McGhee disappointed at Ben Hall departure

Mark McGhee is unhappy at nature of Ben Hall's departure for Brighton (Pic by Craig Halkett)

The 19-year-old Northern Irish centre half joined English Championship outfit Brighton just months after being handed his first team debut but hasn’t spoken to the ‘Well boss since the switch.

McGhee, who has his eye on a replacement for the defender already, is disappointed at the lack of contact from the stopper and his representatives and at losing a player he believes owed the club “a bit more time”.

“When I arrived in October he was nowhere near the first team,” the boss told the Motherwell Times. “I started Ben’s development with Cadds (Chris Cadden), Luke Watt and Fergie (David Ferguson), working in the gym.

“Ben has left and he has not even said cheerio or acknowledged the fact that we exist.

“His agent has never contacted me. He dealt with Alan Burrows.”

However McGhee insisted that Hall leaving wasn’t a blow as he would be signing a replacement.

“That is not the issue,” McGhee added. “The issue is one of courtesy.

“He has disappeared down the road and it’s wrong.

“Loyalty is not a word that is often used but Ben owed us a bit more time.

“I understand that Ben has moved because of his agent. That is the modern world.”

In what would be a further blow, McGhee said that influential midfielder Stephen Pearson could be set to leave the club this summer and move to India.

Pearson (33), played 17 games for Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League two seasons ago.

But former Inverness Caley keeper Dean Brill (30) remains on Motherwell’s radar and McGhee is hopeful he’ll join.

“We’ve made Dean an offer and I’m expecting an answer in the next day or two,” McGhee said.

“We would be happy to have him here as back-up for Craig Samson.”