MOTHERWELL have unveiled Craig Hinchcliffe as their new goalkeeping coach.

The 45-year-old has enjoyed previous stints in charge of the shot stoppers at Partick Thistle, Dundee United and York City.

The Fir Park side are in Ireland this week at the lavish Carton House resort and Hinchcliffe has already departed for the Emerald Isle to replace the departing Marlon Beresford.

Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson said: “The timing wasn’t great and was imperative our pre-season plans were not interrupted in any way, which is why we’ve brought Craig in.

“Marlon was great around the club and we didn’t want him to go, but the opportunity he has is quite literally life-changing, so he moves on with our best wishes for the future.

“Craig is someone who has come highly recommended to us. He has the highest goalkeeping qualification you can achieve; he has coached at some good clubs and with some really good managers and knows the Scottish game inside out. I am delighted he’s joining our set-up.”

Hinchcliffe will immediately start working with new shot stopper Trevor Carson and the returning Russell Griffiths, and said: “I am delighted to be back in the game and teaming up with Stephen Robinson and the staff here at Fir Park.

“Motherwell has an excellent reputation within the game and I am excited at the prospect of working with Trevor, Russell and the young goalkeepers we have here too.

“It’s my job to improve and mentor the goalkeepers at the club, and that’s my ultimate focus. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Beresford leaves Fir Park for a post in the Middle East, and the former Burnley man thanked the Lanarkshire club for the enjoyable but brief three months spent in Scotland.

He said: “I’ve loved my short time at Motherwell and have been so impressed with how the club is run, the set-up and the people around Fir Park, who are all first class.

“I am leaving with an extremely heavy heart, but I was presented with something completely out the blue last week and it was just too good to turn down for my family and I.

“I want to wish everyone at Motherwell all the very best of luck for the future.”