Motherwell

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

In a week where so much has happened, it feels like an eternity since my previous column.

Globe-trotting Motherwell have returned home from the continent for the final time this season after Freiburg proved why they were Europa League finalists last year with a 4-1 win sealing a 7-2 aggregate triumph.

I can't complain about how Thursday went - we failed to progress, but we were not failures.

A failure to me would have been a Sligo-level result at an earlier stage of qualifying.

People are quick to say Motherwell and clubs of a similar calibre drag Scotland's coefficient through the mud, but I would argue the opposite.

If we had faced the opposition Rangers or Hibs did, we could have feasibly gone through and would be playing league phase European football.

Having returned from Germany, we then squandered a two-goal lead in the Premiership against St Mirren, which is not good enough.

We could have put the game to bed, but we didn't and ultimately we did well to snatch a point having gone 3-2 behind.

St Mirren have adopted a similar style to ourselves which made it an enjoyable, but nerve-wracking, watch.

And the games continue to come thick and fast with Dundee United on Wednesday before Rangers on Saturday.

With both teams out of form and under pressure there is no better time to face them, especially with Rangers boss Derek McInnes serving a touchline ban when we visit Ibrox.

Not to mention with the potential for some last-minute additions potentially arriving before the transfer window closes on Thursday. The European glamour may be over, but the show must go on.

Image source, Getty Images

Motherwell have signed midfielder Dylan Levitt from Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old, capped 13 times by Wales, has penned a two-year deal at Fir Park with Motherwell holding the option for a further year.

Levitt came through the Manchester United academy and is a familiar face in Scottish football, having previously played for Dundee United and Hibernian.

"Dylan will be a player well-known to our support," Alfred Johansson said.

"We have recruited from leagues across the globe this summer, but bringing someone in who has ample experience in this division is also really important. Dylan has played almost 100 games in the Scottish Premiership, so he knows exactly what's needed.

"His ability on the ball and characteristics were exactly what we wanted, and we feel he bolsters our options in the middle of the pitch. We have some really strong players in this position who will all be pushing each other on throughout the season.

"I'm excited to see Dylan in our system and feel our summer recruitment has put the squad in a really healthy position."

Levitt himself added: "I feel like I should be able to slot in here quickly and easily. From the games I've watched this season, this is the perfect system for me to play in.

"There are some really good players in the building, and now it's my job to get to work and try to push into the team."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton (Dundee United): Five saves and a clean sheet - job done.

Felix Passlack (Hibernian): An assist from the consistently impressive German.

Bert Esselink (Dundee United): Powerful performance and an away clean sheet.

Grant Hanley (Hibernian): Was it intentional? Who cares. Great assist for Martin Boyle.

Will Ferry (Dundee United): Glorious strike with his less favoured right foot as United put Kilmarnock to the sword.

Callum Wright (Hibernian): Another goal for the English midfielder just gives him the nod here over new addition Jacob Devaney, who was also very good.

Emmanuel Agyei (Dundee United): Two key passes and a goal from the Ghana international.

Alex Lowry (Motherwell): Five key passes and always looking to get Motherwell on the front foot.

Samuel Ramos (St Mirren): A goal and two assists from the Spaniard.

Camilo Duran (Celtic): The difference maker against Falkirk with two goals.

Mehdi Merghem (Dundee United): The Algerian more than played his part in an outstanding away display with two assists.

We asked for your views after Motherwell played out a thrilling six-goal Scottish Premiership draw with St Mirren.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Ross: Thoroughly entertaining game all round. Our football gets a bad rep, but there was some great play today from both teams. We really should have been out of sight in the first half, but a point was fair in the end.

Ian: Clearly need to sort out the middle of the defence, as most of what St Mirren threatened us with came that way. That said, we should have been 4-0 up and out of sight before there was any danger.

David: Stunning strike from Jardell Kanga, but we should have been out of sight after 30 minutes. Need to get much tougher at the back though. Really missing Stephen Welsh this season.

