McDonald in 'come and get me' plea to Hearts, Hibs

SCOTT McDonald reiterated his desire to move away from Motherwell yesterday when he issued what amounted to an open invitation to Hearts and Hibs to bid for his services.

The striker wants to quit Fir Park to further his career and has been linked with both Edinburgh clubs, although Hibs manager Tony Mowbray has dismissed claims he is interested in the Australian as a replacement for Celtic-bound Derek Riordan.

Even so, McDonald admits he would welcome interest from either club. "I've read in the papers that Hearts and Hibs are interested in me and if that is the case it would be a real honour to think that clubs like that could come in for me," he said.

"It's nice to read that sort of stuff and it's certainly something I would be interested in. My agent will deal with that sort of stuff but I am not going to close any doors at this stage.

"I need to keep my head down, work hard and play as well as I can and show clubs that they should make a move for me."

McDonald decided it was time to move on from Motherwell after failing to make the Australia squad for the World Cup this summer.

He added: "I've had a really good time at Motherwell but I just feel that it's time to press on and hopefully find a new challenge. Missing out on the World Cup was one of the reasons for me deciding I want to leave and I feel that playing with a more high profile side would maybe help me at international level as well as bettering me as a player.

"I still have a couple of years left on my [Motherwell] deal which means they would hopefully get a decent deal for me. They've helped me to improve as a player and I reckon moving on would benefit both parties."

Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas is reluctant to sell the player but he is resigned to losing left-back Steven Hammell, who is out of contract.

The defender is still considering an approach from Aberdeen, despite more lucrative offers from England. Hammell said: "I have a decision to stay in the SPL with Aberdeen or go south. It is a hard one and I also have my girlfriend and son to think about. I have spoken to Aberdeen and Jimmy Calderwood and I couldn't have been more impressed."

Meanwhile, reports in Latvia have linked Hearts with the strikers Marian Pahars and Andrejs Prohorenkovs. Pahars, 29, has been freed by Southampton after a run of injuries, while Prohorenkovs, also 29, is struggling to hold down a first-team place with Dynamo Moscow. Both are Latvian internationals.

It was also claimed yesterday that Hearts have appointed the architectural firm AFL-UK to design a new main stand at Tynecastle. The Manchester company has worked previously with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton.

Taken from the Scotsman