Sheridan Confident Motherwell Will Secure Conference League Progress

Cillian Sheridan has no interest in sitting on the fence. The former Motherwell striker is adamant his old club will finish the job in the Faroe Islands and book their place in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

Alfred Johansson’s reign as Motherwell manager began with exactly the sort of European performance supporters crave: controlled, clinical, and with enough edge to hint there is more to come. A 2-0 first-leg win over HB at Fir Park, sealed by goals from Martin Moormann and Lukas Fadinger, has given the Steelmen a firm grip on the tie.

For Sheridan, that cushion should be more than enough.

“I’m going to put my neck out and say I think they will go through,” he told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast, nailing his colours to the mast with the kind of certainty that tends to live long in the memory.

HB Torshavn arrive at the return leg as a side in transition rather than a dominant force. Fifth in the Faroese top flight after 16 games, they earned their Conference League place with last season’s second-place finish, not by sweeping all before them. Sheridan was quick to underline that context.

“You can’t go away to the Faroe Islands and lose a two-goal lead,” he said. “Plus this is the Conference League, it’s not the champions of the Faroe Islands, it’s their team that finished in the Conference League positions.”

The message is clear: respect the opponent, but recognise the opportunity. A two-goal advantage, a new manager bouncing into his tenure, and a side from a league still chasing consistency rather than setting the pace.

Sheridan even invited the consequences if he is wrong. “I’m willing to have egg on my face at the end of this, but no, they’re not going to give up this lead.”

Motherwell’s task now is simple and unforgiving. Protect the platform they’ve built, handle the Faroese conditions, and prove Sheridan right.