JOHN SUTTON today admitted that the attraction of European football and working under Mark McGhee were the major factors in his move to Motherwell.

JOHN SUTTON today admitted that the attraction of European football and working under Mark McGhee were the major factors in his move to Motherwell.

The Fir Park club are set to strike a two-year deal with the former St Mirren hitman after landing him on a free transfer from Wycombe Wanderers.

And Sutton said: "Obviously Mark McGhee is a well respected coach and that is one of the major attractions of coming to work under him at Motherwell.

"He has done a great job at Motherwell in the last year but he is also very highly thought of down south.

"Of course the chance to play European football is also a major attraction, plus I had some great times with St Mirren in the SPL and it is a league I know well and enjoyed.

"Hopefully the deal will be done by close of play."

McGhee has been searching for a new striker throughout the summer and believes the 24-year-old Englishman could be the answer for his team as they attempt to enjoy another successful season.

Well have lost their opening two games of the season to Hearts and Aberdeen and McGhee is desperate to see his side get off and running as he attempts to emulate their third-place finish from last term.

After fighting off interest from Falkirk, Motherwell now hope Sutton can hand them a boost as they attempt to get back to winning ways.

As McGhee prepares to welcome Sutton on board, one of his current players was earning great praise from his boss.

Defender Stephen Craigan was the victim of an attempted headbutt by Aberdeen striker Tommy Wright in the 1-0 weekend defeat but never made a big deal of it.

The match could have turned out differently had Craigan made a meal of the clash and reduced the visitors to 10 men.

McGhee said: "Stephen did really well because a lot of players would have gone down as if they had been poleaxed.

"I can also think of a few who would have been stretchered off before coming back on to resume the game.

"But Stephen, the consummate professional that he is, didn't go to ground and probably saved the lad.

"It wasn't exactly a Glasgow Kiss was it? I don't know where Wright it from but he is obviously not Scottish. Of course, we have seen referees give a red card for such an action."