Motherwell Football Club secured their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Finnish side HJK Helsinki at Fir Park.
Two outstanding second-half solo goals from Ibrahim Said earned the Scottish Premiership team a decisive win, outclassing their opponents in front of an 8,100 crowd in Lanarkshire.
The victory sets up a play-off round tie against German Bundesliga heavyweights Freiburg next week. Scottish rivals Hibernian also reached the play-off round after defeating FK Shkendija in Skopje.
Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson admitted the European victory ranked among the finest achievements of his managerial career following two solid performances across both legs.
"It has to rank quite high. It was two really strong legs from us in Helsinki and here," the Swedish manager said after the match.
"I’m really pleased to see the effort. I never have to speak about it because it’s always there. But I felt today we took another step in the direction in how we want to look on the ball."
Manager praises Fir Park atmosphere
Johansson paid tribute to the 8,100 supporters inside Fir Park, highlighting the impact of the home crowd on his team's performance during the match.
"We had 8,100 people here, which from what I hear in modern times it’s up there with some of the best games in terms of attendance," Johansson said.
"So pleased and happy and proud to be a part of that. When you’re in the dugout and the players are on the pitch, there’s an energy with these people singing and chanting and it transmits to the pitch and makes us better and stronger as a club."
Winger Ibrahim Said maintained his strong start to the new campaign under Johansson, producing an enterprising display both on and off the ball that drew high praise from his manager.
"It was an outstanding performance," Johansson said of the winger. "I’m so pleased for him. I think he’s been really good at the start of the season in Europe and the league."
"Against Falkirk he dropped a bit. His effort was so high defensively but wasn’t as good on the ball then a few days later to focus and try to do better, impressive."
Focus shifts to Stenhousemuir and transfers
Motherwell welcome last season's Europa League finalists Freiburg to Fir Park next Thursday in the first leg of their play-off tie. However, Johansson refused to look past Sunday's trip to Stenhousemuir in the Premier Sports Cup last 16.
New signing Joe Hodge could make his debut for the club in Sunday's cup fixture, while Johansson expects further additions before the transfer window closes.
"We’re not done in this window. There are still things to be done but for us we’re in a situation where we want to be patient and make the right decisions," Johansson added.
