Alex McLeish has backed Alfred Johansson to follow in his footsteps and guide Motherwell past Havnar Boltfelag. The Steelmen make their competitive return when they take on the Faroese side in their opening Europa Conference League qualifier at Fir Park on Thursday. The Swedish boss and his new-look side will make their competitive bow.
McLeish's 1994 Victory Provides Blueprint
McLeish was the Motherwell player-manager when the club last faced HB in the UEFA Cup back in 1994. They won 3-0 at home and finished the job off in style with a 4-1 win away in the Faroe Islands. McLeish knows HB will offer a stiffer challenge this time around but reckons Motherwell can squeeze through over the two legs.
He told Record Sport: “I would back Motherwell to go through over two games against Havnar Boltfelag. It might be tough and there might be a few challenging moments but you would have to back Motherwell.”
Faroese Football's Rise
McLeish acknowledged the progress of Faroese football: “Faroese football has certainly improved significantly in recent years. You only have to look at some of the results that their national team has achieved in recent seasons. The gap will have closed. The likes of HB are regulars in Europe and have built up great experience in recent years. They have knocked teams out from Gibraltar and Montenegro. HB have also beaten Red Bull Salzburg, Maccabi Haifa and drawn games with Brondby, Hajduk Split and HJK. So they have a decent pedigree and will probably fancy their chances of an upset.”
Season Timing Disadvantage
The major advantage HB has is that they are still in the middle of their season, while Motherwell will come in cold without any competitive action. McLeish stated: “That is the danger with these European qualifiers being so early. Motherwell have just played friendlies but HB are currently in the midst of their domestic campaign. Their players will be sharp and up to speed.”
Recalling the 1994 Tie
McLeish’s men were in a similar position but managed to win 3-0 at Fir Park, thanks to goals from Tommy Coyne, Paul McGrillen and Stevie Kirk. They finished the job with a 4-1 win in the Faroes, with Kirk scoring a double and Billy Davies and Alex Burns doing the damage.
“We had a good team,” McLeish insisted. “Tommy McLean had put together a really good squad and I was able to come in and build on it. We had a good blend of youth and experience. The game was early but we managed to put on a professional display. We scored a few goals, kept the clean sheet and it set things up nicely for the second leg. The fact we hadn’t conceded an away goal was a big thing. The second leg, I remember going out to the Faroes and we took the boys out for a long walk. It was some place, like something out of Traitors. The game itself was pretty straightforward; we scored a couple of early goals and that killed the tie. It was a professional job from the boys over the two legs and I don’t think anyone could deny we were the better team.”
New Era Under Johansson
It is also a time for change as Johansson looks to build on the solid foundations laid by Jens Berthel Askou. The new man is looking to put his own stamp on things and fill the voids left by the sale of Calum Ward and the departures of Stephen Welsh and Callum Slattery, while Elijah Just is on the verge of a club record sale to Swansea City.
McLeish said: “Motherwell did fantastically well last season under Jens Berthel Askou. They played some great stuff and at one point were even being talked about for the title. They tailed off just at the end but it was a brilliant season for them, capped off by their European return. Jens and a few players have now left, but the core of the team is still there. The new manager has come in, signed a few players and he will be looking to make a similar impact as Jens did in his first season at Fir Park.”
