MARK McGHEE has no concerns about a potentially-hostile reception when Motherwell face Hearts after his dramatic U-turn last month.
The former Wolves manager was on the steps of a Lithuania-bound plane heading for talks with Hearts majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov about the vacant manager's job when he turned back to agree an improved contract at Fir Park.
The two clubs a
re now set to clash on the opening day of the new season at Tynecastle on August 9.
"I don't know what that's got to do with anything," McGhee said.
"By then Hearts will have a new manager and they will be looking forward to the new season."
Motherwell could not have been given a tougher start – after the Tynecastle trip, they play the five teams who joined them in the top six last season.
McGhee went on: "Last season we had a run of games that looked as if it gave us a chance, against the less fancied teams if you like. This season it's the reverse, it's a really difficult start.
"At the moment I'm looking at the Hearts game, they beat us at home twice last season, so it's a really hard game to start with.
"One thing I did do when I considered the Hearts job was have a right good look at Hearts. They have a really strong squad and they will strengthen this summer. I said it a few weeks ago, if we finish above Hearts next season then we will finish third."
The full article contains 259 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
