'I could lose a full team on a free', claims Motherwell boss Stuart McCall

Chris Humphrey, Michael Higdon and Tom Hateley are all out of contract next summer.SNS Group

Stuart McCall fears losing almost a team’s worth of Motherwell players who are in the final year of their contracts.

The manager has listed ten of his first team regulars who could leave under freedom of contract next summer, including star men Jamie Murphy, Michael Higdon, Darren Randolph, and Nicky Law.

The latter pair have earned rave reviews since moving north to try and launch their careers and McCall concedes many have done enough to tempt suitors in England to wait and snap them up for nothing.

“It looks like I could lose a full team,” McCall told the Daily Record. “Look at Randolph for example.

“I’ve been amazed we’ve not had any concrete bids for him. He’s just got his first full cap for Republic of Ireland and apparently made some great saves.

“I would like Darren to be here between now and the end of the season because I don’t see the benefit in someone coming along in January and us accepting £50,000 for him. There’s no benefit in that because a league placing is worth £80,000 alone.

“Jamie Murphy knocked back an offer last year to go to Blackpool and he’s also now in his last year.

“There are other boys like Hateley, Hutchinson, Humphrey, Law and Higdon. Simon Ramsden, Omar Daley and Jonathan Page are also out of contract.”

While the majority could depart on a free if new contracts couldn’t be agreed, McCall’s side would be entitled to training compensation for Page and Hutchinson.

Murphy and Hateley, however, could leave for nothing if they were to wait for the 2013/14 season to officially commence before joining new clubs.

Motherwell took part in the Champions League qualifying round after finishing third last campaign and have carried their good form into the new season, sitting top of the SPL after five games.

That achievement is even more notable for the loss of key figures such as Tim Clancy and Steve Jennings in the summer, with only Ramsden and Fraser Kerr coming in.

Related articles

People who read this story also read