IT wasn't quite the sales pitch Mark McGhee was hoping it would be.

Back in May the Motherwell manager had gifted two tickets for the club's final game of the season to Ryan Bowman, the Gateshead striker he hoped to lure north of the border to Fir Park by giving him a glimpse of what the Scottish game had to offer.

Instead, the 24-year-old and his partner were left stunned as Celtic rampaged to a 7-0 rout at a raucous Parkhead on what was a dismal afternoon for the Steelmen.

While McGhee may have feared the afternoon's events would act as a deterrent, it turned out to be the moment Bowman knew he wanted his future to lie in Lanarkshire.

“They gave us tickets for the Celtic game at the end of last season," he said. "I’d spoken to the manager a few times and he said he’d be really interested in bringing me in.

“It was a case of trying to get some money and seeing if Gateshead would let me go or not. All through the summer it was dragging on and Motherwell were saying they were still interested.

“When the season started I thought I’ve got my mind set on Gateshead but it all came about last minute. They sold the lad Marvin Johnson and got money for that. They then put in a bid that Gateshead accepted and luckily it all got done.

“It was the 7-0 game I was at. It didn’t put me off, the atmosphere was brilliant.

“The girlfriend and me were just looking at each other in shock. To get a chance to play at that level you have to take it with both hands."

Bowman will be hoping Motherwell has the same comforting influence on him as it has with so many who have walked through the glass doors on Fir Park street in recent years.

The former York City man has had more than his fair share of clubs over the years, but is keen to finally settle in the Ladbrokes Premiership in a bid to establish himself in professional football once more.

Speaking ahead of today's game away to Ross County, he said: “I’ve had seven different clubs in seven seasons so some might say it looks bad, others will say it’s good.

“I’ve scored 19 to 20 goals each place I’ve been, but this is a different kettle of fish for me up here. Playing in English football I’ve not had the chance to look at other leagues but I’m relishing the opportunity."