Steelmen have just five weeks until new season kicks off

May 27 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL are set to play their first match of the new season in just five weeks time after it was confirmed yesterday that they had qualified for next season’s inaugural Europa League.

But the man who guided them into last season’s UEFA Cup, Mark McGhee, could be leaving the club after being heavily tipped to take over at either Celtic or Aberdeen.

The Steelmen are now also in a race against time to secure replacements for out of contract stars Stephen Hughes, Maros Klimpl and Graeme Smith before the competitive action gets under way in early July.

Motherwell held off the challenge of Scottish Premier League rivals St Mirren to secure a place in the first qualifying round of the Europa Cup with the first leg taking place on July 2.

The ’Well finished second behind Celtic in the Scottish Fair Play League, but the Glasgow club had already qualified for the Champions League.

On announcing the decision yesterday, Scottish FA chief executive, Gordon Smith said: "My congratulations go to Motherwell and I wish them all the best for their European adventure next season.

“Getting into Europe shows what can be achieved when the game is played in the right manner.

“It is a lesson to everyone who plays the game and the whole country can be proud of this achievement.

"It is now down to all six of our teams who play in Europe next season to do well and to keep on pushing our co-efficient in the right direction.

"We can all look forward to the year ahead with a real sense of excitement."

Meanwhile the Fir Park faithful have resigned themselves to losing the services of goalkeeper Graeme Smith and midfield playmaker Stephen Hughes and it now appears they face more disappointment after Slovakian midfielder Maros Klimpl cooled on the prospect of remaining at the club.

The 28-year-old said: “I have really enjoyed my time at Motherwell but it has been a disappointing season for the club in that we did not make the top six.

“We have to see what happens.

“I don’t know what the future holds for me.

“It has been good being in Scotland.

“The people have been great. Motherwell will always be in my heart.”