McGhee urges duo to stay

McGhee: Hoping to keep pair

Motherwell boss Mark McGhee has told Mark Reynolds and Ross McCormack to stay at the club for another year.

Defender Reynolds was the subject of a failed bid from Rangers this week and he now looks set to remain at Fir Park with Walter Smith unlikely to increase his offer.

McGhee has spoken to Reynolds about his future plans and has told the youngster that if he stays he will be in a better position for a good move in 12 months.

"Mark is on holiday in Mexico and was aware of what happened when I spoke to him yesterday. I explained it to him," McGhee told the Daily Record.

"He is quite happy with the decision as he knows in a year's time he will be even better and have a lot of options."

McGhee is tipping Reynolds for a bright future at club and international level but he believes leaving Motherwell this summer would make it harder for him to break into the Scotland side.

"I think Scotland is just around the corner for him if he stays here," explained McGhee.

"Seeing David (Clarkson) and Ross at international level will spur him on to follow them."

Interest

21-year-old forward McCormack is out of contract and has been linked with both Wigan and Middlesbrough.

However, McGhee feels there is an opportunity for McCormack to enhance his reputation by starring for Motherwell in the Uefa Cup, and hopes he will reject the lure of the Premier League for now.

"All I know is that Ross is not committed to anywhere," he said.

"There is a lot of interest in him but the interest is at a lower level than he should be entertaining.

"I am going to try to persuade him that another year with us and playing in the Uefa Cup could see him go to clubs that he is only dreaming about.

"I still think Ross is a player for Newcastle or some of the bigger Premiership clubs."