Motherwell defender Dan Casey has no regrets about move following Steven Hammell's sacking

Defender Dan Casey insists he has no regrets about moving from California to Motherwell, despite the man who brought him to the club being sacked in the aftermath of his debut.

Former boss Steven Hammell managed to entice the Irishman to switch North America for North Lanarkshire but Casey had a baptism of fire, making his debut as Motherwell crashed out of the Scottish Cup to Raith Rovers.

That 3-1 defeat at Stark's Park cost Hammell his job just moments after the final whistle, perhaps leaving Casey wondering what he had got himself into as Stuart Kettlewell took the reins on a caretaker basis and was later appointed permanent boss.

But when asked if he might have questioned his decision at that point, Casey said: "No, never. I don't think you can judge something so quickly.

"You've got to work on things. Things are never going to be perfect at the start anyway.

"I'm not saying they are perfect now but we just need to keep going and, hopefully, come the end of the season I will look back and say it was a good move.

"It has been tough. I'm very grateful for Steven bringing me in.

"It's football at the end of the day. Things happen and changes occur.

"We were all sad to see him go but now Stuart is in. It is going well so far and we just need to keep working hard."

Casey spent the past year in the States playing for Sacramento Republic in the USL Championship, the tier below the MLS in the States.

On his decision to make the switch to the Scottish Premiership, the former Bohemians player said: "I just wanted to be closer to home. I think it was a good opportunity when it arose.

"If I am being honest, I don't really want to plan far in advance. I'm sort of taking it season by season.

"This opportunity arose and it was a