Jim: Should have been out of sight after the first half-hour. Then the team collapsed for 10 minutes before half-time, although VAR could have come to our rescue for a couple of fouls leading up to the first goal! Still, the way the game finished made it feel a lot better. A lot of work required in defence in training.

Debutant Jardell Kanga's incredible last-minute goal rescued a Scottish Premiership point for Motherwell in a six-goal thriller against St Mirren.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "The start to the game was brilliant for us, I thought we looked really fast and complex.

"We played really well and created chances in different ways. Then we conceded three goals in nine minutes and go into half-time thinking about what the plan is for the second half. The second half was very open.

"I want to praise the team for how we dug really deep. Strength in mentality and spirit once again but I'm not satisfied with how we ended the first half.

"A brilliant goal. When we scouted him he scored a similar one in Finland. I've seen him since he was very young and knew he was a brilliant finisher so really pleased he gets to show that in his first game.

"We have to learn from this game that we can never stop. You can score all the chances you have, the penalty, but I'm more concerned with the problems in the first half rather than the chances. I don't think we controlled the momentum in the way that we want to [in the first half]. That is probably the learning we have to take.

"Alex Pauslen was amazing today. Without him there is no point for Motherwell today. It is allowed to have a good goalkeeper and we sure do."

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Calvin Ramsay comes into contention after signing for St Mirren on loan from Liverpool. Liam Donnelly had a scan on an abductor injury which will probably keep him out until the international break, while Malik Dijksteel (hamstring) had a setback. On-loan Rangers midfielder Paul Nsio returns after missing the defeat at Ibrox.

Motherwell have Eythor Bjorgolfsson, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Dylan Williams and Tom Sparrow back which leaves Paul McGinn, Callum Hendry (both knee) and Jordan McGhee (hamstring) on the injury list.

• St Mirren are winless in eight Scottish Premiership games against Motherwell (losing four of them) since a 1-0 victory in September 2023.

• Motherwell have won their past two league meetings with St Mirren, last winning three in a row against the Buddies in April 2015.

• St Mirren have won both of their two Premiership games in 2026-27 but have not won three in a row at any stage in the division since December 2024.

• Motherwell have won their past two away league outings, including their first this season 2-1 against Hibernian. The Steelmen last won three in a row on the road in April 2024.

• Midfielder Killian Phillips has scored in three successive Premiership appearances (four goals), including three goals in two games so far this season. The last St Mirren player to score in four consecutive top-flight appearances was Andy Dorman in April 2009.

Image source, Getty

Motherwell have paid an undisclosed fee to land highly rated Sweden Under-21 forward Jardell Kanga from Finnish top-flight club Ilves.

Kanga, 20, has signed a three-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

He became Brommapojkarna's youngest-ever player in 2021 when making his first-team debut aged 15 in Sweden's third tier.

Kanga joined Bayer Leverkusen the following year, featuring for their youth sides, and had a loan spell at De Graafschap before a permanent move to Hammarby in his homeland two years ago.

A switch to Ilves, initially on loan, followed in April 2025 and he made 68 appearances for the Finnish club, scoring 18 goals and providing 16 assists.

"Jardell is a player I have followed closely for a number of years," said Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson.

"When Jardell was playing youth football, there were a number of occasions I tried to bring him into my team, but circumstances meant this didn't happen. I have admired his ability for years and I'm so pleased I'll finally be able to work with him.

"He arrives in Scotland with a lot of attention for what he has achieved already in football, but I know in our environment we can help him develop and grow further."

Kanga says his Fir Park move "makes a lot of sense for me", adding: "The style of play is perfect, the group of players are friendly and talented, and the club is ambitious."

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Midfielder Joe Hodge has urged Motherwell to "get rid of that losing feeling" after their European campaign was halted by Freiburg in the Conference League play-off.

Motherwell lost 7-2 on aggregate after being reduced to 10 men in both games.

"We've lost two on the bounce now", Hodge, 23, said.

"As much as it's against good opposition that's tested us, we've got to bounce back and we need to win on Sunday really, so we'll be looking to do that.

