Motherwell

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Newcomers to Motherwell need to bring an intensity, says manager Alfred Johansson, as the club close in on more new recruits.

The Fir Park squad are going through a transition after losing star man Elijah Just, fellow midfielders Callum Slattery and Elliot Watt, and goalkeeper Calum Ward.

Those who have already been brought in have hit the ground running as Motherwell sailed past HB Torshavn on Thursday in Conference League qualifying.

But, when asked about transfer news on Friday, manager Johansson said: "We're close to bringing in a player or two.

"The players that we want to bring have to be along the same lines of the recruitments the last couple of years, which is players that fit the style of play at the club, that fit the way we want to behave and treat people here at the club.

"So players that come in, they need to fit into that, obviously. We are a team that we treat each other really well with respect and we care for each other. So people that come here, they need to fit into that.

They need to be intense in how they play their football. They need to be able to sprint for the team. They need to be able to work hard for the team."

Motherwell kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign on Sunday away to Hibernian (16:30 BST), and Johansson added: "A massive task for us, really exciting, really excited to go there and try to bring more good memories, like last year, like the players and all the people did.

"So we're going to do our best, knowing that it's a long season, of course, but we really look forward already to Sunday."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Scottish Premiership opener at Hibernian.

Here are the key lines:

• The club are closing in on bringing in a "player or two".

• The Swede wants to consolidate the style of play established last year under Jens Berthel Askou this season "in a moment of change", with slight differences.

• He believes HJK Helsinki will offer a tougher test in Conference League qualifying than HB did in Well's 5-0 aggregate win, but remains focused on Hibs.

• The Fir Park boss is pleased Tawanda Maswanhise returned in the Faroes for some minutes after suffering a jaw injury, with the striker now catching up on his fitness.

• Johansson believes the team coped well without Maswanhise in attack despite him having an "X-Factor".

• No team news on who may return for Sunday's match with players being assessed day by day.

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We asked for your views after Motherwell won 3-0 away to HB to complete a 5-0 aggregate win and set up a Conference League third-round qualifier against HJK Helsinki.

Here are some of your comments:

James: Terrific performance by all the Motherwell players. A deserved victory, let's keep up the tempo for the season ahead.

Gilbert: What a brilliant result, now on to Helsinki.

James: Another impressive performance. Some great one-touch stuff, should have scored more, again Lukas Fadinger and Oscar Priestman ran the show. Emmanuel Longelo again looking sharp, hope to have some more experience back soon. COYW.

David: Let's not get too carried away just get, but a double clean sheet and aggregate five-goal victory is not to be sniffed at. Need some additional prowess up front but pat on the back to all at Fir Park so far.

Jim: Impressive start by Alfred Johansson given he has had to contend with injuries, loss of key players, and bedding in new signings. No secret Well fans were concerned before this tie, but last year at this time we were drawing with Clyde and sneaking past Peterhead. Not perfect and very much a work in progress but really optimistic for the season ahead.

Ally: Ibrahim Said looked unbelievable in new role. Played like a prime Messi. Hope he continues form against more tougher opposition

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• This will be Alfred Johansson's first league game in charge of Motherwell. Just two of the Steelmen's last seven managers (including caretakers) have won their first league match (losing three of them), Steven Hammell beating St Mirren 1-0 in July 2022 and Stuart Kettlewell beating the same side 2-1 in February 2023.

• Motherwell have only won their league opener in one of the last nine seasons (losing four times), beating St Mirren 1-0 in 2022-23.

• Hibernian have won their opening game in seven of the last nine Scottish Premiership seasons (losing the other two), although they have lost on the opening day in two of the last three.

• Motherwell won away to Hibs 1-0 on the final day of last season. The Steelmen are therefore looking to successive away league wins over Hibs for the first time since August 2013 – when the second win was on the opening day of the season.

• Hibs have won three of the last four occasions they have faced Motherwell on the opening day of a league season (losing the other), including both of the last two: 3-0 in 2018-19, and 3-2 in 2021-22.

