IAN Baraclough was only appointed manager of Motherwell yesterday but already he is aiming for the top.

The former Scunthorpe United and Sligo Rovers manager, who beat the likes of Rob Maskaant and Mitchell van der Gaag to the post, admits hauling the Fir Park club away from relegation danger is the immediate priority, but the Englishman sees no reason to hide his ambition.

"I want to win trophies," the 44-year-old told the club website. "Why not Motherwell Football Club? Why can't we win the Premiership? You have to go out with that thinking, otherwise you won't achieve anything.

"To have days out in the cup is great for fans, though, and they are important. It's a way into Europe and I've been used to that and want more of it, as I'm sure the fans do too."

Baraclough, who was at the likes of Leicester City, Wigan Athletic and QPR as a player, looks an intriguing addition to the Scottish game.

He lasted just six months in the English Championship with Scunthorpe after succeeding Nigel Adkins, but made his name in the Airtricity League. In three seasons at Sligo he guided the club to their first league title in 34 years, and back-to-back cup wins in the FAI Cup and All-Ireland Setanta Cup. Other fallow spells in his career have been spent scouting at Watford and Huddersfield Town.

"I am delighted and find myself in a privileged position," Baraclough said. "I've done some research into the history of the club and I know how well the it has done over recent years.

"It will be a hard task to take over from Stuart [McCall] but it's one I'm very excited to take on. I'm a positive guy and I'm upbeat most of the time. I want this club to feel energised and start climbing the table as soon as possible.

"In the short term, my aim is to keep this club in the Premiership. There is no easy way to go about that and it is a situation this football club hasn't been in for a few years, but it doesn't scare me. I feel there is more than enough ability here to push us up the table, then we have to build for long term by producing players."

Baraclough watched yesterday's home clash with Ross County from the stands but will be in the dugout for next weekend's visit to another of this season's strugglers, St Mirren.

The Englishman's appointment was endorsed by Les Hutchison, who has agreed the broad outline of a deal to buy John Boyle's share- holding and transfer it to the Well Society over a five-year period.

Hutchison reaffirmed that commitment and said there was no conflict of interest over his small, dwindling shareholding in Rangers. "It is my sincere hope that within a five-year period the ownership of the club will be transferred to the fans," he said. "My understanding from my legal team is that the Rangers shares is not an issue."