"I'm sure if we put in our best performance and play to our level, then we'll be able to do that."

Before facing St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday, Hodge admits he'll be "sore" after the Freiburg defeat but says he'll move on quickly due to the manner of the loss.

"We were well beaten, so it'll be easy to accept, but in general, no, I don't like losing," he added.

"We've got three games now, all three winnable games, so we need to go and try and get nine points."

After St Mirren away, Motherwell have a midweek home game against Dundee United before a trip to Rangers.

As well as eyeing league points, Hodge is also hoping the side can get back to playing the style of football they've become renowned for.

"We struggled across the two legs to play how we wanted for 90 minutes," he added.

"So we'll be looking to go and show that more in the next three games. We've just got to bounce back, not get too low from it, and go and try and get as many points as we can."

Image source, SNS

We asked for your views after 10-man Motherwell lost 4-1 in Germany to bow out of Europe 7-2 on aggregate to Freiburg in the Conference League play-off.

Here's what some of you said:

Robert: It's absolutely no disgrace to lose to a team like Freiburg. The boys gave everything and to score home and away shows the team that they're capable of good things in the future. If they can start defending swinging free-kicks and corners, major bonus! All in all well done boys, let's get stuck into this league now.

James: We are a team in progress and they are making it with every game. I look forward to the future, we are a very good team and will get better. My only problem is we lack height in defence, four goals in these two games all from corners.

Frazer: Held our own against a very good Freiburg team and hoping this will put us in good stead for the season. The only frustration was five of the seven goals we conceded were from pens or set-plays.

John: What if we hadn't received a red card in each leg with the scores at 1-1? Hopefully our youthful defenders will learn from the experience and become stronger, better players. Well done Motherwell and our fans, lots to be proud of.

Ian: It's okay saying Freiburg were Europa Finalists and Motherwell were "brave" but these are sounding like weak excuses for a team that were bereft of ideas. Again - for the third game in a row - the passing was poor, the inability to clear the ball from our own box gave us real problems and we looked like a team that had no confidence when pressing. It was embarrassing. I've got the feeling Alfred Johansson does not have the same presence as Jens Berthel Askou.

Dave: Over the two legs, four headed goals from set-pieces and a penalty - a worry going forward against taller teams. Work for the staff to do, other than that, no disgrace against a good German side.

Image source, SNS

Motherwell Manager Alfred Johansson tells BBC Scotland: "I think we competed really, really well for 60 minutes and after that obviously it becomes much more difficult.

"Once again and there it's about trying to protect as much as you can. Could we have done that a little bit better? Maybe in some decisive actions in our own box but I think the guys they tried everything that they had so all in all it was good for 60 minutes and then it was tough.

"Congratulations to Freiburg, they were the better team over the two legs and congratulations to my players because I think they've done really, really well.

"I don't know if it's a sore night. I bring so much good stuff from this game going forward. I think it was tough at the end that's for sure.

"Alex Paulsen's performance is really, really strong and I can point many others. I think Alex Lowry was really, really strong once again today. I think Joe Hodge, the amount of sprint metres he put in for the team defensively was impressive.

"I think Jamie Knight-Lebel has been growing a lot during those two games, both defensively but also on the ball. So I could mention many others."

Motherwell's Conference League journey is over after a rampant Freiburg side overwhelmed them 4-1 in Germany in their play-off second leg.

Trailing last season's Europa League finalists 3-1 on aggregate, Alfred Johansson's men had an almighty task to qualify for the league phase, after coming through two rounds of qualifiers to reach this stage.

Read the match report here.

Have your say on the game here.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Defender Jamie Knight-Lebel thinks the Motherwell squad are "well equipped for the challenge" of trying to stage a remarkable comeback against Freiburg, but knows the scale of the task that awaits.

Alfred Johansson's side trail 3-1 on aggregate in their Conference League play-off, before tonight's return leg in Germany.

The Steelmen took the lead at Fir Park, before the German giants' quality told. Still, Knight-Lebel is ready to give it his all.

