Watch all the action as Motherwell and Falkirk play out a goalless draw at Fir Park to maintain Alfred Johansson's unbeaten start to life at Motherwell. Available to UK users only
Motherwell are considering loan options for Zander McAllister, who has interest from the Championship down to League Two, despite the 18-year-old midfielder having been involved in first-team squads. (Daily Record, external)
Jens Berthel Askou says he was tempted to stay with Motherwell and take them to the next level, but the offer of being Toulouse head coach was too interesting to turn down. (The Scotsman, external)
Alfred Johansson maintained his unbeaten start to life as Motherwell manager, but his side failed to breakdown Falkirk as the pair played out a lively draw in the Scottish Premiership.
Read the full match report here
Have your say on the game via this link
Image source, SNSMotherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "If you take into account the last 20 minutes of the game I think it's a good point.
"Falkirk grew into the game and we kind of grew out of it. We will take the point. It's a game we created a couple of chances and we could have converted better and scored a goal but I think the performance in the second half, we expect more from each other.
"I think we need to be realistic and realise that it's a time of change with a lot of new people, players, staff, coming in. You need to realise then that you're going to have to build relationships, understanding of each other and the way we want to play. We need to learn all these players and that can take a little bit of time. We've started really good, we've taken a couple of victories already and today were defensively solid, even if we weren't happy with the performance on the ball.
"This game is mainly down to us having to be better on the ball going forward.
"We still have levels to improve offensively. We need to make sure we are as a good as we can to solve problems together. On the positive note I think we created a couple of chances where we looked dangerous, we maintained defensive solidity. When you don't have your best game but keep a clean sheet, it's massive.
"We have a big task on Thursday, we have to enjoy tonight, relax and on Tuesday and Wednesday we will prepare for an important game for the club with a smile on our face. We need to look forward now and enjoy the next couple of days."
Motherwell's Alex Lowry is eager to do justice to sporting the number 11 once worn by Davie Cooper at Fir Park. (Record - subscription required, external)
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki
Image source, SNSAlfred Johansson really does take things one game at a time.
On Wednesday, he admitted he "didn't even know about the draw" in relation to potentially facing Freiburg in the Conference League play-offs, and on Thursday, he certainly wouldn't entertain any questions about reaching that stage by defeating HJK Helsinki next week.
For now, the Finnish side is not on his mind. His sole focus is Falkirk on Sunday.
It will be the Swede's first home game in the Scottish Premiership, and though he only joined over the summer, he's acutely aware of the hold the Bairns had over the Steelmen last season.
"They were the nemesis last year," Johansson said in Helsinki, shortly before he and his players hopped on a plane back home to prepare for the meeting with John McGlynn's side after a 1-1 first-leg draw in Finland.
"I don't think anyone cannot be so excited by the opportunity to play them on Saturday.
"The staff have a lot of knowledge about them, I know they're a good team from what I've seen already - including from some of the games last year I watched prior to signing the contract here.
"They're a good team with a lot of energy, a lot of stability within the club and the manager's position.
"They're improving all the time, exceeding expectations and it's going to be a difficult game but we're looking forward to it with confidence.
"They've lost a few players, but we have too so it's going to be a tight game - that's what the Premiership is, isn't it?"
Image source, SNSMotherwell pair Regan Charles-Cook and Alex Lowry will be checked after going off injured against HJK Helsinki but Ibrahim Said is available, having missed the Finland trip because of a visa issue. Eythor Bjorgolfsson is pushing for a comeback but Dylan Williams, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (calf), Jordan McGhee (hamstring), Paul McGinn, Callum Hendry and Stephen O'Donnell (all knee) are set to remain sidelined.
Falkirk could hand a debut to new midfielder Finlay Barbrook but Scott Tanser (groin), Keelan Adams, Ethan Laidlaw, Tom Lang and Aidan Nesbitt (all ankle) are injured while captain Brad Spencer is suspended.
Image source, SNSMotherwell are winless in six league meetings with Falkirk (D2 L4) since a 1-0 victory in October 2009.
Falkirk have won each of their past three league visits to Motherwell, each by a different scoreline: 1-0 in April 2010, 2-1 in October 2025, and 3-2 in April 2026.
Motherwell started their Scottish Premiership season with a 2-1 away win against Hibernian – they have not won their first two matches in a season since 2007-08 under Mark McGhee.
Since a 1-0 home win over Motherwell in May, Falkirk have lost all four of their matches in the Premiership. Their last longer losing run came between May and August 2008 (five in a row).
Motherwell's Lukas Fadinger has scored three goals in his past five Scottish Premiership appearances, two more than he managed in his first 30 appearances in the competition (1).
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland
Image source, SNSDefender Jake Girdwood-Reich is hopeful Motherwell can "finish off" their Conference League tie against HJK Helsinki in honour of their supporters.
The Australian defender arrived from MLS side St Louis City earlier this summer and has featured in all four of their games so far this term.
The 22-year-old was in the starting line-up for Thursday night's 1-1 draw against HJK in Finland and was blown away by the travelling support.
"The fans turned up and were unbelievable," the centre-back said.
"When we scored the goal there was a really good feeling and they were louder than HJK's fans. That's all we can ask and hopefully we can finish off this tie for them."
Girdwood-Reich joined the Steelmen shortly after the appointment of Alfred Johansson as the club's new manager.
