Will another crack at Alfie lead to a recall for Finland?
Juhani Ojala hopes locking horns with Alfredo Morelos again will help him get over the disappointment of missing the Euros.
The Finland defender is aiming to impress with Motherwell as he aims to get another chance with his national side.
Ojala, 32, joined the Steelmen at the end of last month and is now in their squad to face St Johnstone today after spending 10 days in a quarantine hotel.
He admits that it came as a shock to be axed by Finland after being named in their preliminary squad for Euro 2020.
“It was a big disappointment because I was expecting to be there,” said Ojala.
“I thought I was a 100% pick. Last year I had been in every camp and played all the games.
“I also thought I played pretty well in the national team games last year and this year.
“But the coach made the decision to take other players instead of me.
“It’s a disappointment but it is something that’s already behind me.
“The coach tried to explain why I was being left out.
“I know it was a difficult situation for him as well because I have known him for more than 10 years, since I was in the under-21s.
“It was a really tough decision for him to take. I can somehow understand that.
“I knew the squad had a lot of potential to go far in the tournament.
They had played well against the big countries and it there was a good chance to qualify from the group.
“I wanted to be part of that and that’s why it was so disappointing.
“The coach said they could be contacting me to get back in again.
“The first game is in a month’s time and I need to show that I’m worthy of a call-up with the way I play at Motherwell.”
Football figures from the past and present in Scotland are familiar to the man who moved from Danish top-flight club Vejle.
He said: “I spoke with Simo Valakari, who played at Motherwell many years ago.
“He played here for four years and has very good memories of his time in Scotland.
“It was a really good period for me when he was my coach at SJK Helsinki.
“I haven’t spoken with Glen Kamara yet, but I did chat with Teemu Pukki – he’s a good friend and only had good things to say.”
Facing Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos won’t daunt the 6 ft 3 in stopper.
He currently has a 100% record against the striker.
He said “I have faced him in one game – it was a cup final in 2016 and we won on penalties.
“He was playing for HJK and I was with SJK.
“He’s done really well at Rangers and he’s a strong guy.
“He was a difficult opponent because he was strong and a good finisher, he knew how to take chances.
“He actually scored in the final. It ended up 1-1 and went to penalties.”