Jordan McGhee excited to finally get involved for Motherwell

Jordan McGhee is excited to finally get the chance to contribute to Motherwell’s season after lapping up their football from the sidelines.

The former Hearts and Dundee player made his debut off the bench at Easter Road last weekend after two separate thigh injuries ruled him out for the first half of the season.

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup fourth-round tie against Ross County at Fir Park, the 29-year-old said: “It’s still been tough watching because you always naturally want to be part of that and feel that you can add to that, but watching the boys play their stuff every week and picking up results and winning games, there was no better feeling.

“The dressing room’s positive every single day. It helps you when you’re injured as well, that everyone’s bouncing about the place. So, it’s been a massive help for me and I enjoy watching it.

“I was brought up through Hearts, through Scotland’s Under-21s, it was all playing it from the back, so it’s something I’m used to.

“Obviously, you go to different club managers with different styles of play as well and you adapt to that, but I feel that’s the way I’ve been brought up and it’s something I really look forward to getting involved in and getting my teeth into.

“I’m in all the video meetings. Obviously I can’t go out on the pitch and do what I do best, but I always knew that day was going to come and I’ve just worked as hard as I can.”

McGhee’s home debut is set to come about 12 months since he signed a pre-contract.

The manager who oversaw that deal, Stuart Kettlewell, will be in the away dugout on Saturday having also managed Kilmarnock in the past year.

McGhee revealed most of his talks about signing came with chief executive Brian Caldwell.

“I spoke to Kettlewell at the time, but it was more a club decision,” he said. “As much as I spoke to Ketts, once I knew the interest was here, I wanted to get it done.

“I’ve got family that are Motherwell fans, they’re pretty local as well, so there’s a bit more on it for me now and that excites me to come here and do everyone proud.

“You just need to look at the crowds, every game we seem to get more and more people coming to the game, which is great. It’s great for us as players and creates a better atmosphere as well.

“Even in East Kilbride, where I stay, you bump into Motherwell fans now all the time.

“They’re just telling how good it is and it just makes you more excited to get out there and show what you can do and help on the pitch.”

Motherwell remain without the likes of Elliot Watt and Callum Hendry but Stephen O’Donnell has shaken off the back strain that forced him off against Hibernian.