news-engine

'Outstanding' Motherwell star set to avoid visa issues and reach dream Conference League play-off clash Motherwell face a Bundesliga test in the next round of the Conference League. Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson reckons his team hit their next level after progressing to a Conference League play-off with Bundesliga team Freiburg. The Steelmen won 3-1 on aggregate in their third round qualifier with Finnish outfit HJK Helsinki, winning 2-0 in the second leg at Fir Park, thanks to a wonderful Ibrahim Said double. Two mazy runs through the Helsinki defence ended with goals and now a clash with last season’s Europa League finalists await. Freiburg come to North Lanarkshire next week for a glamour tie before the return leg on August 27. Motherwell will be major underdogs to reach the lucrative league phase of the Conference League, however, Johansson praised his players for getting there with limited training time. Motherwell on victory over HJK “It was two really strong legs from us in Helsinki and here,” said the Motherwell manager with Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup last 16 tie with Stenhousemuir in mind. “I’m really pleased to see the effort. I never have to speak about it because it’s always there but I felt we took another step in the direction in how we want to look on the ball. It’s complicated when you can’t train. When you gather a new group of people and you need to build relationships and to play this way and you’re always on recovery and preparing for the next game, it’s difficult. “The guys need to transfer talk from video sessions into the game and they did it. We are here every day to play matches so we get paid to play football so to see Sunday as something negative I'd never dream of that. I’m not thinking about Freiburg. I’m not thinking about them. It's Stenhousemuir.” Match-winner Said missed the first leg of the HJK clash in Finland due to visa issues, but with the second leg not for another fortnight, Johansson is hopeful of that not being a problem on play-off business. He added on the forward: “I expect that yes, especially as we start at home and we have more time to get it done. Outstanding performance. I’m so pleased for him. I think he’s been really good at the start of the season in Europe and the league.” After the arrival of midfielder Joe Hodge from Portuguese side Tondela on Wednesday, Johansson insisted Motherwell’s shopping isn’t done, with more recruits to help an injury-depleted side. He said: “We’re not done in this window. There are still things to be done but for us we’re in a situation where we want to be patient and make the right decisions. We don't want to force anything.” Comments Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.