STU BET WE ARE LOOKING AT MARKET
STUART KETTLEWELL insists Motherwell will cast the net far and wide to try to steal a march on rivals in the summer transfer market.
Record Sport revealed this week that the Steelmen are considering a move for Perth Glory right-back John Koutroumbis.
The 26-year-old Australia Under-23 international is out of contract with the A-League side next month and sources Down Under expect him to be the latest Aussie to tread the wellworn path to the SPFL Premiership.
And while Kettlewell was tight-lipped on the identity of targets, he confirmed talks were well underway with players – including a number of his own stars whose contracts are set to expire soon.
Keeper and skipper Liam Kelly is one of those with interest expected in the Scotland international in the coming months.
But while Fir Park boss Kettlewell retains hope his inspirational captain can be convinced to stick around longer, he is also aware his performances will have caught the eye of potential suitors.
Kettlewell said: “We’ve been working away on things with current players and potential signings.
“We have to try and get value for what our budget is. Sometimes we are getting blown out the water for players people think we should be signing.
“If teams can spend significantly more money than you then nine times out of 10 they are going to get the player.
“I’ll always try to sell the project, try to sell to players where I think they will be in a season’s time.
“And a good number of players I have done that to those who have been successful.
“You have to cast the net far and wide to get value and hope you maybe steal a march on a club that’s not seen a particular player you think might add value.
“We are working away as hard as we possibly can.”
Kelly recently made his 150th appearance for the Steelmen three years after joining from QPR.
But it’s not just on the park that Kettlewell reckons the keeper, who is hoping to clinch a spot in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the Euros, has real value.
He said: “You look at Liam’s performances, his numbers every season, his leadership and how good a goalie he is.
“Liam is top-drawer so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him attracting interest. But Liam is someone I would love to keep at the club.
“It could be a big summer for him. We have to wait and see how that goes.
“Liam has bought into everything I have tried to do here.”
Well head to Ross County this weekend and Kettlewell insists his player’s aren’t ready to hit holiday mode yet.
He said: “The bit we have to do is complete this season, that idea of putting the tools away and thinking it’s holiday time… it’s not.”