He replaced head coach Jens Berthel Askou, who joined Toulouse, with big shoes to fill after the former boss guided Motherwell to a fourth place Premiership finish.
But the new manager is already impressing with an unbeaten record in their four games so far.
"I knew when I came here how the old manager played," Girdwood-Reich added.
"Johansson is just trying to add onto that. We play a risky style of football but that's why I cam here. I just want to improve and I think the manager is going to improve me as a player".
Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after Thursday's 1-1 draw with HJK Helsinki, in Finland, in the Conference League third qualifying round first leg tie.
Here's what some of you had to say:
James: Not a bad performance at all. The pitch looked poor. We looked good in possession but our weakened squad showed towards the end. Still, we're unbeaten, and have a great chance next week but let's take care of Falkirk first. We still really need an out and out goalscorer.
Gilbert: Brilliant result, can't wait for the home game should be a cracking game.
Alan: This is an excellent result and a fantastic building block for the next game. It is only half time but plenty to play for. It's particularly pleasing to see the manager giving the younger players time on the pitch and the whole approach by the manager (and players) is to be applauded.
James N: Another great result for the team. The manager is so confident and it brings out the best in the players. Onward to next week, let's get a great result
Gary: Great result but the job is only half done. We need a massive crowd at Fir Park to hopefully inspire the team to a massive tie against Freiburg. Alfred Johansson has made a great start.
David: It's a reflection of the game in Scotland that we hail a European draw in Finland. Let's take it though and ensure we do the business in the return leg at Fir Park. Freiburg await and with it great possibilities.
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki
Image source, SNSAlfred Johansson had good reason to have a wee smile on his face in the press conference room at the Bolt Arena.
The Motherwell manager had just watched his side earn a 1-1 draw against HJK Helsinki in Finland - a more than credible result on the road.
But his grin at the end of his presser came because a local journalist used his one question to speak about the travelling supporters.
The 550-strong band of Steelmen supporters marched their way to the stadium, sung from the soles of their feet and then spilled onto the outskirts of the pitch when Tawanda Maswanhise scored from the penalty spot.
They made quite the impression on the locals, and Johansson couldn't have been more proud.
"We did it in the Faroes and now there are even more people here in Helsinki," the Swede said post-match.
"Being able to have that support, I mean, Fir Park is not the stadium in Scotland with the biggest attendance, the biggest amount of seats, but still, to have that many people from Motherwell come to Helsinki, it's massive for a club like us.
"It's massive for us in the dugout and it's absolutely massive for the players on the pitch.
"The energy they transmit to all of us, I think it's really difficult to measure that.
"You can't explain it. It's massive for us and I'm so proud to have that."
Former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki earned HJK Helsinki a draw at home to Motherwell in Conference League qualifying - but the Scottish Premiership side will be favourites to advance to a play-off against Freiburg.
Read the full match report here
Have your say on the game via this link
Image source, SNSMotherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "I think it was a good performance. I'm very, very proud of the players.
"I think we dug deep, I thought the young players who came on in the second half impacted the game. I think we played parts of the game at a high level.
"It was an unfortunate situation where we conceded a goal, it's a very experienced number nine they have, it can happen. I'm proud of the performance and I think we did a good job here [in Finland].
"The players started to be even more brave in their decision-making [in the second half]. It's mainly the players who decided to say "let's play". They were more aggressive in the press, which allows you to recover more balls higher up the pitch, which makes you feel more confident. The players turned up the heat a little bit and that was good to see.
"Home advantage is always a thing. To be able to play at Fir Park with all of our people in the stands, it's something to look forward to."
Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki
Image source, SNS"It's just awesome."
Willy Vogt could have been talking about many things, but in this instance he was talking about the support for Motherwell in Helsinki.
The Steelmen have sold out their away allocation at the Bolt Arena for Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round tie against HJK, and Vogt insists he and his team-mates are determined to pay their fans back.
"It's incredible, it's not normal for that many people to travel in Europe," Vogt, who admits he displayed the best of himself in a Well shirt in the weekend win at Hibs, told BBC Sport Scotland.
"Every single away ticket sold out, some people trying to get some more, we have the whole support from the community," he added. "We want to give them back some good football, it's just awesome."
Brazil-born Vogt insisted Alfred Johansson - who he described as "calm" - has brought his side here
"We're very excited, it's the next opponent in our European adventure," the 24-year-old added. "They're a tough opponent, it's going to be hard, but we've come here to win.
"[The manager] is a very kind person, very calm, you feel it on and off the pitch. He speaks to everyone, he makes the whole group feel seen and appreciated and that is a really awesome quality in a trainer."
Image source, SNSCan Motherwell topple HJK Helsinki to set up a Conference League play-off against Freiburg?
Alfred Johnasson's reign has begun with three wins from three, with HB Torshavn dispatched 5-0 on aggregate before a 2-1 Premiership win at Hibs.
The Steelmen are in Helsinki for Thursday's first leg, and Scottish coach and analyst John Walker fully expects them to progress in the tie.
"I think probably in previous years Helsinki were a stronger team in Finland," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.
"I don't think they're quite as strong as they previously were. I think they're probably well matched in positioning. They are probably the fourth-best team in Finland just now and I think Motherwell have got too much for this side.
"Motherwell have kind of continued on and are still riding that wave from last season.
"I think this is a good test. It's early in the season but Motherwell are one of the teams I'm fully expecting to go and take care of a team at Helsinki's level."
Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter
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