Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson insists the club will always have a strong Scottish presence in their squad.
Johansson faced criticism for not including any homegrown players in the starting XI for the European match against Havnar Boltfelag.
However, the Swede has regularly involved young prospects Mikey Booth, Olly White, and Luca Ross in matchday squads this season.
Experienced Scottish defenders Stephen O’Donnell and Paul McGinn are currently sidelined due to injuries, while new loan signing Alex Lowry was ineligible for the match against Havnar Boltfelag.
Johansson said: "That was one of the things that Nick Daws, the head of recruitment, told me early on – that a big chunk of the squad we always want to be Scottish.
"It’s something I signed the contract on, and I agree with. It has been the same for every club I have been at, to have a domestic core."
He further stated: "We talk about our identity and that is important, to have Scottish and UK-based players.
"Some seasons you will have more Scottish players and others it might be less, but it is vital for a club like Motherwell to have that home core."
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While committed to the policy of a domestic core, Johansson has identified Austrian midfielder Lukas Fadinger as a key player in his new-look side. The 25-year-old has scored three goals in five games this season.
Johansson said: "Wow, I am so impressed. I watched a lot of games from the team last season, and he did really well.
"There were other names who took the headlines, but speaking to the senior players who were here last season, they told me Lukas was one of our better players last season. He’s been a great player this season."
Despite not being the most vocal, Fadinger leads by example, according to Johansson. Tom Sparrow has taken on the captaincy in the absence of injured players McGinn and O’Donnell.
Johansson said: "Normally he (Fadinger) leads by example. He is not the most vocal but leads by example in the way he plays. We have other players here who are steady enough, like McGinn and SOD, who haven’t been playing.
"Cooky (Regan Charles-Cook) is also showing leadership, playing with a smile, and Tom Sparrow has probably picked up the most responsibility. He is such a vocal guy and encouraging everyone. He is looking at himself in the mirror first and then pushing everyone else.
"We have a lot of leaders, and Lukas is one."
Motherwell face HJK at Fir Park on Thursday night with a 1-1 aggregate scoreline, aiming for a spot in the Conference League play-off round against Freiburg.
