MOTHERWELL START TALKS WITH GED

The club's director of football, Pat Nevin, admitted on Friday that 'Well are desperate to get the 29-year-old midfielder to sign a new deal and avoid being stung again by the Bosman ruling, as they have in the past with Paul Lambert and Simo Valakari.

Both men left Fir Park on a free transfer to fix up lucrative deals in the German Bundesliga and the English Premiership, and Nevin says he is keen to avoid a third walkout.

Brannan, who was signed two years ago from Manchester City on the advice of former Tranmere team-mate Nevin, has been an influential figure in the club's rise to fourth spot in the SPL last term.

"We really want Ged to stay because he is an important player to the club," said Nevin.

"When Paul Lambert left to join Borussia Dortmund, Motherwell received no fee and with Valakari we were negotiating for 12 months up to the end of his contract and we could not manage to match the money being offered by Derby County."

Keeper Andy Goram is another whom Nevin has spoken to about a new deal, and the former Scotland star is fit a gain after his hernia operation.