Axed Ian is backing Steelmen to flourish

IAN BARACLOUGH believes his successor at Motherwell will reap the benefits of the work he did during nine months in charge. The Englishman was sacked last week after a League Cup defeat to Morton, with the Fir Park board seeking to appoint a replacement during the forthcoming international break. In a statement issued by his management company, Baraclough said he was ‘disappointed to have departed, but equally proud of my time at the club’. He added: ‘We worked hard in the summer to put an infrastructure in place to allow the club to flourish in the long term. These foundations will benefit the club for years to come. ‘When I joined, Motherwell were facing a difficult time at the foot of the Scottish Premiership. That battle continued but through the tremendous efforts of the players and staff we were able to secure safety with a landmark 6-1 aggregate victory over Rangers FC in the Play-off Final. ‘We were aided, throughout, by the club’s loyal and passionate fans. If they continue to support the new manager in the same manner they afforded me, I am sure the club will climb the division.’ Stephen Craigan will continue as interim manager for tomorrow’s visit to Dundee, but is still uncertain about his long-term aims despite victory over Partick Thistle last weekend. ‘I was speaking to Alan Archibald about the emotions and the stress of it all,’ said Craigan. ‘And he told me: “That’s when you are winning!” That’s when reality hit home, he was right. ‘Certainly, the grounding I’ve had up to now with working with youth internationals and the Under-20s prepared me a little bit. If I hadn’t had any coaching up until now and was thrown into it, it would have been a minefield. ‘I’m not too sure if it’s something I’d want to be doing regularly but until the question is asked or until something moves itself forward, then there isn’t really a question to answer.’ Meanwhile, ex-Motherwell boss Terry Butcher is looking for a new job after he was sacked by Newport County yesterday after just 16 months in charge of the Sky Bet League Two club.