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McGhee staying with Motherwell: Clarkson glee as manager rejects Hearts supremo Romanov swoop

By Stephen Mcgowan for MailOnline and Ewing Grahame for MailOnline Updated: 05:01 EST, 27 May 2008


Motherwell striker David Clarkson led the calls of triumph last night as manager Mark McGhee pledged his future to the Fir Park club.

The 51-year-old was close to jetting off to Lithuania for talks with controversial Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov, who had put McGhee on top of his managerial wanted list.

But, last night, Motherwell's power brokers tabled an improved deal to keep the man responsible for transforming the club from relegation contenders to UEFA Cup high-flyers. Target: Hearts have approached Motherwell to seek permission to speak to manager Mark McGhee

A Motherwell spokesman told Sportsmail: "The club has successfully concluded negotiations with Mark McGhee. He will be staying at Fir Park next season and we're delighted about that, as is Mark."

Yet there was nobody more delighted than Clarkson, whose sparkling season, in the wake of the tragic death of his uncle and team-mate Phil O'Donnell, was rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland squad yesterday.

The 22-year-old has seen his career reborn since McGhee took over from Maurice Malpas last summer and credits that transformation to his manager.

Clarkson said: "There has been a lot of speculation about the gaffer recently and it's been in all the players' minds. Mark has been brilliant since the first day he came. He worked us hard in pre-season and he's the man responsible for turning around the club.

"A year ago, we were fighting relegation and no one thought we could come as far as we have in that space of time. Now we've finished third and earned a place in the UEFA Cup. It was definitely a worry that bigger clubs might come in and try to persuade him to leave.

"Four months ago, he was on the short-list for the Scotland job. We managed to hold on to him then and now we've done it again. It's been a great day for me all round. I was surprised and delighted when I got the call to join up with the Scotland squad. That is all down to the work the gaffer has done with me in the first place - and the news that he's staying topped it all off, especially as I've only recently extended my contract."

Clarkson has been impressed by McGhee's ambition and hunger for success, as well as his commitment to playing a passing game which is both entertaining and effective.

"I'm sure he will try to strengthen the squad over the summer now," he said. "The players he brought in did well for us last year but with so many of us, including the gaffer himself, going into Europe for the first time, he will want to bring a few more new faces in.

"With him staying, we should be able to keep our momentum going. A new manager coming in might also have done well but everything has been going so well that you don't want to see anyone leaving. 'It's a relief for the lads in the dressing room, although I dare say that this won't be the last time somebody else comes in for him.

"To be fair, I can perfectly understand why other clubs would look at the job he has done at Motherwell and want him to manage them instead. He deserves the success that we've had because he's worked as hard as anyone else to get us there."

McGhee's own experience as a front man with Aberdeen, Hamburg, Celtic and Newcastle United was passed on to great effect at Fir Park. Chris Porter, Ross McCormack and Clarkson grabbed 42 goals between them and McCormack is also in Burley's squad to face the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday.

"It's a new experience for me and I've enjoyed every minute of it so far," said Clarkson. "Being part of the Scotland set-up has been the icing on the cake and I'm just taking each day as it comes. Fortunately, the holiday I had booked doesn't start for another fortnight, otherwise my fiancee might not be talking to me."

Meanwhile, Paul Lambert, who was linked with taking over the Motherwell hotseat had McGhee departed, revealed yesterday that he would rather continue his managerial career in England.

The 38-year-old is a possibility for the vacant post at relegated Leicester City and said: "If truth be told, I would like to stay in England. You sometimes don't have the choice to do it but it took me two years to get a reputation there and I'd like to stay.

"You can't pick and choose, so we'll see what happens. But England is a massive country to make your mark in."


McGhee stays at Motherwell: Clarkson glee as manager rejects Hearts offer








