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McCall out to keep stars

Image: McCall: Believes his players would benefit from continuing their development at Fir Park

Stuart McCall is determined to keep his Motherwell squad intact after scouts watched his side beat Inverness 3-0.

Motherwell boss hopes the likes of Murphy will stay

Stuart McCall is determined to keep his Motherwell squad intact after English scouts watched his side beat Inverness 3-0 in their SPL opener. Stevie Hammell, Jamie Murphy and Keith Lasley struck to secure three points for Well on the opening day of the 2011/12 campaign. With the Scottish season beginning so early, it was an ideal opportunity for representatives from a number of English clubs to make the trip to Fir Park. McCall did his best to downplay the presence of so many scouts after the final whistle, but acknowledged that those in attendance must have been impressed. He nevertheless believes the likes of Murphy, Chris Humphrey and Shaun Hutchinson should stay with the club for at least another 12 months. "It's no surprise because there's no (other) games on,'' McCall said regarding the scouts. "People talk about the downside of coming back too early is that you can't get boys on loan from English clubs. "The downside for me is that teams have five or six games to watch our players. "It was a good game to come and watch. We've got not only Jamie, three or four others too. "You're talking Jamie Murphy, Chris Humphrey, big Hutchie (Hutchinson), whoever we are talking about, they would benefit from another year. "I find it sometimes sad, it doesn't always happen, but some players leave the SPL to go down to England and sit on the bench. "The boys are developing and it's a good place to play football. "Obviously if a big bid comes along the club would have to look at it but speaking myself, I don't want to encourage anything. "I think another year under their belts they will be better and the club will get more money for them."

Butcher reaction

Inverness manager Terry Butcher was philosophical in defeat after Aaron Doran joined Josh Meekings, Billy McKay and Lee Cox on the injury list and a deal for Austrian left-back Thomas Piermayr was delayed. "There is no point being angry," the former Motherwell boss said. "We would like to supplement the squad. We only had 17 players available, two of them were young kids. Aaron Doran wasn't right to play. "We made some chances but that bit of luck wasn't with us."

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