Motherwell FC

[DavidMc]

McCormack completes Cardiff switch

Cardiff have signed Scotland striker Ross McCormack from Motherwell and defender Darren Dennehy from Everton.

McCormack, 21, was a target for Wigan and Middlesbrough in January but has opted to join the Bluebirds after reaching the end of his contract.

Dennehy, 19, was offered new terms by Everton but chose to move on.

Cardiff full-back Kevin McNaughton, who played when McCormack made his Scotland debut against Czech Republic on 30 May, has agreed a new three-year deal.

"This is further evidence that we are putting together a squad that can compete to gain promotion to the Premier League," said Cardiff chairman Peter Risdale.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Dennehy graduated from the Goodison Park academy and can play at centre-back and in midfield.

McCormack started his senior career with Rangers and hit the headlines when he scored in a 1-1 Champions League draw away to Porto.

But he was loaned out to Doncaster later that season and left Ibrox in 2006 after making just 14 appearances for the Ibrox club.

McCormack's first season with Motherwell was plagued by injury and he scored just three times in 15 appearances.

However, he enjoyed an impressive campaign last season, finding the net 11 times.

McNaughton arrived at Ninian Park from Aberdeen two years ago and was one of Cardiff's most consistent performers last season.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell expect to secure Kennedy

Motherwell hope to tie up a loan deal for Celtic defender John Kennedy early this week despite reported interest from other clubs.

The 24-year-old joined Well at their training camp in Austria last week and is set to stay with Celtic's Scottish Premier League rivals until January.

Well boss Mark McGhee said: "I don't see any barriers to us signing John.

"We just need to sort out the financial side and I'd hoped it would have been done by now."

Kennedy has recently returned to full fitness after damaging his knee against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in November.

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is thought to be keen for Kennedy to get more games and feels the player will benefit from a short-term move. Pidgeley will get another chance and the same goes for Jim O'Brien

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee

Meanwhile, Spanish midfielder Angel Robles and German defender Mark Le Rande will not be offered deals following their trial spell with Motherwell.

But Celtic winger Jim O'Brien and Millwall goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley will keep training with the Steelmen.

"Pidgeley will get another chance and the same goes for Jim," McGhee added.

O'Brien, 21, had joined Kennedy in Austria, with the Lanarkshire club aiming to sign him on a permanent deal.

McGhee said he would assess the player and decide what kind of fee the club should offer Celtic for his services.

Scotland Under-21 winger O'Brien has found it difficult to break into the first team at Celtic Park and is eager for a move to Fir Park following loan spells at Dunfermline and Dundee United.