Motherwell

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.

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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."

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HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands head to Fir Park for Thursday's Conference League second-round qualifier and, while many of the home crowd may not be up to speed on their Faroese domestic football, they may also be wondering how their own side will set up.

However, former Well midfielder Andy Halliday is full of confidence that his ex-teammates will be able to get over the line.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Halliday told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I watched Motherwell at the weekend against Genk in their last friendly before preparations for tonight and it was an outstanding game, it really was.

"Motherwell, in terms of style, looked fairly similar to Jens Bertel Askou's Motherwell last year.

"You can certainly see Alfred Johansson putting his own spin on things though. There were a couple of tweaks within that."

Motherwell have had no time to reinvest the club record fee that they received from Swansea City for Elijah Just and have a glut of injured players unable to play their part on Thursday evening.

"I look at the line-up, I look at the bench, and it's just so easy to notice the amount of big players that Motherwell are missing at this point in time," Halliday added.

"So I don't think we'll see the best version of Motherwell tonight. How do you replace Elijah Just? How do you replace Callum Slattery? How do you replace Elliot Watt?

"But I think, if Motherwell are even close to their best, it should be more than enough."

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Elijah Just may have only spent one season at Motherwell but his brief stay "will be remembered fondly by everyone", says chief executive Brian Caldwell after the midfielder's move to Swansea City was completed.

The transfer fee for the 26-year-old is undisclosed but it is confirmed as a new club record at Fir Park, eclipsing the amount received for Lennon Miller from Udinese last summer, while add-ons could see the figure rise.

The New Zealand international scored seven goals and provided eight assists in 43 Motherwell appearances.

Just's displays earned him a place in the PFA Scotland team of the season, while he made the four-man shortlist for player of the year.

"His 12 months at the club will be remembered fondly by everyone, and he is a humble and genuine person who deserves every success," wrote Caldwell.

"As a club, this move marks another hugely successful moment for our overall strategy. Setting a new record sale for the second time in the space of 11 months is down to the hard work of all the football staff."

Just is the fourth departure from the squad that finished fourth in the Premiership last term, along with manager Jens Berthel Askou.

New boss Alfred Johansson has five new recruits so far, with Caldwell saying work continues in the hunt for additions.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Havnar Boltfelag Torshavn, to give them their full name, currently sit fifth in the Effodeildin table 16 games into the 2026 season, having been runners-up last year, but have not played a competitive game since 5 July.

Motherwell will be hoping they will have lost much of the match sharpness that carried them into their summer break with three wins in their past four games when the Faroe Islanders head to Fir Park for Thursday's Conference League second-round qualifier.

That hints at an improvement under Lukasz Cieslewicz, who was promoted from reserve team manager to caretaker after the dismissal of Andre Olsen on 20 June.

The 24-time Faroes champions will be without ex-Motherwell forward Moses Ebiye, who was not granted a visa in time, along with Senegalese midfielder Amidou Diop.

It leaves a squad with only eight players who have experienced domestic football outside the Faroes, although six have played for their country, including former Sligo Rovers midfielder Stefan Radosavljevic.

Interestingly, this will be the second European meeting between the clubs after their Uefa Cup preliminary round tie back in 1994.

Motherwell won 7-1 over two legs to set up a meeting with Borussia Dortmund.

HB have only won three of their 37 European ties, their latest being a 6-0 Conference League qualifying defeat of Buducnost Podgorica of Montenegro in 2021.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland at Fir Park

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European football returns to Fir Park on Thursday as Motherwell welcome HB Torshavn in Conference League qualifying.

Manager Alfred Johansson spoke to the media prior to the first leg. Here are the key points:

• The Motherwell boss is hopeful that some of the glut of injured players will be back for the tie, but said a decision had not yet been made.

• Elijah Just's move to Swansea remains at an advanced stage. The New Zealand international is expected to leave for a club-record fee.

• Johansson sees a "really committed" squad when asked if others may also leave, while saying work is being done to bring more players in.

• New defender Dylan Williams will play a part in Thursday's first leg after joining from Burton.

• The Fir Park boss described it as "exciting" to have such an important game so soon, saying his team "could have been in a much worse position".

• Johansson has faith in the club's young players and the impact they could make after Friday's spirited showing against Genk.

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Alfred Johansson says Motherwell have signed an "attack-minded and exciting defender" in Dylan Williams.

