MOTHERWELL manager Mark McGhee hopes the nucleus of his squad decide to stay at Fir Park – even though he cannot guarantee them he will do the same.
Last night's 2-0 win made it plain to see why McGhee is being wooed by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, with the Steelmen producing an accomplished display of possession football.
Simon Lappin curled home an early free-kick before 18-year-old subs
titute Jamie Murphy netted his first senior goal from the penalty spot.
Ross McCormack threw his shirt into the visiting support after the match, another sign he will leave in the summer, with clubs in the Barclays Premier League and Coca-Cola Championship known to be keen.
Lappin is expected to return to Norwich following his loan spell, while Bob Malcolm's short-term contract will expire.
The possible departure of McGhee could cast doubt on the future of others who have helped the Lanarkshire side secure European football.
But the former Wolves manager insists no switch is imminent. "As long as I am here, I hope that they will want to stick around," he said.
"That doesn't change either until such time that something changes for me. And, I repeat, nothing has changed yet.
"You have seen that team. They have got so much more to come if we can make two or three additions, and you have seen those boys that came on.
"The boy (Robert McHugh] that came on is 16, Murphy is 18, what a player he can be.
"If someone does come in for me, I am going to have to really think long and hard about it. I have moved before and it has ended up not being the right thing."
McGhee hailed his side's "outstanding" performance after they took their league tally to 60 points this term.
"It encapsulated most of what we have achieved this season," he said.
"There wasn't a goal from open play but apart from that, I thought it was absolutely fantastic."
McGhee also praised McCormack for handing Murphy the ball after he was brought down in the box by Rob Jones. "Ross could easily have taken it and got another goal on his tally, and scored a goal in what may be his last game," the Well boss added.
"He wanted to score badly and to hand the ball to Jamie Murphy, I thought was a great gesture."
The full article contains 408 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
