Mark McGhee feels Motherwell are better than Hearts

Mark McGhee believes his Motherwell team can shine when they sort out their dismal defending after they were edged out 3-2 by Hearts.

"We lost very poor goals and that's what cost us the game," said McGhee.

"If we can tighten up a bit and be a bit more decisive when the ball can be cleared then we'll win more matches.

"We're not going to accept the type of defending when we lost the goals, but generally the commitment, fitness, play and creativity was there."

The Fir Park manager believes that his side were the better team before errors in defence let Hearts seize the advantage.

"I think the match only looked like it could go either way because of the two slack goals we lost.

"I think we lost them at a stage in the first half when we were dominating the game, we looked the most likely team, we were the most creative team.

"For the away team, we had most of the possession in Hearts' last two thirds.

"But we've cost ourselves the game by losing two poor goals."

McGhee went on to say he feels his team are currently at a higher level than their Tynecastle rivals.

"We did expect to win, we do expect to win. I think we should have won this game," he said.

I'm still convinced at this moment in time that we're better than Hearts Motherwell manager Mark McGhee

"It's a good result for them because I'm still convinced at this moment in time that we're better than Hearts.

"Clearly they've got a manager who has galvanised them and they're going to be a decent team this season.

"But I would like to play them again next week and I would still take my team against them.

"If we play as well as that and defend a bit better then we could get a good result against Aberdeen at home next week."