Graham Alexander insists Motherwell will continue to cast the net wide for hidden talent after confirming the capture of “exciting” Bohemians midfielder Ross Tierney.
The 20-year-old is set to move to Fir Park at the end of the League of Ireland season in December after agreeing a three-year deal.
The LoI has been a tried and tested talent well in recent years with St Mirren's capture of Jamie McGrath and Conor McCarthy and Hearts' signing Aaron McAneff among the best imports from the Emerald Isle.
And after a breakthrough campaign with Bohs - which saw Tierney make four appearances in the Europa Conference League - Alexander is confident he’s uncovered the next Irish star.
Well signed Finland international defender Juhani Ojala from Danish club Vejle and fellow stopper Sondre Siolholm Johansen from Norwegian minnows Mjondalen in the summer.
And Alexander said: “Ross is a player we tried to sign in the summer, even to the end of the window.
“We had an agreement with Bohemians that we would allow him to finish the season over in Ireland.
“He is an exciting young player who will come in and enhance our firepower and our quality.
“It’s been a long one, and it’s still not over the line as he still isn’t here yet.
“But we are delighted that he is coming to join us.
“He’s an attacking midfielder who can play in the front three, he creates opportunities and can score. He works his socks off and he is still only 20.
“After speaking to him quite a bit he was dead keen on the opportunity of coming to play for us so we are delighted.
“There’s good players all over the world. We found Sol and Juhani - one in their prime and and another pre-prime.
"We have built a scouting department and network but we know where we are in the food chain - not at the top.
“So we have to look at other markets and we are just looking for good players. We don’t care where they come from or what their background is.
“If they are good players and motivated about coming to Motherwell we are happy to bring them in.
“We think Ross will be a right good addition.”
In the meantime Alexander is focused on getting his side back on track after back to back defeats to Hearts and Celtic saw the Steelmen slip to sixth.
A trip to the top flight’s form team Dundee United poses it’s own difficulties with Tam Courts’ side having conceded the fewest goals in the top flight this season - just five.
Alexander said: “It’s not about bouncing back, we know throughout the season we will lose some games.
“What we have to do is be the best version of ourselves as often as possible.
“We know moments in games will change it. We started well against Celtic and we put them under pressure and had the best opportunities before their first goal.
“There was the blatant penalty we should have had which might have changed the complexion of the game.
“When we win a game, or three on the bounce, we know where we need to improve to keep up those positive results and the situation is no different here.”
On-loan Hearts forward Jordan Roberts made his first start of the season against Celtic after overcoming a serious knee injury that curtailed his last campaign.
Roberts’ loan ends in January. But the 27-year-old accepts his future appears to be away from the Jambos where his contract runs out next summer.
He said: “It’s always good to feel wanted and the gaffer here has given me an opportunity to play and shown trust and faith in me so I was happy to come back and repay him. Now I just want to add goals and consistency to my game.
“Hearts haven’t kept in touch with me but my job is here and I don’t really need someone checking up on me.
“Anything can happen in football and Hearts may come back and offer me another contract.
“But I’m always realistic – I haven’t played much football there and it’s not looking positive.
“So I’ll concentrate on giving my all for Motherwell and trying to help them claim a top-six place.”
Roberts had to be patient after damaging knee ligaments in Well’s 1-0 win over St Mirren in April.
He said: “I didn’t rush things during pre-season because I didn’t want to break down again but I used my time well to ensure that I was fit again and I’m ready to crack on.
“I remember the incidents which caused it. We were playing St Mirren and, during the first half, I had my leg planted and their ‘keeper collided with it. I played on and then, after half-time, I jumped for a header and their player landed on my heel, which led to me twisting my knee.
“There was a lot of pain straight away so I knew there was something wrong but, fortunately, it wasn’t one of those bad tears which require an operation so I could have been out for longer and I’m grateful I wasn’t.”
