Alfred Johansson not fazed by Motherwell squad issues ahead of European opener

Alfred Johansson will not be derailed by Motherwell’s squad issues after losing Elijah Just ahead of their European opener.

Johansson confirmed the attacking midfielder was in “advanced talks” with Swansea as he prepares for his first match in charge of Motherwell, against HB Torshavn in the Conference League qualifiers.

Well sold Elliot Watt to Samsunspor at the weekend and were missing another ten players for fitness reasons for their friendly defeat by Genk on Friday.

But the departure of Just is no surprise after a stellar debut season in Scotland and his three goals for New Zealand at the World Cup.

“Obviously, I’ve known about what players could potentially be out the door when the season starts,” Johansson said ahead of the first leg of the second qualifying round.

“And obviously, Eli’s World Cup didn’t help my chances of him staying.

“I would like all of the best players to stay. I’m a football coach. But it’s a very, very committed squad that I see every day in training. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing rehab in the gym or running beside the pitch or if you’re training. Very, very committed squad.

“I’m very, very happy with how things are at the club right now. I’m really happy with the training environment, with the guys that are here and fit. Someone could go, that’s the reality, as long as the window is open, but it’s really difficult to say right now.

“At the same time, the club is working really hard behind the scenes to strengthen. We just have to work through the window, and that’s part of our job.”

Motherwell will definitely be without Paul McGinn, Stephen O’Donnell, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Callum Hendry and Jordan McGhee on Thursday.

Johnny Koutroumbis is the closest to a return after fracturing a bone in his hand, while Emmanuel Longelo, Eythor Bjorgolfsson and Tawanda Maswanhise could feature over the two legs.

Recent signing Jake Girdwood-Reich did not play against Genk but could be involved while other newcomers Martin Moormann and Willy Vogt saw their minutes restricted as they catch up on fitness.

The circumstances are not ideal as Well look to seal a third-round clash with HJK Helsinki or Coleraine but former Rosenborg boss Johansson said: “My upbringing as a coach is from FC Copenhagen where some of the most important games of the season are just now, in the beginning, where you’re trying to qualify.

“You can see it as difficult and challenging or you can see it as the reality. It’s exciting to have those games coming up.

“We could have been in a much worse position and I’d rather see the glass half full.”
Johansson, who warned about HB’s pace on the counter-attack, could field a new signing after left-back Dylan Williams arrived from Burton earlier this week.

“Dylan will be involved,” he said. “He looked really good in training. He’s a promising young full-back who can also be used in midfield.

“Based on all the character references and now getting to know him the first couple of days here, he’s just an energetic and really positive person on and off the pitch.”