STUART McCALL is about to start a season as the doyen of managers in the SPFL Premiership.

With all the summer upheavals, the Motherwell boss - who was appointed in December 2010 - has now been in post longer than any of his counterparts, 140 days more than Ross County's Derek Adams.

Hibs are reported to have designs on knocking McCall from this prestigious perch by offering him the chance to move from Fir Park to Easter Road.

But, until Hibs chief executive, Leeann Dempster, makes that call, the Scotland coach is focusing only leading the Steelmen into battle for a fourth new season, with another crack at the Europa League the highlight.

And the experienced 50-year-old admits he still feels like every day is a fresh challenge.

"I couldn't envisage me being here two months, never mind three-and-a-half years, after the start we made at Fir Park," laughed McCall.

"There has been quite a turnaround in managers of clubs in my time here.

"Nowadays, three-and-a-half years in a job anywhere is quite a long time. When I resigned at Bradford and came out of football, for people who had not had great success, one in two didn't manage to get the chance to get back into the game.

"So, for me to get a crack at Motherwell was brilliant, and I am still enjoying it. It's always different challenges."

The fact Motherwell will be competing in a top division without either Hearts or Hibs, and with Rangers also still operating outside the Premiership, ensures this will be a unique season.

The Championship has attracted a lot of attention because of the competitive look it now has.

But, having led Motherwell to second-spot finishes for each of the last two seasons, McCall's focus is, understandably, on the top flight.

He does, however, accept that the relegation of both Edinburgh clubs, and the loss of their sizeable away supports, will have a knock-on effect for Well. In particular, it could impact negatively on their budget, which is already very tight.

McCall said: "For our game, to have three of the biggest clubs not in the top division, for whatever reason, is not good.

"But, at Motherwell we can't do anything about that. We can only go out and be the best we can.

"We have had our own problems in the past, and had to go into administration at one point.

"Maybe people are cutting their cloth more now. But, it's always the fans who suffer.

"With what happened to Rangers, their fans are suffering.

"There's what has happened to Hearts, and their fans are suffering.

"And, for a different reason, Hibs fans are now suffering.

"Everyone will be talking about what a great league the Championship is going to be next year.

"But, from our point of view, it is another financial blow because Rangers, Hibs and Hearts carried a healthy away support."

Those big gates which games against Hearts, Hibs and Rangers brought will be missing.

But Motherwell do have a Lanarkshire derby to look forward to again - McCall's first game in charge of Motherwell was a goalless draw against Hamilton in January 2011 - after Accies shocked Hibs to win the promotion/relegation play-off.

Even though that will not offset their losses gate-wise, the prospect puts a smile on face of McCall as he reveals a long-held secret.

"I used to go and watch Accies when I was a young boy," he confessed, laughing when it was suggested it could only have been on the days when Rangers were not playing.

He continued: "My mum and dad were born in Hamilton, just round from the ground.

"So, when they lost the first leg of their play-off at home to Hibs 2-0, there was a little bit of me, said, 'Oh, no'.

"No one could have foreseen what was going to happen in the second game, and I feel for Terry Butcher and Maurice Malpas because I know what they must have been going through.

"It must have been horrendous."