PUT THE WORLD CUP FIRST SCOTT; MOTHERWELL v ASTON VILLA.
Motherwell boss Alex McLeish last night warned keeper Scott Howie he'd be a mug to quit the club.McLeish told the former Under-21 cap he risked wrecking his World Cup chances by moving out of Scotland.
And he pleaded with the 25-year-old to consider his future carefully before making up his mind.
McLeish, who finally signed Austrians Franz Resch and Mario Dorner yesterday, helped Howie into Craig Brown's plans.
Now he's bitterly disappointed at the prospect of another key player going the same way as Paul Lambert, Rob McKinnon and Mitchell Van Der Gaag.
But McLeish may be forced to field Howie against Aston Villa today if clearance doesn't arrive in time for new French signing Pegguy Arphexad.
He said: "I'd hate to see Scott leaving. He's only rejecting us on financial grounds.
"He has other offers in Europe and with lower English league clubs which I'm convinced will do nothing for his career.
"The World Cup is coming up and at the moment Scott is in the national squad. But will that still be the case if he heads to Europe and disappears?
"Scott has to look at the long-term picture and I don't think I'm being biased in saying that his best opportunities will come here at Fir Park.
"I pushed his international claims but I feel as if I've shot myself in the foot because he is looking elsewhere on the back of that reputation."
Howie's departure could clear the way for back-up keeper Stevie Woods to stay with the club.
He looked certain to quit too because he was unhappy about not getting regular first-team football.
Austrian stars Resch and Dorner will make their debuts after Well won a wrangle with their previous club Modling.
Although Well have finally benefited from the Bosman ruling, McLeish reckons the system is still flawed.
He said: "Lierse lost half their side and their coach after winning the Belgian League last season because all their players were out of contract.
"That is similar to what happened to us after we finished second in the league.
"It is very cruel and until the transfer system is scrapped in Britain as well as Europe we will be at a disadvantage."
One player McLeish won't be signing is defender David Nuomo who didn't look better than the young players already at the club.
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Author: | Campbell, Iain |
| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Date: | Jul 26, 1997 |
| Words: | 390 |
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