Berthel Askou and his Steelmen are up for the fight ahead of Parkhead challenge

On the rare occasion when Scottish top-flight managers declare their intention to go toe-to-toe with Celtic — particularly in Glasgow’s east end — they’re often made to look a tad foolish.

Of course, there have been a few exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, afternoons at Parkhead tend to be spent with backs pressed firmly against the wall with nothing to show for it come full-time.

Those associated with Motherwell are more familiar with that feeling than most.

It’s been the best part of a decade since the Steelmen have celebrated victory in this fixture. During that time, six managers — and a handful of interim bosses — have tried and failed to change that grim statistic.

Jens Berthel Askou is next up to have a go.

‘Sunday is going to be a big game for us to show that we are serious when we say we are here to compete,’ he said this week. ‘It’s the key message every time we go to play a football game. We want to win, and we try to set up the team with the belief that they can win.’

Unlike so many of his predecessors, when the big Dane talks about his players targeting three points, you get the feeling it’s a statement made in expectation rather than hope.

No wonder. Within a matter of months, he has transformed this Motherwell team into the most entertaining side to watch in the country.

Twelve games in to his tenure, and Askou has yet to taste defeat. He’s enjoyed an almost perfect start to life in the Fir Park dugout, and the fans are lapping it up.

They remained patient in the early weeks of the season when their side’s dominance was rewarded with draws rather than wins. There were no complaints when it came to entertainment, at least.

Were it not for a late Jack Butland stop, Motherwell would have started the Premiership campaign with a deserved victory over Rangers.

Hearts were then blown away at Tynecastle as the visitors raced into a 3-0 lead. Even a late collapse that afternoon wasn’t enough to kill off the feelgood factor.

Askou’s impact is all the more impressive when you consider he wasn’t given the opportunity to work with the best player the club has produced in a generation.

But the sale of Lennon Miller to Udinese hasn’t had any tangible effect. That’s how good the midfield trio of Elliot Watt, Lukas Fadinger and Elijah Just have been.

They have a habit of making the seemingly difficult look remarkably straightforward. No one has quite figured out how to stop them playing.

Up top, Tawanda Maswanhise has already bettered his goal tally from last season with seven, while left-back Emmanuel Longelo has spent more time in the opposition box than his own. The addition of former Ross County man Regan Charles-Cook has further bolstered Askou’s attacking options.

From back to front, the team are a well-oiled machine. Which is more than can be said of Celtic these days.

Thursday’s Europa League defeat to Braga was brutal, but hardly surprising. Yes, the bizarre decision to disallow a Kelechi Iheanacho equaliser for an apparent handball remains a head-scratcher. However, to focus on that would be papering over the cracks.

The supporters are fed up. Monday’s long-awaited showdown with the board should be an interesting affair.

They are justified in expressing their anger towards the club’s decision makers, who presided over a shambles of a summer transfer window which has come back to bite them on the backside.

The failure to sufficiently strengthen the squad was deemed by many to be a dereliction of duty. Sympathy, as you would expect, is in short supply when it comes to followers of their top-flight rivals. What they would give to have a fraction of the resources available to Brendan Rodgers.

But within the Celtic bubble, the last couple of months have been unacceptable both on and off the pitch.

Rodgers, by the way, cannot be absolved of blame. There’s no doubt he should be getting far more out of the players at his disposal.

Watching Celtic has become a chore. A thoroughly unenjoyable way to spend one’s precious time. There is no pace, no intensity, and precious little quality on show.

Sebastian Tounekti looks to be a decent acquisition, while Iheanacho has already demonstrated his eye for a goal and will surely only get better as he gets up to speed.

But other than that? Nothing to get excited about.

The midfield — in stark contrast to today’s opponents — is a huge problem, and one which Rodgers has yet to solve.

Legitimate questions over Callum McGregor’s place in the team are now being asked. The captain is unlikely to be dropped any time soon, but his performances have been miles off it.

Finding the right combination alongside him has proved to be a tall order. Reo Hatate has been a fine servant for the club, but his value is depreciating with every passing week.

It’s hard to work out what Benjamin Nygren’s best position is, while record signing Arne Engels can’t even get in the team. Even when he does, he offers little.

There’s a fragility in defence, with the normally reliable Cameron Carter-Vickers and Kasper Schmeichel both looking unassured, while problems in the final third have been well documented. The list goes on.

A combination of unhappy players — wantaway forward Daizen Maeda being a case in point — a visibly frustrated manager, and a furious fanbase is a recipe for disaster.

Celtic will do well to progress in Europe, while the domestic bliss they have enjoyed for so long is under threat.

Motherwell have every reason to believe they can pile on the misery today.