Motherwell would be 'stupid' to underestimate Stenhousemuir test

Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson says underestimating Stenhousemuir in Sunday's League Cup clash "would be the most stupid thing in the world to do". Johnasson took over at Fir Park this summer following the departure of Jens Berthel Askou for French side Toulouse, and the transition has been almost seamless. Motherwell are unbeaten so far this term and earlier this week booked a spot in the Conference League play-off where they will face last year's Europa League finalist Freiburg. Up first though, a League Cup last 16 tie against Championship outfit Stenhousemuir. The Steelmen made it to the semi-final of the competition last season where they were heavily beaten by eventual winners St Mirren. Johansson stressed the importance of the tie and a cup run as a whole to fans. "Both cups are very important to all of our supporters," he said. "It's very important to the club. It's important in Scotland. It's a big tradition with these cups in Scotland, it's a big thing in these islands. Much bigger than it is back home in Sweden, for instance. "Last year being in the semi-final, obviously that is not something you can take for granted. But it's absolutely something that you want to experience again. Try to go as far as you can in the cups, like we're doing now in the qualification rounds in Europe. But it's so difficult." Although they made it far in the competition last term, Johansson recounted Motherwell's struggles against lower league clubs in the group stages of the competition, including then League One club Stenhousemuir. They frustrated Jens Berthel Askou's side until Stephen O'Donnell scrambled the only goal from a corner. And even though Johansson wasn't at the club at the time, he knows the task at hand. "To underestimate that task on Sunday, that would be the most stupid thing in the world to do," he added. "We respect our opponent. And the way that we do that is to try absolutely everything we can to go there and win the game. Not underestimating one per cent."