Motherwell manager Craig Brown not relishing long trip to Norway for next Europa League qualifier

Motherwell manager Craig Brown fears the long trip to Norway that his side must now make after their 2-0 aggregate victory over Icelandic side Breidablik.

Jamie Murphy’s first half strike on Thursday night at the Kopavogsvollur stadium gave the Scottish side a 1-0 win on the night to set up another Europa League qualifier against Aalesunds of Norway.

However, it is the travel that worries manager Craig Brown. The away leg of the fixture against Aalesunds is scheduled for next Thursday, leaving the club without sufficient time to book a chartered flight.

The result of this is that the club will have to begin their journey on Monday and will travel via Aberdeen and Stavanger, making the process longer and less efficient than it could have been.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland the former Scotland manager said: “Now we go on a marathon trip.

"My chairman told me about the route to Norway, we will be away for four or five days.

"We have to go on the Monday so we have the whole of Wednesday to prepare.

"We go via Aberdeen and Stavanger and all sorts of places so it is a very convoluted route to get there.

"Of course, they are playing on Sunday so somebody, probably myself, will have to go in advance to watch them play.

"So it's far from ideal but we are pleased that the second leg is in Motherwell and we hope to have a good result to take there."

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