Headline: Motherwell’s Focus Remains on Stenhousemuir Despite European Dreams
Motherwell fans are excitedly preparing their passports as they explore various routes to Freiburg and envision the possibility of competing in the Conference League. However, manager Alfred Johansson’s priority remains firmly set on Stenhousemuir in the Scottish League Cup. This was after he had taken the time to care for his babies, allowing his wife a peaceful night’s sleep on Thursday.
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The Swede was in high spirits as he witnessed his players receiving an energetic ovation from over 8,000 supporters at Fir Park, following their impressive 2-0 victory against HJK Helsinki, which secured a 3-1 aggregate win on a memorable night filled with excitement. Yet, he remained evasive regarding discussions about potential future matches in European competitions.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Said, the team’s standout player, captained the celebrations after scoring two magnificent solo goals. Former teammate Andy Halliday suggested that Said “would be playing for Barcelona if he could score,” underlining the striker’s talent. Johansson praised Said as “outstanding,” as fans headed home energized by his performance.
While fans understandably scour Skyscanner for travel options, Johansson, who has maintained an unbeaten record in six matches since succeeding the highly regarded Jens Berthel Askou, is focusing solely on traffic updates as they prepare for their match against Ochilview this Sunday.
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Seamless Transition at ‘Progressive’ Club
Johansson faced the daunting task of stepping into the significant role left by Askou upon his appointment. Despite Askou’s single season in the Scottish Premiership, his approach, attitude, and style garnered a wide range of admirers beyond Lanarkshire.
Remarkably, Johansson has smoothly continued the work Askou started, especially considering the departures of key players such as Elijah Just, Elliot Watt, Callum Slattery, and Calum Ward.
Halliday, who closely observed Askou’s coaching, commented that “a lot of the fundamentals are very similar” under Johansson. Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he expressed his admiration for Motherwell’s progressive approach to football, which is evident in their commitment to squad development and a strong youth academy.
Despite his enthusiasm, Halliday emphasized that adding a scoring forward could enhance the team further. “In wider Scottish football, I hope people sit up and take note of what they’re doing,” he said, expressing hopes that additional signings could make them as formidable as last year.
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“I really hope they sign one or two more players at the top end of the pitch, because if they do that, I think they could be every bit as good as last year.”
‘Fir Park Energy Makes Us Stronger’
From a media standpoint, Johansson remains remarkably grounded. In Helsinki, he did not look ahead to the second leg but instead focused solely on the upcoming match against Falkirk. Similarly, his attention remains fixed on Marvin Bartley’s side, leaving no room for questions about Freiburg.
While acknowledging Said’s outstanding performance, Johansson kept the praises balanced by reminding that the player “didn’t manage to show his offensive skills” in the previous game against Falkirk.
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His level-headedness is an essential trait that counters the excitement surrounding his team’s impressive play and contribution to the league coefficient.
Nonetheless, he appreciates the vibrant atmosphere at Fir Park, which he links to his team’s performance. “We had 8,100 people at Fir Park tonight, which, from what I hear in modern times, if not the best, is at least up there in terms of attendance,” he noted proudly.
“I’m so pleased, happy, and proud to be part of that. When you’re in the dugout and the players play on the pitch, there’s an energy at Fir Park that transmits down to the pitch. It makes us better, it makes us stronger.”
As fans prepare to fill the stands again on Thursday and embark on the journey to Germany, dreams of European competition loom large. But first, Johansson emphasizes the importance of the match against Stenhousemuir this Sunday, referring to it as “a final for us.”
Motherwell fans are digging out their passports, discovering all sorts of routes to Freiburg and dreaming of the Conference League.
But manager Alfred Johansson’s sole focus is on Stenhousemuir in the Scottish League Cup. That was once he had fed his babies to allow his wife to sleep on Thursday night.
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The Swede was smiling as his players were serenaded by 8,000-plus supporters at a raucous Fir Park following their wonderful 2-0 win over HJK Helsinki, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory, on a magical night under the lights, but he was – once again – not getting sucked into the conversation of what comes next in European competition.
Their star man – and showman – Ibrahim Said, who former team-mate Andy Halliday said would “be playing for Barcelona if he could score”, was, though.
Front and centre of the celebrations following his sublime pair of solo goals, the Nigerian, hailed by Johansson as “outstanding”, sent supporters off into the night twisting and shouting to his tune.
While they’re, rightly, scrolling through Skyscanner, the wily manager – who remains unbeaten in six matches since succeeding the mighty impressive Jens Berthel Askou – will only be checking out potential road closures on the way to Ochilview on Sunday.
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Seamless transition at ‘progressive’ club
In a way, Johansson had one of the most unenviable jobs upon his appointment. Filling the very large boots left by Askou.
Despite only spending one season in the Scottish Premiership, the Dane attracted so many admirers – far beyond Lanarkshire – through his approach, attitude and style of football.
It’s remarkable how seamlessly Johansson has picked up where he left off. Even more so considering key performers Elijah Just, Elliot Watt, Callum Slattery and Calum Ward also moved on.
Few people had a better view of the now-Toulouse boss’ brilliance than Halliday – who spent his last playing year under Askou’s eye – and he says “a lot of the fundamentals are very similar” under Johansson.
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Halliday, who apparently jumped out his seat at Said’s second goal against the Finns, added on BBC Sportsound: “I love what Motherwell stand for, how progressive they are, trying to do it a completely different way that’s proven, surely to everyone, that it can work.
“Squad development, the youth academy, playing a brilliant brand of football and the fact they lost a fantastic coach and manager last year to go out and recruit similar, I love it.”
Invested like many others, the former midfielder does maintain that a signing or two – particularly a goalscoring forward – would be the final piece of the captivating puzzle.
“In wider Scottish football, I hope people sit up and take note of what they’re doing,” Halliday added.
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“I really hope they sign one or two more players at the top end of the pitch, because if they do that, I think they could be every bit as good as last year.”
‘Fir Park energy makes us stronger’
From a media perspective, Johansson is annoyingly level-headed.
In Helsinki, he wouldn’t look forward to this second leg, instead only Falkirk. Here, he only cares about Marvin Bartley’s second-tier side. Don’t even bother trying to get an answer on Freiburg.
In the same way he complimented Said’s sensational double, the Swede still brought the player back down to earth – as much as possible, anyway – by saying he “didn’t manage to show his offensive skills” against Falkirk last weekend.
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He is effortlessly grounded. An imperative quality to have while many others get giddy at his side’s play and their contribution to the coefficient.
But he’s far from a party-pooper, instead feeding off the brilliant and bouncing atmosphere generated round the soulful stands.
“We had 8,100 people at Fir Park tonight which is from what I hear in modern times, if not the best, it’s at least up there in terms of attendance,” the manager added.
“I’m so pleased, happy and proud to be a part of that.
“When you’re in the dugout and the players play on the pitch, there’s an energy at Fir Park that transmits down to the pitch.
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“It makes us better, it makes us stronger.”
They’ll be back here in their numbers to do it all again on Thursday, before making the jaunt to Germany, daring to dream.
But up first, Stenny on Sunday. “A final for us,” Johansson says.
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