Stephen McManus says that the dressing room bust-up that followed Motherwell’s defeat at Morton shows that the players care deeply about the club.

In the wake of a manager’s departure, it is often asked if he has lost the dressing room, but McManus insists the ‘Well players were giving everything for Ian Baraclough.

“I’ve been in dressing rooms where I’ve seen grown men jumping in cupboards because Bobo Balde had lost the plot!” he said.

“Listen, when you don’t win matches people care. I’ve used that as a bit of joke to lighten the mood but the reality is that people care and when you don’t win games it’s people’s livelihoods that are at stake.

“That’s the disappointing thing when you see your manager lose his job. It’s horrible.

“There was a couple of things after the game which you’d expect because people care at the football club. It’s not anything that people haven’t seen before.

“Whatever happens in a dressing room at any football club it stays in-house but it’s only because people care.

“There’s anger after every defeat. You don’t go onto a pitch looking to lose games.

“First and foremost you always look individually could I have done that wee bit better, what else could I have done?

“It’s been a difficult time. It was difficult after Tuesday’s game – even during it – but that’s the world we live in.

“As players, you need to dust yourself down and look forward to the next game. But, no matter how experienced you are, something like this still knocks you for six.

“What’s happened has happened and all we can do is put a positive spin on that and give our all for Craggs and Robbo.

“The fans deserve a winning side. It’s been a hard time for them and the players are responsible for that because we’re the ones who play.”

Moitherwell owner Les Hutchison was particularly scathing in his remarks following Baraclough’s departure, saying the players “should hang their heads in shame”.

“It affects everybody, of course it does,” McManus admitted.

“The thing about this club is that we have an owner who is very passionate about it. He wants the best for Motherwell, which is great.”

Interim manager Stephen Craigan hasn’t had time to gather his thoughts during a whirlwind 48 hours since being put in temporary charge of the club.

His immediate focus is on getting a positive result for the beleaguered Steelmen against fellow strugglers Partick Thistle today at Fir Park.

Only then will he be able to find some time for contemplation over whether he wants to take on the job on a full-time basis.

“I haven’t thought about it, there’s been so much going on,” he said.

“When I joined in July I didn’t see myself being a first-team manager. I came in to work with the under-20s, which has been great. This has been sprung upon me. I genuinely haven’t thought about it – I’d a good life balance, I was enjoying what I was doing media-wise.

“I’m sure come Sunday or Monday there’ll be conversations somewhere along the line.

“I haven’t spoken to Ian since he left on Wednesday. I’ll probably speak to him today at some point.

“It’s difficult because Ian brought me back to the club and I feel like I’m stepping into his seat. It’s been a bit overwhelming at times with everything that’s happened.

“I’ve been helping him out and suddenly now he’s lost his job and I’m in his place.

“He did say to me though that that’s football, that’s how it goes and that’s how it works.”