NEW STEELMAN OJALA IS EAGER TO CLASH WITH MORELOS AGAIN

JUHANI OJALA will relish rekindling a rivalry from Finland when he does battle with Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos in the Scottish Premiership.

The Motherwell defender, set to debut for Graham Alexander’s team at St Johnstone today, readily recalls his scrap with Morelos from five years ago.

Then only 20, the Colombian made quite an impression in the Finnish Cup final. A goal from Morelos for HJK Helsinki took the game to extra-time and then penalties, with Ojala’s SJK prevailing 7-6 in the shoot-out.

The victorious SJK head coach was Simo Valakari, the ex-Fir Park favourite, who played a key role recently in persuading Ojala to move to Motherwell.

Valakari sold the attractions of Scottish football to his former centre-half. One may well have been the opportunity to lock horns with strikers of the quality of Morelos.

All of which leaves Ojala intrigued by the prospect of renewing the acquaintance at Ibrox next month.

The Finn recalled: ‘I remember playing against him in one particular game — it was a cup final in 2016 and we won on penalties.

‘He was a really good player then. He’s done really well at Rangers and he’s a strong guy to face.

‘He was a difficult opponent because he was strong and a good finisher, he knew how to take his chances.

‘Having the chance to play against him again would be something to look forward to.

‘Maybe he has developed a lot more, it would be nice to meet him. I was aware he was doing well for Rangers as I followed how he was doing.’

Ojala’s former boss Valakari was a popular Motherwell midfielder for four years in the late 1990s.

After Alexander made his pitch, Valakari stepped in to assure Ojala, who has also played in Denmark with Vejle, that Scotland was a smart switch.

The 32-year-old said: ‘I knew there had been many Finnish players here and I spoke with Simo. He said he has very good memories of his time in Scotland. He spoke in a very positive way about the club.’