Motherwell manager Mark McGhee says that he doesn’t regret knocking back Hearts during his first spell in charge at Fir Park.

As McGhee gears up to face the Jambos as ‘Well boss this Saturday, he insisted that he made the right decision at the time.

He is sure though that he could have got on with controversial former owner Vladimir Romanov.

“I don’t really think about what would have happened had I got on that plane,” he said.

“I don’t think you can look back. I stayed at Motherwell, had another great year here and enjoyed myself.

“It was the right decision and it wasn’t just about football. It was a personal decision too as Maria was about to have our baby, Archie.

“I needed to be there for them that summer and I knew I’d be charging around Europe on behalf of Hearts if I’d taken the job.

“There were all sorts of things going on that made it right for me not to take it.

“It was a job I would have loved to have been able to take. Hearts are a great club and I think I would have enjoyed it.

“But at the time, it was the right decision for me to stay at Motherwell.

“I think I’d have got on fine with Vladimir. I met him a few times and got on fine with him.

“I didn’t knock back the job because of him. I didn’t take it because of John Boyle and for those personal reasons.

“I don’t know what happened under Vladimir after that so I can’t really comment. All I know is that things changed.

“But Vladimir definitely wasn’t a factor in me not taking the job.

“How does Les (Hutchison) compare to him? They are different. Vlad speaks better English!”

McGhee takes his Motherwell players into the home clash with Hearts in less than buoyant mood after the 3-0 humbling at Ross County last week.

He says though that with experienced players returning from suspension and injury, his squad are much better-equipped for the challenge ahead this weekend.

He admitted: “It’s a relief to have them back. Hammy (Stevie Hammell) and Las (Keith Lasley) came through an under-20s game in midweek and Stephen McManus is back from suspension.

“Those three have hundreds of games under their belt and that is something we sadly lacked last week against Ross County.

“We had two young lads at the back and even Grimmy (Liam Grimshaw) is only just starting to play league games.

“I wasn’t really scathing about the performance last week and I didn’t mean to be. I was just being honest.

“The players showed what they are – inexperienced lads. For example, the two centre halves need someone like Stephen McManus to play beside them to bring them on.

“I didn’t feel I was scathing, I just felt I was being honest and didn’t want to pretend there were a lot of positives.

“Ross County deserved to beat us and I was accepting that. Nothing happened that I didn’t know could happen, given the way the team was.

“We still have a lot of hard work to do. I wasn’t brought here because things were going well. I was brought here because they aren’t going well.

“Normally that’s what happens when you get a job – but I have a clear picture of what I need to do.

“I know what the owner expects and what the vision is in terms of developing young players.

“We aren’t in any panic. We want to the get the squad right and then look at where our expectations lie.

“I have a clear idea of the squad. I know them intimately now – strengths and weaknesses.

“I have a fair idea who I think is going to benefit us in the long run and who isn’t. I know where I will have to make the changes.

“But I can’t do that tomorrow. Players have contracts, teams need to want to take them, I need to find replacements – there is a lot of work to be done.”