Jim Gannon takes his Motherwell team into unchartered territory when they come up against KS Flamurtari in Albania tonight in the new, re-named Europa League.

The Fir Park side go into the game on the back of an impressive 3-0 win against Llanelli, which should give them the confidence they need to obtain the desired result.

However, it won’t be easy given the climate and technically gifted players they will be facing. 

KS Flamurtari may not have had the best of season’s last year, but they finished sixth in the Albanian Superliga and should provide an awkward test for Gannon's men.

Motherwell captain Stephen Craigan has expressed confidence in his team and is looking forward to the match. His interview with Brian McLauchlin of BBC Scotland confirmed that the team are excited and ready for the challenge and are eager to improve further, given the initial setback they received against Llanelli in the first leg of the first-round qualifier.

Gannon has recognised very early the need to strengthen the Motherwell team, given the instability from the harsh economic climate and external influences which has resulted in numerous key players leaving the club. 

The arrival of Steve Jennings, Gannon’s first signing for the club on a one-year deal, and now Chris Humphrey from Shrewsbury Town, may add much-needed cover and quality that can help the club improve in the immediate future.

Only time will tell if these additions will provide dividends as they, along with other new players such as Steven Saunders and Paul Slane, will need time to adapt to the Scottish game and to establish effective partnerships with the regular experienced players that remain at the club.

In the meantime, Motherwell will be looking towards obtaining a win or a scoring draw in Albania in order to set things up nicely for the return match against Flamurtari at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium next Thursday.

The small number of Motherwell fans who will travel to Albania are sure to experience an interesting game and hopefully set their sights on further European ventures. Let's hope so for the benefit of Scottish football.