Motherwell 3 - 0 Inverness CT: Stevie Hammell hopes Motherwell can keep interest in Murphy at bay

Hammell finished off a flowing move when he ran on to Chris Humphrey's cross to fire in off the post for his first Motherwell goal since February 2004.

Jamie Murphy netted a slick second three minutes later to put Motherwell in command before the half-hour mark, a reward for some inventive passing football.

Caley Thistle made a significant contribution to an entertaining first half, with Richie Foran and Greg Tansey both hitting the post, but Motherwell contained them well after the interval and Keith Lasley thundered a shot into the top corner from 25 yards to end their hopes in the 77th minute.

Hammell combined well with new signing Nicky Law down the left and he is positive about the season ahead.

"If you're playing with good players it makes your job a lot easier," he said. "(With] Murphy, Nicky Law and Jenno (Steve Jennings) inside, you are happy to give them the ball and you know they won't lose it."

Murphy's goal came in front of scouts from at least eight clubs in the top two flights of English football, including Tottenham, Wolves, Stoke, West Brom and Birmingham.

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The 21-year-old again impressed with his pace and imagination, although he was quieter after the break as Motherwell sat deeper.

Hammell is sure Murphy will cope with the attention and hopes Motherwell hold on to him for longer.

"Every season he seems to take his game up to another level. He has got a bright future but hopefully we can keep him for another season because he is a massive player for us and he would be really hard to replace."

Inverness manager Terry Butcher was happy with some of the football his side played, with new signings Andrew Shinnie and Tansey showing some good touches in midfield.

Butcher was without the injured Lee Cox, Josh Meekings, Billy McKay and Aaron Doran while Austrian left-back Thomas Piermayr could not complete his move in time to play.

But Caley Thistle looked vulnerable in central defence, where full-back Ross Tokely teamed up Tom Aldred.

Butcher said: "We are a work in progress. It's the first time the team has played together.

"Greg Tade just came into the squad this week after being injured in pre- season. I thought he did very well and had a great opportunity to score.

"We had chances to score and to not score was quite a shock. There were never three goals in the game but fair play to Motherwell, they took their chances.

"I take a lot of positives. From a defensive point of view, I wouldn't say there were positives, a lot of negatives. But we'll work on them."