Alexander admits defeat in keeping Campbell

MOTHERWELL manager Graham Alexander is resigned to losing midfielder Allan Campbell when the Scotland Under-21 internationalist’s deal expires at the end of the season.

A product of the youth academy at Fir Park, the box-to-box midfielder has been a mainstay in the Steelmen’s midfield for years.

Campbell, 22, has made 162 first-team appearances since breaking into the senior fold in Lanarkshire and has been capped 24 times for Scot Gemmill’s Under-21s.

But the talented youngster’s time at Motherwell is coming to an end, with Alexander revealing that Campbell has decided to move on when his contract runs out at the end of the month.

Alexander, whose side face Dundee United at Tannadice tonight, said: “I had one last shot at it a couple of weeks ago and we did offer him a very good contract for us, because I didn’t want to get to the summer, he goes elsewhere and we hadn’t tried everything we can to keep him.

“As I keep saying, he’s a brilliant player, a brilliant professional, and any manager would be desperately keen to keep him on board.

“I know the reasons why, and I can understand the reasons why, as an ex-player myself. We had a great chat the other week, he was honest as he always is, and I could see his perspective, so he will be leaving in the summer and I hope he gets the best club he can.

“Everyone at Motherwell, not just myself, would wish the best for Allan, because he has been absolutely fantastic for this club.

“I think he can go all the way, for me. Not right now, he’s still young, he’s got loads of experience but still has little bits to improve in his game, but if I know anything about Allan Campbell he’s going to do everything he can to improve.

“Already he’s a quality player, but as you go through the levels you have to find that little bit extra - and Allan Campbell will search for that little bit extra, and get it.

“Nothing would surprise me in what Allan Campbell goes on to achieve in the next 10 or 15 years.”