Just when it looked as if McGhee was ready to jump ship and take over Hearts, a last-minute change of heart delighted the club's chairman John Boyle as the former Celtic striker decided to stay with the club.

However now McGhee appears to have his future plans laid out already and indicated just when he could leave Fir Park for good.

"I don't want to be forever managing in front of 6,000 people," McGhee said. "I'd much prefer 50,000 and, of course, I'd rather be at a club where you can keep your best players.

"I'd love to manage a team in European competition. When you produce a good player at a club like Motherwell he'll be taken, either by the Old-Firm, Hearts or Aberdeen.

"I'm working on the basis that I'm going to be here next year. I've planned pre-season and I'm looking at players."