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Michael Higdon & Tom Hateley leave Motherwell

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Michael Higdon and Tom Hateley

Motherwell striker Michael Higdon and defender Tom Hateley have left the Fir Park outfit.

Higdon, 29, who joined the club in 2011, was the SPL's top goalscorer last season and was also named player of the year.

Both players were out of contract in the summer and see their futures elsewhere.

"We now think of them as ex-players. They are out the door," said manager Stuart McCall.

Hateley, son of former England and Rangers striker Mark, joined Motherwell in 2009.

Earlier this month, Higdon was linked with English Championship outfit Barnsley.

"Their agents have made it clear they won't be coming back," said McCall.

"I've spoken to both of them. They were both great servants for the club and I've no worries about them going down south."

McCall said he intends to bolster his squad with five signings ahead of the new campaign.

James McFadden
Motherwell are keen to retain James McFadden for the new season

"I've got belief in the players we're targeting now and that we're speaking to," he added.

"We've got to aim as high as we can to bring in the quality we need. If we can't get them then you move down your list.

"But that's the same as players and they'll have an eye on certain divisions or clubs they want to play at. If that doesn't come about, we might be the next step down."

McCall remains hopeful of retaining former Scotland striker James McFadden, who returned to the club last season as he battles back from injury.

"James isn't in with us today," said the Motherwell boss. "I don't even know if he is still on holiday if I'm being honest.

"But there is always a chance with James. We had him in for training at this stage last year, but he went to Sunderland. Then he came back to us in the Christmas period but we didn't know what was going to happen.

"He ended up coming knocking on the door and signing with us.

"He played really well and it was a good fit. He did well for us and we gave him a platform to get fit.

"With James, as with all good players, he will have options. But you are not going to wait forever for any player. We will see over the weekend where James decided is best for his future, whether its abroad, England or another Scottish club.

"But we would love to have him back. If it can happen, we will try to make it happen."

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39 comments

  • Comment posted by Belsonio, at 12:28 27 Jun 2013

    8.
    the govan lie machine
    9 Minutes ago

    This happens to clubs like Motherwell every couple of seasons. Motherwells policy for about a decade has been to appoint managers with a decent knowledge of the English lower leagues where they can pluck unkown players, get a few years out of them and they move on - usually to bigger and better things. It works tremendously well too. McCall will be fine.

  • Comment posted by Calum, at 12:41 27 Jun 2013

    @koodles We laud playing in Europe because a) it's the sign of a successful season just gone, and b) it's helluva good fun even if you only play 2 games.

  • Comment posted by U15566370, at 13:53 27 Jun 2013

    #25

    Instead of plundering out of contract English League 1 and 2 players maybe Well SHOULD play more young Scottish players - THAT is the key to improving our game here.

  • Comment posted by Jock, at 12:18 27 Jun 2013

    Don't have a problem with players honouring contract, putting in half decent shift, then moving on to advance their (short) career, which seems to be case with Higdon. He's 29 and has one decent transfer move left probably.

  • Comment posted by ferrynuff, at 20:47 27 Jun 2013

    @36 hibevis

    Higdon - "a bigger move"? To where? He's had 1 decent scoring season, and a lot of his goals were penalties. Why is no one breaking their neck to sign him? Almost 30, 91 goals/315 games. He's a journeyman pro.

    Hooper: 25, 173 goals/389 games. Celtic have had multi million pound bids for him.

    Griffiths: A loanee now back in English Div One with Wolves. No one bidding for him.

  • Comment posted by U13140964, at 19:17 27 Jun 2013

    Fair enough. Even though the SPL is a diddly league, you can't argue with the top scorer ( who was not a Celtic player ) wanting a bigger move. If I am the top performer at work I would look for a pay rise / promotion. Why should footballers not do the same? Good luck to them. I would have them at the hibees!

  • Comment posted by Jamie - the other one, at 17:23 27 Jun 2013

    Wonder if Stuart McCall is wishing he had left when he had the opportunity.

  • Comment posted by ferrynuff, at 16:22 27 Jun 2013

    @32 Andy D

    If I was a bookie I'd definitely take your bet that 'Well could be second again. As well as those I've already mentioned, they've also lost McFadden, Ojamaa, Hutchinson, Hammell, Humphrey, Law, and Randolph.

    That's more or less their whole first team squad, so how the hell can they possibly compete? They'll be lucky not to end up in the bottom couple come the end of the season.

  • Comment posted by U14883104, at 16:19 27 Jun 2013

    WELCOME TO LEITH HIGON AND HATELEY!

    Oh wait, Fenlon would rather sign League 1 and Irish league players.

  • Comment posted by Andy D, at 15:51 27 Jun 2013

    you will have Celtic winning the League by probably a lower points tally than last season and then its a free for all between the rest as last year showed they all take points off each other so wouldnt bet against Motherwell, the only team i think will struggle will be Hearts as they have to try and claw back the 15 points, The Jags and Buddies could be there saving grace.

  • Comment posted by ferrynuff, at 15:49 27 Jun 2013

    What little chance 'Well had of progressing in their European qualifier has undoubtedly gone now, for when two of their top players, including the top scorer, have baled out, how can they replace them?

    In fact, their squad has been decimated further by other defections in the past month, so all in all it looks very bleak for them this coming season. They've no money to buy anyone decent.

  • Comment posted by uweregreat, at 15:39 27 Jun 2013

    Motherwell lucky to get top 6 next season!

  • Comment posted by knucklonian, at 14:28 27 Jun 2013

    @25 - Motherwell's target is to be successful and profitable. Why on earth should that mean playing more Scottish players simply because it would improve the game here?
    If they can get good value players into their squad that make the club successful then they should do it by any means at their disposal. Unfortunately, the future of Scottish talent shouldn't come into it.

  • Comment posted by knucklonian, at 14:01 27 Jun 2013

    Let's see who Well get in to replace those who have left before making sweeping statements about how well they will perform.

  • Comment posted by Daddy, at 13:52 27 Jun 2013

    Great news. A chance for 2 Scottish youngsters to get a game.
    The cleansing of Scottish football continues.

  • Comment posted by U10703201, at 13:25 27 Jun 2013

    I'm sure Motherwell will get in a few decent signings. Really hope all Scottish clubs get decent results in Europe but apart from Celtic I cant see that happening. The fact that Hearts have a 15 point deduction may mean some clubs not investing as much this year as relegation may not be a concern and that may just mean some younger players being blooded this season

  • Comment posted by James Cameron Munro, at 13:13 27 Jun 2013

    I hope Motherwell get a decent run of games but their fans need to get real. They didnt even win half of their SPL games. Who else in the draw has that record?

  • Comment posted by theymake me spewup, at 13:13 27 Jun 2013

    it just shows the state of scottish football and it will get worse. we now need proper people to run the game hear instead of taking points and heavy fines .the only team making money in scotland now couldn't care less they put nothing into our game

  • Comment posted by U15566370, at 12:55 27 Jun 2013

    #14

    Yeh - just to even things up maybe Well should be given a 15 point retrospective penalty for their Administration when they walked away from their debt totally unpunished.

  • Comment posted by U15756527, at 12:51 27 Jun 2013

    sure there will be a couple of as, if not more, capable replacements along imminently.

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