The 22-year-old has joined the Fir Park side from Burton Albion for an undisclosed fee, penning a two-year deal with the club holding the option of a further year.

The former Chelsea and Derby youth player is eligible for Motherwell's Conference League second-round qualifier against Faroese outfit HB.

"A humble young man, Dylan has been in first-team environments since he broke into the Derby County team at a young age," said Johansson.

"He is an incredibly mature man, and we've had some excellent discussions about what we want Dylan to do in our system.

"He is an attack-minded and exciting defender, but most importantly, he works incredibly hard for his team-mates."

Williams, who played 31 times for League One Burton last season, added: "I've spoken to a number of people about Motherwell. Everyone has had positive things to say about the club.

"The initial discussions with the manager were encouraging, and he's been so clear on what he wants me to do. Key messaging and a clear desire to bring me to the club meant it was an easy decision to come here."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell fans hoping for a glamour European tie might feel a tad disappointed given the potential opponents the Fir Park club could have been drawn against in the third round of Conference League qualifying.

The Lanarkshire side also avoided some big hitters in the previous stage, where they will instead face the Faroese outfit HB over two legs.

The first of those games takes place at Fir Park this Thursday, before a trip to Torshavn next week.

It certainly will not be an easy tie for Alfred Johansson's team, especially given their ongoing injury crisis and the fact that Elijah Just is set to join Elliot Watt and Calum Ward in heading for the exit door.

However, Motherwell will still be favourites for the two-legged affair, and if they progress they will seal a date with either Coleraine or HJK Helsinki.

Motherwell beat the Northern Irish side Coleraine during their failed Europa League qualifying attempt in 2020, while on paper HJK pose a more formidable test.

The 2025 Finnish Cup winners finished fifth in their 12-team league last term and are currently fifth in their division after 16 rounds of fixtures, but they boast better European pedigree than their potential Scottish opponents.

They have played in the Conference League proper in two of their past three seasons, drawing with Aberdeen twice in 2023-24.

But scraping past NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands in qualifying last term before being beaten by the Bulgarian outfit Arda Kardzhali perhaps suggests they are not the force they once were.

Motherwell fans will be wary of looking too far ahead. A horror defeat to Sligo Rovers brought a rapid end to their most recent European campaign, but their path to the play-offs looks far more forgiving than it could have been.

Motherwell have agreed to sell winger Elliot Watt, 26, to Samsunspor for in excess of £1m. (Sun, external)

Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Motherwell lost 4-3 to Belgian side Genk in Friday's friendly at Fir Park.

An early Elijah Just penalty was cancelled out by Aaron Bibout's equaliser and Daan Heymans put Genk in front.

Early in the second half, Bibout notched his second and substitute Mikey Booth reduced Well's deficit with 15 minutes left but Brad Manguelle made it 4-2 to Genk.

Robbie Hunter netted a late consolation for Alfred Johansson's side.

New keeper Alex Paulsen featured in goal and defensive recruit Martin Moormann and striker signing Willy Vogt also started.

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Dunfermline Athletic have completed the permanent signing of Motherwell goalkeeper Aston Oxborough for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old made 15 appearances for the Pars during a loan spell last season and now returns to East End Park on a full-time basis.

Oxborough joined Motherwell in 2022 and played 32 times for the Fir Park club.

Motherwell have rejected a fee in the region of £1m for Elliot Watt, but Samsunspor believe a deal is close for the 26-year-old midfielder who has already agreed personal terms. (Sky Sports, external)

Samsunspor technical director Suat Cakır says Elliot Watt has agreed terms and expects minor issues with Motherwell to be ironed out. (Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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With a new manager in the dugout and European nights on the horizon, are Motherwell ready to take the next step?

Host Charlotte Cohen sits down with Derek Watson of the Well Society and Motherwell fan John O'Leary to tackle the key questions that could define the club's season.

Can Alfred Johansson maintain the club's attacking identity following the departure of Jens Berthel Askou?

How will the Steelmen cope if their biggest assets attract transfer interest? And after last season's heroics, can supporters dare to dream again?

Listen: Europe, Johansson and big expectations - Motherwell season preview

Clubs "in a number of countries" have made enquiries about Motherwell winger Elijah Just, according to the 26-year-old's agent Gustaf Grauers. (Record, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

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Motherwell have signed centre-back Jake Girdwood-Reich from MLS side St Louis City on a three-year deal.

