The Motherwell players have urged the club to secure Mark McGhee with the sort of financial offer that will keep other clubs from poaching their manager and ensure he is around next season to lead them into Europe.

McGhee signed a three-year contract when he took charge at Fir Park in June 2007 but his stock has soared since then, underlined by his job interview with the SFA in January for the Scotland vacancy. The Motherwell manager has steered his side to third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and the Uefa Cup now beckons.

John Boyle, the Motherwell chairman, stated last week that an improved contract for McGhee, 50, was on the table. Stephen Hughes, the Motherwell midfield player, feels that the club can aspire to even greater heights if McGhee remains.

“There has been speculation about the manager since Christmas when he was on the shortlist for the Scotland job,” Hughes said. “His name has been linked with other vacancies and he will probably be linked with a few more. However, if we keep the manager and the core of the team here, I think we will do well.”

It was McGhee who persuaded Hughes to return to Scottish football after a spell at Leicester City and the midfield player admits that he never envisaged getting back to the European stage he enjoyed so much when he played for Rangers.

“Getting back into Europe means everything to me,” Hughes said. “I did not think I would get the chance again. I played quite a few games in the Champions League and Uefa Cup while I was at Rangers. It was a great experience and I want to savour that with Motherwell.

“We beat Aberdeen on Saturday, who had a great run in the Uefa Cup this season. Apart from one game, where they lost heavily away to Bayern Munich, they held their own and reached the last 32. That is what we are striving for.

“I made my Rangers debut in Europe for Dick Advocaat away to Maribor and played against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League. The biggest game was playing Manchester United at Old Trafford, as well as ties at Stuttgart and Panathinaikos. That is the stage I want to be on.”

Hughes is also hoping that Motherwell can enhance their fan base for next season, Over 8,000 turned out for the Aberdeen game. “The backing was excellent and that is the first time I have seen the ground so full,” he said. “I wish it could be like that every week.”

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