Source: Team_Talk
McCall keen to keep Murphy
Stuart McCall has tipped Jamie Murphy for Scotland recognition and dismissed reports Motherwell had received enquiries about the striker.[LNB] Murphy scored an impressive goal as Motherwell started the SPL season with a 3-0 win over Inverness, which was watched by scouts from clubs such as Tottenham, Stoke, West Brom and Birmingham.[LNB]But McCall is eager to hold on to Murphy for at least another campaign and believes the 21-year-old can force his way into the Scotland set-up - the next squad is named on Tuesday for the upcoming friendly against Denmark.[LNB]McCall, whose side face Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tomorrow, said: "I can categorically state now, we have not had one enquiry for Jamie, regardless of what one or two people have said in the press, which is a bit annoying.[LNB]"We don't want an enquiry - I certainly don't.[LNB]"I'm sure if he has a really good start with us, I think he can force himself in the Scotland set-up.[LNB]"Without doubt, I think he has the ability. Only a couple of years ago him and (Chris) Maguire were keeping (David) Goodwillie out the under-21 side. Jamie has the talent and ability."[LNB]McCall feels Murphy's interests are best served continuing to learn his trade in the Motherwell first team.[LNB]"He's enjoying his football, he's playing regularly and playing really well," the former Scotland midfielder said.[LNB]"We don't encourage interest. We expect it because he's a good player. But we certainly don't want to lose anybody.[LNB]"He is a level-headed lad, a great kid to work with. It won't affect him but I wish people would report the facts and not speculation."[LNB]With the arrival of Nicky Law in left midfield, Murphy is again expected to start up front against Killie.[LNB]"One thing you can guarantee against Kilmarnock is that it will be an open, entertaining game," McCall said.[LNB]"When you go head to head with teams that are trying to get into the top six, you have to go out to win."[LNB]Law was one of just two summer signings for McCall, along with striker Michael Higdon, and the Motherwell manager admits his hunt for a new defender has "gone quiet".[LNB]"Myself and (assistant) Kenny (Black) will be going down south over the next couple of weeks looking at English Premier reserve sides.[LNB]"I went to watch Man United's young boys down at Ayr on Monday and saw a couple there, but maybe too young.[LNB]"We have got people we are interested in but maybe other clubs are interested."[LNB]McCall's main target, Blackburn defender Gavin Gunning, looks unlikely to return to Fir Park following his loan spell last season.[LNB]"Gav played for Scunthorpe the other night in a trial match against Rotherham," McCall said.[LNB]"He knows the manager down there, Alan Knill had him at Bury.[LNB]"So he'll probably be going to Scunthorpe. We'll keep monitoring that until that happens."[LNB]Meanwhile, Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey still expects to play for his native Jamaica despite missing their Gold Cup campaign.[LNB]Humphrey was included in the Jamaica squad for the summer tournament but complications with paperwork meant he did not travel to the United States.[LNB]That means the 23-year-old is still eligible to play for Scotland through his Kilmarnock-born mother, and national team manager Craig Levein has confirmed his interest in the past.[LNB]But Humphrey does not expect to be named when Levein selects his squad for the friendly against Denmark on Tuesday.[LNB]"I don't know whether he would do that, especially now I have said I would play for Jamaica," Humphrey said.[LNB]On the Jamaica interest, he said: "I have got a few things I need to sort out with my passport and birth certificate but when that is sorted it should be fine.[LNB]"They are always phoning me up, asking me how I am doing, and they are keen on me playing games for them but it's just a case of tying up the loose ends first."[LNB]