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "Yes, delighted about the intensity of the team, that we managed to be brave enough to play the way that we want to play football, also away from home and obviously delighted with the result.

"All the credit to the players to be brave enough to do it away from home in Europe.

"I think it's down to two things and that's one, how we play with the ball, as we already spoke about, but I also think it's because we were really strong defensively and we put all the intensity and the aggressivity that's needed.

"So we did not let them bully us with the physicality and the long balls.

"Overall, I think we were superior in terms of chance creation against this team.

"What brought us to this point now is that we've been working really, really hard.

"And I think that when some of our players still are not ready to play 90 minutes in a game like this, then we also need to be humble enough to admit that we still have a distance to go before performing and everyone is on fire like the way we want.

"So we still have a lot of steps to take.

"But all the credit to the players after these two legs."

Motherwell smoothly progressed to the Conference League third qualifying round after a composed and professional performance away to Faroese side Havnar Boltfelag.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the result here.

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Motherwell cannot afford to sit back on their 2-0 lead in the second leg of their Conference League second qualifying round tie away to HB Torshevn, Joelle Murray has warned.

The Hibernian women's head coach recognises it was "a very good performance" and "a good result" in the first leg at Fir Park.

That is despite "probably a bit of fearfulness from supporters" given the loss of several of last season's top performers and the absence of top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise.

"Very impressive result, but it's going to be difficult because, as has been reported all week, HB have created a fortress," Murray said on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast about the side who are unbeaten in eight home European ties since losing to Levadia Tallinn of Estonia 10 years ago.

"So it certainly won't be easy, but they've given themselves a really, really good chance and given themselves a good foundation to go into this evening's game.

"But that scoreline is probably the most difficult one in football, whether it's for you or certainly against you.

"What Motherwell can't do is go into tonight's game and try to defend the 2-0 because it just encourages pressure, it just builds momentum for HB.

"So I think they need to go over there and try and win the game. I don't think they can sit back, defend the two-goal lead and be complacent.

"They've got the quality - Maswanhise is seemingly available after his fractured jaw, Longelo available, whether it be from the start or the bench."

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Motherwell are determined not to let their European adventure end at the first hurdle after working so hard to earn the opportunity, says Emmanuel Longelo.

The Fir Park side have travelled to the Faroe Islands for the second leg of their second-round Conference League qualifier after beating HB Torshavn last week.

Well hold a two-goal advantage and left-back Longelo says they go into the game "knowing that we need to do a job".

"We worked hard to get this reward in European football, so we're never going to take it lightly," the 25-year-old added.

"It's big for me because I had only ever played in one European game before and I want to be playing in European games.

"When I was at West Ham, we played a Europa League game and lost 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb.

"It was an amazing experience - it was one of my first starts. It was an amazing day. I still remember it.

"Motherwell want to be playing European games, so it's huge for us. The squad is feeling very good.

"Obviously we know we can't get ahead of ourselves because it's only half-time. And now we know that HB have a very strong home record.

"So we're feeling good, very confident, but we need to keep a steady head."

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has been speaking to the media as his team get set to head to the Faroe Islands to face HB Torshavn with a 2-0 aggregate lead.

Here's the best of it:

• Forward Tawanda Maswanhise is set to be involved in Thursday's game after suffering a jaw injury in pre-season, but will not start.

• Johansson has told his team to "eat barbed wire" in preparation for a battle against their hosts.

• The Motherwell boss insists his side will not "park the bus" and defend their lead without any attacking intent.

• He expects a challenging game against a Torshavn side with a formidable European home record of no defeats in the last five seasons.

