McGhee brushes off pressure talk

McGhee has watched Motherwell toil this season

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee insists he does not feel under pressure despite the club's lowly league position.

The Steelmen are one of four teams locked on 17 points at the foot of the Scottish Premier League following Saturday's derby defeat at Hamilton.

"I really don't feel any pressure," McGhee told BBC Sport.

"I think we're doing the best we can given the circumstances we're in and given the fitness of the squad I have available here."

McGhee guided Motherwell to third place and European football in his first season after replacing Maurice Malpas at the helm.

That alerted Hearts and the former Aberdeen and Celtic striker turned down a more lucrative deal on offer at Tynecastle to manage the Edinburgh side.

And he insists that by staying at Fir Park in the summer when he had the chance to move on, showed loyalty on his part - something he wants in return from the club's supporters.

We're going through a difficult time, it's just the circumstances we're under and I expect the backing of the fans Motherwell manager Mark McGhee

"I stayed here in the summer for particular reasons," he said.

"I could have went elsewhere and made life really easy for myself both from the point of view of securing third spot and financially.

"But I didn't because I want to work for Motherwell and I think that showed great loyalty in doing that.

"We're going through a difficult time - through no fault of our own - it's just the circumstances we're under and I expect the backing of the fans."

On reports that last season's top-scorer Chris Porter's future may lie away from the club, McGhee insists that remains speculation.

"There is a bit of talk but it's all talk at the moment," he added.

"I'm not saying there's nothing real behind it but we've had no contact from any club regarding Chris Porter.

"When it comes we'll deal with it. If we feel it's appropriate to sell him we may and if we do then there will be some money that I may be able to go out and sign a replacement which I would have to do.

"If Chris doesn't go then it's unlikely we'll have any finance to improve the squad."

Meanwhile, midfielder Keith Lasley says there's a lack of confidence in the squad, but he feels they have the players and ability to get out of the current slump which has seen them collect just one point from a possible 21.

"I think losing does make you lose confidence," Lasley told BBC Sport.

"The more games you lose that becomes a factor, so getting that elusive win under our belt would hopefully push us on.

"It's something that does affect you but you just have to get it out of your system.

"We definitely still have the belief that we can get up this league but it's a case going out there and doing it."