Motherwell boss Stuart McCall says he can handle the snub delivered by Blackburn Rovers striker Nick Blackman this week.

Blackman opted to join former Well boss Craig Brown at Aberdeen after netting 10 goals under the veteran manager during his five-month loan spell this term.

However, McCall said: "I'm not too sore about Nick and his decision. Over the last 10 days or so I have had an idea that he wouldn't be coming back, so we have tried to look at different options.

"He said after the Hamilton game that if he returned to Scotland he would love it to be with Motherwell because he was settled here, but I think he and his agent were hopeful he would stay in England.

"I spoke to his agent yesterday and it sounded like even he was surprised with the decision.

"Craig Brown and Steve Kean are very close and I can understand why it has happened.

"Hopefully by the beginning of next season we will get someone in who can be just as good as Nick, if not better."