TERRY BUTCHER, the Motherwell manager, has signed Preston midfielder Alan McCormack on loan until January.

The 21-year-old Dubliner has been drafted into the squad for the Bank of Scotland Premierleague opener against Celtic at Fir Park this afternoon.

McCormack admits the advice of Deepdale's former Motherwell manager, Billy Davies, convinced him that a short-term move to Lanarkshire was ideal.

"Billy Davies had no hesitation in recommending the move to Motherwell, " said McCormack. "I am looking forward to playing against sides like Celtic and Rangers and savouring the atmosphere of games like these."

McCormack is the ideal replacement for Kevin McBride, who will be out until the winter after a serious knee injury, in a central midfield role.

Butcher, meanwhile, is also giving former Sunderland and Manchester City winger Nicky Summerbee an opportunity to impress on trial next week.

Butcher said: "We will have him in next week to assess his fitness, but, at 33 going on 34, I wouldn't normally sign someone at this age, but he has Premiership experience and comes from a good football line.

"He's had a good career and we need to see if there is any life left in his legs."

Butcher recognises history will be against his team ahead of the visit of Celtic. "In the last three seasons, we have not won our opening game, we normally lost the first couple and go from there, " said Butcher.

"We want to finish higher in the table and with more points than last season."