fixtures across all competitions.
The Motherwell boss is convinced “the best is yet to come” from his players.
The 43-year-old takes his team north to out-of-form Aberdeen on Saturday, with the winner guaranteed one of four Premier Sports Cup semi-final places.
Motherwell have not won a major honour since triumphing in a classic 4-3 win over Dundee United the 1991 Scottish Cup final.
The Lanarkshire club have not won the League Cup since 1951.
Jimmy Thelin is enduring a tough spell at present, but what the Aberdeen manager, whom Askou knows well from the pair’s time working in Sweden, achieved in last season’s Scottish Cup final should serve as inspiration for all non-Old Firm sides.
A sensational penalty shootout victory against treble-chasing Celtic sparked wild scenes at Hampden and back at home in the Granite City.
If Askou was able to repeat the feat, albeit in a different competition, the jubilation in Motherwell would almost certainly match the emotional celebrations that took place in Aberdeen in May.
When asked if emulating Thelin’s cup success is something he allows himself to dream about, the Dane candidly replied: “When we are involved in football, either as fans or working within the clubs, dreams are extremely important.
“I think we all have them, and they start quite early when we are very small and very young. We are here now and obviously we dream to win. It starts by winning a football game.
“That’s the way to win a trophy. And now we’ve put ourselves in a position where we are a few games short of having the opportunity to win a trophy. That means we will do everything we can to make that dream come true.
“Everyone has a dream and that’s what we’re here for. I expect everyone to dream about doing something above the ordinary with a club of our size.”
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