Kenny Black hails Motherwell captain Craigan
Last updated on .From the section Football
Assistant manager Kenny Black has paid tribute to "model professional" Stephen Craigan as the Motherwell captain prepares for his final game.
Craigan has announced he will retire after Sunday's last game of the season against Dundee United.
"We were going to offer him another contract," said Black.
"His experience and how he goes about his business on the training field and his performances on match day, he is a credit to himself."
The 35-year-old Craigan is expected to make his 379th appearance before retiring to focus on a media career.
"He has taken a long time to think about it and he has made his decision," said Black.
"He goes with our best wishes, he is a model professional.
"How he goes about his business makes our job easier. You would hope for another dozen like him."
Craigan will feature at some stage at Fir Park after finding himself on the bench recently following an Achilles injury.
After the match, Motherwell will focus on moulding their squad for next season having offered contract extensions to Stevie Hammell, Steve Jennings, Keith Lasley, Tim Clancy and reserve goalkeeper Lee Hollis.
Youth-team graduates Ross Forbes, Gary Smith, Jamie Pollock, Jordan Halsman and Steven Lawless have been released.
Attentions will quickly turn to the Champions League qualifiers with Dinamo Kiev and Braga confirmed as two of five seeds Motherwell could play - and Club Brugges and Feyenoord also potential opponents.
"The players have had numerous conversations about who we could possibly get," added Black.
"The draw is 20 July, so we will look forward with great interest to who we are going to come out the hat with."
