McGhee not worried about Motherwell being out-muscled

Boss Mark McGhee has no fears about Motherwell being bullied by a "robust" Hearts side this weekend. Well head to Tynecastle without two of their more physical players, with skipper Keith Lasley suspended and Liam Grimshaw having left the club following his loan spell.

But McGhee is confident the players he does have at his disposal will give as good as they get against Hearts.

He said: "We are going to Tynecastle without our two most physical players at a time when Hearts are playing a very robust style of game.

"But, as the week has gone on, we have developed an idea of how to approach it and now we are very confident.

"I've got no fears at all. I've got a lot of time for the way Hearts play and we are trying to do a bit of that as well.

"It's a physical game these days, there's a lot of athleticism involved, there are some big lads involved.

"As long as it doesn't cross a certain point.... and I don't think it has done with Hearts or ourselves at any point.

"I expect our lads to stand up to the Hearts players in the best possible way and not be bullied."

Motherwell had hoped to sign Grimshaw on a permanent deal from Manchester United but the midfielder looks set to join Preston instead.

McGhee said: "He has been brilliant. He's a fantastic lad and we wish him all the best.

"We will miss him and we will have to compensate in other ways.

"There's scope to bring someone else in. He was on loan so we might find something else like that to replace him."

The clash with Hearts marks McGhee's 900th game as a manager.

He added: "I want to get to 1,000 and I've got a chance, maybe in a couple of seasons.

"There aren't many managers who get to 1,000. It would be an achievement and that's what I'm aiming for."