Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou insists he is relaxed about the countdown to the transfer deadline after watching the in-demand Tawanda Maswanhise score both goals in the victory over Livingston.
The Zimbabwe international – linked with Blackburn and Celtic – took his tally for the campaign to 18 – including 13 in the Premiership – with a well-taken, first-half double.
That contribution was enough to lift the Steelmen to within two points of Celtic in fourth place, while defeat for Livingston leaves the Lions six points adrift at the basement.
Asked if Maswanhise’s goals against the Lions will only add to his stress ahead of Monday’s 11pm deadline, Berthel Askou said: “No. JT’s (Maswanhise) goals are going to add value to him, the team and the club.
“We have a game on Wednesday (against Dundee) and the business we plan to do doesn’t really involve him.
“I never said he wasn’t for sale, but I said we don’t have a plan to sell him now.
“That’s the plan we are following.
“Eventually, he is for sale, it’s just not now.
“He is adding value and he would love to be the Premiership’s top scorer.
“The best opportunity for him to do that is by staying with us until the summer, and then we will see what happens then.”
The Motherwell manager was also asked whether the reported £6million fee Hibernian earned from selling marksman Kieron Bowie to Hellas Verona on Friday offered any sign of what Maswanhise is worth.
The Dane replied: “I am not going to indicate a number.
“Hibs are a different club and Bowie is a different player.
“The clubs looking for his profile are not probably looking at a player like JT.
“There is a big market for both players and congratulations to Bowie for a great deal.
“Eventually we will say the same about Maswanhise and the club who sign him – but that’s not now.
“We will see how big an amount that is but he’s adding value and that’s good for the Scottish market that the fees are good.”
Livingston equalled Hamilton 22-game league winless run from 2011 and are in grave danger at the basement.
However, manager David Martindale is adamant he is the man to lead the club away from the trouble.
He said: “I will never ever walk away from this club.
“I’ll either get sacked or I will pass away in the dugout, who knows.
“But I don’t fear for my job as the moment you do, you are guaranteed it will happen.
“We had a great chance to go 1-0 and I think it’s the best chance of the game.
“They score a goal they should never score. Defensively it’s shambolic from us.
“A really poor goal and then it gets a bit chaotic, I think we lose any control we had in the game.”