"It's a hard task, but we've been working hard and we know what our strengths are, what we can work on," he said.

"We've got a real good group that want to learn, take on the manager's information and focus on the small details.

"We're definitely in the right environment to take on these challenges. You could see last week, there were some really good moments in the game and we've obviously had a week to train, so we've got better.

"We'll be ready to give it our best shot."

The 21-year-old is on loan at Motherwell from English Championship side Bristol City, and despite three Canada caps, he says playing on the European stage is a "massive and new experience" for him.

"It is a bit of a surreal moment for me, being my first season in Europe," Knight-Lebel said.

"It's amazing. We're ready for the challenge and I'm confident that we've got the right people around me to introduce myself to this competition."

Jane Lewis
BBC Scotland in Germany

Image source, SNS

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League play-off second leg with Freiburg in Germany, with the hosts leading 3-1.

Here are the key points:

• On the mindset going into this game given Motherwell trail by two goals, Johansson says they will try to "do our best to perform with our style of play at the top of our mind" and "to do as good as we can".

• The manager's message this week has been "we're going to try to do our thing", adding when they do that "they're at their best".

• Johansson admits he has "learned things" from the first leg and will try "to improve some bits and pieces".

• Motherwell can use Celtic's Champions League play-off defeat and a "million" similar stories as inspiration, but Johansson thinks "we're better off focusing on what we have to do".

• The players "believe we have a lot of quality and we believe that we have the capacity to do well".

• Johansson says Motherwell's weekend off could be beneficial and it was "much needed" while he is not overly worried by Freiburg's convincing win in their weekend cup match.

• Regan Charles-Cook, Stephen O'Donnell, Tom Sparrow, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Dylan Williams have travelled and are in contention, though the Swede says they all have to be "managed".

Image source, SNS

Motherwell have issued a plea over supporter behaviour after revealing fan-related incidents have cost the club almost £80,000 this season.

The Fir Park side are to pay £63,000 to repair HJK Helsinki's LED advertising boards, which were damaged when some visiting fans climbed over them to enter the pitch in the Conference League third-round qualifier.

That incident also brought a £12,800 fine from Uefa, who had earlier imposed a £3,400 sanction for the blocking of passageways in the John Hunter Stand at Fir Park against Havnar Boltfelag.

As Motherwell prepare for their play-off second leg against Freiburg in Germany on Thursday, the club said: "We are not targeting a specific group of supporters or anyone in particular for these matters, but if you know you jumped over the barrier, or even worse, entered the field of play, you know who you are.

"And we're asking you to please restrain yourself should another celebratory moment arise. This moment created a lot of uncertainty, and the safety of the fans was compromised, as anyone could have been injured.

"Last week during our home match at Fir Park against Freiburg, despite our calls for everyone to remain in the stands, Uefa flagged supporters jumping over the wall from the John Hunter Stand.

"Even one supporter entering the field of play is regarded by Uefa as a pitch incursion, and this is subject to an ongoing disciplinary decision. A second offence results in a minimum penalty of a further €24,000.

"We fully appreciate how big these moments are, and we can all get a bit carried away. But such behaviour is taking things too far, and it's causing a financial strain on the football club, as well as the further risk of harsher punishments growing."

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

Scoring against the Europa League finalists a couple of minutes into the game was wonderfully unexpected.

From the first minute Fir Park was twisting, shouting and singing. It would have been easy to take a page out of Steve Clarke's book and park the bus against Freiburg.

Thankfully, we didn't. We showed no fear and we put on a noble show. Our display brings more than just pride to the fans; it brings pride to the town and Scottish football as a whole.

We may not have won but to be defeated after a questionable red card, I can live with that when you consider the calibre of team we were playing against.

I had no hope of us winning and was blase about the result as long as it didn't become a cricket score.

There is no way we will keep a clean sheet in Thursday's second leg but it is still a trip to savour for the players and the fans.

I have never been prouder than in the past 12 months to say I am a 'Well fan. Jens Berthel Askou started it all, but it is Alfred Johansson now creating fresh memories.