Brown believes Slane should stay at Well to improve his game

BBC Scotland expects Motherwell midfielder Paul Slane to complete his move to Celtic on Friday.

Motherwell were hoping to extend Slane's stay and opened talks on an improved contract, but manager Craig Brown is resigned to losing the player.

Brown said on Tuesday: "It's inevitable that Paul Slane is going because Celtic have made an offer."

Well, who will be due compensation for developing the player, have signed a replacement in Michael McGlinchey.

Brown added: "They have to make a compensation offer because we gave him a very good three-year deal, which he declined.

"He was giving us good provision on the bench or even starting later in the season but we won't consider that now because we have got to look to the future.

Slane, who was troubled by injury early in the season, last appeared as a substitute during Motherwell's Boxing Day loss at home to St Johnstone.

"He's 18, on the fringes of the team," added Brown.

He's 18, on the fringes of the team. The time to go, in my opinion, is when you are established Motherwell manager Craig Brown

"The time to go, in my opinion, is when you are established - when you have been Brian McClair, Scott McDonald or James McFadden or (David) Clarkson and (Paul) Quinn, who went recently to Cardiff.

"But it's hard to advise a player and his agent to wait when they see an opportunity to go, so that's their decision.

"We can't compete. He's a Celtic fan and, when he sees the hoops and they want him, it's hard.

"Money couldn't compete, not that money is a priority for all players, but the lure of getting on that Celtic jersey for Paul is too great for us to match."

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray had distanced himself from talk of Slane's impending move, but indicated that moves were being made in the background.

"Paul Slane is a young player who is not in my domain," said Mowbray earlier this week.

"There are other parts of the football club who would be dealing with Motherwell and it's not something I would get involved in."

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