Grounded Swede keeps Motherwell focused amid European rise

Motherwell fans have already turned their attention to Germany and the Conference League after the club's 2-0 home win over HJK Helsinki sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory. Yet manager Alfred Johansson is refusing to get carried away, with his thoughts firmly fixed on Sunday's Scottish League Cup match against Stenhousemuir.

The Swede remains unbeaten in six games since replacing Jens Berthel Askou, who departed for Toulouse. Despite losing several key players, including Elijah Just, Elliot Watt, Callum Slattery and Calum Ward, Motherwell have carried on impressively. Ibrahim Said was the hero of the night, scoring twice with two superb solo runs in front of more than 8,000 supporters. Johansson called his display outstanding, while former Motherwell midfielder Andy Halliday joked on BBC Sportsound that Said would be playing for Barcelona if he could score.

Halliday, who spent his final playing season under Askou, believes many of the club's fundamentals have remained similar under Johansson. He praised Motherwell's progressive approach, youth academy and attractive style of play, and hopes the club can add one or two attacking players, particularly a goalscorer. He also said he hopes people across Scottish football take note of what the club is building.

Johansson, as always, stays grounded. He would not look beyond the previous fixture and now cares only about Marvin Bartley's second-tier side. Even while praising Said's double, he noted that the winger did not show his attacking ability against Falkirk last weekend. The manager says he was proud of the 8,100 attendance and the atmosphere at Fir Park, which he believes helps the team improve. Supporters will gather again on Thursday before the trip to Germany, but Johansson's immediate focus remains Stenhousemuir, a match he describes as a final.