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Ibrahim Said is Motherwell's main man now as Emmanuel Longelo admits Nigerian has come back a 'different person' The Steelmen are all looking forward to testing themselves against Freiburg next week after seeing off HJK Helsinki in the Conference League Emmanuel Longelo always knew Motherwell’s Euro hero Ibrahim Said had qualities - now he is showing them on a regular basis. The Nigerian striker netted a double to sink HJK and set up a Conference League play-off clash with Freiburg. Said also hit a winner in the opening day Premiership win at Hibs. Longelo believes Said is now ready to step up and become a key player for Alfred Johansson’s side. The left-back said: “He (Said) has been amazing since the start of pre-season. He has come back a different person. He has always had his qualities, but now we are starting to see it on a consistent basis. “He is a great guy. He has a lot of humility and a lot of heart. He is one of my best mates here and I love him. “It was just a matter of time. Everybody knows Ibrahim’s qualities. He shown glimpses of it and loads of it last season. Now we are starting to see it more. People are starting to pay more attention and get on-board.” Motherwell are now six games unbeaten and haven’t lost under new boss Alfred Johansson. They will hope to keep that run going when they take on Stenhousemuir away in the Premier Sports Cup on Sunday. That is now the immediate focus for Longelo and the rest of the Motherwell squad. He claimed: “The mood was absolutely good. We enjoyed it. The crowd was amazing. It was a great game to play in and enjoy as well. “You can always find time to enjoy it. You just need to find the correct balance. “ After the game, we enjoyed it. “Obviously the performance was good and one we were pleased with. Now we put it to bed and we can look forward to the next game.” Motherwell will then face Freiburg at home in the first round of their play-off. Motherwell will go in as major underdogs against last season’s Europa League finalists. Longelo is looking forward to the challenge and trying to extend their unbeaten run. The former West Ham player acknowledged: “It will be a good test to see where we are against a team of such high calibre. I am pretty sure we will be ready for it. “Absolutely, that is the mentality you have to have (no fear). We want to make this place a fortress and we are delighted with the way the fans reacted. “It will be a major boost for us (the HJK win). It is a game where everybody wants to play in it. It is a top game and an opportunity to progress further in the tournament. It is something we want to do. We want to compete in this tournament and at a high level, so we will be up for it.” Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson’s reckons the HJK was one of his best. His biggest issue is keeping his side fresh and ready to go in all competitions. The Steelmen were off at it last weekend against Falkirk in the Premiership, following their return from Helsinki. He is hoping that is not the case going into their weekend cup clash at Ochilview. He warned: “You can’t be at your best when you have these congested fixtures, it is very difficult. Mentally, mainly. “Physically there is an effect, you have also cope with it and to learn. It is a skill and if you haven’t done it before it isn’t easy. “We are learning that right now. The extra day between games helps because you get another day off. You can rest your body and your head. You feel better going into the training sessions and the next game. “We are further in the congested fixtures. Everybody has tried it now a couple of times and we learn from it. “We will not be at our best in every game. We weren’t at our best at the Falkirk game, even if the effort was so high. “Against HJK we saw another step closer to where we want: to play with bravery and quality on the ball. Trying to consolidate the style of play from last season. “Everyone wants that and we are working in one direction as a club, from the board, directors, staff, players and the supporters. That alignment is something we want to stand for.”