Theo Bair and Lennon Miller will only leave Motherwell if price is right, says Stephen O’Donnell
The Fir Park defender admits he expects interest in the Steelmen’s star duo this summer
Motherwell defender Stephen O’Donnell says he expects interest and offers for duo Theo Bair and Lennon Miller this summer – but insists the Steelmen will only let them go if the price is right.
The pair were among the standouts last season for boss Stuart Kettlewell with Canadian international striker Bair bagging 15 goals in 41 appearances since last summer’s move from St Johnstone on a two-year deal, while 17-year-old midfielder Miller had an outstanding breakthrough season and last week made his Scotland under-21 debut against Turkiye.
Bair has this week been linked with a move to German Bundesliga outfit St Pauli and Rangers legend Barry Ferguson has tipped teen Miller for a move to Ibrox.
O’Donnell, who penned a contract extension at the club last week, says it is no surprise to see the players attract attention and the club won’t let their stars leave for pennies.
He told Lanarkshire Live Sport: “I don’t see the manager as someone who will panic or have his arm forced. He will have a decision to make I’m sure because Theo was exceptional for Motherwell last season and so was Lennon Miller, a great young prospect.
“I’m sure there will be interest and offers for them but as much as we might see ourselves as a selling club, we don’t need to sell these players. They are under contract.
“Of course, if the right offers comes in for someone – you see it at Celtic, you see it at top clubs across the world – and it is what you think they are worth, then you take it, move on, wish them luck and thank them for their services and you go and try to replace them.
“That is the hardest part of being a manager and a hard part of being a manager of Motherwell because you do lose your best players.
“But if we were to lose Theo, Lennon or anyone else under contract, at least we will get money for them.”
The Fir Park outfit have already watched two regulars from last season walk out the door for nothing with Blair Spittal signing a pre-contract with Premiership rivals Hearts before the end of last season and goalkeeper Liam Kelly departing ahead of a reported move to league rivals Rangers.
O’Donnell added: “It is harder when you lose the likes of Blair Spittal and Liam Kelly and you are not getting anything back. There is no issue with that, it happens, but the positive would be we’d get a fee if Theo or Lennon went.”
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