TALKING WELL

ALOT has changed in Motherwell over the last 14 years since James McFadden first walked out of Fir Park.

After all, he was just a young 20-year-old with the world at his feet and a modest ponytail draped over his shoulders when Everton came calling.

Behind him he left a Motherwell team still finding themselves after the grips of administration had almost left a fledgling side relegated, only for them to escape due to a technicality that saw Falkirk miss out.

Seen as the prodigal son in the eyes of most who feared for the club back then, he has returned more times than a homesick Jedi to different managers, dressing rooms and team-mates. but there have been several things which have remained a constant for him.

The love which pours out of the creaky stands at Fir Park has always been familiar to McFadden, along with the faces of many of the staff within the club who helped nurture him as a young teenager making his way in the world.

Those same people could do with his help now.

Motherwell sit in the precarious position of 11th in the Ladbrokes Premiership, a spot that, if they remain there, would see them go into a two-legged play-off to not just keep them in the top flight, but guard against any financial uncertainty which could impact those who have been associated with this club much longer than the kid with the red stripe in his hair who now finds himself in the role of assistant manager.

“I’ve been here as a young boy, I went away then came back and some of the people are still here from back then,” said McFadden.

“Their jobs are at risk as well and the manager made everyone aware of that earlier in the week.

“Listening to John Hughes’ interview [earlier this week about Raith Rovers’ plight], what he is talking about in terms of Raith Rovers and the way they are doing things is nothing to do with us but the message is the same.

“If we go down, people will lose their jobs, people who may struggle to get another job similar.

“Players will get another team, coaches will get another post but the people who are at the core of the club would be in danger.

“We need to do everything we can to ensure they keep their jobs. There are other people who are just as important even if they don’t do as high profile a job.

“They are just as important and we need to think of them and look after them when we go into a game.”

McFADDEN could play a crucial part in this latest Motherwell rescue mission. Made No.2 by Mark McGhee, the former Scotland internationalist has remained on the coaching staff under Stephen Robinson.

On top of that, he is, of course, a registered player of the squad. Now 34, McFadden has played a sparing role in Motherwell’s current ominous story so far. Just five times he has taken to the field, the last occasion coming back in October as a late substitute in a 3-0 home defeat to Inverness.

While his future beyond this summer remains uncertain, Motherwell’s prodigal son is ready to play his part to bring this season to a happy conclusion.

“Up until the last couple of weeks I’ve had the odd passing thought that I could make a difference or help out.

“Because I’ve been training now it’s a wee bit different,” said McFadden, who played against Rangers U20s yester- day at Ibrox. “I trained all last week and then again this week. I felt like that was the first time I thought I could really come on and help. Whether I’m needed or not is a different thing, but I’ll be ready.

“I took the job and I thought I’d see how it goes. Robbo then came in and was happy for me to stay on. It was always going to be that we would revise it at the end of the season.

“Hopefully we’ll get the results required and we will talk at the end of the season. I’m in no rush. I don’t have any thoughts on coaching or playing, so we will see what happens.”