SCOTLAND assistant Mark McGhee has refused to rule out the possibility of him becoming the new Motherwell manager.

McGhee was in charge at the Lanarkshire club from 2007-09 and as of yet has not been one of the 100-odd applicants who have submitted a CV to be the one to replace Ian Baraclough. However, the 58-year-old is not closed off to the notion of returning to his former parish.

He said: "I have been complimented that people around me and people that I know have associations there have suggested it would be a good thing for me and a good thing for them.

"But the people there know me and I have total respect for that. If someone was interested in talking to me, I'm sure they would get in touch but that has not been the case either way."

Meanwhile, the odds on Motherwell managerial top target Simo Valakari taking the helm at Fir Park tumbled to 4-6 on last night.

The Finn has moved to within two games of clinching the Veikkausliga in Finland with minnows SJK.

The former Fir Park midfielder’s side moved two points clear of league leaders RoPS at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Ilves.

That result was followed up by a shock defeat for their title rivals away to Mariehamn last night, meaning the path is clear for Valakari’s club to win the championship for the first time in their history.

The 42-year-old is anticipated to be on a shortlist of candidates to be interviewed later this week by Motherwell’s football committee.