MelvinBragg

I think the flaw in your logic is that Celtic are clearly working their way down a list of targets and I'm sure McGhee is on that list. Maybe not high up but on it. And if they keep getting refusals, eventually they will reach his name. And you say we might lose him to a Championship club? Swansea? Even if he stays, the time spent on this speculation is creating real uncertainty...

I think the phrase you're looking for is No one signed with around three weeks to our first competitive game....... criticism Like you, I'd rather read about them when they're signed. I'm not complaining about the lack of information regarding negotiations. I'm complaining about the lack of signings...

Just get the feeling that Aberdeen is not the one we need to worry ourselves about. They've had a few applications apparently and I think there will be someone there who ticks all their boxes who'll be available, no compensation required. Doesn't mean, however, that McGhee wouldn't be averse to going there if asked, which takes his eye off the ball for our close season. Perversely Celtic is where my worry lies. I thought McGhee had no chance there initially, but as they work their way down their list I reckon there's more chance he'll get it. Like you, my concern is the fact that how long the process will take...

Notice that Steven Pressley has stated he feels he's ready for SPL management

To try and get this thread sort of back on track. how far down Celtic's list do we think McGhee is? By my reckoning, they've had two knockbacks (assuming Martinez says no) and I reckon they'll baulk at the compensation West Brom are looking for, so that's the three first names off their list. Where will McGhee come? 4? 6? Even further back? As amusing as it is to see Celtic get the rubber ear from several candidates, it makes it more likely that we could be looking for a new manager. And the drawn out nature of the process at the moment is not helping us at all...

Sadly, I fear you may be right. I'm not so sure the Hibs job is a factor but the other two most definitely are. So our summer transfer activity is once again being dictated by other SPL clubs. And given that both Aberdeen and Celtic are giving it "not rushing it, making sure they get the right man", it could be weeks before any uncertainty is lifted...

If true, then it's shaping up to be a worrying close season. Three players missed out on thus far that we're aware of. And a very thin squad...

Mr Diggle's mention of Bobby Russell brings back the memory of the first league game of the 90/91 season. Celtic turned up with new signing John Collins (the returning Charlie Nic wasn't fit). Cooper was suspended and we were expected to get easily beaten. Darius Duffcheck (can't spell at this time of night) got sent off in the first half for two (ahem) fouls on Kirk. Billy McNeil tried to accost Kirk at half time on the way down the tunnel only for wee Tommy to appear pointing a finger right into McNeil's belly button (I think it was supposed to be his face). Second half brought the famous Colin O'Neil elbow, a superb Bobby Russell mazy run and goal and what was to become the customary Arnott goal against Celtic. I remember this game particularly fondly because so many guys who I have a real soft spot for played in that game. Nijholt, Burley, Russell and Gahagan were all excellent that day...

There's been more time spent on Bob Malcolm threads on this board in the last 18 months than the big man actually spent on the park...

Pleased to see that for the kids tops they've gone with WELL instead of JAXX. I must confess (and it's only personal opinion) I didn't really like PHIL on them last year. I'm sure I remember discussing it with someone last season and stating that WELL was the obvious alternative...

What does that make me?? I came to the realisation last week, that for the first time ever in my life every Motherwell player who pulled on a jersey this season was younger than me. Now I know this applies to a few fans. But it's the first time for me. And it's quite depressing really...

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'I'd rather watch the grass grow'...

A former Republic of Ireland international assisted by a former Celtic captain? Sales of Kleenex would go through the roof. And not for tears...

Trying to put a positive spin on things, at least that would make most of the Celtic fans I know unhappy. And on a semi-serious note, I can't really see him coming in for any players that he might have targetted for us if he goes to Celtic. Couldn't say the same were he to end up at Aberdeen. Let's just hope that it's not a saga and it's all sorted one way or the other soon...

I'm not suggesting that I believe everything I read. I only have two concerns at the moment. One, that we might get shafted on any deal. And, two, that this drags on and on for weeks, hampering once again our preparation for next season...

I didn't say that we wouldn't be getting any compensation but what the quote suggests to me is that we may get a reduced compensation deal from certain clubs. That's just the sense I'm getting...

Sorry, Flow, but to me that sounds like a man who knows he has a few escape clauses built into a contract...

Glad I'm not the only one who is a bit pissed off at that. Pay rise and an easier escape clause??? At least if he'd gone to Hearts last summer, we'd have got compensation... EDIT I'm not particularly angry at McGhee about this. He's just looking after himself. I'm angry at Motherwell for allowing themselves to be shafted on this one...

Following on from some of the carry on that ensued after Sunday's games, this is possibly the saddest indictment of our society that I have read in some time. One team cannot play a game representing their nation in an international competition in another town in the same county because it wouldn't be "safe". Are we all getting as bad as the worst elements of the Old Firm support...?

Necessity the mother of compromise??

Seems a fair assessment. Any Celtic fan I talk to is totally underwhelmed by talk of McGhee as their next manager and if anything Strachan's alleged recommendation will only cause his stock to fall further among their fans. If Celtic have money to spend, McGhee has no chance. If they are hard up, then someone like him or Levein, used to working within a tight budget might be their choice. Aberdeen are cutting back, true, and this is why Calderwood wanted to leave. But the reason this might not put off McGhee is that Aberdeen on a tight budget will still have more spending power than Motherwell on a tight budget. I think Aberdeen fans (in common with some Celtic fans) are kidding themselves on with some of the names. Ferguson wouldn't touch it, and I don't think Black would either. Sturrock would be a reasonable shout both for Aberdeen and ourselves should McGhee go. My only concern would be Sturrock has a habit of leaving jobs undone...

I'm not as sure as you are that he's off, Jay, but I do agree that if he goes it has to be NOW to give us time to get ourselves prepared for next season. For what it's worth, that would be my opinion even if our season started in mid August rather than early July...

More I think about it, the more this seems likely. While they are both jobs he might want, I reckon for various reasons he might get offered neither...

It's going to be an interesting few days. While I want us to make sure we get the right man, I agree with Moe Green, postiejim and others who say they want this settled as quickly as possible. If any club wants McGhee, Motherwell should make it quite clear upon first contact that the deal must be done quickly. I'd rather we went into June knowing who our manager was going to be for next season...

I probably would as well, Mitch. But we all know it would be an unpopular appointment with a lot of the Motherwell support given the perception that his teams don't play attractive football. Obviously some people don't remember some of Tommy McLean's teams...