The 22-year-old, who becomes Motherwell's fourth summer signing, began his footballing career in Sydney but also had a short stint with St Johnstone's academy in the early years of his career.

Girdwood-Reich joined St Louis in 2024 and has made 23 senior appearances for the club but spent last season back in Australia on loan with Auckland FC.

"It feels so good to be here," Jake Girdwood-Reich told club media.

"Talks have been ongoing, and I've been keen to get things finalised so I could get to work.

"The manager was impressive in the way he explained how he wanted the team to play, and that is something that is important to me. I know what he expects from me, and I know what I can expect from him.

"I know a couple of the boys and have played against a few too, so settling in won't be an issue. It's an exciting few weeks, and I'm glad I can be a part of the journey here at Motherwell."

Head coach Alfred Johansson added: "Jake has a perfect blend of experience and young, raw talent.

"At 22, he is young, enthusiastic and energetic. With lots of development still possible, he has enough experience to slot in comfortably in this environment. Defensively, he is a strong and intelligent player whose traits match our style."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Motherwell have signed New Zealand goalkeeper Alex Paulsen on loan from Bournemouth, two years after he made a reported £2m move to the Premier League side.

The 24-year-old, who was part of his nation's 2026 World Cup squad but did not feature, caught the attention of the English top-flight club after a breakout spell at Wellington Phoenix.

However, he is yet to play for Bournemouth and has spent the past two seasons out on loan, firstly at Auckland before a stint at Lechia Gdansk last term.

He played 24 times in Poland's top tier, suffering relegation as Lechia finished 16th in the 18-team division.

Paulsen arrives following fellow goalkeeper Calum Ward's move from Fir Park to Queens Park Rangers and joins international team-mate Elijah Just in Lanarkshire.

"I've got a great feeling coming in here," Paulsen said. "Obviously, I've been able to speak to Elijah about the club, and everything he has said has got me excited about what's to come.

"I've had a wonderful summer with my country at the World Cup and feel fresh coming into this season. We have some huge matches just around the corner, and we all need to be ready for the competitive action.

"I've spoken to the manager and have been so impressed with the way he has spoken to me. There is a clear vision, and I hope I can help the team achieve that."

Motherwell boss Alfred Johansson added: "Alex had a hugely successful spell in Australia and New Zealand, where he received a number of personal accolades. He was also part of teams that liked to play a certain style of football, and they achieved their targets.

"With Calum moving on, it was obvious that we needed to recruit in this position. We see Alex as a very similar type of goalkeeper in terms of his strengths."

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

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Alfred Johansson will get his first introduction to the Motherwell support in Friday's friendly against Belgian side Genk, but Thursday marks a week until the first leg of their Conference League second-round qualifier against HB Torshavn.

Excitement is building among the fans of the Fir Park club, yet there is also some concern bubbling away about the readiness of the Lanarkshire side as the start of their European campaign approaches.

Two key players from the team that mesmerised the fanbase throughout last term have departed, with goalkeeper Calum Ward joining Queens Park Rangers and Callum Slattery departing for Sheffield Wednesday.

No direct replacements have been signed for either yet, with forward Willy Vogt and centre-back Martin Moorman the only signings of the window so far.

Meanwhile, speculation will not go away regarding the futures of Elliot Watt and Elijah Just, who returned for pre-season training last week following his excellent showings at the World Cup with New Zealand.

Goalkeeper Matty Connelly, who played five times for Jens Berthel Askou last season, and teenager Olly Whyte, who excelled on loan at Stenhousemuir, could potentially fill the voids left by Ward and Slattery.

However, fans harbour concerns that the team are heading into competitive action in a weaker state.

Johansson praised a "very youthful" Motherwell side for their bravery in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Carlisle on Saturday.

"The brand of football we want to stand for, we saw it, it was clear," he said.

The Swede, who is following in the footsteps of a manager who delivered the most attractive football Motherwell fans have seen, noted the goals conceded but hailed "intense pressing moments" from a largely inexperienced team.

Johansson says he is "absolutely" pleased with the progress of his players but referenced injuries within the group.

Captain Paul McGinn remains out following an injury late last season, while striker Tawanda Maswanhise missed the pre-season training camp in Denmark with a facial issue.

But supporters can look forward to the new duo of Moorman and Vogt being part of the side for Friday's challenging encounter with Genk.

Underlying data suggests the pair could be eye-catching additions, while work is under way to add more faces to a squad fans will be desperate not to see picked apart.