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. 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.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.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."We don't want an enquiry - I certainly don't."I'm sure if he has a really good start with us, I think he can force himself in the Scotland set-up."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."McCall feels Murphy's interests are best served continuing to learn his trade in the Motherwell first team."He's enjoying his football, he's playing regularly and playing really well," the former Scotland midfielder said."We don't encourage interest. We expect it because he's a good player. But we certainly don't want to lose anybody."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."With the arrival of Nicky Law in left midfield, Murphy is again expected to start up front against Killie."One thing you can guarantee against Kilmarnock is that it will be an open, entertaining game," McCall said."When you go head to head with teams that are trying to get into the top six, you have to go out to win."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"."Myself and (assistant) Kenny (Black) will be going down south over the next couple of weeks looking at English Premier reserve sides."I went to watch Man United's young boys down at Ayr on Monday and saw a couple there, but maybe too young."We have got people we are interested in but maybe other clubs are interested."McCall's main target, Blackburn defender Gavin Gunning, looks unlikely to return to Fir Park following his loan spell last season."Gav played for Scunthorpe the other night in a trial match against Rotherham," McCall said."He knows the manager down there, Alan Knill had him at Bury."So he'll probably be going to Scunthorpe. We'll keep monitoring that until that happens."Meanwhile, Motherwell winger Chris Humphrey still expects to play for his native Jamaica despite missing their Gold Cup campaign.Humphrey was included in the Jamaica squad for the summer tournament but complications with paperwork meant he did not travel to the United States.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.But Humphrey does not expect to be named when Levein selects his squad for the friendly against Denmark on Tuesday."I don't know whether he would do that, especially now I have said I would play for Jamaica," Humphrey said.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."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."