• In terms of transfers, Johansson admits the club are close to doing "a thing or two" in terms of bringing in new players.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

From what we have seen from our new manager, Alfred Johansson, and signings so far there is no reason to believe that we won't finish in the top six. Ideally we can finish fourth again or, at the bare minimum, fifth and hope whoever wins the league also wins the Scottish Cup so we could make back-to-back European campaigns.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

With having only played two games with fans present it is hard to fully say who has been the best addition to the squad so far. By default, I would have to say Martin Moorman after his 25-yard wonder goal that put us ahead last Thursday [against HB Torshavn]. The new players overall seem to have gelled well with the original team, alongside the younger players we have seen come through from the academy. I would still like to see an extra striker and maybe two more defenders come through just to be on the safe side while we try reducing our injury backlog.

What do you want from your manager this season?

It is peculiar to have a manager that has never actually played football however, as long as he continues to give the younger players opportunities to play, implements a style as close as possible to Jens Berthel Askou's and takes us to the minimum of the quarter-final of each cup I will be happy. I can see us finishing top six as well. however that can be a flexible expectation as long as we are not flirting with the relegation zone.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Last year we had several breakout stars due to having one of the best talent pools I have ever witnessed in my 24 years of being a 'Well fan. This season it is hard to fully single out one player as being our next Elijah Just or Elliot Watt because we do have such a strong team. Last season you could have also argued that Paul McGinn and Stephen O'Donnell were unexpected stars despite being veterans of the game due to how much of a transformation they had. We will need to see a lot more adaptability this year from players to try and fill the boots of Just, Watt and Callum Slattery and I think Lukas Fadinger may just be the man to do it. He was trying to command the midfield the same way Slattery did for years on Thursday and if he continues to emulate Slattery's style and role, I can see him becoming hugely important for us.

What is your one major concern?

The only concern I have niggling in the back of my mind is how we make the most out of the money we've brought in this year.

We do need some major investments into the Phil O'Donnell stand. The club has taken the initiative to replace the old wooden seats with new plastic ones; the new seats however, have been being hugely criticised for the lack of leg room and comfort. I know you can't please everyone, however if we can split the £8m towards tweaking the new seats, reinforcing the infrastructure itself within the stand and then a couple of more players I will be happy.

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Motherwell have signed midfielder Alex Lowry on a season-long loan from Wycombe Wanderers.

The 23-year-old former Rangers player scored three goals in 24 appearances for the English League One club last season but last featured on Boxing Day 2025.

"We see this as a great opportunity for Alex and the club," Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson told club media.

"He is a technically gifted footballer who enjoys being on the ball and being creative.

"His knowledge of Scottish football and experience here could prove vital over the next 12 months.

"The staff behind the scenes have been meticulous in their scouting of Alex, and I have no doubt he will slot into our team well."

Lowry, who is ineligible to play in Thursday's Conference League qualifying second leg tie away to Havnar Boltfelag, made his Rangers debut in January 2022.

He went on to feature in 12 games for the Ibrox club, including a Champions League outing from the bench against Ajax.

A loan to Hearts in the 2023-24 season was cut short after 12 starts and he joined Wycombe in January of 2025.

"It's great to be back up the road," said Lowry.

"Being a Scottish football fan, everyone knows Motherwell were an outstanding team last year. But having spoken to the manager, it's already clear he has his own ideas for what he wants the team to look like, and I think even in these early stages, the identity is clear.

"I feel I can add to the already strong squad assembled here and I'm looking forward to kicking on this season."

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Alex Paulsen revealed former Motherwell star Elijah Just was a key factor in his move to Fir Park.

Just left Motherwell for a club-record fee earlier this summer, signing for Swansea City off the back of an impressive World Cup campaign with New Zealand.

His international teammate Paulsen spoke to Just about his time in the Scottish Premiership before moving north of the border on loan from Bournemouth.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper made his Motherwell debut in Thursday's 2-0 win over HB in Conference League qualifying, making several good saves.

"Yeah, [Just] had a lot of great things to say about the club," said Paulsen.

"It's a community club. Everybody's around here. Everybody's hard working.

"It was pretty much when Eli said that, it was a no-brainer for me. It's been really, really fantastic.

"He just said that the coach is trying to implement a new style and it's going to take a bit of time for me to continue to get used to the players as well. But yeah, Eli, he had great things to say about the club."

