McCall admits McFadden deal unlikely

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall admits there is “very little” chance of agreeing a short-term deal with James McFadden amid the financial uncertainty surrounding the Scottish game.

The Scotland forward, who was released by Everton, joined his former-team mates on the first day of pre-season in a bid to get fit for the new campaign.

Motherwell have lost a number of players from last season, with influential midfielder Steve Jennings set to follow, without bringing anyone in.

But McCall had already seen a £200,000 cut to his budget — before the increased financial uncertainty sparked by the collapse of Rangers — and his priority is to bring in a defender, after Stephen Craigan retired and Tim Clancy left for Hibernian.

Also at training today was Simon Ramsden, a defender who has not accepted a new contract offer from Bradford following injury problems.

McCall told MFCTV: “We’re allowing James to train, which is good, but there is very little chance of him joining us unless he wants to play centre-half and play for nothing!

“Losing Clancy and Craigan, it’s imperative we get a centre-back in.”

McCall added: “With what’s on the horizon with the Rangers business clubs are going to have to cut their cloth accordingly.”