Craigan only focusing on Dundee

Motherwell have instilled a week-long cessation of speculation surrounding the future of Stephen Craigan to allow the caretaker manager to focus on Saturday's trip to Dundee.

Craigan has yet to declare whether he wants to be considered for the first-team job on a permanent basis after admitting his uncertainty following his debut win over Partick Thistle on Saturday.

And the club have postponed all conversations about his potential candidacy until after the Premiership game at Dens Park.

Motherwell have received 85 applications for the post, which include the likes of Mixu Paatelainen and Simo Valakari, and have yet to draw up a shortlist. And it remains unclear whether Craigan will be on it.

The 38-year-old said: "I spoke to the club and was told not to worry about speculation, just focus on the job at hand.

"I spoke to the owner (Les Hutchison) and he said: 'Don't get involved in anything, just look after the team. I don't want to know what your intentions are, we're not going to let you know our intentions. Just get to the end of the week. We don't want the players crowded by speculation and statements.'

"They made the statement that I would take the team this week and I have been told to do that and we will see where it takes me.''

Craigan's lack of experience may prevent him from getting the job while his job satisfaction as a BT Sport pundit and Motherwell under-20s manager is drawing him back from declaring an interest.

"I wasn't asked to apply and I didn't indicate that I wanted to apply,'' the former Motherwell skipper said. "I don't know if it's the club or Les Hutchison protecting himself and me protecting myself. It's as if it's a conversation we are frightened to go down.

"He just wants a little bit of harmony because he knows there's an international break coming up and there will be plenty time to speak. He is happy to leave it as is. He didn't ask me the question and nobody else has really mentioned it.

"The players know our intent, the sole focus is to go to Dens Park, a place Motherwell didn't enjoy going to last season. We want to go and put in a positive performance.''

Craigan admitted this week has been "a lot more enjoyable'' than the days after he was handed the reins last Wednesday.

"We had a bit of a crash course last Friday, speaking to all the players and trying to make them feel good about themselves and give them information about what we were looking for,'' he said.

"This week we were able to structure training and look at Dundee and how we combat them and implement our game plan.''