Paulsen was not surprised to see Just get a big-money move.

He said: "I've been with Eli with a couple of national team [camps] and a couple of international windows so it was just great to see him perform at the World Cup and on the world stage.

"It was just fantastic and I'm really proud of him to get that move to Swansea as well.

"He's had a really good journey and also had some obstacles to face overseas in Europe, like anybody else.

"So I'm just kind of happy for him that he's gone and got that move with another fellow kiwi [Marko Stamenic], over there at Swansea City as well."

Despite Thursday's impressive win, Paulsen is taking nothing for granted next week in the Faroe Islands.

"It's great for us to have that lead heading into the away fixture next week and we know that it's going to be a tough game going over there and playing on the artificial surface as well, it's going to be very difficult," he said.

"So we know that we're just leading at half-time and we've got to finish off the game next week with the heads down and continuing to work hard."

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Former Motherwell striker Cillian Sheridan is fully confident the Steelmen will make it through to the third round of Conference League qualifying after their first leg victory against HB on Thursday.

In Alfred Johansson's first competitive game as manager, Motherwell won 2-0 at Fir Park thanks to goals from Martin Moormann and Lukas Fadinger.

HB Torshavn are currently fifth in the Faroese top flight after 16 games, having finished second last season to secure their Conference League place.

"I'm going to put my neck out and say I think they will go through," Sheridan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"You can't go away to the Faroe Islands and lose a two-goal lead. Plus this is the Conference League, it's not the champions of the Faroe Islands, it's their team that finished in the Conference League positions.

"I'm willing to have egg on my face at the end of this, but no, they're not going to give up this lead."

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after new manager Alfred Johansson's first competitive game in charge as the Steelmean beat HB Torshavn 2-0 in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Stuart: I know it is the first competitive game of the season but there was a lot more pros than cons on that showing last night. The new signings look as if they could fill the void of the players that have left. As the season gets going and we get injured players back and a few more signings in there could be life after Jens [Berthel Askou] after all.

Archie: A good performance. Another goal would have been comforting though, given HB's strong home record.

Mark: I have to say I went into Fir Park quite nervous due to injuries and a thin squad, but this Motherwell team keeps surprising me no matter what shape it takes. The style of play looks very similar to last season, thankfully, and it's good to see us actually shooting from more than 10 yards out. Oscar Priestman and Martin Moorman in particular looked very very good. Onto the Faroes.

James N: A deserved victory for Motherwell. A few more goals would have been good, some very good performances especially from Lukas Fadinger and Priestman. A good performance next week and we are in the next round.

Dylan: Great game, a good warm up. The new players seemed to do well. Mikey Booth is going to be the next Lennon Miller if he gets the minutes. All good things to come from Motherwell this season.

James W: Thought Priestman was man of the match. Ewan Wilson was also excellent. Booth showed up well but we need a striker ASAP. Decent football, played on the deck. Thought Moorman and Jake Girdwood- Reich were really decent and can both play. Good first showing.

Motherwell took a step towards the Conference League proper with a polished first-leg victory over Havnar Boltfelag in the second round of qualifying.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the result here.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "Coming off pre-season, we had eight players make their debuts with three academy graduates getting their first minutes.

"We managed to get a result in the first leg with all those debuts, looking like a team that wants to fight for each other.

"[HB] are European regulars and we have seen with other Scottish teams how difficult it can be when you face this type of team.

"We managed to keep stability in the way the team plays. It is two legs - this is half-time and it is going to be very difficult to go the Faroe Islands and face them on astroturf. They probably feel they got a pretty good result and [the tie] is alive.

"We need to use this week really good and prepare for a difficult away game.

"We could have scored at least one more, but that's football sometimes. Also, it's nice to see we have a really strong keeper who decides the outcome of the first leg with some class saves.

"It's going to be difficult next week but we go there with confidence.

"I think we're pretty close to do a thing or two [transfer-wise], but it's a long window. We have to have patience to get the right people in the door."