Sheridan Confident Motherwell Will Secure Victory in Faroes

Cillian Sheridan has no interest in sitting on the fence. Not after what he saw at Fir Park.

The former Motherwell striker is adamant the Steelmen will march into the third round of Conference League qualifying after their 2-0 first-leg win over HB Torshavn on Thursday, a night that doubled as Alfred Johansson’s first competitive game in charge.

It was a clean, controlled European performance. Martin Moormann struck. Lukas Fadinger added the second. A new manager, a new campaign, and a scoreline that gives Motherwell room to breathe.

HB arrive in this tie as a side in transition. Fifth in the Faroese top flight after 16 games, they are some way off the pace domestically this season, having finished second last term to earn this Conference League shot. Dangerous, yes. Dominant, no.

Sheridan, speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, made his stance crystal clear. He expects Motherwell to finish the job in Torshavn and refuses to entertain the idea of a collapse.

He pointed to the size of the advantage and the level of opposition. A two-goal cushion, against a side that qualified via league position rather than as Faroese champions, should be enough for a club of Motherwell’s stature and experience in these nights.

“You can't go away to the Faroe Islands and lose a two-goal lead,” he said, stressing the gap Motherwell have earned. For him, the context matters: this is the Conference League, not a showdown with the reigning kings of the Faroese game.

Sheridan even joked about the risk to his own reputation, accepting he could “have egg on my face” if it all unravels, but he quickly dismissed that prospect. His belief is that Johansson’s side are too organised, too streetwise, to let this slip.

The first leg suggested as much. Motherwell looked composed, structured, and sharper in both boxes. Now comes the test of nerve on a tight Faroese pitch, with the wind, the travel, and a home crowd trying to stir HB into life.

Sheridan has nailed his colours to the mast. Motherwell now have to justify that faith on a European night far from home.