There is no doubt that Sunday was a hugely disappointing afternoon for everyone. Suffering the first competitive defeat of the season and exiting the Premier Sports Cup at the first obstacle was always going to hurt.
Alex Lowry may not have started the match, but being introduced as a half-time substitute, it hurt him just as much as anyone to perform below par. But manager Alfred Johansson said after the game that reaction is going to be important, and he believes this group of players will show the correct one in the coming weeks.
“It was obviously a bad afternoon,” Lowry stated.
“This is one of these moments that we have to move on from quickly. The game on Thursday was the ideal match to go into next because it was a European night and the boys were excited and up for the challenge.
“When the tie came out of the draw, there were mixed emotions. But it’s the perfect European game to go and test ourselves in. We’ve come through the last two ties really well. We’ve not spoken too much about it, if at all, before the Helsinki match in the dressing room.
“The way we played against Helsinki, who are a staple European team, was impressive. Freiburg were very good, and it was us going up another level, but if we stick to the manager’s game plan, play at our very best and leave nothing out there, who knows what can happen?
“These European nights feel so special. The full day of build-up, like last Thursday when it’s sunny all day and then, in the nighttime, the game comes along and everyone descends on the stadium. It was incredible, and I’m sure Thursday will be even better.
“We’re a brand new team, and these games have allowed us to learn and gel really quickly, which I think has been apparent in the games we’ve played so far. European games are a different type of game. The other night against Helsinki, we stuck to our game plan really well, and you see what comes from that. There are the small things you learn too, like how the game gets played and how the referee controls the game. It’s been a good learning curve so far, and hopefully we can take that into next week.”
When Alex Lowry joined on loan in July from Wycombe, Motherwell had just played the first leg of their second qualifying round tie against HB. Johansson had made it clear that the midfielder would need a period of integration and build-up.
However, with the number of games, tight schedule and a growing list of players unavailable, the former Rangers man has had to bed in quickly, and there hasn’t been the slow process that he may have initially thought.
“To be fair, I’ve loved it,” he laughed.
“When the manager said he was going to build me in slowly, my initial reaction was like, ‘Ok, I’m not gutted about it, but just throw me into it. ‘ To be fair, he’s been amazing. He’s played me in a lot of games and has put his trust in me really early on, and I just want to repay him for that with my performances. Against Helsinki, I thought I was good in the second-half and with the games going Thursday and Sunday over the last few weeks, there have been so many games, and with us having a smaller squad currently, the number of minutes you play is higher.
“When it’s Thursday-Sunday games, we’re in every day, and it can get draining. But I’m loving being back up the road and being in the club every day as much as the next person. For some boys, it can be hard, but the manager understands what we need during this busy period. He said we’ll not feel the best every single day, and it’s about making sure you’re ready as best as you possibly can.”
Lowry departed for England at the start of 2025, and having family from the local area and coming through at Rangers, it was always in his mind to try and get back to Scotland during the summer.
He is highly-thought of in Scotland and, as a result, had a number of opportunities presented to him. But when Motherwell came calling, Lowry knew his mind was already made up.
“I’ve had a stop-start 18 months down in England,” he explained.
“When the interest came in from Motherwell, I said to my agent and to my family that this was where I wanted to be, and they were all fully behind it. My family wanted me back up the road too, I think, just so they could see me enjoying my football again.
“Watching a lot of the Motherwell games last year and seeing what they were going to try and do this season, it was clear that this environment was perfect for me to try and kick on. The style of play is incredible, the fans are immense, and the whole club is on a high just now.
“It’s just been a case of integrating myself into that and trying to show everyone what I could do early on. I love to feel valued and important, but if I’m honest, I didn’t think I’d feel as crucial this early on in my time here. It’s been amazing, and I’ve thrived off the responsibility on my shoulders. It’s all down to the manager.
“I watched a lot of the games last year, and I spoke to the manager about what he wanted to do this season. So style of play is important, but for me, it was more about the team looking like they wanted to win all the time. Last Sunday when we drew with Falkirk, it genuinely felt like a defeat because we want to win every game. That’s the mentality.
“I’ve carried that mentality wherever I’ve been, and I want everyone to have that here, which I think is apparent already. The boys know we’re a good team on our day, and we need to start performing week in, week out. The way the club is going, that’s the expectation.”
Now back in familiar territory, Lowry is settling down for a 12-month stint in North Lanarkshire. The last 18 months have been one of frustration for him, but now he has a chance to show everyone the levels he can reach in a team he feels comfortable in.
“Look, this season I just want to play as many games as possible and have a smile on my face whilst I’m doing it,” the Wycombe loanee said.
“The manager has made it clear what he needs from me in this system. He needs me to be safe on the ball in our own half to help the structure, and in the final third, I have to go and create, which is perfect for me. That’s the way I want to play, and hopefully I can chip in with some goals.
“I just want to help the team, and him giving me that licence to go and pick the ball up in areas maybe other teams wouldn’t want you to is exciting. He’s put a lot of faith in me, which I’ve loved, and he’s playing me in games where I would’ve maybe thought he wouldn’t.
“You’re going into training every day and thinking how high the level is. We have a lot of senior boys out just now, but that means others step up, and once they’re back, we’ll have even more options and talent in the squad. The European run can take us leaps and bounds; it sets us up for the season.
“Playing against good opposition means you have a level you need to hit every game. The running and off-the-ball work is a bar we need to reach every week, and that’ll help us in the long run.”
