Stuart Kettlewell quit decision won't affect signings, says Motherwell No.2

Motherwell caretaker boss Stephen Frail says Stuart Kettlewell’s sudden departure as manager won’t affect potential signings - unless they balk at a different man coming in.

And while the club haven’t yet set a time line to get a replacement at Fir Park, Frail reckons the new boss will come in after the transfer window’s closure on Monday.

That doesn’t mean he will be ‘stuck’ with players, and Frail reckons there is quality at the Lanarkshire club.

Kettlewell quit on Monday, following what he says was unacceptable abuse from supporters, with Frail put in charge for the visit by champions Celtic on Sunday.

On potential signings, Frail said: “We were nearly getting to the end of the window, there are one or two still that have been bubbling away under the surface when Stuart was here, so they’re still ongoing.

“We need to see how that pans out, whether someone thinks I’m going to take a chance and come there, without a manager who is bringing me to the club.

“On the recruitment side of things we’re on top of one or two things that are just under the surface.”

When asked if there was a time line, Frail said chief executive Brian Caldwell could answer that question.

But he added “I think I read there are over 100 applicants, I think that shows the strength of the job.

“It’s a really good job for someone to come in and take.”

Frail says nothing will radically change for the clash with Celtic.

He said: “My role at this club was to assist Stuart, and my ideas and thoughts on the game very much aligned with his.

“There’s not going to be a ripping up of the way we play, the way we play with the ball or without it. There will be one or two little tweaks, in terms of personnel.

“I know some fans are wanting it ripped up, and to go